Deacon Sports Xtra: Whiteheart Continuing to Grow in Wake Forest Offense
10/16/2021 9:20:00 AM | Football
“If you want to be great, you have to come out every single practice, compete and take that into the game.” - Blake Whiteheart
Wake Forest tight end Blake Whiteheart lined up just offset to the right a couple of steps in front of running back Christian Beal-Smith, who was in the wildcat position. As the ball was snapped, Whiteheart veered to the left, acting as if he was going to engage a defensive lineman, they streaked toward downfield.
Turns out it was a rare Wake Forest trick play. Beal-Smith pitched the ball back to quarterback Sam Hartman who spotted Whiteheart all alone in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown pass connection. The score gave Wake Forest a comfortable three-score, third-quarter lead at Virginia, in a game it won 37-17.
"It was an awesome play call by (Wake Forest offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero) Coach R," Whiteheart said. "Everyone executed perfectly, from the offensive line to the running backs. It just worked out that I got the ball in my hands in the end zone.
It was the first career touchdown for the fourth-year sophomore.
"It was a great experience being my first touchdown," Whiteheart said. "It was awesome to share with my teammates, and a great moment for them to gather around me and hug me up.
"It was right as I turned the corner (that he knew he was open), I realized there was no one over there. I don't think Sam realized how open I was over there, but he made a good throw. It worked out perfectly."
Whiteheart has three catches for 45 yards so far this season for the 5-0 Demon Deacons, and eight in his career.
"It just so happened that I was open and available at those times," he said. "Everyone has a job and a responsibility. If I don't catch a single ball the rest of the year, I have a job and I'm happy with that job because it helps us win. It just so happened that the ball came my way, but in no way is that important to me, and I'm sure the rest of the guys feel the same way.
"The most important thing is that we win. If I can help us win by catching balls and scoring touchdowns, that's great. But that's not the goal. Sam, the running backs and the offensive line all feel the same way — winning is more important than personal accolades."
A local prospect from Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, Whiteheart played in three games and retained his redshirt status in 2018, then participated in 12 games largely on special teams in 2019.
"Last year was my first time stepping in and having an important role," he said. "Right now, I'm just developing as a player. I'm grateful for every snap I get and willing to help in any way I can. Coach Clawson tells us that no matter how big or how small your role is, you're part of the team.
"That's something that's really stuck with me. In the tight end room, we're responsible for a lot of blocking and then sometimes we go out for some routes. There are times it's a thankless job, but whatever we can do to win is what we're going to do. Winning is the most important thing."
Sixth-year senior Brandon Chapman is in a nearly-equal time split with Whiteheart at the tight end spot. Chapman is one of the nine super-seniors who decided to return for what they believed could be a special Wake Forest Football season.
"You need two tight ends to play," Whiteheart said. "I don't think either one of us could play the entire game at a high level because of the tempo of our offense. I think we work really well together and there's several two-tight end packages now, which I think helps our offense have a little more versatility.
"When Chapman comes off, he gives me information on what he's seeing out there, and when I come off, I share with him. That time resting between series really helps us. It keeps us fresh and gets us ready to go, because we run such a fast offense. We really appreciate each other. Some folks say that he's a better blocker and I'm a better receiver, but I think he's got a lot better at catching passes and I've got a lot better at blocking. We're pretty balanced and Coach R trusts us on both aspects."
With this being Chapman's final year of eligibility, as the Deacons look to the 2022 season, there will be opportunity for younger tight ends Trey Boll, Cameron Hite and Michael Frogge to make a larger contribution.
"All those guys grew up a lot this last summer and did some great things," Whiteheart said. "They have a lot of potential. They're really good athletes and I'm excited to see them come along. They might not be getting the role they want right now, with me and Chapman splitting most of the time. It takes time to develop as a player, learn the plays and get some experience. They're going to be really good."
As the Deacs continue through conference play, Whiteheart believes consistency in effort and focus is their key.
"If you want to be great, you have to come out every single practice, compete and take that into the game," he said. "We can be beaten by any team in this league if we don't show up. We have to provide that consistent mindset every single week and only focus on the one week. There's no point in worrying about what's going on in the standings or the rankings, because we can't control that.
"When you start looking at the powerhouses that might be struggling, or who is winning or losing in the conference, that's when you can get sidetracked in your own identity as a team. Right now we're really hungry and we want more."
Turns out it was a rare Wake Forest trick play. Beal-Smith pitched the ball back to quarterback Sam Hartman who spotted Whiteheart all alone in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown pass connection. The score gave Wake Forest a comfortable three-score, third-quarter lead at Virginia, in a game it won 37-17.
"It was an awesome play call by (Wake Forest offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero) Coach R," Whiteheart said. "Everyone executed perfectly, from the offensive line to the running backs. It just worked out that I got the ball in my hands in the end zone.
It was the first career touchdown for the fourth-year sophomore.
"It was a great experience being my first touchdown," Whiteheart said. "It was awesome to share with my teammates, and a great moment for them to gather around me and hug me up.
"It was right as I turned the corner (that he knew he was open), I realized there was no one over there. I don't think Sam realized how open I was over there, but he made a good throw. It worked out perfectly."
Whiteheart has three catches for 45 yards so far this season for the 5-0 Demon Deacons, and eight in his career.
"It just so happened that I was open and available at those times," he said. "Everyone has a job and a responsibility. If I don't catch a single ball the rest of the year, I have a job and I'm happy with that job because it helps us win. It just so happened that the ball came my way, but in no way is that important to me, and I'm sure the rest of the guys feel the same way.
"The most important thing is that we win. If I can help us win by catching balls and scoring touchdowns, that's great. But that's not the goal. Sam, the running backs and the offensive line all feel the same way — winning is more important than personal accolades."
A local prospect from Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, Whiteheart played in three games and retained his redshirt status in 2018, then participated in 12 games largely on special teams in 2019.
"Last year was my first time stepping in and having an important role," he said. "Right now, I'm just developing as a player. I'm grateful for every snap I get and willing to help in any way I can. Coach Clawson tells us that no matter how big or how small your role is, you're part of the team.
"That's something that's really stuck with me. In the tight end room, we're responsible for a lot of blocking and then sometimes we go out for some routes. There are times it's a thankless job, but whatever we can do to win is what we're going to do. Winning is the most important thing."
Sixth-year senior Brandon Chapman is in a nearly-equal time split with Whiteheart at the tight end spot. Chapman is one of the nine super-seniors who decided to return for what they believed could be a special Wake Forest Football season.
"You need two tight ends to play," Whiteheart said. "I don't think either one of us could play the entire game at a high level because of the tempo of our offense. I think we work really well together and there's several two-tight end packages now, which I think helps our offense have a little more versatility.
"When Chapman comes off, he gives me information on what he's seeing out there, and when I come off, I share with him. That time resting between series really helps us. It keeps us fresh and gets us ready to go, because we run such a fast offense. We really appreciate each other. Some folks say that he's a better blocker and I'm a better receiver, but I think he's got a lot better at catching passes and I've got a lot better at blocking. We're pretty balanced and Coach R trusts us on both aspects."
With this being Chapman's final year of eligibility, as the Deacons look to the 2022 season, there will be opportunity for younger tight ends Trey Boll, Cameron Hite and Michael Frogge to make a larger contribution.
"All those guys grew up a lot this last summer and did some great things," Whiteheart said. "They have a lot of potential. They're really good athletes and I'm excited to see them come along. They might not be getting the role they want right now, with me and Chapman splitting most of the time. It takes time to develop as a player, learn the plays and get some experience. They're going to be really good."
As the Deacs continue through conference play, Whiteheart believes consistency in effort and focus is their key.
"If you want to be great, you have to come out every single practice, compete and take that into the game," he said. "We can be beaten by any team in this league if we don't show up. We have to provide that consistent mindset every single week and only focus on the one week. There's no point in worrying about what's going on in the standings or the rankings, because we can't control that.
"When you start looking at the powerhouses that might be struggling, or who is winning or losing in the conference, that's when you can get sidetracked in your own identity as a team. Right now we're really hungry and we want more."
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
TE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
TE
/ FootballFootball Media Availability (12/23/25)
Tuesday, December 23
Wake Forest Women's Basketball Highlights vs Gardner-Webb (Dec. 22, 2025)
Monday, December 22
Steve Forbes - Postgame Presser vs. Vanderbilt
Sunday, December 21
Steve Forbes - Postgame Presser vs. Longwood
Thursday, December 18