Wake Forest has concluded training camp. And while that part of the calendar is certainly decisive enough, plenty of questions remain regarding the roster. The team now heads into specific prep for week one of the season.
Wake Forest Concludes Camp With Unanswered Questions
Looking For A Look
The Demon Deacons held a nearly two-and-a-half-hour scrimmage Friday afternoon at Allegacy Stadium. There were the typical ups and downs for a team still crafting a new identity under new head coach Jake Dickert. Those ups and downs found their way to both sides of the ball and to various positions. But no position is in limbo more than the starting quarterback.
Robby Ashford and Deshawn Purdie took about 90% of the snaps, rotating in with the presumed first and second string lineups. Both had their flashes that had to make Dickert happy. And both had moments that had anyone watching scratching their head with concern. Each had a series set up, starting at their 25-yard line, with one minute left and no time-outs left, down by two points. A field goal would “win the game.” Ashford threw an interception before the offense got to midfield. Purdie got his unit into field goal range. But on third down, they ran a play designed to move the ball to the center of the field. It took so long to unpile the scrum that the clock ran out with no field goal.
The unofficial penalty tally also had seven penalties on the offense, several of them pre-snap penalties. There was one on the defense.
Still, Dickert said he was happy with the improvement even within the last week. Last Saturday’s scrimmage left a bad taste in his mouth. But now, as camp ends and the work begins next week to prep for week one of the season. “I told the guys, it isn’t about one day. It’s not about what you did today. It’s what you’ve done since January first, or the first day you got here.”
He said part of his message after last week’s poor outing in the scrimmage was to loosen up a little. “Go be yourself. We’ve put in too much work to play uptight, to not push the ball.” He gave the offense credit for a better red zone performance, compared to last week, when neither quarterback got a touchdown from within the 20-yard line.
The Looming Decision
There is still the matter of choosing the starting quarterback. Both are likely to play in week one. It’s why you schedule Kennesaw State in week one. But which one starts matters then, as it will matter going forward. That decision could come as early as Wednesday. “Between these next three days, we’ll really work towards that goal,” Dickert said after the scrimmage. He called the entire time from Spring ball to now a process, and said it is also a process, “To keep your role on the team.”
No Questions Here
A position that is as locked in as they come is that of starting running back. Friday’s scrimmage was a mix of speed and contact. The full contact was left mostly to the second and third teams. The first team played by “thud” rules. Once full contact has been made, the play is blown dead by and of the ACC officiating crew that was there. Demond Claiborne would like to review the tape of those plays.
There were some plays, including what could have been a 70-yard scoring run, where the play was blown dead on contact. But in real play, Claiborne would likely not have been down. “I’m just telling you,” Dickert said. “When you blow the whistle and you think he’s down, you go back and watch the film, and no way he’s down.” Dickert laughed and said he was sure to hear from Caliborne about all the yards he would have really had.
Depth in the Middle of the Defense
The linebacker position is another place where Dickert feels good about what he has, saying he really has five guys that he can mix and match into the lineup at any time. Dylan Hazen and Quincy Bryant are the given factors at linebacker. Dickert said he has been impressed with how Aiden Hall has come back from missing some of camp with injuries. He said Darius Jones would be a big factor, including on special teams. And he referred to Frank Cusano as a hammerhead, in a complimentary way, of course.
“That group is really understanding our scheme, and they are really playing hard,” Dickert said.
The Secondary
The safety position at Wake is potentially the strength of the defense. But Dickert said he has been pleasantly surprised by the cornerbacks as well. He said the play of Braylon Johnson, Lardarius Webb, Jr., and Ashaad Williams, among others, is giving the staff some flexibility on defense.
Both Johnson and Webb could also be spending some time as safety and in what this staff calls the “Star” position, the fifth defensive back, adding to the play of Nick Anderson and Davaughn Patterson in the defensive backfield.
Next
The team has some film review this weekend and a practice on Monday. The players have Tuesday off. And then on Wednesday, they start the specific game prep for the August 29th opener against Kennesaw State.
There will be some limited and highly defined media access to some of the practices this season. In previous years, there was none once camp ended.
Main Image: Tony Siracusa
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