2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Preview

Wake Forest’s days of sneaking up on people are over. After years as a second-rate program, Wake is no longer a pushover under coach Jim Grobe, who guided the Deacons to consecutive bowl games for the first time in school history. The Deacs have a school-record 20 wins in the last two years and are tied with Boston College for the second-most wins over that span in ACC action (11) behind Virginia Tech (13).

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Deacons

Coach Jim Grobe turned around one of the nation’s worst programs and put it in two consecutive bowl games. There’s no reason to believe that streak will end in 2008. Grobe can rely on a talented, experienced defense that will not have any underclass starters. Wake returns nine of its top 10 tacklers, and linebacker Aaron Curry and cornerback Alphonso Smith lead the big-play brigade. Each returned three interceptions for touchdowns in 2007. Potential weaknesses exist at defensive end, especially if Matt Robinson can’t fully return from injury, and depth in the secondary. The offense features Riley Skinner, one of the nation’s most efficient quarterbacks, and two speedy running backs in Josh Adams and Brandon Pendergrass. But Wake must replace all-everything Kenny Moore, and the offensive line also looks shaky, with a lot of quantity, but possibly not the quality needed. If the line can hold up, Wake’s backfield has the talent to change games. If not, the defense and kicker Sam Swank are good enough to carry the team in most weeks. Grobe will rely on the formula that’s worked so well for him — under-recruited players who have chips on their shoulders, an offensive scheme that’s tough to prepare for and a team that doesn’t beat itself with turnovers or penalties.

The turnaround reached the bleachers as well, with Wake setting a record for the highest average attendance at BB&T Field (32,595) last year and finishing fourth in the nation in percentage of capacity.

With a top-notch quarterback and an experienced and talented defense returning, Grobe decided to spurn Arkansas’ offers during the offseason and should have Wake fighting for an ACC title again in 2008.

One of the biggest questions will be whether Wake can replace playmaker Kenny Moore, who was the Deacons’ leading receiver (an ACC record 98 catches), third-leading rusher, top punt returner and No. 2 kickoff returner. “We hung our hat on Kenny Moore last year and we never quit hanging our hat on Kenny Moore,” Grobe says.

A big-play defense should be able to help, as it provided eight touchdowns last season, all by players who return.

Quarterbacks

Riley Skinner’s right shoulder injury in the 2007 season-opener caused him to miss the next two games and derailed Wake’s season. Skinner struggled with interceptions early, throwing nine picks (with only four touchdowns) in the first six games, before warming up down the stretch. In the last seven games, Skinner threw eight touchdowns against four interceptions, and he completed 72.4 percent of his passes on the season to finish as the FBS leader. Skinner won’t wow you with his physical attributes, but he’s agile, accurate and a leader. Expect an All-ACC season from the junior, who’s 18–6 as a starter. Wake is inexperienced behind Skinner, so he needs to stay healthy. Brett Hodges was inconsistent in his short stint last year, and Grobe might look to speedy redshirt freshman Skylar Jones to provide a running option.

Running backs

When Micah Andrews struggled to return from knee surgery last year, redshirt freshman Josh Adams burst onto the scene with his game-changing speed. Adams averaged 91.1 yards over the last eight games, adding nine touchdowns on his way to second-team All-ACC honors. Grobe is excited to pair Adams with Brandon Pendergrass, a redshirt freshman, in 2008. Pendergrass is 16 pounds heavier and even a step quicker than Adams. “Brandon’s bigger, but they both have the same kind of mentality,” Grobe says. “They don’t mind going toward the goal line, but they’ve got the speed to get to the perimeter. So I think we have two guys who have lots of talent.” Wake struggled to find a healthy fullback last year but should be strong this season. Rich Belton should be back from knee surgery, and Mike Rinfrette had a standout spring.

Receivers

With Moore gone, the field is wide open. Returning receivers caught 47 passes last year, led by steady but unspectacular Chip Brinkman (27). Grobe took the redshirt off Jordan Williams, a 6'3" speedster, midway through the season. Williams only caught nine balls, but he provided a deep threat, leading the team with a 15.7 average per catch. Demir Boldin struggled after missing the 2006 season because of academics, but Grobe has high hopes. Boldin, the brother of the NFL’s Anquan, is fearless across the middle and a good blocker. “I think everyone realizes this year that we’re looking for go-to guys,” Grobe says. “My guess right now is that Demir can be a go-to guy.” Redshirt freshman Devon Brown leads a pack of young receivers trying to prove themselves. “He has Kenny Moore-type stuff,” Grobe says.  Wake loses two senior tight ends, but Ben Wooster and Cameron Ford are good enough to avoid any drop-off.

Offensive linemen

With four major contributors gone, this unit holds the offense’s fate in its hands. Three part-time starters return in Joe Birdsong, Barrett McMillin and Jeff Griffin. The Deacons are confident about center Trey Bailey, who had to sit behind All-ACC Steve Justice. After that, who knows? As many as seven other players are in the mix, plus three freshman linemen who enrolled in the spring, led by top recruit Joe Looney. Without any dominant players, Grobe talks about returning to a strategy he used when he arrived at Wake, rotating 10 linemen to wear down opponents. “They can take turns staying fresh and just fighting and being tough and nasty for four quarters,” he says.

Defensive linemen

Wake will be strong up the middle with Boo Robinson and John Russell, who combined for 11.5 tackles for a loss in 2007. Ted Randolph, who moved from tight end, had a strong spring at defensive tackle, and Michael Carter will add to the quality rotation if he keeps his academics in line. The Deacons are weaker at the ends. Gone is 2007 sack leader Jeremy Thompson on one side, and Matt Robinson may not be back at full strength at the other. Robinson had solid seasons in 2004 and ’05 (10.5 tackles for a loss) before breaking his kneecap. He returned last season but not at full speed. Depth comes from two seniors, Anthony Davis and Antonio Wilson, who have struggled to make an impact, and two redshirt freshmen, Tristan Dorty and Kyle Wilber, who had impressive springs.

Linebackers

The Deacons are loaded at linebacker, with three senior starters returning and several players, such as sophomores Matt Woodlief and Hunter Haynes, ready to step in without missing a beat. Aaron Curry is the playmaker, with 13.5 tackles for a loss and four interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. He flirted with turning pro after being named second-team All-ACC. Stanley Arnoux holds down the middle, and Chantz McClinic emerged as a surprise on the outside. New defensive coordinator Brad Lambert has the luxury of working with such an experienced group. “They know our defense inside and out, so we’re really trying to refine their football mind and trying to get them to understand what offenses are trying to do, why they do it, and what they’re trying to accomplish,” he says. “And they’re really at that point in their careers where they know the weaknesses of our defense and where people try to attack us.”

Defensive backs

Last year’s biggest question mark eventually became a solid unit. After giving up 666 yards and six touchdowns passing in the first two games, Wake inserted Brandon Ghee at one corner, and the Deacons allowed only 212 yards passing per game the rest of the way. Ghee teams with All-ACC Alphonso Smith to form one of the country’s better cornerback tandems. The aggressive Smith set a school record with eight interceptions, returning three of them for touchdowns. He and Curry provide the defense’s bravado with their non-stop talking. Strong safety Chip Vaughn led Wake in tackles and is backed by a potential star in sophomore Alex Frye. Free safety is not as strong, as converted corner Kevin Patterson struggled at times last season. He’ll be pushed by redshirt freshman John Stamper.

Specialists

Sam Swank holds almost all of the school kicking records and should be one of the nation’s best this season. He’s deadly from short range and 9-of-12 from 50-plus in his career. Swank has been forced to punt for the Deacons, and he’s hasn’t enjoyed the same success, finishing 10th in the ACC last season. Wake also struggled to find a consistent long snapper in the spring, which could make Swank’s job more difficult. The Deacons will be looking for new returners without Moore and Kevin Marion, the ACC’s top kickoff returner. Smith, who is the leader for both jobs, can be spectacular, but takes a lot of chances and also has had some trouble holding on to the ball. Look for Brown to also get a chance.

Choose another preview: Select a Conference ACC Big East Big Ten Big 12 CUSA Independents MAC MWC Pac-Ten SunBelt WAC NCAA

Email this page to a friend | Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds