Spring Practice #3 - Wide Receivers - Wake Forest University Athletics

Spring Practice #3 - Wide Receivers

3/2/2019 2:54:00 PM | Football

By: By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeFB)

Wide receivers coach Kevin Higgins will have to replace two key members of the receiving corps in 2019 but he has a robust group of young receivers who should continue to make an impact of Wake Forest's offensive fortunes in the fall.

The Demon Deacons will have to replace senior Alex Bachman who had the best season of his career in 2018. Bachman had 37 receptions for 541 yards and six touchdowns with a number of catches that made the SportsCenter Top 10 list last fall. Bachman proved to be a clutch receiver, catching a critical 38-yard scoring pass in a win over No. 14 NC State, then making a pair of 49-yard catches in the Birmingham Bowl win over Memphis.

While the Deacons will have to replace Bachman at the outside receiver slot, Wake Forest will be seeking a new slot receiver as well. Greg Dortch declared for the NFL Draft following his redshirt sophomore campaign, a season that saw him lead the team with 89 receptions for 1,078 yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

Anxiously awaiting his shot at the slot is Kendall Hinton, a fifth-year senior who spent the majority of his first four seasons at quarterback. After transitioning to the slot late last year, Hinton responded well with three catches for 38 yards in the Birmingham Bowl. His return will give Wake Forest an electric presence in the slot along with Jaquarii Roberson. Roberson made his first career start in the bowl game when Dortch was sidelined with an injury. Roberson had two of his seven catches on the season against Memphis and will continue to improve as he moves into his redshirt sophomore season.

Scotty Washington is back and hopes for an improved season after being slowed by injuries in 2018. Washington broke into the starting line-up in 2017 with 45 catches and 711 yards. Hampered all last season by injuries, Washington was limited to 20 catches and 243 yards in 2018. His return to full health will be a boon to the Deacon receivers.

Redshirt sophomore Sage Surratt was Wake Forest's second-leading receiver in 2018 with 41 receptions for 581 yards and four touchdowns. Showing a knack for big-play catches, Surratt had two 100-yard receiving games last fall, each coming in the first career starts by quarterbacks Sam Hartman and Jamie Newman. Surratt and Hartman combined for 11 catches for 150 yards vs. Tulane while Surratt and Newman connected on eight catches for 109 yards vs. NC State.

Rising senior Steven Claude saw the most significant playing time of his career at wide receiver last fall and while he had four catches for 55 yards, he showed his outstanding ability with a gorgeous over the shoulder 26-yard reception vs. Boston College in his first career start.

Another rising redshirt sophomore is Waydale Jones, a 6-4 receiver with great size. Jones didn't catch a pass in 2018 but was on the field for 150 snaps and gained valuable experience that will benefit him this fall.

Looking to make their varsity debuts this fall will be redshirt freshmen Isaiah Isaac and Atorian (A.T.) Perry. Davis Johnson, Ian Driscoll and Teddy Centofanti are also receivers who have benefitted from their experience on the scout team.

A pair of January enrollees are on the roster this spring, preparing for their initial season this fall. Donavon Greene and Nolan Groulx were both in-state four-star receivers who completed outstanding high school careers. Greene was a first team all-state pick who was rated the No. 36 wide receiver in the nation last fall after making 56 catches for 1,257 yards. Groulx was the No. 74 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 14 wide receiver in the country following a senior season that included 52 receptions for 836 yards and six touchdowns. Groulx and Sam Hartman were teammates at Davidson Day in 2016 and their familiarity should aid in Groulx's transition to college football.