Wake Forest Athletics
Tabacca's #BeefBoys Pave the Way for Record-Setting Offenses
5/5/2020 9:00:00 AM | Football
Over the past two seasons, five Wake offensive linemen go to the NFL.
Since arriving on campus with head coach Dave Clawson in 2014, the #BeefBoys and offensive line coach Nick Tabacca have helped pave the way for the Demon Deacons' record-setting offenses.
In the last three seasons, Wake has had nine All-ACC honorees with more players being named to the list each season.
In 2019, Wake Forest placed four of its five offensive line starters on the All-ACC team. It marked the first time in school history that the Deacons placed four offensive linemen on the All-ACC squad. The Deacs also set an overall record with 14 total All-ACC honorees this past season.
Over the past three seasons, the Demon Deacons have shattered the record book, having the three highest scoring offenses in school history. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, Wake Forest has scored at least 414 total points while setting the school record with 459 points in 2017.
The Deacs' offense has shown they can put points up in a variety of ways over that stretch. The #BeefBoys versatility in both the run and pass game has been a major key to the balanced and explosive attack.
Last season Wake Forest set a school record for passing yards while posting its lowest sacks allowed per pass attempt since 1998.
A year prior, the #BeefBoys paved the way for the Demon Deacons' first 1,000-yard rusher since 2005 in Cade Carney.
Not only have those accomplishments been recognized by the ACC and the record, but also by NFL scouts.
In the past two seasons alone, five Demon Deacon offensive linemen have made the jump to the pros including a pair of draft picks.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected Phil Haynes in the fourth round. In his rookie season, Haynes helped Seattle advance to the NFL Playoffs.
During this year's draft, Justin Herron joined the #ProDeacs fraternity after being chosen by six-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots in the sixth round.
For more on Coach Tabacca:
Wake Forest (2014-Present)
Postseason History
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
In the last three seasons, Wake has had nine All-ACC honorees with more players being named to the list each season.
In 2019, Wake Forest placed four of its five offensive line starters on the All-ACC team. It marked the first time in school history that the Deacons placed four offensive linemen on the All-ACC squad. The Deacs also set an overall record with 14 total All-ACC honorees this past season.
Over the past three seasons, the Demon Deacons have shattered the record book, having the three highest scoring offenses in school history. In 2017, 2018 and 2019, Wake Forest has scored at least 414 total points while setting the school record with 459 points in 2017.
The Deacs' offense has shown they can put points up in a variety of ways over that stretch. The #BeefBoys versatility in both the run and pass game has been a major key to the balanced and explosive attack.
Last season Wake Forest set a school record for passing yards while posting its lowest sacks allowed per pass attempt since 1998.
A year prior, the #BeefBoys paved the way for the Demon Deacons' first 1,000-yard rusher since 2005 in Cade Carney.
Not only have those accomplishments been recognized by the ACC and the record, but also by NFL scouts.
In the past two seasons alone, five Demon Deacon offensive linemen have made the jump to the pros including a pair of draft picks.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected Phil Haynes in the fourth round. In his rookie season, Haynes helped Seattle advance to the NFL Playoffs.
During this year's draft, Justin Herron joined the #ProDeacs fraternity after being chosen by six-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots in the sixth round.
For more on Coach Tabacca:
Wake Forest (2014-Present)
- Tabacca's development of the offensive line has been critical to the offensive success the Demon Deacons have enjoyed over the last three seasons. Under Tabacca's guidance, the line has helped Wake Forest achieve three of the four most prolific offensive seasons in school history.
- Wake Forest placed four of its five offensive line starters on the All-ACC team following the 2019 season. Guard Nate Gilliam and tackle Justin Herron were both third team selections while center Zach Tom and tackle Jake Benzinger earned honorable mention. It marked the first time in school history that the Deacons placed four offensive linemen on the All-ACC squad. Both tackles were invited to postseason All-Star games including Herron who participated in the Reese's Senior Bowl and Benzinger who appeared in the East-West Shrine Game.
- Wake Forest set the school record for passing yards in a season in 2019 while posting its lowest sacks allowed per pass attempt since 1998.
- The 2018 Deacon team finished fourth in the ACC in rushing, its best finish since 2007. The offensive line paved the way for Cade Carney to become Wake Forest's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2005 and allowed Matt Colburn, II to earn a contract with the Los Angeles Rams. Phil Haynes highlighted a veteran line in 2018 as he earned second team All-ACC honors and was a fourth round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks. Center Ryan Anderson earned honorable mention All-ACC accolades and an invitation to join the Miami Dolphins.
- In 2017, Tabacca's offensive line helped the Deacon offense set school records for total offense and points scored. The offensive line finished third in the ACC in fewest sacks allowed and cut sacks allowed by 49 percent. It also allowed Wake Forest to post the fourth-highest season rushing total in school history while setting a record for yards per carry.
- The last three seasons have seen the line open the door for the Deacon rushers who have posted two of the top four yards per carry averages in school history including a 4.57 average in 2017.
- Under Tabacca's tutelage, center Ryan Anderson earned second team All-ACC honors and was listed on the Rimington Award Watch List in both 2017 and 2018. Guard Phil Haynes and tackle Justin Herron, both three-year starters, earned third team All-ACC recognition following the 2017 season.
- During the 2013 season, the Cardinals ranked among the nation's top 20 teams in total offense, passing offense, passing efficiency and scoring offense, while finishing ninth in red zone offense.
- While at Ball State, Tabacca coached Jordan Hansel to All-Mid-American Conference first team honors and Jacob Richard to All-MAC third team honors in 2013 and Austin Holtz to All-MAC first team honors in 2012, while Jordan Hansel and Cameron Lowry received third-team honors.
- The Cardinals success during Tabacca's tenure included playing in the Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl in 2012 and the GoDaddy Bowl in 2013. Tabacca was promoted to run game coordinator prior to the 2013 GoDaddy Bowl game against Arkansas State.
- In 2012, Tabacca was named one of the finalists for the FootballScoop Offensive Line Coach of the Year. His 2012 offensive line led the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed and ranked 15th in sacks allowed. In 2013, his unit was eighth in TFLs allowed and 17th in sacks allowed.
- Served as the offensive line coach in 2010 and was the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator in 2011.
- Helped the Bulldogs to average 25.6 points per game in 2011 and lead the league in fewest turnovers with 13.
- Butler's offense in 2011 averaged 395.0 yards per game.
- Coached five all-conference linemen in his two seasons at Butler.
- Offensive line coach for all three of his seasons at Defiance, and he spent the past two campaigns as offensive coordinator for the Yellow Jackets.
- Directed an offensive unit that led the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference in fewest turnovers for two straight years.
- During his three seasons at the Ohio school, Defiance had seven All-Conference offensive linemen.
- Tabacca is a 2004 graduate of Ball State and a four-year letterman for the Cardinals on the offensive line. He started 33 games in his final three seasons and was a two-time Academic All-Mid-American Conference selection, while also serving as team captain as a senior.
- A native of Columbus, Ohio, Tabacca is a graduate of Hilliard Davidson High School. He and wife Alyssa have five children -- Sophia, Lucas, Lily, Grace and William.
| Seasons | School/Team | Title/Position Coached |
| 2014-Present | Wake Forest | Offensive Line |
| 2012-13 | Ball State | Offensive Line |
| 2011 | Butler | Co-Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line |
| 2010 | Butler | Offensive Line |
| 2008-09 | Defiance | Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line |
| 2007 | Defiance | Offensive Line |
| 2005-06 | Ball State | Graduate Assistant |
Postseason History
| Season | Bowl Game | Opponent | Result |
| 2019 | Pinstripe Bowl (Wake Forest) | Michigan State | L, 27-21 |
| 2018 | Birmingham Bowl (Wake Forest) | Memphis | W, 31-34 |
| 2017 | Belk Bowl (Wake Forest) | Texas A&M | W, 51-52 |
| 2016 | Military Bowl (Wake Forest) | Temple | W, 34-26 |
| 2013 | GoDaddy.com Bowl (Ball State) | Arkansas State | L, 23-20 |
| 2012 | Beef O'Brady's Bowl (Ball State) | UCF | L, 38-17 |
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
- OL Justin Herron (6th) - Wake Forest '20 - New England Patriots
- OL Jake Benzinger (UDFA) - Wake Forest '20 - Arizona Cardinals
- OL Nate Gilliam (UDFA) - Wake Forest '20 - San Diego Chargers
- OL Phil Haynes (4th) - Wake Forest '19 - Seattle Seahawks
- Birthday: Oct. 31, 1981
- Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
- Education: 2004 – Bachelor's from Ball State
- Wife: Alyssa
- Children: Sophia, Lucas, Lily, Grace and William
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
Steve 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