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· collected 2026-08-19 · by Aaron Beard The Associated Press
Wake Forest football coach Jake Dickert is looking to build on his team's 9-4 debut season, which ended with a bowl win against Mississippi State. Despite expectations of finishing next-to-last in the ACC, the Demon Deacons exceeded projections and now face higher expectations for this year's season, where they are picked to finish 13th in the league. The defense returns several key players, including defensive lineman Langston Hardy, who had 7 sacks last season. The offense, however, is a concern with running back Demond Claiborne departed and quarterback Gio Lopez, a transfer from North Carolina, taking over as the new face of the team.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Wake Forest's football team is looking to follow up a strong debut season under head coach Jake Dickert, who led the Demon Deacons to a 9-4 record last year despite being picked to finish next-to-last in the 17-team ACC. This season, expectations are still modest, with Wake Forest projected to finish 13th in the league. The team has 60 returnees and about 50 new players, including several key additions such as quarterback Gio Lopez (transfer from UNC) and wide receiver Antonio Meeks (transfer from Louisville). However, the Demon Deacons will face a challenging schedule, including a game against preseason favorite Miami (Sept. 18). The team's defense was a strong point last season, ranking 26th in total defense and 44th in scoring, and is expected to be a key strength again this year.
Written for “Wake Forest Football Outlook” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 1305 · logged 2026-08-21
Little was expected from Wake Forest for Jake Dickert’s debut season, with the Demon Deacons picked to finish next-to-last in the 17-team ACC.
asserted
Deacons → expect → ACC
Instead, the former Washington State coach showed a deft touch in bringing along the roster in what became a nine-win season that ended with a bowl win against Mississippi State.
asserted
that → show → State
Last year’s offense was built around running back Demond Claiborne, but the unit will adjust with new personnel for second-year coordinator Rob Ezell.
asserted
unit → build → Ezell
The defense, however, has experience.
asserted
defense → have → experience
Wake Forest has 60 returnees and roughly 50 new players.
asserted
Forest → have → returnees
“The one thing I’ve told the team that I can’t recreate is last year’s hunger,” Dickert said.
asserted
Dickert → tell → that
The Demon Deacons are picked to finish 13th in the ACC this year and face a tough league slate.
asserted
Deacons → pick → slate
The headliner is a visit from preseason favorite Miami (Sept. 18), while Wake Forest plays six teams picked to finish in the top seven of the league race.
asserted
Forest → play → race
Strengths start with defense
Wake Forest’s defense led the way last season, with the Demon Deacons ranking 26th in the Bowl Subdivision ranks in total defense (328.5 yards) and 44th in scoring (22.1).
asserted
Deacons → start → scoring
There’s enough returning talent to make that a potential strength this fall.
asserted
that → ’ → ?
Defensive lineman Langston Hardy is back after tallying seven sacks while standing as one of 12 players in FBS to tally at least 17 tackles for loss.
asserted
Hardy → tally → loss
And the secondary features No. 2 tackler Davaughn Patterson (80) along with seven-game starter Travon West.
asserted
secondary → feature → West
“Really at the end of the season after the bowl game, we were kind of all sitting in the locker room looking at each other and realized, like, how good of a group we’re going to have coming back next year,” Hardy said.
asserted
Hardy → sit → group
Weaknesses include questions about a new-look offense
With Claiborne on to the NFL, the offense will run with Ezell working with North Carolina transfer quarterback Gio Lopez, who spent one season under Bill Belichick with the Tar Heels.
asserted
who → include → Heels
Lopez threw for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns while also proving to be a running threat (465 yards, seven TDs) in his last season under Ezell at South Alabama.
asserted
Lopez → throw → Alabama
Lopez wasn’t nearly as effective at UNC, though Dickert said Lopez’s arrival allows the coaches to “take a really big step closer to our ideal” after tailoring last year’s approach to match the skillset of Claiborne and the offensive line.
asserted
coaches → say → Claiborne
“I believe in the best version of Gio Lopez, period,” he said.
asserted
he → believe → Lopez
“We can recreate that.”
asserted
We → recreate → that
New faces
QB Gio Lopez (transfer from UNC), WR Antonio Meeks (transfer from Louisville), TE Landon Morris (transfer from California), LB/S Vincent Firenze (transfer from Dayton), DB Deuce Blades II (transfer from Florida International).
Key losses
RB Demond Claiborne (NFL draft pick), WR Sterling Berkhalter (transferred to Texas), OL Melvin Siani (transferred to Texas), DB Nick Andersen, DB Karon Prunty (NFL draft pick).
Biggest games for the Demon Deacons
Vs. Miami (Sept. 18), at N.C. State (Oct. 10), vs. Virginia (Oct. 31), vs. Duke (Nov. 28).
___
asserted
faces → transfer → Duke
