Wake Forest Athletics
Fun-Filled Event on Saturday Caps Successful Spring for Demon Deacons Football
4/19/2025 5:20:00 PM | Football
Deacon Nation was treated to a fun Spring Showcase that had unique and engaging fan elements as well as high-level football.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Demon Deacons fans of all ages turned out in full force for an action-packed Spring Showcase that brought energy, excitement, and exclusive access to the 2025 Wake Forest Football team. With the event not televised, those in attendance were treated to the only in-person preview of the Deacs ahead of the fall season—and it didn't disappoint.
Fans were treated to 436 total yards on offense and five touchdowns, while defensively the Deacs were led by Jaylen Edmond's team-high six tackles and a sack.
The team took the field in a high-energy practice with an offense-defense scoring system / format. From big plays that included a pair of touchdown passes by quarterback Deshawn Purdie and 10 different Deacs recorded four or more tackles on the defensive end, the on-field action gave Wake Forest fans tons of excitement as the Jake Dickert era commences this fall.
Beyond the gridiron, fans had a blast with interactive elements that brought them closer to the team. Specifically, the Punt, Pass & Kick Competition at halftime gave students and fans the chance to show off their skills alongside Wake Forest players, adding a unique and memorable twist to the day. Also, attendees scored big with exclusive giveaways, including Nike team gear, autographed items, gift cards and more.
Not to be outdone, all fans were welcome onto the field inside Allegacy Stadium after the Showcase for post-event autographs with Wake Forest's student-athletes and Coach Dickert. And, Wake Forest Athletics created a fan zone at the top of Deacon Hill underneath the Bob McCreary Video Board Honoring the Class of 1961 that opened 90 minutes prior to the Showcase beginning where fans were able to watch the Wake Forest vs. Boston College baseball game and there were activities for kids in this area too.
Finally, Wake Forest football handed out its B.E.S.T. awards at the end of the first quarter where Coach Dickert and his staff recognized Nick Andersen (Believe Award), Aiden Hall (Energy Award), Demond Claiborne and Davaughn Patterson (Strain Award) and Will Cobb (Togetherness Award) for their efforts throughout Spring Football and the spring semester.
From Coach Dickert
"First off, it was just amazing to be out there at Allegacy Stadium and see the fans come out with their amazing support. It just brings urgency to our guys' preparation. The band brought great energy. I thought the families' energy was amazing. I'm just excited to see a lot of success out there and see the hard work that our men put into the last five weeks. I'm thankful for these guys and I'm thankful for them accepting the change and understanding what the new Wake Forest is going to look like. I think you got a small taste of what that is going to look like today."
Friday's Alumni Networking Event
While Coach Dickert and Wake Forest's football program have approached this spring with the ideal of delivering their B.E.S.T. each day, that standard was expected off the field last night as Wake Forest's student-athletes helped ensure a successful future beyond the football field on last night as they connected with former football alums for the Deacs annual Alumni Networking Career Night.
2025 Season Tickets on Sale Now!
Ready to become a season ticket holder? Season tickets are available starting at just $149. Call the ticket office today at 336.758.3322 ext. 1 or visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets to secure your seat for the upcoming season.
Payment Plan Details
As in previous years, payment plans are available to Wake Forest football season ticket holders. Purchasers can opt in to a payment plan online or by speaking with a ticket office representative. The 2025 payment plan schedule for auto-renewal and traditional purchases are as follows:
Auto-Renewal, One-Installment Group: Paid in full at time of purchase for new customers.
Auto-Renewal, Four-Installment Payment Plan: Four equal payments charged at time of purchase, April 30, May 30 and June 30, 2025
Four-Installment Payment Plan, Traditional Purchases: Four equal payments charged at time of purchase, and then on April 30, May 30, June 30, 2025.
Parking Details for 2025 Season
Parking for the 2025 football season will look different for some as several parking lots for fans will be impacted by the construction of The Grounds mixed-use project on Deacon Boulevard. The popular Blue and Orange lots at Allegacy Stadium have decreased in size, but in effort to offset the loss of spaces, a new parking lot called The Grounds lot will be available for pass holders. This new Grounds Lot will be located right off Deacon Boulevard near the LJVM Coliseum and directly in line with the Gate 1 Fan Zone area of Allegacy Stadium. Season ticket holders are encouraged to purchase their season pass for parking at $150 and parking spots still remain in the Starry Lot located at the LJVM Coliseum. Please contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 or tix@wfu.edu for any specific questions or to purchase your parking pass for the 2025 football season.
Wake Forest Football Overview
Under the leadership of head coach Jake Dickert, the Wake Forest football program is ready to enter a new era heading into the 2025 season.
The Demon Deacons will look to build on previous success and that starts by "Protecting The Forest" and winning at home inside Allegacy Stadium. Since the start of the 2019 season, Wake Forest's 24 home victories ranks tied for seventh in the ACC during that span.
That standard will look to be upheld and more under Coach Dickert as he leads the program behind the core value, Deliver Your B.E.S.T.
Coach Dickert was a stabilizing force for the Washington State program in 2021 and turned it into one of the best programs on the west coast during his time in Pullman. He spent the final five games of the 2021 season as acting head coach, leading Washington State to a 3-2 record, earning a trip to the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl. The Apple Cup win in 2021 snapped a seven-game skid to Washington and was the Cougar's largest margin of victory in series history. Additionally, he helped the program navigate PAC-12 turmoil in 2024, helping guide the team to 8-4 season.
Coach Dickert has had a winning record and gone to a bowl three times during his time as a head coach. His teams started the 2024 season with a record of 8-1 and the 2023 season 4-0 while also beating three ranked teams in 2022 and 2023 and beat rival Washington multiple times.
During his time on the Palouse, he trained 2024 Heisman Finalist Cam Ward and 2024 Manning Finalist John Mateer. He also has had seven players drafted to the NFL in the last three years alone. With Dickert and Mateer this season, Washington State had the No. 11 scoring offense in the country in 2024, scoring nearly 37 points per game.
That identification of talent continued into his first offseason as the Wake Forest head coach, signing a top-30 transfer class in the country. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Fa'alili Fa'amoe, redshirt senior offensive lineman Devin Kylany, redshirt junior defensive lineman Gabe Kirschke and junior wide receiver Carlos Hernandez bolster an impact class.
In total, Wake Forest added 17,703 career snaps across 30 incoming midyear transfers who will integrate into the team for winter workouts and spring practice.
Those additions will play alongside a key group of high level talent that returns from the 2024 team, highlighted by All-American running back Demond Claiborne. The senior is the ACC's second leading returner rusher in the ACC with 1,049 yards and also the ACC's second leading returner in all-purpose yards with 1,579 yards. Last season, he ranked 11th nationally with 131.7 all-purpose yards per game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Deacs return multi-year starters and rising stars in redshirt senior defensive back Nick Andersen, redshirt senior linebacker Dylan Hazen and redshirt sophomore defensive back Davaughn Patterson.
Andersen is one of 10 returning players in FBS to have 120 or more tackles in 2024. He led the ACC with 122 total tackles in 2024 which was also the most by a Wake Forest player since Marquis Hopkins in 2001 (125 tackles).
Hazen and Patterson both started all 12 games in the front seven for Wake Forest last season and both recorded over 74 tackles for the Demon Deacons in 2024.
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
Fans were treated to 436 total yards on offense and five touchdowns, while defensively the Deacs were led by Jaylen Edmond's team-high six tackles and a sack.
The team took the field in a high-energy practice with an offense-defense scoring system / format. From big plays that included a pair of touchdown passes by quarterback Deshawn Purdie and 10 different Deacs recorded four or more tackles on the defensive end, the on-field action gave Wake Forest fans tons of excitement as the Jake Dickert era commences this fall.
Beyond the gridiron, fans had a blast with interactive elements that brought them closer to the team. Specifically, the Punt, Pass & Kick Competition at halftime gave students and fans the chance to show off their skills alongside Wake Forest players, adding a unique and memorable twist to the day. Also, attendees scored big with exclusive giveaways, including Nike team gear, autographed items, gift cards and more.
Not to be outdone, all fans were welcome onto the field inside Allegacy Stadium after the Showcase for post-event autographs with Wake Forest's student-athletes and Coach Dickert. And, Wake Forest Athletics created a fan zone at the top of Deacon Hill underneath the Bob McCreary Video Board Honoring the Class of 1961 that opened 90 minutes prior to the Showcase beginning where fans were able to watch the Wake Forest vs. Boston College baseball game and there were activities for kids in this area too.
Finally, Wake Forest football handed out its B.E.S.T. awards at the end of the first quarter where Coach Dickert and his staff recognized Nick Andersen (Believe Award), Aiden Hall (Energy Award), Demond Claiborne and Davaughn Patterson (Strain Award) and Will Cobb (Togetherness Award) for their efforts throughout Spring Football and the spring semester.
From Coach Dickert
"First off, it was just amazing to be out there at Allegacy Stadium and see the fans come out with their amazing support. It just brings urgency to our guys' preparation. The band brought great energy. I thought the families' energy was amazing. I'm just excited to see a lot of success out there and see the hard work that our men put into the last five weeks. I'm thankful for these guys and I'm thankful for them accepting the change and understanding what the new Wake Forest is going to look like. I think you got a small taste of what that is going to look like today."
Friday's Alumni Networking Event
While Coach Dickert and Wake Forest's football program have approached this spring with the ideal of delivering their B.E.S.T. each day, that standard was expected off the field last night as Wake Forest's student-athletes helped ensure a successful future beyond the football field on last night as they connected with former football alums for the Deacs annual Alumni Networking Career Night.
2025 Season Tickets on Sale Now!
Ready to become a season ticket holder? Season tickets are available starting at just $149. Call the ticket office today at 336.758.3322 ext. 1 or visit GoDeacs.com/Tickets to secure your seat for the upcoming season.
Payment Plan Details
As in previous years, payment plans are available to Wake Forest football season ticket holders. Purchasers can opt in to a payment plan online or by speaking with a ticket office representative. The 2025 payment plan schedule for auto-renewal and traditional purchases are as follows:
Auto-Renewal, One-Installment Group: Paid in full at time of purchase for new customers.
Auto-Renewal, Four-Installment Payment Plan: Four equal payments charged at time of purchase, April 30, May 30 and June 30, 2025
Four-Installment Payment Plan, Traditional Purchases: Four equal payments charged at time of purchase, and then on April 30, May 30, June 30, 2025.
Parking Details for 2025 Season
Parking for the 2025 football season will look different for some as several parking lots for fans will be impacted by the construction of The Grounds mixed-use project on Deacon Boulevard. The popular Blue and Orange lots at Allegacy Stadium have decreased in size, but in effort to offset the loss of spaces, a new parking lot called The Grounds lot will be available for pass holders. This new Grounds Lot will be located right off Deacon Boulevard near the LJVM Coliseum and directly in line with the Gate 1 Fan Zone area of Allegacy Stadium. Season ticket holders are encouraged to purchase their season pass for parking at $150 and parking spots still remain in the Starry Lot located at the LJVM Coliseum. Please contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 or tix@wfu.edu for any specific questions or to purchase your parking pass for the 2025 football season.
Wake Forest Football Overview
Under the leadership of head coach Jake Dickert, the Wake Forest football program is ready to enter a new era heading into the 2025 season.
The Demon Deacons will look to build on previous success and that starts by "Protecting The Forest" and winning at home inside Allegacy Stadium. Since the start of the 2019 season, Wake Forest's 24 home victories ranks tied for seventh in the ACC during that span.
That standard will look to be upheld and more under Coach Dickert as he leads the program behind the core value, Deliver Your B.E.S.T.
Coach Dickert was a stabilizing force for the Washington State program in 2021 and turned it into one of the best programs on the west coast during his time in Pullman. He spent the final five games of the 2021 season as acting head coach, leading Washington State to a 3-2 record, earning a trip to the Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl. The Apple Cup win in 2021 snapped a seven-game skid to Washington and was the Cougar's largest margin of victory in series history. Additionally, he helped the program navigate PAC-12 turmoil in 2024, helping guide the team to 8-4 season.
Coach Dickert has had a winning record and gone to a bowl three times during his time as a head coach. His teams started the 2024 season with a record of 8-1 and the 2023 season 4-0 while also beating three ranked teams in 2022 and 2023 and beat rival Washington multiple times.
During his time on the Palouse, he trained 2024 Heisman Finalist Cam Ward and 2024 Manning Finalist John Mateer. He also has had seven players drafted to the NFL in the last three years alone. With Dickert and Mateer this season, Washington State had the No. 11 scoring offense in the country in 2024, scoring nearly 37 points per game.
That identification of talent continued into his first offseason as the Wake Forest head coach, signing a top-30 transfer class in the country. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Fa'alili Fa'amoe, redshirt senior offensive lineman Devin Kylany, redshirt junior defensive lineman Gabe Kirschke and junior wide receiver Carlos Hernandez bolster an impact class.
In total, Wake Forest added 17,703 career snaps across 30 incoming midyear transfers who will integrate into the team for winter workouts and spring practice.
Those additions will play alongside a key group of high level talent that returns from the 2024 team, highlighted by All-American running back Demond Claiborne. The senior is the ACC's second leading returner rusher in the ACC with 1,049 yards and also the ACC's second leading returner in all-purpose yards with 1,579 yards. Last season, he ranked 11th nationally with 131.7 all-purpose yards per game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Deacs return multi-year starters and rising stars in redshirt senior defensive back Nick Andersen, redshirt senior linebacker Dylan Hazen and redshirt sophomore defensive back Davaughn Patterson.
Andersen is one of 10 returning players in FBS to have 120 or more tackles in 2024. He led the ACC with 122 total tackles in 2024 which was also the most by a Wake Forest player since Marquis Hopkins in 2001 (125 tackles).
Hazen and Patterson both started all 12 games in the front seven for Wake Forest last season and both recorded over 74 tackles for the Demon Deacons in 2024.
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
Players Mentioned
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