Wake Forest Athletics
Bassey, Strnad Named to Defensive Preseason Award Watch Lists
7/22/2019 1:12:00 PM | Football
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest cornerback Essang Bassey has been named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list while linebacker Justin Strnad is on The Butkus Award preseason watch list.
The Jim Thorpe Award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character and is selected by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Bassey is one of just four nominees from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Butkus Award is named for former Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus. The watch list includes 51 college linebackers, mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey associated with the Award's namesake, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history. Strnad is one of just six ACC linebackers named to the watch list.
"It's nice to see Essang be recognized for his performance over the last three seasons," said Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson. "We look forward to him having an outstanding senior campaign.
"Justin has really matured and grown into not only an outstanding player but a very strong leader for our program," said Clawson. "He is very deserving of this recognition from the Butkus Award."
Bassey, a 5-10, 190-pound senior cornerback from Columbus, Ga. (Columbus) was Wake Forest's most consistent defensive back in 2018. He has led the Deacons in pass break-ups in each of the last two seasons, logging 15 break-ups as a junior after recording 16 as a sophomore in 2017. Bassey has two career touchdowns, scoring on a fumble return last year and on an interception return in 2016. He enters his senior season with four career interceptions and his 34 career pass break-ups ranks him fifth in school history. Bassey's 28 career starts are the most of any Wake Forest defensive player entering the 2019 season.
Strnad, a 6-3, 235-pound redshirt senior inside linebacker from Palm Harbor, Fla. (East Lake), led Wake Forest with 105 tackles in 2018 while earning honorable mention All-ACC honors. He had six games of 10 or more tackles including five of the final seven contests of the season. A versatile special teams player, Strnad logged over 1,000 snaps last year and led the team in tackles six times. His nine solo tackles in a win over Memphis in the Jared Birmingham Bowl ranks as the most-ever for a Demon Deacon in a bowl game.
Wake Forest will play its Opening Night game against Utah State at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 30 at BB&T Field.
The Jim Thorpe Award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character and is selected by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. Bassey is one of just four nominees from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Butkus Award is named for former Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus. The watch list includes 51 college linebackers, mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey associated with the Award's namesake, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history. Strnad is one of just six ACC linebackers named to the watch list.
"It's nice to see Essang be recognized for his performance over the last three seasons," said Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson. "We look forward to him having an outstanding senior campaign.
"Justin has really matured and grown into not only an outstanding player but a very strong leader for our program," said Clawson. "He is very deserving of this recognition from the Butkus Award."
Bassey, a 5-10, 190-pound senior cornerback from Columbus, Ga. (Columbus) was Wake Forest's most consistent defensive back in 2018. He has led the Deacons in pass break-ups in each of the last two seasons, logging 15 break-ups as a junior after recording 16 as a sophomore in 2017. Bassey has two career touchdowns, scoring on a fumble return last year and on an interception return in 2016. He enters his senior season with four career interceptions and his 34 career pass break-ups ranks him fifth in school history. Bassey's 28 career starts are the most of any Wake Forest defensive player entering the 2019 season.
Strnad, a 6-3, 235-pound redshirt senior inside linebacker from Palm Harbor, Fla. (East Lake), led Wake Forest with 105 tackles in 2018 while earning honorable mention All-ACC honors. He had six games of 10 or more tackles including five of the final seven contests of the season. A versatile special teams player, Strnad logged over 1,000 snaps last year and led the team in tackles six times. His nine solo tackles in a win over Memphis in the Jared Birmingham Bowl ranks as the most-ever for a Demon Deacon in a bowl game.
Wake Forest will play its Opening Night game against Utah State at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 30 at BB&T Field.
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballSteve Forbes - Postgame Presser vs. Navy
Thursday, March 19
Jake Dickert Pre-Spring Press Conference (March 18, 2026)
Wednesday, March 18
Wake Forest Women's Golf: Kim Lewellen Women's History Month Feature
Monday, March 16
Men's Basketball Postgame Presser vs. Clemson, 2026 ACC Tournament
Thursday, March 12