Wake Forest Demon Deacons Team Preview 2009
July 22nd, 2009 by Jeremy Shory
2008 overall record: 8-5
2008 conference record: 4-4
Returning starters Offense: 9, Defense: 4, Punter/Kicker: 1
Top returns: QB Riley Skinner, TE Ben Wooster, LT Joe Birdsong, C Russell Nenon, RT Jeff Griffin, RB Brandon Pendergrass, DT John Russell, NT Boo Robinson, CB Brandon Ghee, P Shane Popham, TB Kevin Harris, TB Josh Adams.
Key losses: DE Matt Robinson, LB Aaron Curry, LB Stanley Arnoux, LB Chantz McClinic, CB Alphonso Smith, FS Chip Vaughn, PK Sam Swank, WR D.J. Boldin, WR Chip Brinkman, SS Kevin Patterson
Fall Fantasy Question
Loaded backfield. Like several other teams in the ACC, Wake has three capable tailbacks, and the staff will have to figure out how to distribute the carries. Josh Adams, Brandon Pendergrass and Kevin Harris each had a 100-yard game last year.
Team Breakdown
Quarterback - Riley Skinner has been underrated his whole college career. Wake Forest was one of his only Division One offers. The fact is, Skinner’s one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC. In 2007, he led the nation in completion percentage, and during his career has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes. Skinner is not overly athletic, but is a good decision-maker in Jim Grobe’s offense, and was part of a 2007 Deacon squad that won the ACC. Behind Skinner, it’s a little thin. Wake Forest doesn’t have a backup who’s thrown a pass in college. Sophomore Sklyar Jones has some running ability and is the likely backup. 2008 Stats: Skinner – 232 for 363, 2,347 yards, 13 TDs, 7 INT, 104 rushes for 144 yards, 1 TD.
ACC Rank – 3
RB Josh Adams (thanks ISM.com)
Running Back - Wake Forrest played musical chairs with their running backs last year. Jim Grobe started the season with Josh Adams, switched to Brandon Pendergrass midseason, and finished out with Kevin Harris. Harris had a great year ending game with 136 yards in the Eagle Bank Bowl. Josh Adams has the most potential though, as he looks to regain the form that made him the ACC Rookie of the year in 2007. 2008 Stats: Pendergrass – 150 rushes for 528 yards, 5 TDs, 19 receptions for 125 yards. Adams – 120 rushes for 320 yards, 4 TDs.
ACC Rank – 10
Wide Receiver - Wake Forest is another team that has to find a way to replace the previous season’s pass-catching leader. D.J. Boldin and his 81 receptions are gone now. Second leading receiver Marshall Williams had 26 catches last season, and is the top returnee. Next two on the depth chart, Devon Brown and Jordan Williams, only caught 11 passes between them last season. 2008 Stats: Williams – 26 for 390 yards, 2 TDs. Brown – 10 for 134 yards, 1 TD.
ACC Rank – 11
Tight End - TE looks set with Ben Wooster and his 24 receptions from 2008. I would expect Wooster to be used very early on as Wake tries to settle their wide out position. 2008 Stats: Wooster – 24 for 211 yards, 3 TDs.
ACC Rank – 1
Defense John Russell, as he attempts to get a cheer from the crowd (thanks ISM.com)
Defense - Wake Forrest lost just about as much on defense as Boston College did. They return only four starters from their 2008 team. The losses of defensive end Matt Robinson, linebackers Aaron Curry, Stanley Arnoux, Chantz McClinic, and cornerback Alphonso Smith to the draft will cause a little shuffling during the summer. Watch for defensive tackles Boo Robinson and John Russell take a solid leadership position on this team and form a nice pair in the middle of the line.
ACC Rank – 9
Kicker/Special Teams - Wake Forrest found a decent replacement for career record-breaking Sam Swank in the form of sophomore Shane Popham. Swank struggled to see the field consistently in 2008 which gave Popham a ton of looks. He was not anything to write home about, but did an adequate enough job to hold onto it going into the fall. Popham was 100% on extra points but a measly 58% on field goals. That number should improve this year knowing that he is “the guy.” Wake did not have any returns for touchdowns last year and probably will be worse in the return game as most of the talent is gone. Watch for Josh Adams and Brandon Pendergrass get in the mix from time to time. 2008 Stats: Popham – 9 for 9 on extra points, 7 for 12 on field goals, longest field goal was 44 yards.
ACC Rank – 6
Sept. 5 Baylor
Sept. 12 Stanford
Sept. 19 Elon
Sept. 26 at Boston College
Oct. 3 NC State
Oct. 10 Maryland
Oct. 17 at Clemson
Oct. 24 at Navy
Oct. 31 Miami
Nov. 7 at Georgia Tech
Nov. 14 Florida State
Nov. 28 at Duke
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