Last year was a down year for the Demon Deacons. However, prior to the chaos of the 2020 season, Wake had experienced four consecutive winning seasons. The good news is that Wake has all the pieces in place to return to their winning ways. Many underclassmen return for the 2021 season. They will need to rely on that experience to returning the black and old gold to their winning ways.
Freshman to Watch – DB AJ Williams
Is AJ Williams a freshman? Yes and no. Even though Williams will be classified as a freshman in 2021, he did get quite a bit of playing time in 2020. But due to Covid and all that went with it, he will be a freshman once again this year. Regardless as to what he is classified as, look for Williams to take another leap forward in his progress. In the 2020 season, Williams racked up 30 total tackles, including 2.5 sacks in eight appearances. Expect Williams to exceed those stats this year, potentially by quite a bit, and become an integral part of the Wake Forest DB group.
Freshman POY – WR Taylor Morin
Things just got real for Taylor Morin due to an injury in spring camp. Fellow WR Donavon Greene, will miss the majority of the 2021 season, if not all of it, due to an injury, which forces Taylor Morin to become a move involved piece of the Wake offense. However, this is a roll that he can handle. Much like the above mentioned AJ Williams, Morin will once again be a freshman but does have experience under his belt as result of last year, where is hauled in over 400 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. Morin will have to be used more in this versatile WF offense, thanks to the Greene injury. He will flourish in this more involved roll.
Breakout POY – QB Sam Hartman
It is no secret that the black and old gold will go as far as QB Sam Hartman will take them. Thus far in his career, he does not have the gaudy stats that some love to glom on to, but he does have the “It” factor. Hartman can create something out of nothing, the ability make the deep ball pass, scramble out of trouble, and the charisma needed to lead this team. A playmaker a quarterback is a huge asset for program looking to ascend to the next level, and Hartman is that guy for Wake Forest. Unfortunately, he can’t fully do it alone. He will need some help from his O-line to protect him better (Hartman was sacked 24 times in 2020). However, if Hartman can get that little bit of help in the protection category, watch out! He and this Wake Forest offense may surprise quite a few people who may have already written them off.
Most Underrated – WR Jaquarii Roberson
Jaquarii Roberson might not be a name that college football fans throughout the country know, but those of us fans within the ACC, certainly know his name. Roberson exploded last season by racking up 60+ catches, 900+ yards and 8 touchdowns. Those are some crazy numbers compared to what Roberson had done in previous years and that was with the Wake offensive trying to figure out its identity. In 2021 training camps, Wake has found its identity in the sense that the returning players know the offense better. The team knows who its playmakers are, and everyone knows what it takes to win. That knowledge is only going to lead to Roberson becoming a better WR with even bigger stats. He isn’t on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List for no reason. Roberson can absolutely be a 1,000+ yard pass catcher with 10+ touchdowns this year. Even though he is not a household name now, outside of the ACC, expect that to change by the mid point of the 2021 season.
Defensive POY – DB Nick Anderson
Nick Anderson has not been at Wake Forest very long, but boy has he made an impact. In his short time in Winston Salem he has recorded 63 total tackles, 4 interceptions, and 9 passes defended. Wherever the ball is, he is there. The Deacs have needed a playmaker on defense and Nick Anderson has answered the bell. Anderson can make plays in the backfield, stymie stretch runs, and obviously defend the pass. Beyond all of that, here is the crazy thing, he is only going to get better! With the experience that he gained last season added to his natural skill set, he just might be the most dynamic player on the WF defense.
Offensive POY – RB Christian Beal-Smith
Yes, I know I have already mentioned Wake’s dynamic WR and the bravado of their star QB in this article, so why do I have RB Christian Beal-Smith as the Offensive POY you ask? Well, the simple answer is because it all revolves around him. Beal-Smith is going to be the go-to-guy in the running game for the Demon Deacons. So if he can create an effective running game for this team, then the QB and the passing game can only benefit from it. If Beal-Smith fails to get it going this season, then the this team instantly becomes one dimensional and all the pressure falls on the passing game. Beal-Smith doesn’t have to have an insane season numbers wise, he just needs to be effective enough, and flashes of brilliance won’t hurt, to allow this WF to live up to its full potential. In 2020, he averaged just under five yards a carry. If he can do just that alone again, then that setups up an environment to really get this offense rolling in 2021. Beal-Smith does not need to have crazy running back stats in 2021, but he is the linchpin to this offense.
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