Wake Forest Athletics

Pro Deacs: Week 5
10/8/2024 9:30:00 AM | Football
Multiple matchups between former Demon Deacon teammates, along with stellar games on defense, highlight this week of Pro Deacs.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – In week five of the 2024 NFL season, Pro Deacs made their return, highlighted by multiple head-to-head matchups between former Demon Deacon teammates, as well as impressive performances on the defensive side of the ball.
Turner and Tom Battle in Head-to-Head Matchup
In one of the several matchups between former Demon Deacons, Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner and Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Zach Tom squared off across the line of scrimmage on Sunday, as the Packers came out with the 24-19 victory.
Kobie Turner had an incredible game against the Packers, as the second-year player led the team with two sacks, including a strip sack on Packers quarterback Jordan Love late in the second quarter. Turner finished the game with a season-high six tackles (five solo) and a deflected pass.
On the opposing side of the ball, Zach Tom continued his stellar season on the line as he played 59 snaps against the Rams, which is tied for the most in the NFL this season. Additionally, Tom currently holds a 85.4 PFF grade, which ranks fifth out of 77 eligible offensive tackles.
Bates III Comes Up Clutch in Primetime
Jessie Bates III once again came up clutch for the Atlanta Falcons as he helped the Falcons come from behind to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 36-30 in overtime. Late in the fourth quarter, Bates III forced a fumble as the Buccaneers were driving deep into Atlanta territory late in the fourth to ice the game, giving the Falcons a chance to march down the field to send the game to overtime.
Bates III finished the game with eight tackles, including three solo tackles, as well as another forced fumble earlier in the contest. Bates' two forced fumbles are tied for the second most in the NFL through the first five weeks of the season, while Bates III has also recorded 23 solo tackles thus far, which is tied for 33rd.
Strnad Leads the Way for Broncos
Following an impressive performance in week four, Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad continued his momentum into week five against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Strnad, who earned his second consecutive start for the Broncos, led the team in tackles with nine, including seven solo tackles, helping the Broncos to a comfortable 34-18 win.
On the other side, the Las Vegas Raiders elevated Alex Bachman from the practice squad to the active roster for the game against the Broncos.
Mustapha Makes Most of Opportunity
After earning his first career start last week against the Patriots, San Francisco 49ers safety Malik Mustapha made the most of his opportunity against the Arizona Cardinals. Mustapha finished the game with two tackles, bringing him up to 12 tackles on the season, seven of which were solo tackles. Mustapha also made two pass defenses against the Cardinals and has only allowed two receptions in his limited amount of playing time.
For the Cardinals, wide receiver Greg Dortch made it twelve games in a row having at least one catch in a game as he recorded one catch for seven yards in Arizona's 24-23 victory.
Seeing Familiar Faces
Following the end of the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns game on Sunday, which the Commanders won handily 34-13, former Demon Deacon teammates Sam Hartman and Blake Whiteheart shared a moment together on the field.
#ProDeacs Week Five Slate (All times eastern)
Turner and Tom Battle in Head-to-Head Matchup
In one of the several matchups between former Demon Deacons, Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner and Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Zach Tom squared off across the line of scrimmage on Sunday, as the Packers came out with the 24-19 victory.
Kobie Turner had an incredible game against the Packers, as the second-year player led the team with two sacks, including a strip sack on Packers quarterback Jordan Love late in the second quarter. Turner finished the game with a season-high six tackles (five solo) and a deflected pass.
Kobie getting after it, @TurnerKobie 💪
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 6, 2024
📺: NFL Sunday Ticket On YouTube https://t.co/duCDkGF8qW pic.twitter.com/WumM5Aua17
Kobie applying the heat, @TurnerKobie 🔥
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 6, 2024
📺: NFL Sunday Ticket On YouTube https://t.co/duCDkGF8qW pic.twitter.com/3ZpBswyPKq
On the opposing side of the ball, Zach Tom continued his stellar season on the line as he played 59 snaps against the Rams, which is tied for the most in the NFL this season. Additionally, Tom currently holds a 85.4 PFF grade, which ranks fifth out of 77 eligible offensive tackles.
Bates III Comes Up Clutch in Primetime
Jessie Bates III once again came up clutch for the Atlanta Falcons as he helped the Falcons come from behind to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 36-30 in overtime. Late in the fourth quarter, Bates III forced a fumble as the Buccaneers were driving deep into Atlanta territory late in the fourth to ice the game, giving the Falcons a chance to march down the field to send the game to overtime.
Jessie Bates is a menace. Easier to stay away. https://t.co/mBf5fW3KdE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2024
Bates III finished the game with eight tackles, including three solo tackles, as well as another forced fumble earlier in the contest. Bates' two forced fumbles are tied for the second most in the NFL through the first five weeks of the season, while Bates III has also recorded 23 solo tackles thus far, which is tied for 33rd.
J B 3 😤 pic.twitter.com/uL9HCqh1qG
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 5, 2024
Strnad Leads the Way for Broncos
Following an impressive performance in week four, Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad continued his momentum into week five against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Strnad, who earned his second consecutive start for the Broncos, led the team in tackles with nine, including seven solo tackles, helping the Broncos to a comfortable 34-18 win.
On the other side, the Las Vegas Raiders elevated Alex Bachman from the practice squad to the active roster for the game against the Broncos.
Mustapha Makes Most of Opportunity
After earning his first career start last week against the Patriots, San Francisco 49ers safety Malik Mustapha made the most of his opportunity against the Arizona Cardinals. Mustapha finished the game with two tackles, bringing him up to 12 tackles on the season, seven of which were solo tackles. Mustapha also made two pass defenses against the Cardinals and has only allowed two receptions in his limited amount of playing time.
What's up, @_malikmustapha 👋 pic.twitter.com/0OkpdJEp4k
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 6, 2024
For the Cardinals, wide receiver Greg Dortch made it twelve games in a row having at least one catch in a game as he recorded one catch for seven yards in Arizona's 24-23 victory.
Seeing Familiar Faces
Following the end of the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns game on Sunday, which the Commanders won handily 34-13, former Demon Deacon teammates Sam Hartman and Blake Whiteheart shared a moment together on the field.
Family forever 🎩@BlakeWhiteheart 🤝 @sam_hartman10 pic.twitter.com/bUMxTu65ln
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) October 6, 2024
#ProDeacs Week Five Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 24 defeated San Francisco 49ers 23
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Sage Surratt (ARI - IR)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 24 defeated San Francisco 49ers 23
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 36 defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30
- This Week: Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 34 defeated Cleveland Browns 13
- This Week: Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Last Week: Dallas Cowboys 20 defeated Pittsburgh Steelers 17
- This Week: Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 34 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 18
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Zach Tom (GB)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 24 defeated Los Angeles Rams 19
- This Week: Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (LAC)
- Last Week: Bye Week
- This Week: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Last Week: Green Bay Packers 24 defeated Los Angeles Rams 19
- This Week: Bye Week
- Luke Masterson (LV - IR)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 34 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 18
- This Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Alex Bachman (LV)
- Last Week: Denver Broncos 34 defeated Las Vegas Raiders 18
- This Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., CBS)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Last Week: Minnesota Vikings 23 defeated New York Jets 17
- This Week: Bye Week
- Justin Herron (NO - IR)
- Last Week: Atlanta Falcons 26 defeated New Orleans Saints 24
- This Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr. (NYG)
- Last Week: New York Giants 29 defeated Seattle Seahawks 20
- This Week: Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- Last Week: Arizona Cardinals 24 defeated San Francisco 49ers 23
- This Week: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (Thursday, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video)
- Sam Hartman (WAS)
- Last Week: Washington Commanders 34 defeated Cleveland Browns 13
- This Week: Washington Commanders vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 1:00, p.m., CBS)
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