Wake Forest Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up

Strengths & Question Marks

The team’s biggest strength is its secondary. It returns all four starters including two senior corners in Kevin Johnson and Merrill “Bud” Noel as well as safeties sophomore Ryan Janvion and senior Anthony Wooding Jr. Janvion was an honorable mention all-American last season.

Wake Forest’s quarterback is their biggest question mark. They lost four year starter Tanner Price and are left with Tyler Cameron and Kevin Sousa who have extremely limited experience. Neither was good enough during spring practice to win the job outright. They also have two incoming freshmen in John Wolford and Travis Smith. You never want to have to send a true freshman to play quarterback without spring practice, but that may happen.

Breakout Players

I believe wide receiver Tyree Harris could have a breakout season depending upon quarterback play. Marquel Lee could have a breakout sophomore campaign at linebacker.

Wake Forest WR Tyree Harris

Position Grades

QB (Incomplete) – Combined zero starts. Will be a very interesting competition this summer.

RB (Unknown) – Orville Reynolds will be the starter after being converted from a slot receiver. Looked good in spring practice.

WR (B) – Tyree Harris could be very good. Jared Crump should start opposite him and graduate transfer E.J. Scott will be in the slot. I expect freshman Kameron Uter to play immediately.

OL (B-) – Struggled last year, but return five players who got significant playing time last season. Center Cory Helms was a honorable mention freshman all-American last year.

DL (B-) – Lost all three 3 starters from last year’s defensive line (3-4 scheme) but this year they have switched to a 4-2-5 defense with the new coaching staff. Zachary Allen is a converted linebacker, but has had a very good spring. This unit lacks size, but they do have speed. I anticipate incoming freshmen Zeek Rodney and Rashawn Shaw to contribute.

LB (A-) – Brandon Chubb was second on the team in tackles last year as a sophomore and the junior looks good this spring. Sophomore Marquel Lee mostly contributed on special teams last season, but he is currently the other starting linebacker on the depth chart.

DB (A) – By far the best unit on this year’s team. Wake probably has the best secondary in the ACC outside of Florida State.

ST (B) – Alex Kinal is currently on pace to break the NCAA record for career punts. He doesn’t punt the ball that far, but he has excellent hang time and punt returners rarely even attempt to return it. Chad Hedlund made only 8 of 12 field goal attempts last year and had a touchback % lower than 20%. ESPN’s #3 kicker in the country Adam Centers will be on campus this fall, so it’s possible the true freshman sees some time.

2014 Expectations

The W/L record will probably decrease from last year (4-8) because they are losing 13 senior starters including their quarterback and star receiver Michael Campanaro. Coach Clawson and his entire staff appear to be doing an outstanding job, but Wake could really struggle to score this year. I’ll guess 3-9.

Robert Reinhard of Blogger So Dear provided the information for our Wake Forest Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Wake Forest football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Robert on Twitter @Robert_Reinhard.