Wake Forest continues to compile the number in the transfer portal, landing another five players on Sunday, while also losing one commit and regaining one of their own.
Going and Coming
Middle Tennessee State defensive lineman Shakai Woods had committed to Wake over the weekend, without actually signing a revenue-sharing contract. He just as quickly changed his mind, posting on social media that the decision was academic-related and driven by his path to graduation.
Meanwhile, Wake Forest offensive lineman Derrell Johnson II announced that he has withdrawn from the portal and will return to Wake Forest for the 2026 season. He has seen limited action in his four years with Wake. He will have one season of eligibility left.
Blue Blood Arrivals
The Deacs also got some new talent from college football blue blood programs. Defensive tackle Sydir Mitchell is leaving LSU to play for Wake Forest. Mitchell is 6’-5”, 355 pounds. He spent his first two seasons at the University of Texas. He redshirted in 2023 and played sparingly in 2024 before moving on to Baton Rouge. He did not have any tackles for LSU in 2025.
Mitchell was already familiar with Wake defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton, who was a defensive analyst at Texas in 2024 when Mitchell was with the Longhorns. Mitchell has two years of eligibility left.
Receiver Ny Carr has spent his first two seasons of college football with the Miami Hurricanes. He now goes to Wake Forest in what was a priority position for head coach Jake Dickert to fill.
Carr had just one catch in 2024 and struggled to find playing time in 2025 in a stacked receivers’ room for the Canes’ run to the national championship game. He has three years of eligibility left.
Arkansas Arrival
The Deacs got another wide receiver in Kam Shanks from Arkansas. Shanks, listed at 5’-8”, 170 pounds, started his college career at UAB, redshirting in 2023. He had 62 catches for 656 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. He spent 2025 at Arkansas, where he had nine catches for 101 yards and one touchdown. He has two years of eligibility left.
Owls Moving to Wake
The Deacs also got two players from Rice. Wide receiver Draydon Dickman is 5’-11”, 180 pounds. He spent three years at Rice, redshirting in 2023. He had a combined 47 catches in 2024 and 2025 for a total of 402 yards and four touchdowns. He also worked as a punt returner for the Owls.
Long snapper Wyatt Freeman is also coming to Wake Forest from Rice. Freeman, originally from Bakersfied, CA, spent three years at Rice and has yet to use a redshirt year. He has handled all of the long snapping for punts and placekicks for the Owls for the last two seasons. He is also a graduate of the highly regarded Rubio Long Snapping Camp run by Chris Rubio. He has one year of eligibility left.
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