OFFENSE

In the first year of the post-Riley Skinner era, Wake Forest used four quarterbacks, three offensive schemes and finished last in the ACC in time of possession. However, two young players emerged as starters at key positions — Tanner Price at quarterback and Josh Harris at running back.

Price had a roller-coaster freshman season, showing a strong arm and good running ability, which the Deacons will use to run the option out of the shotgun. Harris, who has been timed at 4.34 in the 40, started only four games, but scored seven times and averaged 5.7 yards a carry. He dominated ACC champion Virginia Tech with 241 yards rushing.

Price will have a speedy receiving unit that goes as many as seven deep. Chris Givens (six career TD catches of more than 40 yards) and Michael Campanaro are two of the fastest players in the ACC, and both are threats to run.

The offensive line and tight end positions remain a question mark, as has been the case for several years. This line is the same that struggled last year, just a year older and minus its most consistent player, center Russell Nenon. Guard Joe Looney is a leader, but left tackle could be a problem. 

DEFENSE

Wake finished last in the ACC in points allowed at 35.8 per game. The Deacons switched to a 3-4 midway through the season with some success, but a very young secondary gave up 29 touchdown passes.

The linebacking group is deep, talented and should be faster to the ball than in previous years. It will have to be the foundation of the stop unit for Wake’s new defensive co-coordinators. The outside linebackers, Kyle Wilber and Joey Ehrmann, are speedy veterans, both capable of being disruptive. Wilber, at 6'5", led the Deacons with 14.5 tackles for a loss and is an All-ACC candidate.

The line can make plays with its quickness but will continue to have trouble matching up with physical teams. Tristan Dorty can be a playmaker from one end, and nose guard Nikita Whitlock plays bigger than his 5'11", 235-pound frame (second on the team in sacks).

Coach Jim Grobe was forced to give two freshmen and two redshirt freshmen extensive playing time in the secondary last year. The good news is that the returnees are talented and fast, so perhaps experience will allow them to be in the right place at the right time. Kenny Okoro needs to regain his freshman form.

SPECIALISTS

Jimmy Newman missed his first field goal attempt of the season, then made 12 straight, and he’s never missed an extra point. Wake is looking for Australian import Alex Kinal to shore up its recent punting woes. Campanaro and Givens have the speed to break big plays, but Wake’s return teams have been mediocre recently. 

FINAL ANALYSIS

For the first time in coach Grobe’s 10-year tenure, Wake Forest often wasn’t competitive last year. Grobe points to the lack of talent in his junior and senior classes, which forced him to rely on young players.

“If we end up with 16 or 18 juniors and seniors out on the field starting for us and playing their very best football, then we’re going to be a good football team,” he says. “We have to get back to a lot of veteran-type players that are playing their best football in their last year.”