#ProDeacs: Week Eight Recap
10/31/2023 1:09:00 PM | Football
Two roster moves, an NFL debut and a career-first highlights week eight of NFL action for #ProDeacs
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.- It was a busy week during week eight of the NFL season with multiple roster moves, an NFL debut for a Wake Forest record-holder and a first-career interception for a rising star. Here is how our #ProDeacs performed during the slate of week eight matchups.
First INT
Second-year cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor, who has seen an increased role in the Los Angeles secondary this season, hauled in his first-career interception against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Early in the second quarter, Taylor cut out an underthrown pass from rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent and returned it eight yards before running out of bounds at the Los Angeles 43-yard line. The Chargers took advantage of the field position and kicked a field goal to make it 17-0. The Chargers defeated the Bears, 30-13.
The win improved the team to 3-4 and snapped a two-game losing streak. Next week, Taylor and the Chargers will be taking on the New York Jets on Monday Night Football at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.
Roster Moves
After spending the first seven weeks of the season grinding on the practice squad, rookie tight end Blake Whitehart earned a spot on the Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster last week.
Whiteheart appeared in 50 games for the Demon Deacons from 2018-2022 and hauled in 44 receptions for over 500 yards. During his senior season, he totaled career highs in receptions (24), receiving yards (295), touchdowns (three) and yards per catch (12.3). He posted at least one catch in 11 of 12 games played during the 2022 season. Off the field, he earned a spot on the All-ACC Academic Team.
Luiji Vilain, who is in the midst of his third NFL season, is returning to North Carolina after spending the last two and a half years with the Minnesota Vikings. He made four appearances for the Vikings and tallied four tackles.
Vilain spent one season with Wake Forest in 2021 and led the team with a team-high nine sacks, including two in the ACC Championship game against Pitt. He was one of three Demon Deacons that season to record double-digit tackles for loss.
Both players were inactive in week eight.
NFL Debut
2023 third-round pick A.T. Perry made his professional debut with the New Orleans Saints Sunday afternoon in a 38-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Wake Forest legend holds the program record with 28 receiving touchdowns, which also ranks seventh in ACC history, as well as the single-season program record with 15 touchdowns in 2021. He also totaled 2,662 receiving yards (third in program history) and 171 career catches (sixth in program history).
#ProDeacs Results and Week Seven Slate (All times eastern)
First INT
Second-year cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor, who has seen an increased role in the Los Angeles secondary this season, hauled in his first-career interception against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Early in the second quarter, Taylor cut out an underthrown pass from rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent and returned it eight yards before running out of bounds at the Los Angeles 43-yard line. The Chargers took advantage of the field position and kicked a field goal to make it 17-0. The Chargers defeated the Bears, 30-13.
The win improved the team to 3-4 and snapped a two-game losing streak. Next week, Taylor and the Chargers will be taking on the New York Jets on Monday Night Football at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.
Roster Moves
After spending the first seven weeks of the season grinding on the practice squad, rookie tight end Blake Whitehart earned a spot on the Arizona Cardinals 53-man roster last week.
Whiteheart appeared in 50 games for the Demon Deacons from 2018-2022 and hauled in 44 receptions for over 500 yards. During his senior season, he totaled career highs in receptions (24), receiving yards (295), touchdowns (three) and yards per catch (12.3). He posted at least one catch in 11 of 12 games played during the 2022 season. Off the field, he earned a spot on the All-ACC Academic Team.
Luiji Vilain, who is in the midst of his third NFL season, is returning to North Carolina after spending the last two and a half years with the Minnesota Vikings. He made four appearances for the Vikings and tallied four tackles.
Vilain spent one season with Wake Forest in 2021 and led the team with a team-high nine sacks, including two in the ACC Championship game against Pitt. He was one of three Demon Deacons that season to record double-digit tackles for loss.
Both players were inactive in week eight.
NFL Debut
2023 third-round pick A.T. Perry made his professional debut with the New Orleans Saints Sunday afternoon in a 38-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The Wake Forest legend holds the program record with 28 receiving touchdowns, which also ranks seventh in ACC history, as well as the single-season program record with 15 touchdowns in 2021. He also totaled 2,662 receiving yards (third in program history) and 171 career catches (sixth in program history).
#ProDeacs Results and Week Seven Slate (All times eastern)
- Jessie Bates III - ATL (4-4)
- This Week: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 23 at Tennessee Titans 28
- Greg Dortch and Blake Whiteheart - ARI (1-7)
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals at Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)
- Last Week: Baltimore Ravens 31 at Arizona Cardinals 24
- Kobie Turner - LAR (3-5)
- This Week: Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Rams 20 at Dallas Cowboys 43
- Zach Tom - GB (2-5)
- This Week: Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1 p.m., FOX)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 24 at Green Bay Packers 10
- AT Perry - NO (4-4)
- This Week: Chicago Bears at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)
- Last Week: New Orleans Saints 38 at Indianapolis Colts 27
- Phil Haynes - SEA (5-2)
- This Week: Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)
- Last Week: Cleveland Browns 20 at Seattle Seahawks 24
- Luiji Vilain - CAR (1-6)
- This Week: Indianapolis Colts at Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Last Week: Houston Texans 13 at Carolina Panthers 15
- Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr. - NYG (2-6)
- This Week: New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Last Week: New York Jets 13 at New York Giants 10
- Luke Masterson and Justin Herron - LV (3-5)
- This Week: New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Last Week: Las Vegas Raiders 14 at Detroit Lions 26
- Ja'Sir Taylor and Essang Bassey - LAC (3-4)
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers at New York Jets (Monday, 8:15 p.m., Monday)
- Last Week: Chicago Bears 13 at Los Angeles Chargers 30
- Justin Strnad - DEN (3-5)
- This Week: BYE
- Last Week: Kansas City Chiefs 9 at Denver Broncos 24
Players Mentioned
Wake Forest Defensive Back Davaughn Patterson Postgame vs. SMU (Oct. 25, 2025)
Saturday, October 25
Wake Forest Wide Receiver Chris Barnes Postgame Press Conference vs. SMU (Oct. 25, 2025)
Saturday, October 25
Wake Forest Kicker Connor Calvert Postgame Press Conference vs. SMU (Oct. 25, 2025)
Saturday, October 25
Wake Forest Head Coach Jake Dickert Postgame Press Conference vs. SMU (Oct. 25, 2025)
Saturday, October 25