2021 CFP SEASON PREVIEW AUTUMN 11

WAKE FOREST
#10 ACC: CONF 3-4, HOME 2-1, AWAY 1-3, BOWL: L
Head Coach: Dave Clawson (8) OC: Warren Ruggiero (8) DC: Lyle Hemphill (5)
OFFENSE:
QB: Returns starter Sam Hartman (2224 YDS, 13 TD, 5 INT passing, 2 TD rushing) and backups Michael Kern (253
YDS) and Mitch Griffis (56 YDS, 1 TD).
RB: Kenneth Walker (1158 YDS, 17 TD in 20 games) transferred to Michigan State. Returns Christian Beal-Smith
(732 YDS, 5 TD), Justice Ellison (113 YDS, 1 TD) and Ahmani Marshall (18 YDS). Christian Turner (171 YDS, 1 TD in
2019) transferred in from Michigan where he was buried in the depth chart.
WR: Lost Sage Surratt (opted out 2020, 1001 YDS, 11 TD in 2019) to the NFL. 2019 4-star Nolan Groulx (58 YDS)
transferred out. Returns Jaquarii Roberson (926 YDS, 8 TD), 6’2 Donavon Greene (582 YDS, 3 TD), Taylor Morin
(405 YDS, 3 TD), 6’5 AT Perry (211 YDS, 1 TD), Ke’Shawn Williams (44 YDS), 6’4 Donald Stewart (41 YDS) and 6’4
Jahmal Banks (17 YDS). Casey Washington (106 YDS) transferred in from Illinois.
TE: Returns Brandon Chapman (65 TOT) and Blake Whiteheart (61 YDS).
OL: All five starters are back. Allowed 3 sacks per game (105 th in FBS).
DEFENSE:
DL: Lost DE Boogie Basham (28 TOT, 5 sacks) to the NFL. DE Luiji Vilain (4 TOT) transferred in from Michigan.
Returns DE Jacorey Johns (32 TOT, 2 sacks), Miles Fox (24 TOT, 3.5 sacks), 300lb Sulaiman Kamara (15 TOT), Rondell
Bothroyd (11 TOT), Dion Bergan (10 TOT, 1 sack) and Will Smart (5 TOT, 1 sack).
LB: Lost leading tackler Ja’Cquez Williams (73 TOT, 2 sacks) to the NFL. Shamar McCollum (10 TOT) transferred to
Georgia State. Returns Ryan Smenda (52 TOT, 1 sack), Chase Monroe (19 TOT), Chase Jones (13 TOT), DJ Taylor (7
TOT) and Jaylen Hudson (3 TOT).
SF: Returns Nick Anderson (63 TOT, 4 INT as a true freshman), Traveon Redd (46 TOT, 1 INT), Zion Keith (31 TOT, 1
INT), AJ Williams (30 TOT, 1 sack, 1 INT).
CB: Returns Ja’Sir Taylor (42 TOT, 2 INT), Caelen Carson (25 TOT, 1 INT), Christian Masterson (25 TOT), Nasir Greer
(7 TOT in 3 games during 2020, 65 TOT in 2019) and Tyriq Hardimon (6 TOT).
SPECIAL TEAMS:
KR: Returns Nick Sciba (31/31 PAT, 14/17 FG). Ivan Mora kicked off 40 times.
PR: Returns punter/kicker Ivan Mora (40.8 YD AVG).
SPIN
Winston-Salem, NC – Two of Wakes’ four ACC losses, including UNC, were by one possession. Even though the year
ended with a loss to Wisconsin in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, they managed to put up 28 points on the Badgers which
was tied for the most they gave up all year. Returns 19 starters from last season. Only four programs return more
starters. They are 1 of 6 FBS teams that return all 11 starters on offense. The offense ranked 19 th nationally scoring
an average of 36 PPG (most in program history). The +10 turnover margin tied for 4 th
nationally. The defense allowed 32.8 PPG which needs to improve. With no power five
teams on the non-conference schedule, they should win all three games. Old
Dominion did not have a 2020 season, Norfolk State is an FCS school. If they can
survive Army (1 st in total YDS/G allowed, 2 nd in pass YDS/G allowed, 2 nd in PTS/G
allowed), then they only need three more wins to make a bowl game. Wake Forest is
set to play North Carolina which will not count as a conference game in the ACC
standings even though they are both ACC teams. Cross divisional opponents are Duke
and Virginia. The Deacs better get their wins early, the last four games on the schedule
are tough with three road games. Wake Forest should be able to challenge for the
second spot behind Clemson in the Atlantic Division. I have them going 9-3 and would
be surprised if they win less than eight games in the regular season.
Twitter @Autumn_Eleven