Wake Forest Athletics
Pro Deacs: Conference Championship Weekends and Season Recap
1/27/2025 7:52:00 PM | Football
The 2024 edition of Pro Deacs comes to a close during Conference Championship weekend.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Pro Deacs made their final appearance during the 2024 NFL season during conference championship weekend, highlighted by Sam Hartman and the Commanders fighting for a spot in the Super Bowl, one former Demon Deacon returning to the Tar Heel state, and a look back at an eventful 2024 season for our Pro Deacs.
Sam Hartman and Washington Commanders Battle for Spot in Super Bowl
Quarterback Sam Hartman and the Washington Commanders battled against their NFC East divisional rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, in Washington's first NFC Championship appearance since they won the Super Bowl 1992 on Sunday. Ultimately, Hartman and the Commanders came up short against the Eagles, falling 55-23.
Panthers Sign Boogie Basham to Futures Contract
Defensive lineman Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr. will be coming back to the Tar Heel state next season, having signed a futures contract with the Carolina Panthers, as reported by the Panthers this past Tuesday. Basham Jr. brings a veteran presence to Carolina's defensive line. Basham is a former second-round pick by the Buffalo Bills back in 2021, before being traded to the New York Giants in 2023. Basham spent this past season with the Giants, having recorded nine tackles with one solo tackle and two tackles-for-loss across the final four games of the season. In his four year NFL career, Basham has appeared in 40 games, making 57 tackles with 26 solo efforts, nine tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks, along with three pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and an interception.
#ProDeacs Conference Championship Results
Sam Hartman and Washington Commanders Battle for Spot in Super Bowl
Quarterback Sam Hartman and the Washington Commanders battled against their NFC East divisional rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, in Washington's first NFC Championship appearance since they won the Super Bowl 1992 on Sunday. Ultimately, Hartman and the Commanders came up short against the Eagles, falling 55-23.
Panthers Sign Boogie Basham to Futures Contract
Defensive lineman Carlos "Boogie" Basham Jr. will be coming back to the Tar Heel state next season, having signed a futures contract with the Carolina Panthers, as reported by the Panthers this past Tuesday. Basham Jr. brings a veteran presence to Carolina's defensive line. Basham is a former second-round pick by the Buffalo Bills back in 2021, before being traded to the New York Giants in 2023. Basham spent this past season with the Giants, having recorded nine tackles with one solo tackle and two tackles-for-loss across the final four games of the season. In his four year NFL career, Basham has appeared in 40 games, making 57 tackles with 26 solo efforts, nine tackles-for-loss, and 4.5 sacks, along with three pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and an interception.
#ProDeacs Conference Championship Results
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Philadelphia Eagles 55 defeated Washington Commanders 23
- Pro Deacs recorded breakout seasons during the 2024 NFL seasons, with several players stepping up into premier roles and setting new career-highs in the process, such as linebacker Justin Strnad of the Denver Broncos, defensive lineman Kobie Turner of the Los Angeles Rams, and wide receiver Greg Dorth of the Arizona Cardinals.
- Strand had a career-best season with the Denver Broncos in 2024, setting new career-highs in every single defensive category. Strnad finished his season with 73 total tackles with 48 solo tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, and three sacks while sliding into the starting lineup at the inside linebacker position.
- Turner excelled during his sophomore season in the NFL with the Rams. After being named as a team captain before the season, Turner finished the regular season with career-highs in tackles (62), solo tackles (35) and tackles-for-loss (8.5). Turner also ranked second on the Rams with eight sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. During the playoffs, Turner ten tackles with seven solo efforts and three sacks to lead the Rams to the NFC Divisional round against the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Dortch had another solid season in 2024, hauling in a career-high three touchdowns, including recording his first-career multi-touchdown game in the regular season finale against the San Francisco 49ers. In total, Dortch ended the season with 37 catches for 342 yards.
- Pro Deacs continued to solidify themselves as some of the best players in the NFL at their given position, including safety Jessie Bates III of the Atlanta Falcons, and offensive Zach Tom of the Green Bay Packers:
- Bates III finished the season ranked inside the top-15 among safeties according to Pro Football Focus, holding an 80.2 defensive grade. Bates also held an 81.4 coverage grade, which set him inside the top-10 among safeties. Overall, Bates finished the 2024 NFL season with 102 tackles with 62 solo tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, and four pass defenses. Bates also recorded four forced fumbles, which ranked tied-for-fourth in the NFL, and four interceptions, including a pick-six against the Giants.
- Tom continued his stellar career with the Packers, helping them earn a spot in the Wildcard round of the playoffs. Tom finished the season as one of the premier offensive tackles in the NFL, as his 85.8 offensive grade ranked fifth among offensive tackles in 2024, while his 87.8 run block grade ranked third.
- The 2024 season was also a season full of firsts for Pro Deacs, such as the debuts of safety Malik Mustapha and cornerback Caelen Carson, as well as first-career moments from tight end Blake Whiteheart of the Cleveland Browns and wide receiver Alex Bachman of the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Mustapha had a stellar rookie campaign with the San Francisco 49ers during the 2024 season, finishing the year with 72 tackles with 32 solo tackles and two tackles-for-loss, as well as five pass defenses and an interception.
- Carson had a solid rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, ending the year with 27 tackles with 24 solo efforts and five pass defenses across only six games.
- Whiteheart recorded both his first-career reception and first-career touchdown this past season against the Las Vegas Raiders. In total, Whiteheart ended 2024 with six catches for 51 yards and one touchdown.
- After five years in the league while primarily bouncing around practice squads, Bachman joined the Raiders and was called up to their active roster this season. In Las Vegas' 32-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bachman recorded his first career receptions, finishing the game with three catches for 31 yards.
Players Mentioned
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