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EARLY
BIRD 2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2006 |
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WAKE
FOREST DEMON DEACONS |
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OFFENSE
- 9 |
------RETURNING
STARTERS------ |
DEFENSE
- 6 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Nate Morton-WR, Willie Idlette-WR, Steve Vallos-OT,
Arby Jones-OT |
DEFENSE:
Jyles
Tucker-DE, Jamil Smith-NG, Bryan Andrews-DE,
Riley Swanson-CB, Patrick Ghee-SS, Josh Gattis-FS |
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Running
Back/Linebacker |
With
Micah Andrews hopefully back
in the RB mix, this offensive
system has big time potential.
All three LBs return, led by
Jon Abbate as he attempts to
reach the 100+ tackle mark for
his third time. |
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Defensive
Back |
The
defense has been gutted in the
secondary. For the Deacs to
repeat as ACC Champion, this
area must be reconstructed. |
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RB/WR
Kenneth Moore |
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LB
Jon Abbate |
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* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic
gauge for listing players that departed and players
that received the most playing experience (consistent
starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance
of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts,
transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups
and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our
full 2007 Preseason Preview due out this coming
spring. |
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WAKE
FOREST 2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Riley
Skinner-So |
Benjamin
Mauk-Sr |
FB |
Rich
Belton-Jr |
.. |
RB |
Kenneth
Moore-Sr |
De'Angelo
Bryant-Sr / Micah Andrews-Sr |
WR |
.. |
.. |
WR |
Kevin
Marion-Sr |
.. |
TE |
Zac
Selmon-Sr |
John
Tereshinski-Sr |
OT |
.. |
.. |
OG |
Louis
Frazier-Sr |
.. |
C |
Steve
Justice-Sr |
.. |
OG |
Chris
DeGeare-Jr |
.. |
OT |
Jeff
Griffin-So |
.. |
K |
Sam
Swank-Jr |
.. |
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DEFENSE |
DE |
.. |
.. |
NG |
Boo
Robinson-So |
.. |
DT |
Zach
Stukes-Sr |
John
Russell-So |
DE |
Jeremy
Thompson-Sr |
Anthony
Davis-Jr |
OLB |
Aaron
Curry-Jr |
.. |
MLB |
Jon
Abbate-Sr |
Eric
Berry-Jr |
OLB |
Stanley
Arnoux-Jr |
.. |
CB |
Kevin
Patterson-Jr |
Alphonso
Smith-Jr |
CB |
.. |
.. |
SS |
.. |
.. |
FS |
Chip
Vaughn-Jr |
.. |
P |
Sam
Swank-Jr |
.. |
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QUICK
ANALYSIS |
Wake
Forest is favored to win the ACC Atlantic
Division? If we had stated this in the 2006
preseason, the laughs would have been loud
and plentiful. Not so one year later, eh?
Yes, the Deacs are the team to beat. Everyone
by now has heard of head coach Jim Grobe.
His misdirection style of offense has received
modest praise for years, but now the accolades
abound loud and clear after his school won
its first ACC title since 1970. The best
news is that his entire team practically
remains in place for another run at defending
the conference crown. QB Riley Skinner has
been nothing short of amazing, and his grasp
of the system in his soon-to-be third year
(redshirt sophomore) makes this team even
more dangerous. Will the injured Ben Mauk
make a case for playing time as he returns
for his senior year? At the least, he gives
this team another weapon from which to choose,
and, moreover, could step in and run the
show with competence. Top RB Micah Andrews
sat out this past season, as did a few others
at the position, which opened the door for
Kenneth Moore, who played double-duty as
a RB and WR. Moore is the returning leading
rusher and third leading receiver. OK, so
there is a run-first mindset in Winston-Salem.
Breaking down the returning depth chart
in Grobe's system: two QBs, three RBs, the
TE, four of five offensive linemen and an
All-American kicker. The final prognosis
reeks of continued success. If Wake Forest
wishes to repeat as ACC champs, they will
have to find replacements for a gutted secondary
that finished 75th in the country in pass
defense. Senior LB Jon Abbate continues
to support the defense in the middle and
looks to add yet a third 100-plus tackle
season to his resume. On paper, this team
could actually be considered worthy of Top
10 preseason status, but it's still Wake
Forest and the ACC just ain’t what
it used to be. Anyone not picking this team
as the favorite to at least repeat as Atlantic
Division Champion doesn't follow Jim Grobe.
If he can secure the secondary, this may
be his best team yet. He will have to do
it with a target on his chest for the first
time, and that can make all the difference.
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WAKE
FOREST
2007 SCHEDULE
9-8
Nebraska
9-15 Army
9-22 @ Navy
11-24 @ Vanderbilt
TBA Maryland
TBA @ Clemson
TBA North Carolina State
TBA Florida State
TBA @ Boston College
TBA @ Virginia
TBA @ Duke
TBA North Carolina
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