Wake Forest Athletics
Pro Deacs: Week Six
10/15/2024 9:01:00 AM | Football
Rookie Malik Mustapha makes an instant impact in his second career start to lead Pro Deacs performances in week six.
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Pro Deacs made an impact during week six of the 2024 NFL Season, highlighted by impressive play from several defensive players, including a rookie making just his second career start, as well as roster moves for a couple Pro Deacs.
Malik Mustapha Shines on Thursday Night
In just his second career start, rookie safety Malik Mustapha made an instant impact for the San Francisco 49ers in their 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in an early season NFC West battle on Thursday.
On the opening possession of the game, Mustapha intercepted a pass from Seahawk quarterback Geno Smith as the Seahawks were driving to keep the game scoreless, marking the first interception of Mustapha's career.
Despite leaving the game due to injury, Mustapha finished the game with two solo tackles, inducing a tackle for loss, to go along with his interception. Mustapha also posted a 80.2 PFF rating for the game, which was the second highest rating on the San Francisco defense.
Justin Strnad Continues to Make Impact in Denver
In his third consecutive start, linebacker Justin Strnad put together another solid performance for the Denver Broncos despite losing to the Los Angeles Chargers 23-16. Strnad recorded his second sack of the season, while also recording seven total tackles, which ranked fourth amongst all Bronco defenders.
Over the course of the 2024 season, Strnad has become a key player for the Broncos on defense, recording 17 solo tackles, 22 total and 2.0 sacks. Strnad is also six solo tackles and 14 total tackles shy of surpassing his career highs that he set during his rookie season in 2021.
Bates III Dominates in Carolina
In his return to Carolina, Jessie Bates III continued to put up great defensive numbers, helping lead the Atlanta Falcons to a 38-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Bates III recorded six total tackles in the game, including four solo tackles. With his four solo tackles, Bates III brought his season total to 27, which is tied for 32nd most in the league this season among all defensive players, and 12th among all safeties.
Beef Boys Update
On the offensive side of the ball, offensive lineman Zach Tom put together another impressive performance on the line of scrimmage, helping the Packers to a 34-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals. In the game against the Cardinals, Tom helped the Packers gain 437 yards of total offense, including 179 yards on the ground. Tom earned an 88.1 PFF rating while not allowing a single quarterback pressure the entire game. Through the first six games of the season, Tom currently holds an 84.7 PFF rating, which is the ninth highest among all offensive tackles, and has only allowed one sack thus far.
On the other side of the field, wide receiver Greg Dortch added to his solid first part of the season, adding three catches for 36 yards to lead all Arizona wide receivers. With his performance against the Packers, Dortch has now had at least one reception in his past 13 games played.
Perry, Hartman Sign to Practice Squads
After being waived by their respective teams over the past couple weeks, both A.T. Perry and Sam Hartman were signed to new practice squad contracts this week. Perry, who has been dealing with injuries this season, signed with the Denver Broncos as part of their practice squad after being waived by the New Orleans Saints.
Perry had a breakout season with the Saints last year, finishing the 2023 season with 12 catches for 246 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up by leading the NFL in receiving yards during the preseason.
Meanwhile, after being waived by the Washington Commanders, quarterback Sam Hartman was re-signed by the Commanders as a member of their practice squad.
#ProDeacs Week Seven Slate (All times eastern)
Malik Mustapha Shines on Thursday Night
In just his second career start, rookie safety Malik Mustapha made an instant impact for the San Francisco 49ers in their 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in an early season NFC West battle on Thursday.
On the opening possession of the game, Mustapha intercepted a pass from Seahawk quarterback Geno Smith as the Seahawks were driving to keep the game scoreless, marking the first interception of Mustapha's career.
MALIK 🇳🇬
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 11, 2024
pic.twitter.com/cjhcTsM1VP
First career INT.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 11, 2024
Good start for the rook 🙌 pic.twitter.com/WMBfaZy1xy
Despite leaving the game due to injury, Mustapha finished the game with two solo tackles, inducing a tackle for loss, to go along with his interception. Mustapha also posted a 80.2 PFF rating for the game, which was the second highest rating on the San Francisco defense.
Justin Strnad Continues to Make Impact in Denver
In his third consecutive start, linebacker Justin Strnad put together another solid performance for the Denver Broncos despite losing to the Los Angeles Chargers 23-16. Strnad recorded his second sack of the season, while also recording seven total tackles, which ranked fourth amongst all Bronco defenders.
Get after it, @jsgarbs 😤
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 13, 2024
📺: NFL Sunday Ticket On YouTube https://t.co/duCDkGEABo pic.twitter.com/phdw0P92Je
Over the course of the 2024 season, Strnad has become a key player for the Broncos on defense, recording 17 solo tackles, 22 total and 2.0 sacks. Strnad is also six solo tackles and 14 total tackles shy of surpassing his career highs that he set during his rookie season in 2021.
Bates III Dominates in Carolina
In his return to Carolina, Jessie Bates III continued to put up great defensive numbers, helping lead the Atlanta Falcons to a 38-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Bates III recorded six total tackles in the game, including four solo tackles. With his four solo tackles, Bates III brought his season total to 27, which is tied for 32nd most in the league this season among all defensive players, and 12th among all safeties.
Beef Boys Update
On the offensive side of the ball, offensive lineman Zach Tom put together another impressive performance on the line of scrimmage, helping the Packers to a 34-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals. In the game against the Cardinals, Tom helped the Packers gain 437 yards of total offense, including 179 yards on the ground. Tom earned an 88.1 PFF rating while not allowing a single quarterback pressure the entire game. Through the first six games of the season, Tom currently holds an 84.7 PFF rating, which is the ninth highest among all offensive tackles, and has only allowed one sack thus far.
On the other side of the field, wide receiver Greg Dortch added to his solid first part of the season, adding three catches for 36 yards to lead all Arizona wide receivers. With his performance against the Packers, Dortch has now had at least one reception in his past 13 games played.
Perry, Hartman Sign to Practice Squads
After being waived by their respective teams over the past couple weeks, both A.T. Perry and Sam Hartman were signed to new practice squad contracts this week. Perry, who has been dealing with injuries this season, signed with the Denver Broncos as part of their practice squad after being waived by the New Orleans Saints.
Perry had a breakout season with the Saints last year, finishing the 2023 season with 12 catches for 246 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up by leading the NFL in receiving yards during the preseason.
Meanwhile, after being waived by the Washington Commanders, quarterback Sam Hartman was re-signed by the Commanders as a member of their practice squad.
#ProDeacs Week Seven Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 34 defeated Arizona Cardinals 13
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals (Monday, 9:00 p.m., ESPN+)
- Sage Surratt (ARI - IR)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 34 defeated Arizona Cardinals 13
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals (Monday, 9:00 p.m., ESPN+)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 38 defeated Carolina Panthers 20
- This Week: Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Philadelphia Eagles 20 defeated Cleveland Browns 16
- This Week: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Detroit Lions 47 defeated Dallas Cowboys 9
- This Week: Bye Week
- A.T. Perry (DEN - PS)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 23 defeated Denver Broncos 16
- This Week: Denver Broncos vs. New Orleans Saints (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 23 defeated Denver Broncos 16
- This Week: Denver Broncos vs. New Orleans Saints (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Zach Tom (GB)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 34 defeated Arizona Cardinals 13
- This Week: Houston Texans vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (LAC)
- Last Week: Los Angeles Chargers 23 defeated Denver Broncos 16
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals (Monday, 9 p.m., ESPN+)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Luke Masterson (LV - IR)
- Last Week: Pittsburgh Steelers 32 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 13
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Alex Bachman (LV)
- Last Week: Pittsburgh Steelers 32 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 13
- This Week: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Justin Herron (NO - IR)
- Last Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 51 defeated New Orleans 27
- This Week: Denver Broncos vs. New Orleans Saints (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr. (NYG)
- Last Week: Cincinnati Bengals 17 defeated New York Giants 7
- This Week: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- Last Week: San Francisco 49ers 36 defeated Seattle Seahawks 24
- This Week: Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Last Week: Baltimore Ravens 30 defeated Washington Commanders 23
- This Week: Carolina Panthers vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
Players Mentioned
Men's Basketball Postgame Presser vs. Clemson, 2026 ACC Tournament
Thursday, March 12
Wake Forest Women's Basketball: Marcy Carter Women's History Month Feature
Wednesday, March 11
Sebastian Akins Tough
Wednesday, March 11
Wake Forest Advances in 2026 ACC Tournament
Wednesday, March 11