EARLY BIRD 2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2006
WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS
OFFENSE - 9
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 6
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
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.

Defensive Back

The defense has been gutted in the secondary. For the Deacs to repeat as ACC Champion, this area must be reconstructed.

RB/WR Kenneth Moore
 
LB Jon Abbate
 

* 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.
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 ..
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 ..
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.

 

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