Wake Forest Athletics
#ProDeacs Earn Spots On NFL Rosters
9/1/2021 9:57:00 AM | Football
Headlined by 2021 NFL All-Pro Jessie Bates, the Demon Deacons will have a strong presence around the league for week one of the NFL season.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest begins their regular season this Friday against Old Dominion. Meanwhile, the #ProDeacs are ready to begin their NFL season on Thursday, Sept. 9.
These former Demon Deacons made the initial 53-man rosters Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr., Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Jessie Bates III, Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Phil Haynes, New England Patriots offensive lineman Justin Herron, Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad and Los Angeles Rams quarterback John Wolford.
Additionally, Denver Broncos defensive back Essang Bassey will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list while New York Giants wide receiver Alex Bachman was placed on Injured Reserve (IR).
NFL teams around the league will announce their 16-member practice squads this week with a host of former Wake Forest players expected to be listed.
Top 100
Jessie Bates III is considered one of the best safeties in the league and is viewed as one of the top defenders for the Bengals.
Coming into this year, Bates' work ethic paid off as he was ranked 90th best player in the league in the NFL's annual Top-100 list.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bates is considered one of the top 10 safeties (eight) for the 2021 season. Last year, Bates recorded the highest overall PFF grade among safeties last season at 90.1 — he was one of two players with a PFF coverage grade north of 90.0. Bates tallied 12 pass breakups to go along with three interceptions on the season.
.@jlbiii3 makes his first appearance on the #NFLTop100. pic.twitter.com/JM5t5TfTob
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 15, 2021
The Newest #ProDeac
The newest member of the #ProDeacs ranks is Buffalo Bills second-round draft pick and defensive lineman Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr.
The Wake Forest great, who finished fourth in program history in sacks, will look to help the Bills get to their first Super Bowl since the 90s. Buffalo selected him with the 61st overall selection, becoming the highest drafted Demon Deacon since Jessie Bates III in 2018.
Basham had a strong pre-season for Buffalo where he collected six tackles (five solo, one assisted), and one sack. It helped draw the praise of NFL Analyst Brian Baldinger.
.@BuffaloBills @Almighty_Basham with a classic"swim get skinny" QB hit. He has an array of polished skills. Youngin Help coming to Western NY!!! #billsmafia #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/Qb3x4exxOi
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 25, 2021
Lending A Hand
A 2020 sixth-round pick, Herron has always been solid for the Patriots, as their offensive line is considered one of the strongest groups in the NFL.
Last year, he played in 12 games and started in six of them. When he capitalized on his starting opportunities, Herron was praised highly by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
"Well, I think he's made progress for us and deserves an opportunity to continue to play and improve," Belichick said. "He continues to do good things and improve."
Coming into the 2021 season, Herron is seen by many as a lock to earn a spot again on the Patriots roster, shoring up one of if not the deepest group of linemen in the league. So far this preseason, Herron has played in 50 percent or more of the offensive snaps in two out of the three Patriots games.
After the 2020 season, Herron had maybe his biggest accomplishment.
On Wednesday, March 24, Herron along with another man were honored by Tempe Police for helping stop a sexual assault take place. Herron and Rodgers could hear the woman screaming and that's when he and his friend jumped into action.
"I'm a football player, I'm kind of big. I try not to be too aggressive with people knowing I could potentially hurt somebody," Herron said. "I do have a loud voice. I yelled, told him to get off of her, and then yanked him off and I told him to sit down and I told him to wait until the cops come."
Patriots OT Justin Herron was honored by police for helping stop an attempted sexual assault of a 71-year-old woman in a park in Arizona last week.
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 24, 2021
Herron and another man detained the suspect until police arrived.https://t.co/kUA5T7Z70b pic.twitter.com/YZj5173yct
Filling In
As for Wolford's situation, Rams former quarterback Jared Goff was ruled out due to injury and the Rams desperately needed to win this game against the Cardinals. A win would clinch a playoff spot.
Despite the high pressure, Wolford wasn't fazed and led the Rams to an 18-7 win and a playoff berth. In his lone start, he finished 22-38 and threw for 231 yards.
Let's go, John ‼️#ProDeacs 🎩
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) January 3, 2021
pic.twitter.com/OjFRi3zNHE
Rams Head Coach Sean McVay was very pleased with his start.
"He settled in nicely and in essence, we were going to put the game in his hands offensively and he did a nice job," McVay said.
Not only was McVay impressed with Wolford's game, Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd appreciated his competitiveness.
"That just shows his competitive nature," Floyd said. "He's willing to risk it all to get the first down. Man, it just gives the defense that extra boost of confidence to go out and get him the ball back."
Wolford himself felt like it was nothing different and it was just another game of football to him,
"I had a lot of fun," Wolford said. "A little anxious going in, if I'm being 100% honest. Once I got rollin', I was just playing football again."
Next week in the wildcard round against the Seahawks, Wolford got the start again but unfortunately, it was short-lived as he left the game due to a neck injury. In his brief playoff debut, Wolford completed three of his six passes for 29 yards.
Despite not playing a snap in the 2021 preseason, Wolford heads into this year as the Rams number two quarterback behind Matthew Stafford. It's not every day a team has a backup that can hold things down like the way Wolford did, having him is a luxury for a Rams team that is poised to make a run for the NFC West this year.
