Deacon Sports Xtra: Keep Pushing: Veteran Beef Boys Know What It Takes

Deacon Sports Xtra: Keep Pushing: Veteran Beef Boys Know What It Takes

9/29/2022 11:17:00 AM | Football

“As a leader on the team, you have to remind the guys to just keep pushing.” - Sean Maginn

By: Les Johns

It's no surprise that sixth-year senior Sean Maginn is one of the top-graded offensive linemen in the country in the early season for the Demon Deacons.

Earning second-team preseason All-ACC recognition by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, Maginn is part of an offensive line rotation that boasted 104 starts of experience entering the 2022 season.

But with that experience on the offensive line comes the realization that next year the proverbial baton will be passed to some underclassmen, and Maginn wants to ensure they're ready for the rigors of weekly competition in the ACC as well as the grind of being a Wake Forest student-athlete.

"When I was a freshman and sophomore, you hear it from the older guys: go to class, yadda, yadda, yadda," Maginn recalled. "As a freshman, I was like whatever, I'm not playing — I'm just on the scout team. But then my weight starts to drop and my grades aren't good. You start panicking and that prepares you for the future. I had to figure it out from that point.

"As a leader, I'm telling the younger offensive linemen to find their routine right now. Obviously, it's the five starters and Spencer Clapp who are playing right now. But I'm telling Nick Sharpe and Matt Gulbin to prepare this week like you're starting. Figure out your routine, go to class and eat food. So next year when they're in the position I am right now, they'll be in a good routine."

From experience, Maginn understands the weeks and even the years fly by as a college football player.

"It's just staying on top of things," he said. "The college football season flies by in the blink of an eye. It'll be week 14 or whatever. I just want them to stay on top of everything and stay in the moment."

In week two of the season, the Demon Deacons dispatched Vanderbilt 45-25 in Nashville, but got stopped at the goal line in the first quarter in frustrating fashion. A 36-yard kickoff return by Ke'Shawn Williams set the Deacs up in great field position, then returning quarterback Sam Hartman marched the team down the field effectively with rushes from Christian Turner and Justice Ellison coupled with a 14-yard completion to Jahmal Banks.

Wake Forest earned a first-and-goal at the seven yard line, then went in the Wild Deac formation for the next four snaps. Turner gained five yards on first down, then Ellison a single yard on second down to set up 3rd-and-goal. But Ellison was stuffed twice for no gain and the Deacs were held scoreless on the drive.

"It's always frustrating when you can't punch it in like that," Maginn said. "But at the same time we can't overreact. It comes down to everyone doing their one job. We obviously have to continue to work on it. It's a priority. Just like anything in this offense, if everyone can do their one job, we'll figure this out and get back on track.

"Just bring your hard hats. You know those are going to be tough yards. Obviously, it's one yard, but when it's against an SEC defense or any other defense in this league, they're going to bring it."

The nature of having to get just that one single yard in a short field makes it that much tougher to secure, according to Maginn.

"They're coming," he said. "It's not easy, that's for sure. They know we're running the ball. We know that they know we're running the ball. That's football. We'll figure it out and when we get those, it feels awesome.

"Right now, we have stuff to work on. Coach Tabacca tells us just to be better every week. Just keep improving. You can't look too far ahead, or you're going to look past a few obstacles."

For Maginn, despite the overall impressive start to the season, it's just about continuously improving, both in terms of the starting offensive linemen but also in the younger depth below them on the depth chart.

"Right now, as a leader, you have to make sure you're going to class, getting food in you, getting to sleep and watching film," he said. "The first two weeks of the season are easy. It's fresh, you're playing football and it's fun. Now, class starts to get going and you get a little tired. As a leader on the team, you have to remind the guys to just keep pushing. Every week is the same. Nothing changes."