Deacs in the NFL: Week 1
9/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeFB)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – With the NFL season getting underway this past weekend, a total of eight Demon Deacons are on active rosters, with two making their NFL debuts.
FB Tommy Bohanon, New York Jets
Getting the nod as the Jets' "emergency" third back, Bohanon saw action on 12 plays in New York's 31-10 win over the Browns in Week 1. He tallied two carries for two yards on the day.
DB Josh Bush, Denver Broncos
After helping the Broncos go 3-1 in the preseason, Bush secured a spot on the 53-man roster. He saw action in the Broncos' season-opening win over the Ravens on 17 snaps, and did not record any statistics.
WR Michael Campanaro, Baltimore Ravens
Campanaro faced off against fellow Deacon Josh Bush in Baltimore's season-opening loss to the Broncos, recording one catch for eight yards. The second-year pro and all-time Wake Forest receptions leader is also the top returner on the Ravens depth chart.
DB Brandon Ghee, Cincinnati Bengals
After playing in the preseason with his former team and recording no statistics, Ghee did not secure a spot on Cincinnati's 53-man roster.
WR Chris Givens, St. Louis Rams
Givens was a major playmaker for St. Louis in the preseason, scoring on 80- and 44-yard catches. In his first regular season game, he saw action on 11 plays but did not record any statistics. He is wearing No. 19 this season to honor his friend Kevin Smith-Franklin, who passed away last Christmas Eve in a car accident.
RB Josh Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Returning to the Steelers after playing in five games last season, Harris was released by the organization on September 5. He had been battling several injuries throughout the 2015 preseason.
LB Justin Jackson, Dallas Cowboys
After signing with the Cowboys in June, Jackson tore his ACL in practice in early August. He will miss the 2015 season.
DB Kevin Johnson, Houston Texans
The Texans' 2015 first-round draft choice played in Houston's season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, recording two tackles. Prior to the game, head coach Bill O'Brien said of Johnson, "I feel good. I think as far as a rookie's concerned, I think he's come in here and had a really good daily approach, been very consistent. He works hard. He's smart."
OL Joe Looney, San Francisco 49ers
After seeing action in the preseason and taking reps with the first team in training camp, Looney was released by the 49ers on September 4, part of an overall move toward youth on San Francisco's 53-man roster.
DB Merrill Noel, Buffalo Bills
After being released by the team on September 4, Noel was re-signed to the Bills practice squad days later. He is one of just four rookies on their practice squad.
LB Calvin Pace, New York Jets
Pace received the start at linebacker for the Jets in their opening win over Cleveland, recording one tackle. A true veteran linebacker, 2015 is Pace's 13th season in the NFL, and the eighth with the Jets. He had previously suffered a groin injury in the preseason, but recovered before opening to reclaim his starting job.
LB Zach Thompson, Baltimore Ravens
After seeing action in all four preseason games for the Ravens and recording a tackle in the final preseason contest against the Atlanta Falcons, Thompson was placed on Injured Reserve.
FB Nikita Whitlock, New York Giants
Whitlock, a former nose tackle for the Demon Deacons, made the Giants' 53-man roster as the starting fullback. He didn't record any statistics in New York's opening 27-26 loss against the Dallas Cowboys. "I'm just trying to be the best that I can be. Game day, I'll probably be lit out of my mind, But right now, I'm just trying to stay confident, play good and help the team win games," Whitlock said prior to Week 1.
LB Kyle Wilber, Dallas Cowboys
Wilber got the starting nod at linebacker in the Cowboys' 27-26 win over the New York Giants, recording three tackles. The Dallas Star-Telegram also praised Wilber's coverage on special teams. 2015 will be his fourth season with the Cowboys; Wilber played in every game for Dallas the past two seasons.
