Wake Forest Athletics
Whiteheart Ready to Represent Wake Forest and Winston-Salem in NFL
7/5/2023 11:54:00 AM | Football
“I want to put on for Wake Forest — the school and team who got me there. I want to represent them well.” - Blake Whiteheart
As the 2022 Wake Forest Football season came to a close with a 27-17 Gasparilla Bowl victory over Missouri, tight end Blake Whiteheart drove straight from Tampa to Ft. Myers to start preparing for the NFL Draft.
After showing out in the Draft Combine and putting in another fantastic effort at Wake Forest Pro Day, Whiteheart accepted a free-agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
"Everything I wanted," Whiteheart said about his Pro Day effort. "I needed to do the shuttle, and I put up a good time. Then I wanted to show that I'm a crisp route runner, that I'm a smooth athlete and I can do everything. When it comes to blocking, I'm explosive. On routes, I felt like I was fluid and precise in my running. I just came to show my different traits and what I'm capable of. I feel like I did well today."
Getting an invite to the NFL Combine was a pleasant surprise for Whiteheart, who made it a point to give his best effort to showcase what Wake Forest has to offer.
"I'm so grateful," he said. "It was just a blessing from the Lord to get that invite. Being there and being able to experience that was so special to me. I really cherish those moments and the people I met there. I just took it all in. We had two Wake Forest guys go to the Combine and that's awesome.
"Hopefully next year it's three, then the year after that four. The more guys we have there, the better it makes our school look. That's what I want to do. I want to put on for Wake Forest — the school and team who got me there. I want to represent them well."
In terms of nerves, it was the combine that really sent the shivers down Whiteheart's spine.
"I'd argue the Combine is a little more nerve-wracking," he said after Pro Day with a bit of a smile. "It's the Combine and you're in the presence of all the greats and you're walking by head coaches everywhere. Alright, this is the real deal. But it never gets easier. This is another great opportunity. All these guys performed well and did what they needed to do. Anytime you can present yourself in a way that helps you get to where you need to be, it's a good thing.
"I'm confident in my abilities and feel like I competed well, but I just wanted to represent Wake Forest well in everything I did."
Getting back to Winston-Salem was a treat for Whiteheart, as he got to spend time with his former Demon Deacon coaches and teammates, as well as family and friends.
"I love this little place," he said. "It's a cool little town and I'm glad I came to school here. The Lord is going to be faithful and work things out for the next few years."
Getting the undrafted free agent contract with the Cardinals means the hard work Whiteheart put following the bowl game all paid off.
"I was working out the next day," he said. "Everything was leading to the combine and Pro Day. I feel like I did a good job at the East-West and the Combine. I'm proud of my performance, and that's all that matters. I'm proud of the job I did and I feel like I did the very best I could.
"You want to be prepared for the next level. You don't want to be unprepared when you get that call."
After showing out in the Draft Combine and putting in another fantastic effort at Wake Forest Pro Day, Whiteheart accepted a free-agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
"Everything I wanted," Whiteheart said about his Pro Day effort. "I needed to do the shuttle, and I put up a good time. Then I wanted to show that I'm a crisp route runner, that I'm a smooth athlete and I can do everything. When it comes to blocking, I'm explosive. On routes, I felt like I was fluid and precise in my running. I just came to show my different traits and what I'm capable of. I feel like I did well today."
Getting an invite to the NFL Combine was a pleasant surprise for Whiteheart, who made it a point to give his best effort to showcase what Wake Forest has to offer.
"I'm so grateful," he said. "It was just a blessing from the Lord to get that invite. Being there and being able to experience that was so special to me. I really cherish those moments and the people I met there. I just took it all in. We had two Wake Forest guys go to the Combine and that's awesome.
"Hopefully next year it's three, then the year after that four. The more guys we have there, the better it makes our school look. That's what I want to do. I want to put on for Wake Forest — the school and team who got me there. I want to represent them well."
In terms of nerves, it was the combine that really sent the shivers down Whiteheart's spine.
"I'd argue the Combine is a little more nerve-wracking," he said after Pro Day with a bit of a smile. "It's the Combine and you're in the presence of all the greats and you're walking by head coaches everywhere. Alright, this is the real deal. But it never gets easier. This is another great opportunity. All these guys performed well and did what they needed to do. Anytime you can present yourself in a way that helps you get to where you need to be, it's a good thing.
"I'm confident in my abilities and feel like I competed well, but I just wanted to represent Wake Forest well in everything I did."
Getting back to Winston-Salem was a treat for Whiteheart, as he got to spend time with his former Demon Deacon coaches and teammates, as well as family and friends.
"I love this little place," he said. "It's a cool little town and I'm glad I came to school here. The Lord is going to be faithful and work things out for the next few years."
Getting the undrafted free agent contract with the Cardinals means the hard work Whiteheart put following the bowl game all paid off.
"I was working out the next day," he said. "Everything was leading to the combine and Pro Day. I feel like I did a good job at the East-West and the Combine. I'm proud of my performance, and that's all that matters. I'm proud of the job I did and I feel like I did the very best I could.
"You want to be prepared for the next level. You don't want to be unprepared when you get that call."
Players Mentioned
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