Chapman, Deacs Set for Exciting 2020 Campaign

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, redshirt senior tight end Brandon Chapman has worked hard to stay in shape and prepare for the 2020 season.

Chapman has been on the field for more than 500 snaps each of the last two seasons, contributing 11 catches for 100 yards in 2019. Despite the loss of the recent-graduate Jack Freudenthal, Chapman is confident in his position group this fall.

"We have a lot of smart and talented players in there," Chapman said. "I don't think we've had a tight end room this full since my freshman year."

It wasn't that long ago that Demon Deacon Cam Serigne became the most prolific pass-catching tight end in ACC history. Is it possible the tight end position could perhaps become targeted a bit more in 2020?

"We're trying to win an ACC Championship," Chapman said. "If that's what we have to do is target the tight end, then I'm going to catch it. Our running game has been great the last few years. We have all kinds of talent across the board. If they want to start targeting me, great. If not, I'm going to block as hard as I can every play."

With the team being away from campus for three-plus months, Chapman and the Deacs have continued to make progress towards their goals for this fall.

"Every team in the country went through the same thing," he said. "One of the things we've talked about in our offensive group chat is to stay motivated. It's a different offseason, but we've been telling each other to take advantage of it."

Chapman enters his final Demon Deacon campaign more confident than ever.

"Every year I've gotten more mature and comfortable with the play calling," he said. "Now, I'm ready to roll. I've been working on my conditioning level a lot more. I'm going to have to be ready for those critical moments. I've been training hard, and it's a long time coming. "

As the most experienced guy in the tight end room, Chapman will be counted on for leadership through the 2020 season, despite not being able to be hands-on with the group the last few months.

"You have to deal with the hand you've been given," he said. "Obviously, it's harder to get a hold of guys and work with them when you don't see them everyday. I just want to be there for the guys and let them know I'm here for them."

He's excited about the wealth of talent and potential in the room alongside him.

"It's tough to come in and play in the first year," Chapman said. "It's a developmental position. I'm a fifth-year senior and will have a lot of playing time. Blake Whiteheart is a redshirt sophomore. That's the year to step up. It's Blake's time to come in and put in some minutes. We also have Cameron Hite, Connor Hebbeler and Michael Frogge, who is really impressing me."

Chapman and the Deacs enter this fall with a lot of well-deserved confidence, as Wake Forest has been to bowl games in four-consecutive seasons for the first time in program history.

"We're a very disciplined team," he said in closing. "I thoroughly believe if we play our best football every game, and take advantage of every scenario and every moment, I believe we can compete toward winning the ACC Championship. I have so much belief. I believe in this team so much. We've been through so much together. We're all ready to take that next step and set the standard for this program."

Wake Forest Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Brandon Chapman

Jack Freudenthal

Michael Frogge

Connor Hebbeler

Cameron Hite

Blake Whiteheart

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