Wolford Performs Under Pressure in NFL Debut
1/5/2021 9:54:00 AM | Football
“I wouldn’t bet against John Wolford being a full-time starter in the NFL.” - Coach Clawson
Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson texted John Wolford as he geared up for his first NFL start with the L.A. Rams, but didn't expect a response.
"I shot him a text, but would be shocked if he returned it," Clawson said. "He's got a job to do, and all his energy and focus will be on that."
Unsurprisingly, Clawson turned out to be correct. As Wolford addressed the media after leading the Rams to a 18-7 win over Arizona that secured a playoff berth, Wolford admitted he had more than 350 texts to return.
It's unlikely his friends, family and former teammates will be upset about waiting, given the result on the field. Despite throwing an interception on his first NFL passing attempt, Wolford was scintillating the rest of the way, becoming the first player in the Super Bowl era to debut with more than 200 yards passing and 50 yards rushing.
"I thought after the first throw of the game, John Wolford was the star offensively," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "He made plays, and we need to continue to make plays around him. I thought his movement and athleticism — his ability to pick up coverages where he's hitting Cam Akers and Tyler Higbee down the sidelines when corners are coming off. This guy is resilient and showed up in a big way. I was impressed with him.
"He really gave us a chance offensively with the amount of plays he made in the pass game, with his legs and with his athleticism. He was outstanding against a really good defense that came out ready to go. I was really pleased with John."
The Demon Deacon alum finished the game 22-for-38 passing for 231 yards, while adding 56 yards rushing on six attempts.
Picking up 13 yards on a 3-and-10 scramble got things rolling for Wolford, after starting the game with the interception and a quick three-and-out.
"Once I came out from the pick, I felt good," he said. "I was seeing the field better and got in a rhythm. We move the ball efficiently. I felt good out there and wasn't overwhelmed.
"I think getting hit sometimes is a way to get you settled into the game. When I activated those runs on third down and got the first down, it felt good."
When teammates attempted to console him after the interception, Wolford told them "We're good."
He drew on divergent themes to help get past the mistake. He experienced a similar fate in his first high school game for Bishop Kenny, and also remembered that fellow Rams quarterback Jared Goff told him repeatedly to focus on PACE — performance after a critical error.
"That was a bad throw and a bad decision," Wolford said. "I can't make that throw, but it's almost like as soon as I did that, I settled in.
"I had a lot of fun. I was a little anxious going in, to be honest. Once I got rolling, I was just playing football again. It's great that we got the win, but there's a ton of room for improvement. I missed a ton of throws and we didn't convert in the red zone. But I'm glad we got the win and are moving on in the Playoffs."
Even after the interception, the game plan for Wolford and the Rams didn't waver.
"I thought it was impressive the way he responded," McVay said. "It wasn't the ideal first pass for him, but sometimes you can really learn a lot about guys in the way they respond. We really put the game in his hand offensively, and I was really pleased with John.
"It didn't change my confidence in him, and you can see that in the way we called the game."
It was Wolford's ability to extend plays with his feet, sometimes reacting to pressure, but then other times by design, that impressed McVay.
"It's a big winning edge for us," he said. "You can see the things we're capable of doing with him, and it really showed up."
With the Rams nursing an 11-point lead and running clock late in the fourth quarter, Wolford lowered his shoulder on a keeper to get the final couple yards on a nine-yard pickup on third-and-eight. The conversion allowed the Rams to run a couple more minutes of clock, securing the victory. It's that type of commitment that helped earn the adoration and respect from his teammates, who were enthusiastic in their support for him after the game.
"I've never won a game, so I don't know what normal congratulations are like," Wolford joked. "It was a team win across the board. I love this organization and thrilled that they've given me a shot."
Next up for the Rams is a Wild Card Playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks Saturday. It's undetermined if it'll be Goff or Wolford at quarterback in that game.
"I'm here to do a job," Wolford said. "I have no idea where he's at. I just want to enjoy this win, then I'll put my head down and focus on Seattle."
Wolford is the perfect Wake Forest story, Clawson said. The signal caller threw for 8,794 yards and 59 touchdowns in his Demon Deacon career, leading the program to its most successful offensive season in history as a senior in 2017.
"He represents all the best things about Wake Forest — under-recruited, undersized and didn't have immediate success," he said. "But just through perseverance, courage, will and smarts, made himself one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC. I know John is ready and the Rams wouldn't have him in that position if they weren't' confident in him.
"Here's a guy who truly pursued his passion with everything he had. I wouldn't bet against John Wolford being a full-time starter in the NFL."
"I shot him a text, but would be shocked if he returned it," Clawson said. "He's got a job to do, and all his energy and focus will be on that."
Unsurprisingly, Clawson turned out to be correct. As Wolford addressed the media after leading the Rams to a 18-7 win over Arizona that secured a playoff berth, Wolford admitted he had more than 350 texts to return.
It's unlikely his friends, family and former teammates will be upset about waiting, given the result on the field. Despite throwing an interception on his first NFL passing attempt, Wolford was scintillating the rest of the way, becoming the first player in the Super Bowl era to debut with more than 200 yards passing and 50 yards rushing.
"I thought after the first throw of the game, John Wolford was the star offensively," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "He made plays, and we need to continue to make plays around him. I thought his movement and athleticism — his ability to pick up coverages where he's hitting Cam Akers and Tyler Higbee down the sidelines when corners are coming off. This guy is resilient and showed up in a big way. I was impressed with him.
"He really gave us a chance offensively with the amount of plays he made in the pass game, with his legs and with his athleticism. He was outstanding against a really good defense that came out ready to go. I was really pleased with John."
The Demon Deacon alum finished the game 22-for-38 passing for 231 yards, while adding 56 yards rushing on six attempts.
Picking up 13 yards on a 3-and-10 scramble got things rolling for Wolford, after starting the game with the interception and a quick three-and-out.
"Once I came out from the pick, I felt good," he said. "I was seeing the field better and got in a rhythm. We move the ball efficiently. I felt good out there and wasn't overwhelmed.
"I think getting hit sometimes is a way to get you settled into the game. When I activated those runs on third down and got the first down, it felt good."
When teammates attempted to console him after the interception, Wolford told them "We're good."
He drew on divergent themes to help get past the mistake. He experienced a similar fate in his first high school game for Bishop Kenny, and also remembered that fellow Rams quarterback Jared Goff told him repeatedly to focus on PACE — performance after a critical error.
"That was a bad throw and a bad decision," Wolford said. "I can't make that throw, but it's almost like as soon as I did that, I settled in.
"I had a lot of fun. I was a little anxious going in, to be honest. Once I got rolling, I was just playing football again. It's great that we got the win, but there's a ton of room for improvement. I missed a ton of throws and we didn't convert in the red zone. But I'm glad we got the win and are moving on in the Playoffs."
Even after the interception, the game plan for Wolford and the Rams didn't waver.
"I thought it was impressive the way he responded," McVay said. "It wasn't the ideal first pass for him, but sometimes you can really learn a lot about guys in the way they respond. We really put the game in his hand offensively, and I was really pleased with John.
"It didn't change my confidence in him, and you can see that in the way we called the game."
It was Wolford's ability to extend plays with his feet, sometimes reacting to pressure, but then other times by design, that impressed McVay.
"It's a big winning edge for us," he said. "You can see the things we're capable of doing with him, and it really showed up."
With the Rams nursing an 11-point lead and running clock late in the fourth quarter, Wolford lowered his shoulder on a keeper to get the final couple yards on a nine-yard pickup on third-and-eight. The conversion allowed the Rams to run a couple more minutes of clock, securing the victory. It's that type of commitment that helped earn the adoration and respect from his teammates, who were enthusiastic in their support for him after the game.
"I've never won a game, so I don't know what normal congratulations are like," Wolford joked. "It was a team win across the board. I love this organization and thrilled that they've given me a shot."
Next up for the Rams is a Wild Card Playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks Saturday. It's undetermined if it'll be Goff or Wolford at quarterback in that game.
"I'm here to do a job," Wolford said. "I have no idea where he's at. I just want to enjoy this win, then I'll put my head down and focus on Seattle."
Wolford is the perfect Wake Forest story, Clawson said. The signal caller threw for 8,794 yards and 59 touchdowns in his Demon Deacon career, leading the program to its most successful offensive season in history as a senior in 2017.
"He represents all the best things about Wake Forest — under-recruited, undersized and didn't have immediate success," he said. "But just through perseverance, courage, will and smarts, made himself one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC. I know John is ready and the Rams wouldn't have him in that position if they weren't' confident in him.
"Here's a guy who truly pursued his passion with everything he had. I wouldn't bet against John Wolford being a full-time starter in the NFL."
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