Wake Forest Defense Primed for Success Following Productive Spring Season

Jasheen Davis set at the line of scrimmage

Wake Forest Defense Primed for Success Following Productive Spring Season

5/9/2023 8:00:00 AM | Football

“This is a group that really enjoys playing football.” – Brad Lambert

By: Les Johns

A competitive Wake Forest spring camp concluded with ample optimism that the Demon Deacons can continue to make strides defensively in the second full season under defensive coordinator Brad Lambert.

The safety room is loaded with talented and experienced depth, the defensive ends are explosive, the presumed starting cornerbacks are disruptive and there's a ton of promise at linebacker.

"I've really been pleased with their energy," Lambert said during camp. "They've shown up every day. This is a group that really enjoys playing football. That's all you can ask. Now we're in year two of our system, so it's a lot easier for them this spring. They aren't learning a whole new language, so it's gone a bit faster. We've had some new guys come in January, so it's important to get those young guys involved. That's been a positive as well.

"We needed to add to our depth up front, with all those guys on the interior graduating. That's been the biggest challenge for us, is how do we replenish the defensive line. We feel pretty good at defensive end, but the inside having lost Kobie (Turner), Dion (Bergan) and Tyler (Williams) — that's been the main goal this spring, is how to bring those guys along."

The Deacs added transfer defensive tackle Bryce Ganious from Villanova in the Transfer Portal, but he missed spring camp.

"He came in as a transfer with an injury, and we knew it," Lambert said. "But you don't have him to try to build some depth there, so that's been a challenge for us for sure. Who is that going to be? I'm really proud of Justin Williams, who is doing a good job, and Isaiah Chaney. Those two guys just haven't really played here. They've been behind some really good players. Now is their time."

Returning at defensive end is redshirt junior Jasheen Davis, who led the Demon Deacons in 2022 with 14 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks.

"He's just really on an uptick," Lambert said. "He had a really good year last year, but is trying to take his game to the next level. He's put on a little weight, and I'm proud of him adding five-to-seven pounds. He's focused on making big plays for us. I thought our front last year, our havoc rating was good. If we continue that, he'll be a big part of it. I'm proud of his progress.

"He's the guy. He and Kendron (Wayman) on the edge, we believe they can make plays for us. Jasheen is probably the key. It's important we use him and put him in good positions. We don't want to tie him down in double team situations, because we want him one-on-one as much as we can."

Caelen Carson has All-ACC potential at corner, but missed five games last season because of injury. Joining him will be DaShawn Jones, who showed a ton of potential late in the 2022 campaign, where he finished with 23 tackles and five pass breakups.

"Probably the guy on the back end who is helping us the most right now is DaShawn Jones," Lambert said. "The last four games last year really came on for us and we are playing well this spring. We're trying to build depth at defensive tackle and trying to build depth at corner. We have two guys there who we believe can really play in DaShawn and Caelen (Carson). Behind that is where we're building some depth with younger players. That's the key."

Malik Mustapha missed the final three regular season games last year while Nick Andersen was out the entire year. They both return to a safety room that also features Chelen Ganes, Brendon Harris, AJ Williams and freshman Davaughn Patterson.

"Probably the strength of our defense is the safety position," Lambert said. "We have many impact guys there. At safety, it's a matter of how do we get all these guys involved? It's a good room and a good problem to have. But you want to get those guys involved as much as you can. But they will be a part of special teams as well. That's a loaded room for us."

Then at linebacker, while Dylan Hazen and Eldrick Robinson missed the spring, they are on target to make an impact in fall camp and join a competitive group in the middle of an improving Demon Deacon defense.

"I feel good about that room," Lambert said. "(Linebacker coach) Glenn (Spencer) has done a great job with those players. Jacob Roberts has come in from NC A&T and has really had a good spring. He's a guy who will play for us. I'm pleased with the track he's on. Chase Jones continues to get better. We have some experienced guys there. Quincy Bryant is having a great spring, and he's a guy we need to take the next step.

"We'll keep building that, and then we'll get Dylan (Hazen) and Eldrick (Robinson) back and we'll be in pretty good shape with depth. The middle of our defense is really good on the back end, it's the interior of the defensive line that will be the next trick for us."