Wake Forest Welcomes Mid-Year Enrollees
1/13/2025 10:17:00 AM | Football
The Demon Deacons add 30 players for the start of the spring semester.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – With spring football just a few months away, the Wake Forest football team has added a new infusion of talent to the roster. The Demon Deacons welcome 29 mid-year enrollees, marking the largest class of mid-year enrollees in program history.
"I couldn't be more excited about this incredible group of student-athletes joining the Wake Forest family," Head Coach Jake Dickert said. "These young men embody what it means to be a Demon Deacon, excelling on the field and embracing the high academic standards of Wake Forest University. I want to express my deep appreciation for our coaching staff, who worked tirelessly to identify and recruit such a great group, and I want to thank our Student-Athlete Academic Staff, our University colleagues in Undergraduate Admissions, the School of Professional Studies and the Registrar's Office for their commitment throughout this process. We are building something champions here, and these 28 new Deacs are a testament to that vision. I can't wait to see how they contribute to our success on and off the field in the coming years."
The list of Deacs who will join the team for spring ball includes nine incoming who signed with Wake Forest during the early signing period:
20 transfers also join the Demon Deacons ahead of winter workouts and spring football:
Meet the Demon Deacons
Mid-Year Enrollee Freshmen:
Elijiah Oehlke | QB | 6-2 | 210 | Fayetteville, NC / Trinity Christian School of Academics
Rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 23 quarterback recruit in the country according to ESPN…Four-year varsity athlete…Transferred into Trinity Christian from Gray's Creek after his sophomore year…Led the Crusaders to a 10-2 record and a NCISAA Big East title as a junior…Completed 77 of 128 passes for 1,499 yards with 26 TD and 3 INT per MaxPreps…Also rushed 52 times for 216 yards and 9 TD…During his junior year, ranked first in conference and fourth in division for total passing yards…Helped lead Trinity Christian to a 10-1 record as a senior…Ended the 2024 regular season with 2641 passing yards, ranking No. 1 in division and No. 6 in the state…Garnered NCISAA All-State (D-II) honors, First Team All-Conference accolades and was named the BEIFC Player of the Year as a senior Also competed in track and field.
Personal
Son of Heather Oehlke and John Jones…Born July 3, 2007.
Steele Pizzella | QB | 5-11 | 180 | Simi Valley, CA / Notre Dame High School
Three-star quarterback by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com, and ESPN… Rated as the No. 26 dual-threat quarterback prospect in the class of 2025 according to ESPN… During his senior season, threw for 2,610 yards and 29 touchdowns on a 60.8 completion percentage (183-of-301) while also adding 1,040 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, including three games with 100+ yards rushing… Named to All-Mission League First Team as a junior, passing for 2,187 yards and 22 touchdowns with a 60 percent completion percentage, while also rushing for 446 yards and five touchdowns… Played his first two seasons of high school football at Simi Valley High School, throwing for 3482 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushing for 382 yards and nine touchdowns over his freshman and sophomore seasons… Also ran track in high school, running a 10.64 in the 100m and helping his 4x100m relay finish fourth in state as a junior.
Personal
Son of Jennifer and Mark Pizzella…Born on July 7, 2006.
Jack Foley | WR | 6-4 | 205 | Bend, OR / Mountain View Senior High School
No. 5 recruit in Oregon and No. 145 receiver in the country in the 2025 class per 247 Sports… Two-time All-State Wide Receiver, including as a senior… Finished his senior season with 1,082 yards on 52 receptions while scoring 16 touchdowns, leading Mountain View to an undefeated season, an Intermountain Conference championship, and the 5A state championship game for the second consecutive season… As a junior averaged 8.4 points a game and scored 14 total TDs in 10 games played… Total of 830 receiving yards and averaged 48.8 yards per game through his sophomore and junior year… Helped lead Mountain View to a 12-1 overall record, the state title game, and the No.8 overall ranking in the state during the 2023 season.
Personal
Son of Jennifer and Tim Foley… Born August 18, 2006.
Trishstin Glass | WR | 6-4 | 185 | Copperas Cove, TX / Copperas Cove High School
Four year varsity player and became his school's all-time leading receiver…During his senior season he earned Academic All-District honors and tallied 1,125 receiving yards, 64 catches and 12 touchdowns…Those marks ranked second in his district…Garnered First Team All-District (12-6A) in Texas as a Senior…Ranked No. 17 in Region and No. 30 in TX for total receiving yards as a senior with 1,125 yards (743)...Also averaging 9.0 PPG with 126 TD pts…Finished his junior season with 48 receptions for 654 yards and 7 TDs per 247…Has a combined 1272 receiving yards and 98 receptions through freshman to junior year…Also plays basketball and track and field
Personal
Son of Patricia Glass…Born October 27, 2006.
Nathan Pahanich | OL | 6-4 | 291 | Princeton, NJ / The Hun School of Princeton
Garnered First Team All-New Jersey Prep A honors and First Team All-MAPL accolades as a senior…Ranked as the 90th best offensive tackle recruit in the country and the 35th best overall recruit in the state of New Jersey…Reclassified to the 2025 class and transferred to The Hun School of Princeton from St. Andrew's College in Ontario…Helped lead the Hun School to a Mid-Atlantic Prep League Championship and an 8-1 record as a junior in 2023.
Personal
Son of Kristina Islic and Robert Pahanich…Born February 11, 2006.
Kadear Dembele | DL | 6-3 | 280 | West Haven, CT / West Haven High School
Ranked No. 8 player in Connecticut by 247 Sports Composite…Played sophomore and senior year at West Haven, transferred to Archbishop Stepinac for his junior year…During his sophomore year ranked No. 18 in Connecticut and helped West Haven to a 9-2 season…While at Stepinac recorded 75 total tackles, 52 solo, and 23 assisted…Also recorded 6.0 sacks in 11 games played…As a senior consistently ranked No. 1 in Connecticut for sacks and top 100 for total tackles and was a team captain.
Personal
Son of Rokia Magiadembele…Born May 2, 2006.
Josiah Pratt | DL | 6-0 | 300 | Houston, TX / Summer Creek High School
Three-star prospect according to 247Sports… Helped lead Summer Creek to the 6A Division II state semifinals as a senior… Played in 15 games his senior season, recording 80 tackles with 57 solo tackles and 22.0 tackles-for-loss, including six sacks… Recorded a season-high 10 tackles with two sacks in a 59-0 win over Channelview… Also recorded eight tackles with five tackles-for-loss in a 48-17 win against Humble… Named to the All-District 21-6A First Team and led Summer Creek to a state runner-up finish during his junior campaign… Totaled 70 tackles with 44 solo, 16 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks across 16 games in 2023… Earned All-District 21-6A Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore.
Personal
Son of Karla Pratt… Born on February 14, 2006.
Bailey Benson | LB | 6-1 | 195 | Covington, GA / Eastside High School
Four-year varsity player…ranked 19th in GA division AAAA and seventh in Region 8 for sacks during his sophomore season…has a total of 164 tackles in his high school career…totaled 66 tackles as a junior, fourth overall on the team…according to MaxPreps, also tallied four tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception during his junior year…earned First Team All-Region linebacker for Region 8-AAAAA during his junior year…Had a career high 14 total tackles, adding to his season total of 55…played basketball prior to joining the football team.
Personal
Son of Greg and Lashanda Benson…Born September 7, 2006.
Freddie Gillens | DB | 6-0 | 162 | Columbia, SC | Cardinal Newman High School
Coached by former Demon Deacon Cory Helms…As a senior, he tallied 33 tackles, seven pass breakups, one sack, one forced fumble and two receiving touchdowns…For his efforts in 2024, he earned All-State honors…During the 2023 season helped lead his team to a 9-3 record and state playoff semifinals…Finished junior year with 27 total tackles in 12 games played and earned First Team SCISA 4A All-State honors as he also tallied 12 PBUs, 3 interceptions, two kicks blocked, and returned a kick for a touchdown…Is also a three time triple jump state champion and SCISA state record holder at 46'4".
Personal
Son of Kesha Gillens…Born October 6, 2006.
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Mid-Year Transfers:
Robby Ashford | QB | 6-2 | 229 | Hoover, AL / Hoover High School / Oregon /Auburn/South Carolina
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in eight games with one start during the 2024 season for the Gamecocks…Completed 23-of-32 pass attempts for a 71.9 completion percentage while recording 324 yards and two touchdown passes…Also ran for 278 yards and two touchdowns…Made his first appearance for the Gamecocks in the victory over Kentucky…Recorded 243 yards and two touchdown passes on 15-of-21 passing, as well as 133 yards and one touchdown on the ground in his lone start of the season against Akron.
Prior to South Carolina
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 10 games with one start during the 2023 season for the Tigers…Completed 14-of-27 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 217 yards and five touchdowns on 46 rushes…Recorded a season-high nine times for 51 yards and a career-high three touchdowns against UMass…Totaled a season-high 58 yards passing, including a 32-yard touchdown pass, in the victory over Samford…Recorded his second touchdown pass of the season against LSU where he completed three passes for 52 yards while adding 19 yards on the ground…Made his lone start of the season against Ole Miss.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in all 12 games while making nine starts during the 2022 season for the Tigers…Named the Auburn Tigers' Offensive Player of the Year…Recorded 1,613 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 123-of-250 passes on the season…Also rushed 153 times for 710 yards and seven touchdowns…Made his collegiate debut in the victory over Mercer, passing for 100 yards and rushing for 68 yards…Threw his first career touchdown while throwing for 144 yards on 10-of-19 passing against Penn State…Became the starting quarterback in the victory over Missouri, throwing for a career-high 337 yards and two touchdowns…Added two rushing touchdowns on 15 attempts against Ole Miss…Completed a career-high 24 passes for 285 yards and a touchdown, as well as 87 rushing yards against Arkansas…Rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State…Rushed for a career-high 121 yards and two touchdowns against Alabama.
Prior to Auburn
2021 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2021 season for the Ducks…Also played for the Oregon baseball team, playing 20 games with 10 starts in centerfield during the 2021 season.
2020 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2020 season for the Ducks…Redshirted.
High School
Graduated from Hoover High School in 2020…Threw for 1,088 yards and 10 touchdowns in six games during his senior season…Earned AL.com All-Birmingham honors…Named to the National High School Quarterback of the Year Award watch list…Selected for the Under Armour All-American Game and the 2020 Polynesian Bowl…Named the Elite 11 top QB for the state of Alabama…Ranked as the best baseball prospect in Alabama by Perfect Game and the No. 2 prospect by Prep Baseball Report.
Personal
Son of Meloney and Robert Ashford…Born on October 1, 2002.
Deshawn Purdie | QB | 6-4 | 220 | Baltimore, MD / Charlotte
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Appeared in nine games with six starts during the 2024 season for the 49ers…Completed 100 of his 200 pass attempts while throwing for 1,802 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman…Also added a rushing touchdown…Recorded two passing touchdowns in his collegiate debut against North Carolina…Recorded a career-best 68.6 completion percentage while throwing for 194 yards in his first career start against Gardner-Webb…Totaled 183 yards and two touchdowns on 10-of-15 passing against Rice…Recorded his lone rushing touchdown of the year against East Carolina…Recorded one touchdown pass in games against Memphis, South Florida, and UAB…Had his best game as a 49er at Florida Atlantic, recording a career-high 396 yards and a career-high three touchdown passes against the Owls.
High School
Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN…Recorded over 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns over the course of his final two seasons at Milford Mill Academy…Totaled 1,787 yards and 17 touchdowns on 115-of-211 passing during his senior season…Led the Millers to an undefeated 14-0 record and a MPSSAA 2A State Championship during his junior year, finishing the season with 2,759 yards and 28 touchdowns on 144-of-236 passing.
Personal
Son of Beatrice and Dewayne Purdie…Born on May 5, 2006
Chris Barnes | WR | 5-7 | 158 | Houston, TX / North Shore High School / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Appeared in three games with one start during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Caught one pass during the season-opening win against Portland State…Made his first career start against Texas Tech…Hauled in a 20-yard pass in the Holiday Bowl against Syracuse…Redshirted.
High School
Helped lead North Shore to back-to-back 15-1 records and the Texas 6A Division I state title game during his junior and senior seasons…Totaled 1,287 all-purpose yards, including 803 yards and nine touchdowns on 47 catches as a senior…Named First Team All-District 21-6A…Selected as a finalist for the Houston Area High School Player of the Year award…Hauled in 58 passes for 1,167 yards and 14 touchdowns while totaling 1,392 all-purpose yards during his junior season…Selected to the All-Greater Houston second team…Named to the Texas All-District 21-6A first team.
Personal
Son of Chris Barnes and Denoka Jackson…Born on September 22, 2005.
Sterling Berkhalter | WR | 6-3 | 200 | Cincinnati, OH / Georgia Prep / NC A&T/Cincinnati
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in all 12 games during the 2024 season for the Bearcats…Recorded 11 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown while averaging 17.4 yards per catch…Totaled two catches for 70 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown reception, in the opening game against Towson…Caught a season-high three catches for 60 yards against Houston.
2023 (Junior)
Appeared in two games during the 2023 season for the Bearcats…Redshirted.
Prior to Cincinnati
2022 (Sophomore)
Played in 11 games with 10 starts during the 2022 season for North Carolina A&T…Recorded 28 receptions for 414 yards and two touchdowns…Totaled a career-high five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Bryant…Recorded four catches for a career-high 90 yards in a win against Edward Waters…Added two catches for 37 yards for 37 yards and a touchdown in an Aggie victory over Robert Morris…Matched a career-high with five receptions for 63 yards against Charleston Southern.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in five games, making three starts, during the 2021 season for the Aggies…Finished his freshman year with seven receptions for 62 yards…Totaled two receptions for 48 yards, including a season-best 40-yard reception, in his first career game against Furman.
High School
Attended Georgia Prep Academy and was rated as a three-star prospect and the third-highest-rated prep school receiver in the class of 2021 according to 247Sports…Prior to playing for Georgia Prep, played for Princeton High School in Cincinnati.
Personal
Son of Garrick and Sonja Berkhalter…Born on May 21, 2002.
Carlos Hernandez | WR | 6-0 | 189 | Alhambra, CA / Monrovia High School / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Sophomore)
Appeared eight games with six starts during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Recorded 31 receptions for 397 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 12.81 yards per reception…Made his season debut against Fresno State…Recorded his first career touchdown in the victory against Hawaii, hauling in four catches for 55 yards…Totaled four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown in his first career start against San Diego State…Added four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown against New Mexico…Caught a 32-yard touchdown pass against Oregon State…Set career-highs in catches and yards in the Holiday Bowl against Syracuse, finishing the game with eight receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in all 12 games during the 2023 season for the Cougars…Totaled 24 receptions for 258 yards while averaging 10.75 yards per reception…Caught five passes for 58 yards in his first collegiate game against Colorado State…Recorded a season-high seven catches for 39 yards against Oregon State…Totaled two catches for a season-high 77 yards, including a career-best 48 yard reception, against Colorado.
High School
Rated as a three-star prospect coming out of Monrovia High School…Named Rio Hondo League MVP as both a junior and senior…Recorded 46 catches for 860 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with four interceptions on defense, during his senior season to earn All-Rio Hondo League honors…Totaled 71 catches for 1,594 yards and 23 touchdowns to lead the Rio Hondo League during his junior season.
Personal
Son of Leticia Hernandez…Born on May 6, 2005.
Sawyer Racanelli | WR | 6-3 | 208 | Brush Prairie, WA / Hockinson High School / Washington/Montana
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in all 14 games with 10 starts during the 2024 season for the Grizzlies…Recorded 30 catches for 49 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 13.6 yards per catch…Totaled four receptions for 65 yards in the victory over Northern Arizona…Hauled in four catches for a career-high 102 yards , including a career-best 81-yard touchdown reception, in the victory over Portland State…Recorded three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown in the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs against South Dakota State.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in all 15 contests with two starts during the 2023 season for the Grizzlies…Hauled in 10 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown…Recorded a 26-yard reception in his first career appearance and start for the Grizzlies against Butler…Threw a 15-yard touchdown pass on a trick play against Idaho State…Added his first career touchdown catch on a 20-yard reception against Northern Colorado…Recorded a season-high four catches for 45 yards against Portland State.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Did not see any action due to injury during the 2022 season for the Grizzlies.
Prior to Montana
2021 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 11 games during the 2021 season for the Huskies…Made five tackles with four solo efforts while primarily playing on special teams…Recorded a tackle against Stanford, Oregon, and Washington State…Set a career-high with two tackles against Arizona State.
2020 (Freshman)
Appeared in two games during the 2020 season for the Huskies…Made his collegiate debut against Arizona…Also played against Stanford…Redshirted.
High School
Missed his senior season due to injury…Helped lead Hockinson High School to back-to-back Washington 2A State Championships in 2018 and 2017…Became just the fifth player in state history to record 100 receptions in a season, finishing his junior season with 101 catches for 1,764 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior…Also added 207 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, as well as 88 tackles with 11 tackles-for-loss and two interceptions on defense…Scored all six touchdowns for Hockinson in the 2018 Washington 2A State Championship…Named First Team All-State by the Tacoma News-Tribune, as well as First Team All-2A Greater St. Helen's League as a junior…Hauled in 66 catches for 1,345 yards and 21 touchdowns during his sophomore season…Recorded 56 catches for 1,055 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman…Rated as the No. 50 "athlete" and the No. 8 recruit from Washington by ESPN, and the No. 21 "athlete" and No. 9 overall prospect from Washington by 247Sports…Also named to the Tacoma News-Tribune "Western 100"...Also participated in shot put, long jump, and sprints on his track team in high school
Personal
Son of Josh and Sundee Racanelli…His father, Josh, played quarterback at Portland State…His brother, Canon, plays quarterback at Central Washington…Born on Nov. 28, 2004.
Reginald Vick Jr. | WR | 6-3 | 185 | Wendell, NC / East Wake High School / Virginia Union
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Started in 12 games during the 2024 season for Virginia Union, helping lead the Panthers to a CIAA Championship and the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals…Led the Panthers with 48 catches for 1164 and 12 touchdowns while averaging 24.25 yards per reception and 97.0 yards per game…Recorded 100 or more yards receiving in seven games during his redshirt sophomore season…Totaled five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in the opening game of the season against Kentucky State…Added three catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns against Hampton…Set a career-high with seven catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns against Shaw…Tallied four catches for 108 yards and a career-high three touchdown receptions against Lincoln (PA)...Matched a career-high with seven catches for 148 yards against Bowie State…Finished the 2024 season by scoring a touchdown in four-consecutive games, hauling in 14 catches for 343 yards and four scores during that streak.
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Played in nine games during the 2023 season for the Panthers…Recorded 16 catches for 284 yards and a touchdown…Made his first career appearance in the victory over Morehouse, hauling in one catch for 19 yards…Recorded four catches for 42 yards against Shaw…Hauled in a 58-yard reception against Lincoln (PA)...Recorded his first career touchdown with an 81-yard reception in the victory over Bluefield State…Led the Panthers with five receptions for 42 yards in the CIAA Championship victory over Fayetteville State.
2022 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2022 season for the Panthers…Redshirted.
High School
Played for East Wake High School.
Personal
Son of Candy Privette…Born on May 11, 2004.
Jacob Dennison | OL | 6-5 | 299 | Mansfield, OH / Lexington High School / Jacksonville State/Ohio
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in 10 games during the 2024 season for the Bobcats…Helped the Bobcats to an 11-3 season and the MAC Championship…Appeared in the Cure Bowl victory against Jacksonville State.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 13 games with one start during the 2023 season for the Bobcats…Named to the 2023 All-MAC Academic team…Helped the Bobcats average 24.31 points and 348 yards per game en route to a 10-3 record and a Myrtle Beach Bowl victory over Georgia Southern.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 10 games with four starts during the 2022 season for the Bobcats…Helped the Bobcat offense average 31.79 points and 421.4 yards per game en route to a 10-4 season and a win against Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl…Aided in a program record win against Fordham where the Bobcat offense totaled 692 yards.
Prior to Ohio
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in four games during the 2021 season for the Gamecocks…Made four consecutive appearances against Sam Houston, Abilene Christian, Lamar, and Eastern Kentucky.
2020 (Freshman)
Appeared in two games during the 2020 season for the Gamecocks…Made his collegiate debut against Tennessee Tech, recording a tackle…Also made an appearance against UT Martin.
High School
Captained the Lexington High School football team during his senior season…Earned First Team All-MNS, Second Team All-District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio as a senior…Named Second Team All-MNS and Honorable Mention All-OCC during his junior season…Also participated in track and field.
Personal
Son of Mark and Jen Dennison…Born on June 25, 2001.
Fa'alili Fa'amoe | OL | 6-5 | 314 | Pago Pago, American Samoa / Leone High School / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in nine games with seven starts during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Named team captain…Named to preseason watchlist for the Lombardi Award, the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, the Outland Trophy, and Reese's Senior Bowl……Made all seven starts at right tackle.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Started all 12 games at right tackle during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Named to the Preseason All-Pac-12 Third Team by Athlon and the Preseason All-Pac-12 Fourth Team by Phil Steele…Named to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Started in seven games during the 2022 season for the Cougars…Switched to offensive tackle from defensive lineman during spring practice…Made his first career start at Oregon State, allowing only one pressure on 62 pass snaps…Earned the highest offensive lineman grade for the Cougars after allowing only one pressure on 41 pass snaps in the victory at Stanford.
2021 (Freshman)
Made his collegiate debut in Washington State's victory over Arizona…Redshirted.
2020 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2020 season for the Cougars.
High School
Attended Leone High School in American Samoa…Named team captain for Leone during his senior season…Was one of two players from American Samoa to be selected to participate in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Personal
Born on January 29, 2002.
AJ Hasson | OL | 6-3 | 289 | Davis, CA / Davis Senior High School / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Did not see any action for Washington State…Redshirted
High School
Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN and 247Sports and was the No. 104 overall prospect from the state of California by ESPN… During his senior season, was named the 2023 Delta League Offensive Lineman of the Year and first-team all-league… Was named to the Sacramento Bee's 2022 All-Metro football team as an offensive lineman while also being named Delta League Co-All Purpose Player of the Year and All-Delta League First Team during his junior season.
Personal
Son of Paul and Aimee Hasson… His mother, Aimee, is in the UC Davis Basketball Hall of Fame… His dad, Paul, was a captain on the UC Davis football team… Born on January 30, 2006.
Devin Kylany | OL | 6-3 | 303 | Lake Stevens, WA / Lake Stevens / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Named team captain…Started in 11 games at center during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Allowed only two sacks in 399 pass snaps…Earned his first career start during the season-opening victory over Portland State…Named the Washington State Offensive Player of the Week in the victory at Fresno State.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in all 12 games during the 2023 season for the Cougars… Primarily played on special teams.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in seven games during the 2022 season for the Cougars…Primarily played on special teams while making two appearances at center against Stanford and Fresno State.
2021 (Freshman)
Missed the entire 2021 season due to injury…Redshirted.
2020 (Freshman)
Made his only appearance in the season-finale against Utah.
High School
Four-time letter winner at Lake Stevens High School…Rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 4 offensive lineman and the No. 18 overall prospect from the state of Washington according to 247Sports…Named a Red-Chip Prospect by The Seattle Times as one of the Top-100 recruits in Washington…Helped lead Lake Stevens to an 11-1 record and the quarterfinals Washington State 4A playoffs during his senior season…Named to the All-Wesco First Team during his junior year…Earned a Second-Team All-State selection during his sophomore season…Also named First Team All-Wesco and All-Area as a sophomore…Also was three-letter winner in wrestling.
Personal
Born on December 29, 2001.
Melvin Siani | OL | 6-6 | 300 | Hamilton, ON, Canada / Wyoming Seminary Prep / Temple
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 11 games with nine starts during the 2024 season for the Owls…Earned the starting right tackle spot during the first five games of the season…Returned to the starting lineup against East Carolina…Made his first career start at left tackle against UTSA.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in four games during the 2023 season for the Owls…Saw his first collegiate action against Akron…Made his first career start against SMU…Redshirted.
High School
Three-time letter winner for head coach Kevin Burke at Wyoming Seminary Prep…Earned First-Team All-Conference honors during his senior season…Also played basketball at Wyoming Seminary Prep.
Personal
Son of Clotilde and Justin Siani…Born on October 10, 2004.
Dallas Afalava | DL | 6-1 | 290 | Seattle, WA / Rainier Beach High School / Idaho
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Sophomore)
Appeared in 14 games during the 2024 season for the Vandals…Recorded 30 tackles with 15 solo tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, and four sacks, as well as one pass defense and a fumble recovery…Recorded three tackles with one sack against Oregon…Notched four tackles with two solo tackles and 1.5 sacks in the victory over UAlbany…Recorded 1.5 sacks as part of a three tackle game against Portland State.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in 11 games during the 2023 season for the Vandals…Recorded 25 tackles with 15 solo efforts and a team-high eight tackles-for-loss…Ranked second on the Vandal defense with five sacks as a freshman…Recorded his first career sack against Sacramento State…Totaled a sack in back-to-back games against Montana and Montana State, recording four solo tackles with three tackles-for-loss, including two sacks, during the two games…Notched three tackles with two solo tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and a sack against Southern Illinois…Recorded a career-high five tackles with three solo efforts and a sack in the season finale against UAlbany.
High School
Played for Rainier Beach…Helped build Rainier Beach into a championship contender in one of the toughest leagues in Washington…Earned First-Team All-League honors twice as a defensive tackle during his time with Rainier Beach…Also named First-Team All-League once as an offensive lineman.
Personal
Son of June and Jake Afalava…Born on December 24, 2004.
Nuer Gatkuoth | DL | 6-3 | 235 | Edmonton, AB, Canada / Champion Prep Academy (Ga.) / Colorado State
Award and Honors
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in seven games for the Rams during the 2024 season…Finished his redshirt sophomore season with 15 tackles with seven solo efforts, four tackles-for-loss, a sack, and a forced fumble…Recorded a forced fumble to go along with two tackles and a tackle-for-loss against Oregon State…Added his lone sack of the season against Fresno State…Tallied a season-high eight tackles with three solo tackles and tackle-for-loss against Utah State.
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in and started in 10 games for the Rams during the 2023 season…Named to The Atlantic's Freshman All-American team…Recorded 53 tackles with 17 solo tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks, two pass breakups,an interception and a forced fumble…Made his first career start for the Rams against Washington State, totaling one tackle…Recorded seven tackles with four solo efforts and a career-high two tackles-for-loss, along with a forced fumble and a pass breakup…Notched a career-high 15 tackles with three solo efforts and 1.5 tackles-for-loss against Air Force…Credited with his first sack to go along with three tackles, including two solo efforts, in the season finale against Hawaii.
2022 (Freshman)
Did not see any action for the Rams…Named Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Year…Redshirted.
High School
Played his senior season at Champion Prep Academy in Atlanta…Attended West Toronto Prep and Austin O'Brien High School prior to transferring to Champion Prep Academy…Named West Toronto Prep's Defensive Most Valuable Player from 2017-19 and was a Carr Conference All-Star.
Personal
Born on May 3, 2002.
Langston Hardy | DL | 6-4 | 250 | Jacksonville, FL / Sandalwood High School /UConn
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 12 games for the Huskies, helping them to a nine win season for the first time since 2007… Recorded 44 total tackles with 19 solo tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, and 3.5 sacks, as well as three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and an interception… Notched four solo tackles with a tackle-for-loss in the victory over Maryland… Returned an interception 64 yards for a touchdown against Duke to go along with three tackles with two solo tackles and a tackle-for-loss… Tallied three solo tackles with a career-high two sacks in the win against Buffalo… Recorded a career-high eight tackles with three solo tackles against Temple… Notched seven tackles with one solo tackle, a sack, and a forced fumble in the season finale against Massachusetts.
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Saw action in eight games for the Huskies… Made four tackles with two solo tackles… Recorded two tackles, including one solo tackle, against Rice.
2022 (Freshman)
Saw action against Utah State… Redshirted.
High School
Helped lead Sandalwood High School to the third round of the 2020 state playoffs… Previously played at Episcopal School of Jacksonville … Competed in 11 games, posting 49 tackles and one pick six … Also saw time at receiver as a junior, racking up 332 yards on 22 receptions and caught seven touchdown passes … Earned All-State honors his junior and senior year and was an All-City selection his sophomore, junior, and senior years… Also named All-City in baseball… Son of Kevin and Terrie Hardy… His father Kevin was an NFL Pro Bowl Linebacker… Brother Camden Hardy is a redshirt freshman at Wake Forest… Born on April 14, 2003.
Gabe Kirschke | DL | 6-5 | 245 | Lone Tree, CO / Valor Christian / Purdue/Colorado State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Started in all 13 games during the 2024 season for the Rams…Recorded 42 tackles with 12 solo tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, and 6.5 sacks…Also totaled eight quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception, and a blocked kick…Earned his first career start in the season opener at Texas, recording two solo tackles, including his first sack of his career…Recorded four tackles with half a tackle-for-loss and two quarterback hurries in the win over Northern Colorado…Added five tackles with one tackle-for-loss against Colorado…Notched a sack against UTEP…Recorded six tackles with three solo tackles and a career-high 1.5 sacks, as well as a blocked kick, in the victory at Air Force…Added an 11-yard sack against Nevada…Set a career-best with eight tackles with 1.5 tackles-for-loss and one sack in the Arizona Bowl against Miami (OH).
Prior to Colorado State
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2023 season for the Badgers.
2022 (Freshman)
Saw action against Iowa during the 2022 season for the Badgers…Redshirted.
High School
Played for coach Donnie Yantis at Valor Christian…Named First Team All-State during his senior season…Recorded 60 tackles with 5.5 sacks during his senior season.
Personal
Son of Amy and Travis Kirschke…His father, Travis, played football at UCLA…His sister, Ella, swam for UCLA…His brother, Blake, plays lacrosse at Denver…Born on October 27, 2003.
Jayden Loving | DL | 6-2 | 280 | Hamilton, AL / Hamilton High School / Behthune-Cookman/Western Kentucky
Awards
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in the first five games of the 2024 season for the Hilltoppers…Recorded nine tackles with five solo tackles and 0.5 tackles-for-loss…Posted a season-high five tackles with one solo tackle and 0.5 tackles-for-loss against Toledo.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in all 13 games with one start during the 2023 season for the Hilltoppers…Recorded 36 tackles with 16 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks, along with two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups…Recorded three solo tackles with a sack in the season opener against South Florida…Made his first start for the Hilltoppers against Ohio State, recording two tackle and a pass breakup…Notched a season-high seven tackles with four solo tackles against Troy…Added his second sack as part of a three tackle performance against UTEP.
Prior to Western Kentucky
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 11 games during the 2021 season for the Wildcats…Recorded 37 tackles with 15 solo tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks, along with two quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, and a blocked kick…Recorded his first collegiate sack while also adding a blocked kick against Grambling State…Notched three solo tackles, including a sack, against Tennessee State…Recorded six tackles with a season-high four solo tackles and half a sack…Set a career-high with eight tackles, including two solo tackles and a sack, against Prairie View A&M.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in two games during the 2021 season for the Wildcats…Recorded two tackles with one solo tackle against South Carolina State…Redshirted.
High School
Attended Hamilton High School…Named Class 4A Second-Team All-State during his senior season.
Personal
Son of Mae Williams…Born on April 8, 2003.
Frank Cusano | LB | 6-1 | 220 | Granite Bay, CA / Granite Bay High School / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Appeared in five games during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Recorded three solo tackles with one tackle-for-loss during his freshman season…Notched two solo tackles and his lone tackle-for-loss in his collegiate debut against Portland State…Made appearances on special teams against Washington, Oregon State, and Wyoming…Made a tackle in the Holiday Bowl against Syracuse.
High School
Earned three varsity letters while playing for Granite Bay High School…Recorded 92 tackles with 13 tackles-for-loss and five sacks to earn 2023 MaxPreps All-Sac-Joaquin Section honors as a senior…Earned All-Sierra Foothill League First Team and All-Metro honors as both a junior and sophomore…Led Granite Bay to a 9-5 record and a berth in the San Joaquin Section Division 2 Championship game after recording 111 tackles with 18.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks during his junior season…Totaled 52 tackles with 8.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks as a sophomore…Rated as a three-star prospect, the No. 35 inside linebacker in the country, and the No. 63 overall recruit in the state of California by ESPN.
Personal
Son of Dave and Pamela Cusano…Born on June 7, 2005.
Jaylon Edmond | DB | 5-9 | 153 | Carson, CA / Bishop Gorman High School (NV) / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Appeared in five games during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Recorded three tackles during his freshman season…Made his first career tackle in his collegiate debut against Portland State…Added tackles against San Jose State, as well as Syracuse during the Holiday Bowl…Redshirted.
High School
Played at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas during his first three seasons before transferring to Western High School for his senior year…Rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 111 prospect from California according to ESPN.
Personal
Son of Andrew and Kahlailah Harris…Born on April 12, 2005.
Sascha Garcia | DB | 6-2 | 185 | Clinton, MD / Potomac High School / William & Mary
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in all 12 games with five starts during the 2024 season for the Tribe…Recorded 19 tackles with 14 solo tackles, along with 11 pass breakups and a blocked kick…Ranked second on the team with 11 pass breakups…Started the final five games of the season for William & Mary…Recorded three tackles with two solo efforts in the victory over VMI…Added another three tackles against Coastal Carolina…Broke up a career-high four passes in the victory over Wofford…Added another two pass breakups against Hampton…Recorded three solo tackles and a pass breakup in his first career start against Stony Brook…Totaled three tackles with one solo tackle against Elon…Blocked a kick against Bryant…Notched three solo tackles in the season finale against Richmond.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in four games during the 2023 season for the Tribe…Redshirted.
High School
Played football at Potomac High School…Recorded 40 tackles with 23 solo tackles and two tackles-for-loss, along with four pass defenses, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during his senior season…Also added seven receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown, as well as 75 combined return yards as a senior…Totaled 39 tackles with 25 solo tackles in his junior season…Forced four fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and recorded an interception during his junior campaign.
Personal
Son of Farrah and Stephen Garcia…Born on November 28, 2004.
Karon Prunty | DB | 6-2 | 180 | Portsmouth, VA / I.C. Norcom High School / Kansas/NC A&T
Award and Honors
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Started in all 12 games during the 2024 season for the Aggies…Came into his redshirt senior named to the inaugural Urban Edge Network HBCU + FCS Player of the Year Watchlist…Also named Preseason All-American by BlueBloods, Preseason HBCU All-American by BoxToRow, and Preseason All-CAA…Finished the season with 27 tackles with 23 solo tackles and a sack, four pass defenses, and an interception to earn Third Team All-CAA honors…Totaled a season-high five tackles with four solo efforts against N.C. Central…Recorded his lone interception of the season against South Carolina State…Added three tackles, including a sack, against Hampton.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Started 11 games during the 2024 season for the Aggies…Entered the season as a Preseason All-CAA selection…Recorded 43 tackles with 33 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, and a sack, as well as five pass breakups en route to a Third Team All-CAA selection…Totaled five tackles with one solo effort and 0.5 tackles-for-loss against UAB…Recorded a career-high seven solo tackles with a tackle-for-loss against Elon…Added three tackles, including his first career sack, against Villanova…Matched a season-high with seven tackles, including six solo efforts, as well as a pass breakup against Richmond…Recorded six solo tackles with a tackle-for-loss in the season finale against Campbell.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Started all 12 games during the 2022 season for the Aggies…Earned First Team All-Big South and BoxToRow All-American Honorable Mention honors…Recorded 30 tackles with 21 solo tackles…Led the Big South with four interceptions while also adding three pass breakups and 10 pass defenses…Notched a career-high eight tackles with three solo tackles in his NC A&T debut against N.C. Central in the Duke's Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte…Added six solo tackles and a pass breakup in the victory over South Carolina State…Earned Big South Player of the Week honors after recording two interceptions in 24-13 win over Bryant…Recorded an interception in back-to-back games against Norfolk State and Charleston Southern.
Prior to North Carolina A&T
2021 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2021 season for the Jayhawks…Redshirted.
2020 (Freshman)
Appeared in and started in nine games during the 2020 season for the Jayhawks…Named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in his first season with Kansas…Earned 247Sports True Freshman All-American honors…Recorded 26 tackles with 22 solo tackles and a tackle-for-loss, 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble, and an interception…Allowed a 38.5 completion percentage while not giving up a single touchdown throughout the season…Led all freshman in the country with 10 pass breakups…Made his collegiate debut and first career start against Coastal Carolina, recording four solo tackles and a pass breakup…Posted a career-high three pass breakups at Oklahoma…Added a season-best six tackles against Iowa State…Recorded his first interception of his career against Texas Tech, also adding four solo tackles against the Red Raiders.
High School
Rated as a three-star prospect coming out of I.C. Norcom High School…Listed as the No. 30 recruit from Virginia by ESPN, and the No. 98 cornerback by 247Sports.
Personal
Son of Ronald and Suzette Prunty…Born on December 24, 2001.
"I couldn't be more excited about this incredible group of student-athletes joining the Wake Forest family," Head Coach Jake Dickert said. "These young men embody what it means to be a Demon Deacon, excelling on the field and embracing the high academic standards of Wake Forest University. I want to express my deep appreciation for our coaching staff, who worked tirelessly to identify and recruit such a great group, and I want to thank our Student-Athlete Academic Staff, our University colleagues in Undergraduate Admissions, the School of Professional Studies and the Registrar's Office for their commitment throughout this process. We are building something champions here, and these 28 new Deacs are a testament to that vision. I can't wait to see how they contribute to our success on and off the field in the coming years."
The list of Deacs who will join the team for spring ball includes nine incoming who signed with Wake Forest during the early signing period:
| Player | Pos | HT | WT | YR | Hometown | High School |
| Elijah Oehlke | QB | 6' 2" | 210 | Fr. | Fayetteville, NC | Trinity Christian School of Academics |
| Steele Pizzella | QB | 5' 11" | 180 | Fr. | Simi Valley, CA | Notre Dame High School |
| Jack Foley | WR | 6' 4" | 205 | Fr. | Bend, OR | Mountain View Senior |
| Trishtin Glass | WR | 6' 4" | 185 | Fr. | Copperas Cove, TX | Copperas Cove |
| Nathan Pahanich | OL | 6' 4" | 291 | Fr. | Princeton, NJ | The Hun School of Princeton |
| Kadear Dembele | DL | 6' 3" | 280 | Fr. | West Haven, CT | West Haven |
| Josiah Pratt | DL | 6' 0" | 300 | Fr. | Houston, TX | Summer Creek |
| Bailey Benson | LB | 6' 1" | 195 | Fr. | Covington, GA | Eastside |
| Freddie Gillens | DB | 6' 0" | 162 | Fr. | Columbia, SC | Cardinal Newman |
20 transfers also join the Demon Deacons ahead of winter workouts and spring football:
| Player | Pos | HT | WT | YR | Hometown | High School | Previous School |
| Robby Ashford | QB | 6'2" | 229 | R-Sr. | Hoover, AL | Hoover | Oregon/Auburn/ South Carolina |
| Chris Barnes | WR | 5'7" | 158 | R-Fr. | Houston, TX | North Shore | Washington State |
| Sterling Berkhalter | WR | 6'3" | 200 | R-Sr. | Cincinnati, OH | Georgia Prep | NC A&T/Cincinnati |
| Carlos Hernandez | WR | 6'0" | 189 | Jr. | Alhambra, CA | Monrovia | Washington State |
| Sawyer Racanelli | WR | 6'3" | 208 | R-Sr. | Brush Prairie, WA | Hockinson | Washington/ Montana |
| Reginald Vick Jr. | WR | 6'3" | 185 | R-Jr. | Wendell, NC | East Wake | Virginia Union |
| Jacob Dennison | OL | 6'5" | 299 | R-Sr. | Mansfield, OH | Lexington | Jacksonville State/Ohio |
| Fa'alili Fa'amoe | OL | 6'5" | 314 | R-Sr. | Pago Pago, American Samoa | Leone | Washington State |
| AJ Hasson | OL | 6'3" | 289 | R-Fr. | Davis, CA | Davis Senior | Washington State |
| Devin Kylany | OL | 6'3" | 303 | R-Sr. | Lake Stevens, WA | Lake Stevens | Washington State |
| Melvin Siani | OL | 6'6" | 300 | R-So. | Hamilton, ON, Canada | Wyoming Seminary Prep | Temple |
| Dallas Afalava | DL | 6'1" | 290 | Jr. | Seattle, WA | Rainier Beach | Idaho |
| Nuer Gatkuoth | DL | 6'3" | 235 | R-Jr. | Edmonton, AB, Canada | Champion Prep (Ga.) | Colorado State |
| Langston Hardy | DL | 6'4" | 250 | R-Jr.. | Jacksonville, FL | Sandalwood | UConn |
| Gabe Kirschke | DL | 6'5" | 245 | R-Jr. | Lone Tree, CO | Valor Christian | Purdue/Colorado State |
| Jayden Loving | DL | 6'2" | 280 | R-Sr. | Hamilton, AL | Hamilton | Behthune-Cookman/Western Kentucky |
| Frank Cusano | LB | 6'1" | 220 | R-Fr. | Granite Bay, CA | Granite Bay | Washington State |
| Jaylon Edmond | DB | 5'9" | 153 | R-Fr.. | Carson, CA | Bishop Gorman (NV) | Washington State |
| Sascha Garcia | DB | 6'2" | 185 | R-So. | Clinton, MD | Potomac | William & Mary |
| Karon Prunty | DB | 6'2" | 180 | R-Sr. | Portsmouth, VA | I.C. Norcom | Kansas/NC A&T |
Meet the Demon Deacons
Mid-Year Enrollee Freshmen:
Elijiah Oehlke | QB | 6-2 | 210 | Fayetteville, NC / Trinity Christian School of Academics
Rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 23 quarterback recruit in the country according to ESPN…Four-year varsity athlete…Transferred into Trinity Christian from Gray's Creek after his sophomore year…Led the Crusaders to a 10-2 record and a NCISAA Big East title as a junior…Completed 77 of 128 passes for 1,499 yards with 26 TD and 3 INT per MaxPreps…Also rushed 52 times for 216 yards and 9 TD…During his junior year, ranked first in conference and fourth in division for total passing yards…Helped lead Trinity Christian to a 10-1 record as a senior…Ended the 2024 regular season with 2641 passing yards, ranking No. 1 in division and No. 6 in the state…Garnered NCISAA All-State (D-II) honors, First Team All-Conference accolades and was named the BEIFC Player of the Year as a senior Also competed in track and field.
Personal
Son of Heather Oehlke and John Jones…Born July 3, 2007.
Steele Pizzella | QB | 5-11 | 180 | Simi Valley, CA / Notre Dame High School
Three-star quarterback by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com, and ESPN… Rated as the No. 26 dual-threat quarterback prospect in the class of 2025 according to ESPN… During his senior season, threw for 2,610 yards and 29 touchdowns on a 60.8 completion percentage (183-of-301) while also adding 1,040 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, including three games with 100+ yards rushing… Named to All-Mission League First Team as a junior, passing for 2,187 yards and 22 touchdowns with a 60 percent completion percentage, while also rushing for 446 yards and five touchdowns… Played his first two seasons of high school football at Simi Valley High School, throwing for 3482 yards and 33 touchdowns and rushing for 382 yards and nine touchdowns over his freshman and sophomore seasons… Also ran track in high school, running a 10.64 in the 100m and helping his 4x100m relay finish fourth in state as a junior.
Personal
Son of Jennifer and Mark Pizzella…Born on July 7, 2006.
Jack Foley | WR | 6-4 | 205 | Bend, OR / Mountain View Senior High School
No. 5 recruit in Oregon and No. 145 receiver in the country in the 2025 class per 247 Sports… Two-time All-State Wide Receiver, including as a senior… Finished his senior season with 1,082 yards on 52 receptions while scoring 16 touchdowns, leading Mountain View to an undefeated season, an Intermountain Conference championship, and the 5A state championship game for the second consecutive season… As a junior averaged 8.4 points a game and scored 14 total TDs in 10 games played… Total of 830 receiving yards and averaged 48.8 yards per game through his sophomore and junior year… Helped lead Mountain View to a 12-1 overall record, the state title game, and the No.8 overall ranking in the state during the 2023 season.
Personal
Son of Jennifer and Tim Foley… Born August 18, 2006.
Trishstin Glass | WR | 6-4 | 185 | Copperas Cove, TX / Copperas Cove High School
Four year varsity player and became his school's all-time leading receiver…During his senior season he earned Academic All-District honors and tallied 1,125 receiving yards, 64 catches and 12 touchdowns…Those marks ranked second in his district…Garnered First Team All-District (12-6A) in Texas as a Senior…Ranked No. 17 in Region and No. 30 in TX for total receiving yards as a senior with 1,125 yards (743)...Also averaging 9.0 PPG with 126 TD pts…Finished his junior season with 48 receptions for 654 yards and 7 TDs per 247…Has a combined 1272 receiving yards and 98 receptions through freshman to junior year…Also plays basketball and track and field
Personal
Son of Patricia Glass…Born October 27, 2006.
Nathan Pahanich | OL | 6-4 | 291 | Princeton, NJ / The Hun School of Princeton
Garnered First Team All-New Jersey Prep A honors and First Team All-MAPL accolades as a senior…Ranked as the 90th best offensive tackle recruit in the country and the 35th best overall recruit in the state of New Jersey…Reclassified to the 2025 class and transferred to The Hun School of Princeton from St. Andrew's College in Ontario…Helped lead the Hun School to a Mid-Atlantic Prep League Championship and an 8-1 record as a junior in 2023.
Personal
Son of Kristina Islic and Robert Pahanich…Born February 11, 2006.
Kadear Dembele | DL | 6-3 | 280 | West Haven, CT / West Haven High School
Ranked No. 8 player in Connecticut by 247 Sports Composite…Played sophomore and senior year at West Haven, transferred to Archbishop Stepinac for his junior year…During his sophomore year ranked No. 18 in Connecticut and helped West Haven to a 9-2 season…While at Stepinac recorded 75 total tackles, 52 solo, and 23 assisted…Also recorded 6.0 sacks in 11 games played…As a senior consistently ranked No. 1 in Connecticut for sacks and top 100 for total tackles and was a team captain.
Personal
Son of Rokia Magiadembele…Born May 2, 2006.
Josiah Pratt | DL | 6-0 | 300 | Houston, TX / Summer Creek High School
Three-star prospect according to 247Sports… Helped lead Summer Creek to the 6A Division II state semifinals as a senior… Played in 15 games his senior season, recording 80 tackles with 57 solo tackles and 22.0 tackles-for-loss, including six sacks… Recorded a season-high 10 tackles with two sacks in a 59-0 win over Channelview… Also recorded eight tackles with five tackles-for-loss in a 48-17 win against Humble… Named to the All-District 21-6A First Team and led Summer Creek to a state runner-up finish during his junior campaign… Totaled 70 tackles with 44 solo, 16 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks across 16 games in 2023… Earned All-District 21-6A Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore.
Personal
Son of Karla Pratt… Born on February 14, 2006.
Bailey Benson | LB | 6-1 | 195 | Covington, GA / Eastside High School
Four-year varsity player…ranked 19th in GA division AAAA and seventh in Region 8 for sacks during his sophomore season…has a total of 164 tackles in his high school career…totaled 66 tackles as a junior, fourth overall on the team…according to MaxPreps, also tallied four tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception during his junior year…earned First Team All-Region linebacker for Region 8-AAAAA during his junior year…Had a career high 14 total tackles, adding to his season total of 55…played basketball prior to joining the football team.
Personal
Son of Greg and Lashanda Benson…Born September 7, 2006.
Freddie Gillens | DB | 6-0 | 162 | Columbia, SC | Cardinal Newman High School
Coached by former Demon Deacon Cory Helms…As a senior, he tallied 33 tackles, seven pass breakups, one sack, one forced fumble and two receiving touchdowns…For his efforts in 2024, he earned All-State honors…During the 2023 season helped lead his team to a 9-3 record and state playoff semifinals…Finished junior year with 27 total tackles in 12 games played and earned First Team SCISA 4A All-State honors as he also tallied 12 PBUs, 3 interceptions, two kicks blocked, and returned a kick for a touchdown…Is also a three time triple jump state champion and SCISA state record holder at 46'4".
Personal
Son of Kesha Gillens…Born October 6, 2006.
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Mid-Year Transfers:
Robby Ashford | QB | 6-2 | 229 | Hoover, AL / Hoover High School / Oregon /Auburn/South Carolina
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in eight games with one start during the 2024 season for the Gamecocks…Completed 23-of-32 pass attempts for a 71.9 completion percentage while recording 324 yards and two touchdown passes…Also ran for 278 yards and two touchdowns…Made his first appearance for the Gamecocks in the victory over Kentucky…Recorded 243 yards and two touchdown passes on 15-of-21 passing, as well as 133 yards and one touchdown on the ground in his lone start of the season against Akron.
Prior to South Carolina
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 10 games with one start during the 2023 season for the Tigers…Completed 14-of-27 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 217 yards and five touchdowns on 46 rushes…Recorded a season-high nine times for 51 yards and a career-high three touchdowns against UMass…Totaled a season-high 58 yards passing, including a 32-yard touchdown pass, in the victory over Samford…Recorded his second touchdown pass of the season against LSU where he completed three passes for 52 yards while adding 19 yards on the ground…Made his lone start of the season against Ole Miss.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in all 12 games while making nine starts during the 2022 season for the Tigers…Named the Auburn Tigers' Offensive Player of the Year…Recorded 1,613 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 123-of-250 passes on the season…Also rushed 153 times for 710 yards and seven touchdowns…Made his collegiate debut in the victory over Mercer, passing for 100 yards and rushing for 68 yards…Threw his first career touchdown while throwing for 144 yards on 10-of-19 passing against Penn State…Became the starting quarterback in the victory over Missouri, throwing for a career-high 337 yards and two touchdowns…Added two rushing touchdowns on 15 attempts against Ole Miss…Completed a career-high 24 passes for 285 yards and a touchdown, as well as 87 rushing yards against Arkansas…Rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns against Mississippi State…Rushed for a career-high 121 yards and two touchdowns against Alabama.
Prior to Auburn
2021 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2021 season for the Ducks…Also played for the Oregon baseball team, playing 20 games with 10 starts in centerfield during the 2021 season.
2020 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2020 season for the Ducks…Redshirted.
High School
Graduated from Hoover High School in 2020…Threw for 1,088 yards and 10 touchdowns in six games during his senior season…Earned AL.com All-Birmingham honors…Named to the National High School Quarterback of the Year Award watch list…Selected for the Under Armour All-American Game and the 2020 Polynesian Bowl…Named the Elite 11 top QB for the state of Alabama…Ranked as the best baseball prospect in Alabama by Perfect Game and the No. 2 prospect by Prep Baseball Report.
Personal
Son of Meloney and Robert Ashford…Born on October 1, 2002.
Deshawn Purdie | QB | 6-4 | 220 | Baltimore, MD / Charlotte
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Appeared in nine games with six starts during the 2024 season for the 49ers…Completed 100 of his 200 pass attempts while throwing for 1,802 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman…Also added a rushing touchdown…Recorded two passing touchdowns in his collegiate debut against North Carolina…Recorded a career-best 68.6 completion percentage while throwing for 194 yards in his first career start against Gardner-Webb…Totaled 183 yards and two touchdowns on 10-of-15 passing against Rice…Recorded his lone rushing touchdown of the year against East Carolina…Recorded one touchdown pass in games against Memphis, South Florida, and UAB…Had his best game as a 49er at Florida Atlantic, recording a career-high 396 yards and a career-high three touchdown passes against the Owls.
High School
Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN…Recorded over 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns over the course of his final two seasons at Milford Mill Academy…Totaled 1,787 yards and 17 touchdowns on 115-of-211 passing during his senior season…Led the Millers to an undefeated 14-0 record and a MPSSAA 2A State Championship during his junior year, finishing the season with 2,759 yards and 28 touchdowns on 144-of-236 passing.
Personal
Son of Beatrice and Dewayne Purdie…Born on May 5, 2006
Chris Barnes | WR | 5-7 | 158 | Houston, TX / North Shore High School / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Appeared in three games with one start during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Caught one pass during the season-opening win against Portland State…Made his first career start against Texas Tech…Hauled in a 20-yard pass in the Holiday Bowl against Syracuse…Redshirted.
High School
Helped lead North Shore to back-to-back 15-1 records and the Texas 6A Division I state title game during his junior and senior seasons…Totaled 1,287 all-purpose yards, including 803 yards and nine touchdowns on 47 catches as a senior…Named First Team All-District 21-6A…Selected as a finalist for the Houston Area High School Player of the Year award…Hauled in 58 passes for 1,167 yards and 14 touchdowns while totaling 1,392 all-purpose yards during his junior season…Selected to the All-Greater Houston second team…Named to the Texas All-District 21-6A first team.
Personal
Son of Chris Barnes and Denoka Jackson…Born on September 22, 2005.
Sterling Berkhalter | WR | 6-3 | 200 | Cincinnati, OH / Georgia Prep / NC A&T/Cincinnati
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in all 12 games during the 2024 season for the Bearcats…Recorded 11 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown while averaging 17.4 yards per catch…Totaled two catches for 70 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown reception, in the opening game against Towson…Caught a season-high three catches for 60 yards against Houston.
2023 (Junior)
Appeared in two games during the 2023 season for the Bearcats…Redshirted.
Prior to Cincinnati
2022 (Sophomore)
Played in 11 games with 10 starts during the 2022 season for North Carolina A&T…Recorded 28 receptions for 414 yards and two touchdowns…Totaled a career-high five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Bryant…Recorded four catches for a career-high 90 yards in a win against Edward Waters…Added two catches for 37 yards for 37 yards and a touchdown in an Aggie victory over Robert Morris…Matched a career-high with five receptions for 63 yards against Charleston Southern.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in five games, making three starts, during the 2021 season for the Aggies…Finished his freshman year with seven receptions for 62 yards…Totaled two receptions for 48 yards, including a season-best 40-yard reception, in his first career game against Furman.
High School
Attended Georgia Prep Academy and was rated as a three-star prospect and the third-highest-rated prep school receiver in the class of 2021 according to 247Sports…Prior to playing for Georgia Prep, played for Princeton High School in Cincinnati.
Personal
Son of Garrick and Sonja Berkhalter…Born on May 21, 2002.
Carlos Hernandez | WR | 6-0 | 189 | Alhambra, CA / Monrovia High School / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Sophomore)
Appeared eight games with six starts during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Recorded 31 receptions for 397 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 12.81 yards per reception…Made his season debut against Fresno State…Recorded his first career touchdown in the victory against Hawaii, hauling in four catches for 55 yards…Totaled four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown in his first career start against San Diego State…Added four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown against New Mexico…Caught a 32-yard touchdown pass against Oregon State…Set career-highs in catches and yards in the Holiday Bowl against Syracuse, finishing the game with eight receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in all 12 games during the 2023 season for the Cougars…Totaled 24 receptions for 258 yards while averaging 10.75 yards per reception…Caught five passes for 58 yards in his first collegiate game against Colorado State…Recorded a season-high seven catches for 39 yards against Oregon State…Totaled two catches for a season-high 77 yards, including a career-best 48 yard reception, against Colorado.
High School
Rated as a three-star prospect coming out of Monrovia High School…Named Rio Hondo League MVP as both a junior and senior…Recorded 46 catches for 860 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with four interceptions on defense, during his senior season to earn All-Rio Hondo League honors…Totaled 71 catches for 1,594 yards and 23 touchdowns to lead the Rio Hondo League during his junior season.
Personal
Son of Leticia Hernandez…Born on May 6, 2005.
Sawyer Racanelli | WR | 6-3 | 208 | Brush Prairie, WA / Hockinson High School / Washington/Montana
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in all 14 games with 10 starts during the 2024 season for the Grizzlies…Recorded 30 catches for 49 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 13.6 yards per catch…Totaled four receptions for 65 yards in the victory over Northern Arizona…Hauled in four catches for a career-high 102 yards , including a career-best 81-yard touchdown reception, in the victory over Portland State…Recorded three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown in the second round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs against South Dakota State.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in all 15 contests with two starts during the 2023 season for the Grizzlies…Hauled in 10 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown…Recorded a 26-yard reception in his first career appearance and start for the Grizzlies against Butler…Threw a 15-yard touchdown pass on a trick play against Idaho State…Added his first career touchdown catch on a 20-yard reception against Northern Colorado…Recorded a season-high four catches for 45 yards against Portland State.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Did not see any action due to injury during the 2022 season for the Grizzlies.
Prior to Montana
2021 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 11 games during the 2021 season for the Huskies…Made five tackles with four solo efforts while primarily playing on special teams…Recorded a tackle against Stanford, Oregon, and Washington State…Set a career-high with two tackles against Arizona State.
2020 (Freshman)
Appeared in two games during the 2020 season for the Huskies…Made his collegiate debut against Arizona…Also played against Stanford…Redshirted.
High School
Missed his senior season due to injury…Helped lead Hockinson High School to back-to-back Washington 2A State Championships in 2018 and 2017…Became just the fifth player in state history to record 100 receptions in a season, finishing his junior season with 101 catches for 1,764 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior…Also added 207 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, as well as 88 tackles with 11 tackles-for-loss and two interceptions on defense…Scored all six touchdowns for Hockinson in the 2018 Washington 2A State Championship…Named First Team All-State by the Tacoma News-Tribune, as well as First Team All-2A Greater St. Helen's League as a junior…Hauled in 66 catches for 1,345 yards and 21 touchdowns during his sophomore season…Recorded 56 catches for 1,055 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman…Rated as the No. 50 "athlete" and the No. 8 recruit from Washington by ESPN, and the No. 21 "athlete" and No. 9 overall prospect from Washington by 247Sports…Also named to the Tacoma News-Tribune "Western 100"...Also participated in shot put, long jump, and sprints on his track team in high school
Personal
Son of Josh and Sundee Racanelli…His father, Josh, played quarterback at Portland State…His brother, Canon, plays quarterback at Central Washington…Born on Nov. 28, 2004.
Reginald Vick Jr. | WR | 6-3 | 185 | Wendell, NC / East Wake High School / Virginia Union
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Started in 12 games during the 2024 season for Virginia Union, helping lead the Panthers to a CIAA Championship and the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals…Led the Panthers with 48 catches for 1164 and 12 touchdowns while averaging 24.25 yards per reception and 97.0 yards per game…Recorded 100 or more yards receiving in seven games during his redshirt sophomore season…Totaled five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in the opening game of the season against Kentucky State…Added three catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns against Hampton…Set a career-high with seven catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns against Shaw…Tallied four catches for 108 yards and a career-high three touchdown receptions against Lincoln (PA)...Matched a career-high with seven catches for 148 yards against Bowie State…Finished the 2024 season by scoring a touchdown in four-consecutive games, hauling in 14 catches for 343 yards and four scores during that streak.
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Played in nine games during the 2023 season for the Panthers…Recorded 16 catches for 284 yards and a touchdown…Made his first career appearance in the victory over Morehouse, hauling in one catch for 19 yards…Recorded four catches for 42 yards against Shaw…Hauled in a 58-yard reception against Lincoln (PA)...Recorded his first career touchdown with an 81-yard reception in the victory over Bluefield State…Led the Panthers with five receptions for 42 yards in the CIAA Championship victory over Fayetteville State.
2022 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2022 season for the Panthers…Redshirted.
High School
Played for East Wake High School.
Personal
Son of Candy Privette…Born on May 11, 2004.
Jacob Dennison | OL | 6-5 | 299 | Mansfield, OH / Lexington High School / Jacksonville State/Ohio
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in 10 games during the 2024 season for the Bobcats…Helped the Bobcats to an 11-3 season and the MAC Championship…Appeared in the Cure Bowl victory against Jacksonville State.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 13 games with one start during the 2023 season for the Bobcats…Named to the 2023 All-MAC Academic team…Helped the Bobcats average 24.31 points and 348 yards per game en route to a 10-3 record and a Myrtle Beach Bowl victory over Georgia Southern.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 10 games with four starts during the 2022 season for the Bobcats…Helped the Bobcat offense average 31.79 points and 421.4 yards per game en route to a 10-4 season and a win against Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl…Aided in a program record win against Fordham where the Bobcat offense totaled 692 yards.
Prior to Ohio
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in four games during the 2021 season for the Gamecocks…Made four consecutive appearances against Sam Houston, Abilene Christian, Lamar, and Eastern Kentucky.
2020 (Freshman)
Appeared in two games during the 2020 season for the Gamecocks…Made his collegiate debut against Tennessee Tech, recording a tackle…Also made an appearance against UT Martin.
High School
Captained the Lexington High School football team during his senior season…Earned First Team All-MNS, Second Team All-District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio as a senior…Named Second Team All-MNS and Honorable Mention All-OCC during his junior season…Also participated in track and field.
Personal
Son of Mark and Jen Dennison…Born on June 25, 2001.
Fa'alili Fa'amoe | OL | 6-5 | 314 | Pago Pago, American Samoa / Leone High School / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in nine games with seven starts during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Named team captain…Named to preseason watchlist for the Lombardi Award, the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, the Outland Trophy, and Reese's Senior Bowl……Made all seven starts at right tackle.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Started all 12 games at right tackle during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Named to the Preseason All-Pac-12 Third Team by Athlon and the Preseason All-Pac-12 Fourth Team by Phil Steele…Named to the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Started in seven games during the 2022 season for the Cougars…Switched to offensive tackle from defensive lineman during spring practice…Made his first career start at Oregon State, allowing only one pressure on 62 pass snaps…Earned the highest offensive lineman grade for the Cougars after allowing only one pressure on 41 pass snaps in the victory at Stanford.
2021 (Freshman)
Made his collegiate debut in Washington State's victory over Arizona…Redshirted.
2020 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2020 season for the Cougars.
High School
Attended Leone High School in American Samoa…Named team captain for Leone during his senior season…Was one of two players from American Samoa to be selected to participate in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Personal
Born on January 29, 2002.
AJ Hasson | OL | 6-3 | 289 | Davis, CA / Davis Senior High School / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Did not see any action for Washington State…Redshirted
High School
Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN and 247Sports and was the No. 104 overall prospect from the state of California by ESPN… During his senior season, was named the 2023 Delta League Offensive Lineman of the Year and first-team all-league… Was named to the Sacramento Bee's 2022 All-Metro football team as an offensive lineman while also being named Delta League Co-All Purpose Player of the Year and All-Delta League First Team during his junior season.
Personal
Son of Paul and Aimee Hasson… His mother, Aimee, is in the UC Davis Basketball Hall of Fame… His dad, Paul, was a captain on the UC Davis football team… Born on January 30, 2006.
Devin Kylany | OL | 6-3 | 303 | Lake Stevens, WA / Lake Stevens / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Named team captain…Started in 11 games at center during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Allowed only two sacks in 399 pass snaps…Earned his first career start during the season-opening victory over Portland State…Named the Washington State Offensive Player of the Week in the victory at Fresno State.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in all 12 games during the 2023 season for the Cougars… Primarily played on special teams.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in seven games during the 2022 season for the Cougars…Primarily played on special teams while making two appearances at center against Stanford and Fresno State.
2021 (Freshman)
Missed the entire 2021 season due to injury…Redshirted.
2020 (Freshman)
Made his only appearance in the season-finale against Utah.
High School
Four-time letter winner at Lake Stevens High School…Rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 4 offensive lineman and the No. 18 overall prospect from the state of Washington according to 247Sports…Named a Red-Chip Prospect by The Seattle Times as one of the Top-100 recruits in Washington…Helped lead Lake Stevens to an 11-1 record and the quarterfinals Washington State 4A playoffs during his senior season…Named to the All-Wesco First Team during his junior year…Earned a Second-Team All-State selection during his sophomore season…Also named First Team All-Wesco and All-Area as a sophomore…Also was three-letter winner in wrestling.
Personal
Born on December 29, 2001.
Melvin Siani | OL | 6-6 | 300 | Hamilton, ON, Canada / Wyoming Seminary Prep / Temple
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 11 games with nine starts during the 2024 season for the Owls…Earned the starting right tackle spot during the first five games of the season…Returned to the starting lineup against East Carolina…Made his first career start at left tackle against UTSA.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in four games during the 2023 season for the Owls…Saw his first collegiate action against Akron…Made his first career start against SMU…Redshirted.
High School
Three-time letter winner for head coach Kevin Burke at Wyoming Seminary Prep…Earned First-Team All-Conference honors during his senior season…Also played basketball at Wyoming Seminary Prep.
Personal
Son of Clotilde and Justin Siani…Born on October 10, 2004.
Dallas Afalava | DL | 6-1 | 290 | Seattle, WA / Rainier Beach High School / Idaho
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Sophomore)
Appeared in 14 games during the 2024 season for the Vandals…Recorded 30 tackles with 15 solo tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, and four sacks, as well as one pass defense and a fumble recovery…Recorded three tackles with one sack against Oregon…Notched four tackles with two solo tackles and 1.5 sacks in the victory over UAlbany…Recorded 1.5 sacks as part of a three tackle game against Portland State.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in 11 games during the 2023 season for the Vandals…Recorded 25 tackles with 15 solo efforts and a team-high eight tackles-for-loss…Ranked second on the Vandal defense with five sacks as a freshman…Recorded his first career sack against Sacramento State…Totaled a sack in back-to-back games against Montana and Montana State, recording four solo tackles with three tackles-for-loss, including two sacks, during the two games…Notched three tackles with two solo tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and a sack against Southern Illinois…Recorded a career-high five tackles with three solo efforts and a sack in the season finale against UAlbany.
High School
Played for Rainier Beach…Helped build Rainier Beach into a championship contender in one of the toughest leagues in Washington…Earned First-Team All-League honors twice as a defensive tackle during his time with Rainier Beach…Also named First-Team All-League once as an offensive lineman.
Personal
Son of June and Jake Afalava…Born on December 24, 2004.
Nuer Gatkuoth | DL | 6-3 | 235 | Edmonton, AB, Canada / Champion Prep Academy (Ga.) / Colorado State
Award and Honors
- 2023 Freshman All-American (The Athletic)
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in seven games for the Rams during the 2024 season…Finished his redshirt sophomore season with 15 tackles with seven solo efforts, four tackles-for-loss, a sack, and a forced fumble…Recorded a forced fumble to go along with two tackles and a tackle-for-loss against Oregon State…Added his lone sack of the season against Fresno State…Tallied a season-high eight tackles with three solo tackles and tackle-for-loss against Utah State.
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in and started in 10 games for the Rams during the 2023 season…Named to The Atlantic's Freshman All-American team…Recorded 53 tackles with 17 solo tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-loss, 0.5 sacks, two pass breakups,an interception and a forced fumble…Made his first career start for the Rams against Washington State, totaling one tackle…Recorded seven tackles with four solo efforts and a career-high two tackles-for-loss, along with a forced fumble and a pass breakup…Notched a career-high 15 tackles with three solo efforts and 1.5 tackles-for-loss against Air Force…Credited with his first sack to go along with three tackles, including two solo efforts, in the season finale against Hawaii.
2022 (Freshman)
Did not see any action for the Rams…Named Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Year…Redshirted.
High School
Played his senior season at Champion Prep Academy in Atlanta…Attended West Toronto Prep and Austin O'Brien High School prior to transferring to Champion Prep Academy…Named West Toronto Prep's Defensive Most Valuable Player from 2017-19 and was a Carr Conference All-Star.
Personal
Born on May 3, 2002.
Langston Hardy | DL | 6-4 | 250 | Jacksonville, FL / Sandalwood High School /UConn
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 12 games for the Huskies, helping them to a nine win season for the first time since 2007… Recorded 44 total tackles with 19 solo tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, and 3.5 sacks, as well as three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and an interception… Notched four solo tackles with a tackle-for-loss in the victory over Maryland… Returned an interception 64 yards for a touchdown against Duke to go along with three tackles with two solo tackles and a tackle-for-loss… Tallied three solo tackles with a career-high two sacks in the win against Buffalo… Recorded a career-high eight tackles with three solo tackles against Temple… Notched seven tackles with one solo tackle, a sack, and a forced fumble in the season finale against Massachusetts.
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Saw action in eight games for the Huskies… Made four tackles with two solo tackles… Recorded two tackles, including one solo tackle, against Rice.
2022 (Freshman)
Saw action against Utah State… Redshirted.
High School
Helped lead Sandalwood High School to the third round of the 2020 state playoffs… Previously played at Episcopal School of Jacksonville … Competed in 11 games, posting 49 tackles and one pick six … Also saw time at receiver as a junior, racking up 332 yards on 22 receptions and caught seven touchdown passes … Earned All-State honors his junior and senior year and was an All-City selection his sophomore, junior, and senior years… Also named All-City in baseball… Son of Kevin and Terrie Hardy… His father Kevin was an NFL Pro Bowl Linebacker… Brother Camden Hardy is a redshirt freshman at Wake Forest… Born on April 14, 2003.
Gabe Kirschke | DL | 6-5 | 245 | Lone Tree, CO / Valor Christian / Purdue/Colorado State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Started in all 13 games during the 2024 season for the Rams…Recorded 42 tackles with 12 solo tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, and 6.5 sacks…Also totaled eight quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, an interception, and a blocked kick…Earned his first career start in the season opener at Texas, recording two solo tackles, including his first sack of his career…Recorded four tackles with half a tackle-for-loss and two quarterback hurries in the win over Northern Colorado…Added five tackles with one tackle-for-loss against Colorado…Notched a sack against UTEP…Recorded six tackles with three solo tackles and a career-high 1.5 sacks, as well as a blocked kick, in the victory at Air Force…Added an 11-yard sack against Nevada…Set a career-best with eight tackles with 1.5 tackles-for-loss and one sack in the Arizona Bowl against Miami (OH).
Prior to Colorado State
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2023 season for the Badgers.
2022 (Freshman)
Saw action against Iowa during the 2022 season for the Badgers…Redshirted.
High School
Played for coach Donnie Yantis at Valor Christian…Named First Team All-State during his senior season…Recorded 60 tackles with 5.5 sacks during his senior season.
Personal
Son of Amy and Travis Kirschke…His father, Travis, played football at UCLA…His sister, Ella, swam for UCLA…His brother, Blake, plays lacrosse at Denver…Born on October 27, 2003.
Jayden Loving | DL | 6-2 | 280 | Hamilton, AL / Hamilton High School / Behthune-Cookman/Western Kentucky
Awards
- 2024 Preseason CUSA All-Conference Second Team by Phil Steele
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in the first five games of the 2024 season for the Hilltoppers…Recorded nine tackles with five solo tackles and 0.5 tackles-for-loss…Posted a season-high five tackles with one solo tackle and 0.5 tackles-for-loss against Toledo.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in all 13 games with one start during the 2023 season for the Hilltoppers…Recorded 36 tackles with 16 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks, along with two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups…Recorded three solo tackles with a sack in the season opener against South Florida…Made his first start for the Hilltoppers against Ohio State, recording two tackle and a pass breakup…Notched a season-high seven tackles with four solo tackles against Troy…Added his second sack as part of a three tackle performance against UTEP.
Prior to Western Kentucky
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 11 games during the 2021 season for the Wildcats…Recorded 37 tackles with 15 solo tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks, along with two quarterback hurries, one pass breakup, and a blocked kick…Recorded his first collegiate sack while also adding a blocked kick against Grambling State…Notched three solo tackles, including a sack, against Tennessee State…Recorded six tackles with a season-high four solo tackles and half a sack…Set a career-high with eight tackles, including two solo tackles and a sack, against Prairie View A&M.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in two games during the 2021 season for the Wildcats…Recorded two tackles with one solo tackle against South Carolina State…Redshirted.
High School
Attended Hamilton High School…Named Class 4A Second-Team All-State during his senior season.
Personal
Son of Mae Williams…Born on April 8, 2003.
Frank Cusano | LB | 6-1 | 220 | Granite Bay, CA / Granite Bay High School / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Appeared in five games during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Recorded three solo tackles with one tackle-for-loss during his freshman season…Notched two solo tackles and his lone tackle-for-loss in his collegiate debut against Portland State…Made appearances on special teams against Washington, Oregon State, and Wyoming…Made a tackle in the Holiday Bowl against Syracuse.
High School
Earned three varsity letters while playing for Granite Bay High School…Recorded 92 tackles with 13 tackles-for-loss and five sacks to earn 2023 MaxPreps All-Sac-Joaquin Section honors as a senior…Earned All-Sierra Foothill League First Team and All-Metro honors as both a junior and sophomore…Led Granite Bay to a 9-5 record and a berth in the San Joaquin Section Division 2 Championship game after recording 111 tackles with 18.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks during his junior season…Totaled 52 tackles with 8.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks as a sophomore…Rated as a three-star prospect, the No. 35 inside linebacker in the country, and the No. 63 overall recruit in the state of California by ESPN.
Personal
Son of Dave and Pamela Cusano…Born on June 7, 2005.
Jaylon Edmond | DB | 5-9 | 153 | Carson, CA / Bishop Gorman High School (NV) / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Appeared in five games during the 2024 season for the Cougars…Recorded three tackles during his freshman season…Made his first career tackle in his collegiate debut against Portland State…Added tackles against San Jose State, as well as Syracuse during the Holiday Bowl…Redshirted.
High School
Played at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas during his first three seasons before transferring to Western High School for his senior year…Rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 111 prospect from California according to ESPN.
Personal
Son of Andrew and Kahlailah Harris…Born on April 12, 2005.
Sascha Garcia | DB | 6-2 | 185 | Clinton, MD / Potomac High School / William & Mary
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in all 12 games with five starts during the 2024 season for the Tribe…Recorded 19 tackles with 14 solo tackles, along with 11 pass breakups and a blocked kick…Ranked second on the team with 11 pass breakups…Started the final five games of the season for William & Mary…Recorded three tackles with two solo efforts in the victory over VMI…Added another three tackles against Coastal Carolina…Broke up a career-high four passes in the victory over Wofford…Added another two pass breakups against Hampton…Recorded three solo tackles and a pass breakup in his first career start against Stony Brook…Totaled three tackles with one solo tackle against Elon…Blocked a kick against Bryant…Notched three solo tackles in the season finale against Richmond.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in four games during the 2023 season for the Tribe…Redshirted.
High School
Played football at Potomac High School…Recorded 40 tackles with 23 solo tackles and two tackles-for-loss, along with four pass defenses, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during his senior season…Also added seven receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown, as well as 75 combined return yards as a senior…Totaled 39 tackles with 25 solo tackles in his junior season…Forced four fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and recorded an interception during his junior campaign.
Personal
Son of Farrah and Stephen Garcia…Born on November 28, 2004.
Karon Prunty | DB | 6-2 | 180 | Portsmouth, VA / I.C. Norcom High School / Kansas/NC A&T
Award and Honors
- 2024 Third Team All-CAA
- 2024 Preseason All-CAA
- 2024 Urban Edge Network HBCU + FCS National Player of the Year Watchlist
- 2024 Preseason All-American by BlueBloods
- 2024 Preseason HBCU All-American by BoxToRow
- 2023 Third Team All-CAA
- 2023 Preseason All-CAA
- 2022 BoxToRow All-American Honorable Mention
- 2022 First Team All-Big South
- 2020 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
- 2020 247Sports True Freshman All-American
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Started in all 12 games during the 2024 season for the Aggies…Came into his redshirt senior named to the inaugural Urban Edge Network HBCU + FCS Player of the Year Watchlist…Also named Preseason All-American by BlueBloods, Preseason HBCU All-American by BoxToRow, and Preseason All-CAA…Finished the season with 27 tackles with 23 solo tackles and a sack, four pass defenses, and an interception to earn Third Team All-CAA honors…Totaled a season-high five tackles with four solo efforts against N.C. Central…Recorded his lone interception of the season against South Carolina State…Added three tackles, including a sack, against Hampton.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Started 11 games during the 2024 season for the Aggies…Entered the season as a Preseason All-CAA selection…Recorded 43 tackles with 33 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, and a sack, as well as five pass breakups en route to a Third Team All-CAA selection…Totaled five tackles with one solo effort and 0.5 tackles-for-loss against UAB…Recorded a career-high seven solo tackles with a tackle-for-loss against Elon…Added three tackles, including his first career sack, against Villanova…Matched a season-high with seven tackles, including six solo efforts, as well as a pass breakup against Richmond…Recorded six solo tackles with a tackle-for-loss in the season finale against Campbell.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Started all 12 games during the 2022 season for the Aggies…Earned First Team All-Big South and BoxToRow All-American Honorable Mention honors…Recorded 30 tackles with 21 solo tackles…Led the Big South with four interceptions while also adding three pass breakups and 10 pass defenses…Notched a career-high eight tackles with three solo tackles in his NC A&T debut against N.C. Central in the Duke's Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte…Added six solo tackles and a pass breakup in the victory over South Carolina State…Earned Big South Player of the Week honors after recording two interceptions in 24-13 win over Bryant…Recorded an interception in back-to-back games against Norfolk State and Charleston Southern.
Prior to North Carolina A&T
2021 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2021 season for the Jayhawks…Redshirted.
2020 (Freshman)
Appeared in and started in nine games during the 2020 season for the Jayhawks…Named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in his first season with Kansas…Earned 247Sports True Freshman All-American honors…Recorded 26 tackles with 22 solo tackles and a tackle-for-loss, 10 pass breakups, a forced fumble, and an interception…Allowed a 38.5 completion percentage while not giving up a single touchdown throughout the season…Led all freshman in the country with 10 pass breakups…Made his collegiate debut and first career start against Coastal Carolina, recording four solo tackles and a pass breakup…Posted a career-high three pass breakups at Oklahoma…Added a season-best six tackles against Iowa State…Recorded his first interception of his career against Texas Tech, also adding four solo tackles against the Red Raiders.
High School
Rated as a three-star prospect coming out of I.C. Norcom High School…Listed as the No. 30 recruit from Virginia by ESPN, and the No. 98 cornerback by 247Sports.
Personal
Son of Ronald and Suzette Prunty…Born on December 24, 2001.
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/ FootballQB Robbie Ashford takes it himself for the score
Thursday, September 11
Chris Barnes scores the TD on the game's first kick
Thursday, September 11
Matt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10
Matt Barrie SportsCenter on Wake Forest Campus (Arnold Palmer Complex)
Wednesday, September 10