Wake Forest Athletics
DeOrio Leaves Football Team
10/20/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 20, 1999
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Sophomore linebacker Mark DeOrio has decided to leave the Wake Forest football team for personal reasons, Head Coach Jim Caldwell announced today. DeOrio will remain at the university to complete his undergraduate degree, however.
"It's something that surprised us all," said Caldwell, "but apparently it's something Mark had been thinking about for a long time. Nevertheless, it leaves us with a hole in our defense."
DeOrio, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., started each of the Demon Deacons' first six games at outside linebacker, collecting 15 tackles and two pass break-ups. With his departure, senior Abdul Guice is expected to start at outside linebacker vs. UAB this Saturday. Guice started every game last year at inside linebacker in place of the injured Kelvin Moses, recording 71 tackles and three sacks. He suffered a knee injury in preseason, however, and has missed the first six games of '99.
"Thank goodness we've got a guy like Abdul with some experience who can step in and give us some depth at that position," said Caldwell. "We've gotten healthier at our linebacking position just in time. We wish Mark the very best."
