Skip to content
October 29, 2025
  • About Us: GSM
  • Partnered Podcasts
  • Partnered Sites
    • StraightupSports
  • ESPN Radio
cropped-Untitled-design-8png

Greenville Sports Media

Covering Sports Everywhere

dorseyauto.com
Primary Menu
  • About Us: GSM
  • Partnered Podcasts
  • Partnered Sites
    • StraightupSports
  • ESPN Radio
Live
  • Home
  • 2025
  • August
  • 4
  • Wake Forest’s Offensive Line Overhaul Could Anchor a New Era Under Dickert
  • ACC
  • Clemson Football
  • College Football
  • Duke Sports
  • Florida State Sports
  • NC State Football
  • SOTG
  • Virginia Tech
  • Wake Forest Sports

Wake Forest’s Offensive Line Overhaul Could Anchor a New Era Under Dickert

Mark Livingston Published: August 4, 2025 | Updated: August 4, 2025
0 0
2 min read
423 views
demon deacons

#image_title

0 0
Read Time:2 Minute, 21 Second

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — No position group reflects the urgency of change at Wake Forest quite like the offensive line.

After giving up an ACC-worst 47 sacks in 2024, the Demon Deacons made revamping the trenches their top offseason priority. First-year head coach Jake Dickert wasted little time, tapping into the transfer portal — and familiar faces — to steady the foundation.

Leading the charge is Fa’alili Fa’amoe, a veteran tackle and former Washington State captain who followed Dickert across the country. He’s part of a wave of former Cougars now reuniting in Winston-Salem.

“I knew what I was stepping into… the staff here believes in us, and we believe in each other,” Fa’amoe told GoDeacs.com in April.

Fa’amoe is joined by fellow ex-Cougars Devin Kylany and AJ Hasson, giving Wake a group of linemen who not only bring experience but already know the system and expectations.

“You can feel the experience in the room,” Dickert said during ACC Kickoff in Charlotte. “The communication, the toughness — it’s what we needed.” (Source: SI.com)

Wake’s offensive identity will also look different. New offensive coordinator Rob Ezell is installing a fast-paced spread scheme that requires quicker decisions and cleaner protection — a significant shift from the slow-mesh attack of the past.

One constant remains: junior running back Demond Claiborne. After rushing for over 1,000 yards last season, Claiborne figures to be the focal point again, this time behind a line with more size and maturity.

“It’s been a different feel this summer,” Claiborne said in July. “You can tell those guys up front have played a lot of football.” (ACC Network)

The quarterback picture, however, is still unsettled. As of early August, Wake Forest has not named a starter. South Carolina transfer Robby Ashford and Charlotte transfer Deshawn Purdie are both battling for the job in fall camp. Neither played a snap for Wake last year, and both will be learning a new system from scratch. That makes the performance of the offensive line even more important — not just for protection, but for building the confidence and rhythm needed to succeed in a new scheme. With a rebuilt front five full of veteran experience, the Deacons are betting that stability up front can help smooth the transition behind center.

Wake Forest opens the season on Aug. 29 at home against Kennesaw State, followed by Western Carolina and a key early test against NC State on Sept. 11. The Deacons won’t have much time to settle in.

Whether this new-look offensive line can gel quickly will go a long way in determining how far the Deacs can go in Year One under Dickert. There’s no guarantee, but after a rocky 2024, the foundation already looks firmer.

Share

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

About Post Author

Mark Livingston

[email protected]
http://greenvillesportsmedia.com
Happy
Happy
0 0 %
Sad
Sad
0 0 %
Excited
Excited
0 0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 0 %
Angry
Angry
0 0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 0 %

About the Author

Mark Livingston

Editor

Support Author Visit Website View All Posts
author avatar
Mark Livingston
See Full Bio

What do you feel about this?

  • ACC
  • Clemson Football
  • College Football
  • Duke Sports
  • Florida State Sports
  • NC State Football
  • SOTG
  • Virginia Tech
  • Wake Forest Sports

Post navigation

Previous: Wofford Football Finds Its Identity in Year 3 Under Watson
Next: Bragging Rights and Rebuilds in the Big Dog Rivalry

Author's Other Posts

HBCU Spotlight: Howard University — The Bison Balancing Grit, Glory, and the Spirit of “The Mecca howard university

HBCU Spotlight: Howard University — The Bison Balancing Grit, Glory, and the Spirit of “The Mecca

October 26, 2025
Woffords Drops a Tough One to ETSU 14-10 wofford football

Woffords Drops a Tough One to ETSU 14-10

October 26, 2025
NBA Recap: Curry, Gilgeous-Alexander Shine in Overtime Wins nba

NBA Recap: Curry, Gilgeous-Alexander Shine in Overtime Wins

October 25, 2025
Wofford Football: Terriers Aim for Third Straight Win wofford football

Wofford Football: Terriers Aim for Third Straight Win

October 25, 2025

Related Stories

convert
  • ACC
  • Clemson Football
  • Duke Sports

Clemson Homecoming Showdown vs. Duke: A Defining Moment for the Tigers

Dez Barnes October 27, 2025 56
20251026_1625111
  • ACC
  • NC State
  • NC State Basketball

Late 3 downs Gamecocks 88-86!

Justin Grice October 26, 2025 92
20251026_152004 1
  • ACC
  • NC State
  • NC State Women's Basketball

Wolfpack down Terps in ACC Reunion 83-75!

Justin Grice October 26, 2025 102
20250724_074057
  • ACC
  • Wake Forest Football

Deacons Get Defensive, Wrangle Mustangs for 13-12 Win!

Justin Grice October 25, 2025 25
autrojansfb1
  • Anderson Football
  • College Football
  • Football
  • GSM
  • NCAA
  • SAC
  • Wingate Sports

Trojans Battle Bulldogs at AU

Jay Jacobs October 25, 2025 132
clemson-1024x768.jpg
  • ACC
  • Clemson Football

Clemson Falls to SMU 35-24: Tigers Suffer Fourth Loss as Backup QB Struggles at Home

Dez Barnes October 20, 2025 543

Trending Now

Clemson Homecoming Showdown vs. Duke: A Defining Moment for the Tigers convert 1

Clemson Homecoming Showdown vs. Duke: A Defining Moment for the Tigers

October 27, 2025
Late 3 downs Gamecocks 88-86! 20251026_1625111 2

Late 3 downs Gamecocks 88-86!

October 26, 2025
Wolfpack down Terps in ACC Reunion 83-75! 20251026_152004 1 3

Wolfpack down Terps in ACC Reunion 83-75!

October 26, 2025
HBCU Spotlight: Howard University — The Bison Balancing Grit, Glory, and the Spirit of “The Mecca howard university 4

HBCU Spotlight: Howard University — The Bison Balancing Grit, Glory, and the Spirit of “The Mecca

October 26, 2025

Archives

  • October 2025
  • September 2025
  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
Clemson Family Wish

You may have missed

convert
  • ACC
  • Clemson Football
  • Duke Sports

Clemson Homecoming Showdown vs. Duke: A Defining Moment for the Tigers

Dez Barnes October 27, 2025 56
20251026_1625111
  • ACC
  • NC State
  • NC State Basketball

Late 3 downs Gamecocks 88-86!

Justin Grice October 26, 2025 92
20251026_152004 1
  • ACC
  • NC State
  • NC State Women's Basketball

Wolfpack down Terps in ACC Reunion 83-75!

Justin Grice October 26, 2025 102
howard university
  • HBCU
  • Howard University Sports

HBCU Spotlight: Howard University — The Bison Balancing Grit, Glory, and the Spirit of “The Mecca

Mark Livingston October 26, 2025 127

Our Sponsors

Code:FurmanJoust
Furman Joust
#image_title
Code: FurmanJoust
#image_title
Code: GSM
Code: FurmanJoust
Code: HOA24
@enw1992
@sotgsports

Want to Talk Sports? Join our Discord!!!

Click Here to join our Discord Community!

@greenvillesportsdude
@maxpreps
@foxsports
@accdigitalnetwork
https://www.youtube.com/live/mPfvj1HhFQk?si=E9qpJ7hXZ2Nyqxx0
https://www.youtube.com/live/U3biHty_rzQ?si=ehm-9iPgRkrBL_VK
  • About Us: GSM
  • Partnered Podcasts
  • Partnered Sites
    • StraightupSports
  • ESPN Radio
Copyright © 2025 All rights reserved. | MoreNews by AF themes.