Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Holds Football Media Day
8/14/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Aug. 14, 2012
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest football team held its annual media day event on Tuesday afternoon on campus in the Miller Center. The Demon Deacons met with members of the print, radio and television media to discuss the upcoming season.
Head coach Jim Grobe and a number of Deacon players were on hand to talk with the media.
Wake Forest is preparing for its season opener on Saturday, Sept. 1, against Liberty. The Deacons are scheduled to hold the first of three preseason scrimmages on Thursday, Aug. 16, at BB&T Field.
MEDIA DAY QUOTES:
Junior Quarterback Tanner Price
On the first week of practice...
"It's a great team and a really good group of guys who are passionate about football and have a really great attitude about the start of the season. I'm excited about this team and I think we're going to do some great things."
On the offensive line...
"We have a lot of guys on the line that were working really hard in spring and I think will step up and do a good job. They've made huge strides and are becoming more and more comfortable with the offense and the plays. I think as we continue to practice and get game experience, they are going to get better and better."
On running back Josh Harris...
"He's looking really good and back to where he was at this time last year. He can really open up the passing game, if he has a great year, then it will allow me to have more time (in the pocket) with play actions and that sort of thing."
Junior Wide Receiver Michael Campanaro
On what improvements he's been making in the offseason...
"Understanding defenses better and going out pre-snap and knowing what the defense is trying to do to me. Reading safeties and defensive schemes to get on the same page as Tanner (Price)."
On the quarterbacks in the ACC...
"There are a lot of good quarterbacks in the ACC this year but I think Tanner is right up there with all of them. I would take him over any quarterback in the ACC."
On a possible breakout star for the Deacs...
"Josh Harris. A lot of people knew about him his freshman year and was hampered last year with his hamstring. But I think he's going to come back on the scene this season and have a great year. He's also going to help the passing game tremendously and the offensive line because all he needs is a small gap and if he hits it, he's out the gate."
Junior Nose Guard Nikita Whitlock
On who's standing out...
"It's a different player every day. "Bud" (Merrill Noel) has had a day where he goes off, Mike Olson has had a day where he goes off and I have also. Everyone is playing well and I think we're all going to come together and have a great season."
On veteran leadership on the defense...
"We've got "Bud", myself, Zach Thompson and other players that didn't play much that can step up in that leadership position. We've got complete faith in our offense but we know that we are the veterans and we've got to work even harder to get better this year."
On the experience of the defense...
"The most experienced I feel. A lot of guys coming back that have played two or three years, and the potential is that we can be one of the best defenses in the ACC."
