Wake Forest Athletics
Bothroyd Adding Extra to Depth to Deep Defensive Line
11/18/2020 10:52:00 AM | Football
"I’m up for whatever and will play wherever I’m needed.” - Rondell Bothroyd
Redshirt sophomore Rondell Bothroyd has come back from injury and has already made an impact playing all over the Wake Forest defensive line.
"It feels great, especially to contribute to a big win," Bothroyd said after grabbing four tackles in the upset victory over No. 19 Virginia Tech earlier this season. "It feels great to contribute and then celebrate at the end. It just shows that it's all worth it in the end.
"I helped the team in a good way and as a defense I feel like we carried out the game plan, holding them to 100 yards less than their average. That was a big part of our strategy, and we were physical. That's one of the best offensive lines we'll face this year."
Dissecting and executing the game plan has always been a staple of an excellent Wake Forest defensive performance, and that's exactly what Bothroyd experienced against the Hokies.
"We were really focused in practice that entire week," he said. "We were locked into the game plan that coach (defensive coordinator) Hemp (Lyle Hemphill) put together for us. We had a 'big three' to focus on, and number one was to derail the train. Obviously, if you're averaging more than 300 yards rushing yards a game, that's a train. We put me and Boogie (Basham) at ends, because we're heavier. We took it personal that they were going to try to run it like that against us."
Although Borthroyd is now on the depth chart as the back up at defensive end for Carlos "Boogie" Basham, he's been bouncing all over the line during games.
"I'm up for whatever and will play wherever I'm needed," he said.
Despite being out well over a year because of an injury, Bothroyd has proved to be a key piece on the defensive front since returning. He has seen time at both defensive tackle and end, providing defensive line coach Dave Cohen with some added options.
"Now, we're getting into a groove," he said. "People are playing their roles and know what to do. Players are getting needed experience."
The Dave Cohen coached defensive line returned seven players who earned starts a season ago, and added all-conference grad transfer Miles Fox to the mix. There's talent and depth, not to mention several younger players itching for a chance to make an impact.
"Coach Cohen keeps them engaged in meetings, and there's rotation during practice," Bothroyd said. "Knowing COVID can hit him or anyone can go down, these guys need to be ready.
"We're confident, but know we have a lot to work on. We watch film and keep going, trying to learn from the mistakes from our last few games. There's too many missed assignments and we're stepping wrong at times. We need to clean that up to keep rolling."
The road back for Bothroyd wasn't easy after sustaining an injury late last season. He wasn't able to make the trip to New York City for the Pinstripe Bowl and then his rehab on campus was interrupted when COVID-19 forced everyone back home.
"Being here when everyone went to the bowl game, just me and Nas (Nasir Greer)," he said. "The rehab wasn't great. It was hard to do, but it's paid off, so it was worth it.
"It slowed it down. It's not as intense at home. Both me and Nas probably could have been in better condition if we weren't at home because of COVID."
Bothroyd finished the 2019 campaign with 31 tackles, four TFLs and 1.5 sacks. His return should be huge for the Demon Deacon defense in the final games of the season.
"It feels great, especially to contribute to a big win," Bothroyd said after grabbing four tackles in the upset victory over No. 19 Virginia Tech earlier this season. "It feels great to contribute and then celebrate at the end. It just shows that it's all worth it in the end.
"I helped the team in a good way and as a defense I feel like we carried out the game plan, holding them to 100 yards less than their average. That was a big part of our strategy, and we were physical. That's one of the best offensive lines we'll face this year."
Dissecting and executing the game plan has always been a staple of an excellent Wake Forest defensive performance, and that's exactly what Bothroyd experienced against the Hokies.
"We were really focused in practice that entire week," he said. "We were locked into the game plan that coach (defensive coordinator) Hemp (Lyle Hemphill) put together for us. We had a 'big three' to focus on, and number one was to derail the train. Obviously, if you're averaging more than 300 yards rushing yards a game, that's a train. We put me and Boogie (Basham) at ends, because we're heavier. We took it personal that they were going to try to run it like that against us."
Although Borthroyd is now on the depth chart as the back up at defensive end for Carlos "Boogie" Basham, he's been bouncing all over the line during games.
"I'm up for whatever and will play wherever I'm needed," he said.
Despite being out well over a year because of an injury, Bothroyd has proved to be a key piece on the defensive front since returning. He has seen time at both defensive tackle and end, providing defensive line coach Dave Cohen with some added options.
"Now, we're getting into a groove," he said. "People are playing their roles and know what to do. Players are getting needed experience."
The Dave Cohen coached defensive line returned seven players who earned starts a season ago, and added all-conference grad transfer Miles Fox to the mix. There's talent and depth, not to mention several younger players itching for a chance to make an impact.
"Coach Cohen keeps them engaged in meetings, and there's rotation during practice," Bothroyd said. "Knowing COVID can hit him or anyone can go down, these guys need to be ready.
"We're confident, but know we have a lot to work on. We watch film and keep going, trying to learn from the mistakes from our last few games. There's too many missed assignments and we're stepping wrong at times. We need to clean that up to keep rolling."
The road back for Bothroyd wasn't easy after sustaining an injury late last season. He wasn't able to make the trip to New York City for the Pinstripe Bowl and then his rehab on campus was interrupted when COVID-19 forced everyone back home.
"Being here when everyone went to the bowl game, just me and Nas (Nasir Greer)," he said. "The rehab wasn't great. It was hard to do, but it's paid off, so it was worth it.
"It slowed it down. It's not as intense at home. Both me and Nas probably could have been in better condition if we weren't at home because of COVID."
Bothroyd finished the 2019 campaign with 31 tackles, four TFLs and 1.5 sacks. His return should be huge for the Demon Deacon defense in the final games of the season.
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