DEFENSIVE END PREVIEW
I spent a little time this weekend looking at the DE position. That position is interesting to me because I think there is a glaring need to improve the pass rush from those 2 spots – and there is opportunity for new players to get playing time - but it has been underdiscussed and overshadowed for obvious reasons by the need to improve the OL, RB and WR positions. Not to mention the need to replace the two starting corners.
Some facts on the DEs. Last year they COMBINED for just 7 sacks and 8 seven QB hits. That’s an average of 0.7 sacks and 0.8 QB hits per game. Plus most of that production came from Desmond Floyd and Ziggy Allen who have both since departed. The returning starter, Wendell Dunn, started all 12 games and was on the field for 630 plays and yet he was credited with only 0.5 sacks and 2 QB hits during the season.
The next thing that I noticed is that there really aren’t that many DEs on the roster. If you assume that Paris Black and Chris Calhoun will redshirt (Black wasn’t able to enroll until 2nd summer session), that left by my count 5 DEs competing for 2 starting spots. That becomes 6 if you assume that Duke Ejiofor - who played mostly DT last season - will line up at DE.
Here are my notes on the players that may be in the mix at DE, including a refresher on their recruitment (an interesting side note that I learned is that 4 of the 5 DEs listed below were previously committed to other schools before committing to Wake):
THE INCUMBANT
Wendell Dunn (Redshirt Sophomore)
Recruitment: 3-star (5.5) also had a P5 offer from West Virginia. Originally committed to UCF, but Wake got him to flip in December 2012. He nearly reopened his recruitment a month later when he scheduled an official visit to Boston College, but decided not to take the trip. Recruited as an outside linebacker for Grobe’s 3-4 defense.
2014 stats: See above.
Spring 2015 stats: 6 tackles and 1 sack
Outlook: Dunn was one of the biggest “risers” in last year’s camp. He subsequently started all 12 games. It will be interesting to see if his starting spot gets challenged this year.
THE CONTENDERS (in order of likelihood of making an impact this season)
Rashawn Shaw (Redshirt Freshman)
Recruitment: A high 3-star (5.7) and Rivals #27 weakside DE in the country. I’m guessing all of you recognize Shaw as one of the Louisville flips that Clawson pulled off after arriving. Interestingly he looked to be a soft commit for Louisville even before Charlie Strong left for Texas. Despite being committed to Louisville at the time he announced a top 5 in October that also included Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest (Grobe staff) and UCF.
Spring stats: 6 tackles and 3 sacks
Outlook: He’s very interesting. I have to admit that I have heard nothing about Shaw since he signed. Nothing positive. Nothing negative. Have we jumped the gun by assuming that he will be a starter this season? We’ll see.
Duke Ejiofor (Redshirt Sophomore)
Recruitment: 3-star (5.5). Wake Forest was his only P5 offer. A product of what will probably go down as Wake Forest’s last serious recruiting foray into Texas. Originally committed to Rice in July 2012. After a strong senior season in 2012, he started hearing from schools like Mizzou and TCU (although neither school would ultimately offer). Wake Forest didn’t start recruiting him until January 2013. He committed to Wake later that same month after an official visit. He also took an official visit to Houston.
2014 Stats: Was on the field for 322 plays last season, mostly as a DT. He finished with 12 tackles (10 solo) and 2 sacks.
Spring stats: 5 tackles and 3 sacks
Outlook: There have been a couple of reports that the coaching staff thought Ejiofor took a big step forward this past spring. I think he could be sleeper to contend for a starting spot.
Chris Stewart (Redshirt Freshman)
Recruitment: 2-star. Originally committed to Louisiana-Monroe, he actually had his offer there pulled when the UL-M staff caught wind of his plans to visit Wake. He was a Wake target almost as soon as Clawson arrived at Wake in December.
Spring stats: 9 tackles and 2.5 sacks
Outlook: I have heard a couple of times that the staff is really pleased with Stewart. Nothing over-the-top though. I’m interested to see how he looks in the scrimmages this month.
Julian Thomas-Jackson (Redshirt Sophomore)
Recruitment: 2-star (5.4). Wake Forest started recruiting him late in the recruiting process (December). A very under-the-radar recruit. Prior to Wake Forest getting involved Thomas-Jackson was being recruited by Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, Georgia State and Jacksonville State but it doesn’t appear that any of those schools actually offered. He was likely recruited specifically for Grobe’s 3-4 defense as a pass rushing outside linebacker.
Spring stats: Had a big performance in the first scrimmage. He had 5 tackles, 3 sacks and 1 forced fumble – presumably against the 2nd string offensive line. However he managed only 2 tackles and zero sacks in the next two scrimmages.
2014 Stats: Was on the field for 95 plays last season – mostly on special teams. He finished last season with 7 tackles (3 solo).