Deacon Freshmen Honored By The Sporting News
12/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 19, 2005
A quartet of Wake Forest rookies were chosen Freshmen All-Americans on Monday by The Sporting News. Placekicker Sam Swank was a first team pick while linebacker Aaron Curry and cornerback Alphonso Smith was named second team. Offensive guard Chris DeGeare was selected for honorable mention. The publication also listed all four on its ACC All-Freshman Team, along with wide receiver Demir Boldin.
Swank was the only freshman in the country to make the Lou Groza Award semifinalist list. He made 19-of-23 field goal attempts this season and all 29 of his extra point attempts. The native of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., made 11 straight field goals during one stretch to break the Wake Forest school record that had stood since 1987. Swank made the two longest field goals in the ACC this season, of 51 and 52 yards against Nebraska and Miami, respectively. Swank's 86 points were the most ever by a Deacon freshman and the fifth-most by a freshman in ACC history.
Curry took over a starting role in the season's second game and never let go. Described by defensive coordinator Dean Hood as a "physical freak of nature," Curry ranked among the ACC's leaders and ranks third on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss. His 45 tackles ranked fifth on the team. He posted a season-high seven stops against both Florida State and NC State. Often asked to cover a running back or tight end, Curry had five pass break-ups. He blocked a punt against East Carolina.
Smith, a native of Pahokee, Fla., was one of three players to start all 11 games on Wake Forest's defense and was an impact player on defense and special teams. At cornerback, he had three interceptions to tie for fourth in the ACC. He defended 12 passes, tied for third in the ACC. Smith also registered 60 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. On special teams, he blocked two punts and made game-clinching tackles on fake kicks by Clemson and NC State. Smith's 60 tackles ranked fourth on the team. He was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week for his performance against the Wolfpack that included an interception return for touchdown that provided the final points in Wake Forest's 27-19 win.
The 6-foot-4, 340-pound DeGeare started only one game, but was a member of the Deacons' three-man rotation at guard. A native of nearby Kernersville, N.C., played 338 snaps this season and had 24.5 knockdown blocks. With injuries stacking up on the offensive line, DeGeare's emergence was a key element to Wake Forest's sustained rushing success in 2005. For the fourth time in five seasons under Jim Grobe, the Deacons lead the ACC in rushing. DeGeare was the only true freshman to see action for the Deacons.
Boldin started six games as a rookie with 15 catches for 224 yards. He caught a season-high four passes at Florida State for 58 yards. His longest reception of the year was a 46-yarder in the NC State game. The freshman from Pahokee, Fla., did not crack the starting lineup until Sept. 24, but his 224 receiving yards ranked second on the team.
THE SPORTING NEWS ACC ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
OFFENSEWR Greg Carr, Florida StateWR Aaron Kelly, Clemson*WR Demir Boldin, Wake Forest*L (T) Andrew Gardner, Georgia Tech*L (T) Jared Gaither, MarylandL (G) Chris DeGeare, Wake ForestL (G) Branden Albert, VirginiaL (T) Cameron Goldberg, Duke*QB Drew Weatherford, Florida State*RB James Davis, ClemsonRB Andre Brown, N.C. State
DEFENSEL (E) Trey Covington, Maryland*L (E) Eric Moncur, Miami*L (E) Keith Willis, Boston College*L (T) Rashaad Jackson, Clemson*LB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest*LB Michael Brown, Duke*LB Clint Sintim, Virginia*DB (CB) Tony Carter, Florida State*DB (FS) Kenny Phillips, MiamiDB (CB) Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest*DB (FS) Michael Hamlin, Clemson*
SPECIALISTSK Sam Swank, Wake Forest*P NoneKR Brandon Tate, North Carolina
Offensive Freshman of the Year: Drew Weatherford, QB, Florida State*Defensive Freshman of the Year: Michael Brown, LB, Duke*
* -- indicates redshirt
