Latest news with #DemondClaiborne
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Demond Claiborne: Summer Scouting report on the exciting Wake Forest running back
Claiborne Has NFL Traits, but Needs To Get Stronger To Take the Next Step Claiborne is one of the most athletically gifted running backs in the 2026 class, with excellent acceleration and twitch. Listed at 5'10', 210 pounds, he has the tools to be an NFL rotational back, but he'll need to get stronger to rise up draft boards. He's an above-average ball carrier who thrives in a wide zone scheme. His vision and patience were better here, and he consistently found the right entry point. What stuck out most was his one-cut-and-go ability. Claiborne has elite burst to explode through the line of scrimmage when he sticks his foot in the ground, and he's highly elusive in space. He's not as good a downhill runner as you'd expect. Wake Forest's weird, delayed gap running scheme forces Claiborne to wait an extra beat at the mesh point before moving forward, which negates his twitch and acceleration. He's effective, but not overly consistent with more traditional gap scheme plays. He can avoid early backfield traffic with good foot speed, but lacks patience running inside. Oftentimes, he won't let his blocks develop, and he's easier to bring down when he has less room to operate. When he does get into space, on both zone and gap runs, he's very dangerous. He's quicker than fast, so Claiborne is more of a make-you-miss ball carrier than a true home run threat. He has above-average speed, but his calling card is being a shifty runner who makes multiple guys miss on a 20-yard TD, rather than running away for a 70-yard score. Claiborne is an average receiver with adequate route-running ability. Given his short-area quickness, it's easy to expect better here, but he has the tools to develop. He's willing in protection, but lacks stoutness and a strong initial punch. Overall, Claiborne is an exciting ball carrier with multiple NFL-ready traits. If he lands in a zone-heavy offense, the sky is the limit, but he's a change-of-pace back until he gets stronger. Check out my full Demond Claiborne preseason report and grade onmy Substack.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wake Forest Demon Deacons celebrate Victory Day alongside Greater Winston-Salem Down Syndrome Association
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — The Wake Forest football team welcomed in some very special teammates for Victory Day, a day they'll never forget. 'Kids love it,' Defensive Back Rushaun Tongue said. 'I've heard from some parents that it's their favorite day of the year, so I'm glad to be a part of something special, something that's bigger than me. Something that is bigger than the program.' Burlington debuts new pickleball complex The Demon Deacons partnered with the Greater Winston-Salem Down Syndrome Association, giving children and young adults with special needs a day to celebrate their individual achievements and encourage a new perspective on the significance of a strong community. Wake Forest Running Back Demond Claiborne said, 'Being in this position and being somebody who can come out, be around these kids and share my light is something that I live for. This event is amazing and the community that's involved with this is amazing.' Victory Day not only means a lot for the players, participants and their families, but it holds a special meaning for first year Head Coach Jake Dickert as well. 'It is personal to me too,' the coach said. 'My niece has Down Syndrome. We're going to get her out here next year and she's going to experience this. It's special. Every kid deserves a tremendous opportunity like this to have fun, to celebrate and to be a Demon Deacon. It just means a lot to me.' With the season right around the corner, the Demon Deacons are starting the season 1-0 with their most important victory already behind them. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
