Wake Forest Athletics
ProDeacs Make Splash in Preseason Openers
8/14/2022 5:37:00 PM | Football
Wake Forest football alumni all across the league made their impacts felt during the opening week of the NFL preseason.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Pro Deacs came ready to play and made immediate impacts all around the opening week of the NFL Preseason.
Wake Forest is well represented around the league to start preseason play as over 20 Demon Deacon alumni are spread around the NFL. This comes off the heels of nine Deacs being drafted and signing as undrafted free agents following Wake Forest's historic 2021 season that included an ACC Atlantic and Gator Bowl titles.
The first Demon Deacon to make an impact this offseason was linebacker Luke Masterson who helped the Las Vegas Raiders to a victory in the Hall of Fame Game, recording five total tackles including a pair of solo tackles last Sunday.
Entering his fourth year in the league and his second season with the Arizona Cardinals, wide receiver Greg Dortch stole the show in the preseason opener. The 2018 Wake Forest All-American tallied 142 total yards, pulling in four receptions for 53 yards while also having five punt returns for 89 yards including a 55 yader that he nearly took all the way back for a touchdown.
After the game, Dortch and former teammate and current Cincinnati Bengals tight end Scotty Washington caught up on the field. Washington finished the game with a pair of receptions for 19 yards and enters his third year with the franchise.
Balling at the next level 💪
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) August 13, 2022
🎩 @_GDortch
🎩 @scottywash_ pic.twitter.com/1flqS0mL2w
After a successful season in the USFL winning a title with the Birmingham Stallions, Sage Surratt like Washington has also made the transition from wide receiver to tight end. He pulled down a pair of receptions for 14 yards while fellow Charger teammate and 2022 sixth round pick Ja'Sir Taylor collected a tackle in his debut for the franchise.
Fellow draftee and Packers fourth-round selection Zach Tom also made his debut this weekend for his new team. He has garnered plenty of praise throughout training camp, even running with the ones at left tackle for portions of camp.
MUST-SEE rookies in the preseason:
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) August 4, 2022
Drake Jackson - EDGE
Cam Jurgens - C
Skyy Moore - WR
Logan Hall - DL
George Pickens - WR
Jalen Pitre - DB
Jeremy Ruckert - TE
Zach Tom - OT
Alex Wright - EDGE pic.twitter.com/zXCZDsjHZA
The most accurate kicker in NCAA history made his impact as Nick Sciba went 1-for-1 in field goal attempts while also converting on all three extra point attempts and having five kickoff opportunities.
Former Wake Forest teammate and 2021 second-round selection for the Buffalo Bills Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr. made the most impactful play of the game in the Bills opening week game victory over the Colts. Coming off the left side of the line, Basham forced his way to the quarterback and forced a strip sack fumble that was picked up and returned all the way for a score.
BOOOOGIE 😤
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) August 13, 2022
Let's go, @Almighty_Basham 🎩
pic.twitter.com/PGSO4lymXD
Last season, Basham helped the Bills make a run in the playoffs while recording 2.5 sacks and 18 total tackles in eight regular season games. Basham will look to take the next step in his development this season and overcome the postseason loss to Kansas City.
This offseason, the Chiefs added a #ProDeac of their own, signing defensive back Nasir Greer as an undrafted free agent.
He has made a name for himself during camp and made an eye-popping blitz sack against the Bears this week while also collecting a pair of tackles.
We see you, @_kingnas3 ‼️
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) August 13, 2022
pic.twitter.com/LoYtHtcarm
After being a big story during the 2020 season for his selflessness in stepping in at quarterback, wide receiver Kendall Hinton continued to grow at wideout last season, posting 15 for 175 yards and a touchdown.
He looks to continue to develop into a playmaker for the Broncos this season and took a big step in that direction during the preseason opener, collecting three receptions for 53 yards (17.67 yd/catch) and a touchdown that was the highlight of the game for Denver.
Making the play ‼️
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) August 14, 2022
Big time, @Kendall_Hinton2 🎩
pic.twitter.com/Aar7pfbsbz
Beef Boy and former fourth-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks Phil Haynes also had a strong first week of the preseason, posting a 90.6 overall grade which ranked third among all NFL offensive linemen (guards, tackles, and centers) in week one of the preseason. Additionally, he ranked second among guards.
