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Wake Forest is coming off of another disappointing season, which unfortunately for them has become the norm in Winston-Salem. The Demon Deacons finished the 2015 season with a record of 3-9, highlighted by an improbable 6-3 double overtime “thriller” at home against Virginia Tech. While Wake has traditionally struggled recruiting quality talent for their football team for as long as I can remember, their 2015 class features two 4-star prospects, including one ESPN 300 recruit in tight end Bowman Archibald. Let’s take a look at what he brings to the table, as well as what the other top Demon Deacons recruits have in store for the future of the program.
4-Star TE Bowman Archibald–#269 in the ESPN 300
As the lone ESPN 300 recruit in this year’s class, Bowman Archibald will come into Wake Forest and provide an effective one-two punch at the tight end position, as he lines up with the team’s leading receiver, sophomore tight end Cam Serigne next season. At 6’5″ 240 lbs., Archibald will be able to add an increase in size and speed to offense. He should get plenty of opportunities to thrive early on in Winston-Salem, as the Demon Deacons love getting the football to their tight ends.
4-Star QB-Pocket Passer Kyle Kearns
In his freshman season at Wake Forest this past season, starting quarterback John Wolford threw for a smidge above 2000 yards, while tossing 12 touchdowns to 14 interceptions. This gives Kyle Kearns ample opportunity to win the starting quarterback job come next fall. A 6’3″ 190lb. pocket passer with a strong arm, Kearns contains all of the physical tools to be the next quarterback at Wake Forest, but time will tell whether or not he will pan successfully pan out.
3-Star CB Dionte Austin
Austin stands at 6’0″, 155 lbs. and is a strong candidate for a redshirt for the Demon Deacons, due to his small frame. He will benefit from some time in the weigh room to become a physically bigger corner to match his already stout physicality. Down the road, Austin will be able to help the Demon Deacons’ mediocre passing defense, but until then, Wake fans will have to wait patiently as he prepares his body for the next level.
3-Star WR Steven Claude
At 6’1″ 182 lbs., Claude plays extremely fast, which will be a breath of fresh air for a Wake Forest receiving corps that struggled to separate from coverage at times a year ago. He frequently attacks the ball at its highest point, and can take a routine bubble screen in for six, if given space. It is unclear whether or not he will be a candidate to play right away, but the Demon Deacons may want to consider giving him a shot as a freshman, to see if he has what it takes to breakdown ACC defenses on the outside.
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