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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.
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