Wake Forest Athletics
Claiborne Enjoying New Energy Going into 2025
4/7/2025 8:29:00 AM | Football
“Hearing a coach express passion makes you sit up and get excited for what's ahead.” - Demond Claiborne
While Timmy's Hot Chicken is certainly a local favorite, Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne will always remember it was the spot where he and a pair of his teammates got an email announcing an important team-wide Zoom meeting they needed to attend.
The 2024 season was over and the finals were complete, and Claiborne had already mapped out his return to the Deacs for his senior season in 2025, but there was sweeping change coming to the Demon Deacon Football program, as head coach Dave Clawson was about to announce his departure after a wildly successful 11-year tenure.
"Once we joined the meeting, it became clear that Coach Clawson was very emotional, expressing concerns about the direction of college football," Claiborne said. "He felt it was best for him to step down.
"The reactions during the Zoom call were intense. I even left the chat because it felt overwhelming. Things felt very off. I wasn't really focused on myself at that point; I was just thinking about how things could have been different."
It didn't take long for Claiborne to connect with Wake Forest athletic director John Currie, who asked that the star running back hold off before making any further decisions until he gets a chance to meet the new head coach.
That process didn't take long, as Jake Dickert was announced as the 33rd Wake Forest football coach in program history, with Dickert making a point to single out Claiborne during his introductory press conference as someone he was prioritizing speaking with — later that very day, as it turned out.
"Can you help me emotionally and mentally get to where I want to be?" Claiborne asked Dickert, in his first few hours on the job in Winston-Salem.
"I assured him that physically, I would improve through workouts and commitment to training," Claiborne said. "But off the field, I needed guidance as a man."
"I don't know you yet, but I want to get to know you," Dickert responded
Dickert said he didn't deliver a sales pitch to Claiborne, and didn't dwell on revenue sharing, NIL or his on-the-field role.
"I asked him about himself, his family, the struggles he's faced, why he came here, and how he's matured," Dickert said. "It turned into a one-sided conversation with him doing most of the talking. I gave him a little insight into what we planned to do and why he fit, but it was more about understanding who he is and who he wants to be.
"I wanted to create value for him, and when they realize that this approach is a bit different from what everyone else is telling them, I think it makes a big impact. I believe it's an authentic way to interact."
Although Claiborne arrived as a freshman three years ago with breakaway speed and the ability to make people miss in space, it took awhile for him to come to trust then Wake Forest running back coach John Hunter, but they eventually built an inseparable bond. The day after Claiborne's meeting with Dickert, he spoke with Hunter who explained he wouldn't be returning.
"Don't make your decision based on what I do," Hunter told Claiborne. "You need to make the best decision for yourself, and whatever you choose, I'm going to fully support you."
With the monumental task of building both a roster and a coaching staff in the same truncated timeframe, Dickert made quick progress, hiring Effrem Reed as the new running backs coach.
"I connected with Coach Reed, who has a great vibe; he's a much younger coach but genuinely cares," Claiborne said. "When I got sick with the flu, he reached out to make sure I was doing okay and had everything I needed. The biggest change, which I've fully embraced, is the weight room. I believe Coach Ben (Iannacchione) and his staff are the glue that will keep us together. We do so much training with them, and it's about more than just football."
Suddenly getting started at 5 a.m. to lift is something that excites Claiborne.
"Even on tough mornings, I'm eager to be around a great group of guys," he said. "Their energy during workouts and their passion for what they do are contagious. Many of the strengths we develop come from the fact that it's such a developmental program. When younger players join, we're focused on developing everyone and building up our older guys as well. Everyone is expected to work hard; if you're a freshman and you're ready to play, then you'll play."
Dickert is naturally high-energy and he's hired a staff that exemplifies those qualities as well. The product is a younger, more vibrant atmosphere surrounding the program than returning players are accustomed.
"The vibe in the locker room has been tremendous," Claiborne said.
"If you don't believe, get out," Claiborne said Dickert told them in the first team meeting.
"Having a coach who carries that level of conviction—he wants us to win games—really sets a tone," Claiborne said. "He emphasizes that we're going into games to dominate, not just to compete. Hearing a coach express that kind of passion makes you sit up and get excited for what's ahead."
Claiborne had the 13th 1,000 yard rushing season in Wake Forest program history last season, going for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns on 228 carries. He added 23 receptions and two receiving touchdowns; as well as one score out of the 11 kickoffs he returned. In spring conversations with Dickert, it's apparent the current thought process is to involve Claiborne in the offense in as many different ways as possible. Claiborne moved into 20th place in Wake Forest all-time rushing yards with 1,649, just behind Brian Piccolo with 1,735.
"It's definitely been a journey, but looking back, I'm happy with my decision," Claiborne said. "Now, it's time to grind and work for what I want in the future."
The 2024 season was over and the finals were complete, and Claiborne had already mapped out his return to the Deacs for his senior season in 2025, but there was sweeping change coming to the Demon Deacon Football program, as head coach Dave Clawson was about to announce his departure after a wildly successful 11-year tenure.
"Once we joined the meeting, it became clear that Coach Clawson was very emotional, expressing concerns about the direction of college football," Claiborne said. "He felt it was best for him to step down.
"The reactions during the Zoom call were intense. I even left the chat because it felt overwhelming. Things felt very off. I wasn't really focused on myself at that point; I was just thinking about how things could have been different."
It didn't take long for Claiborne to connect with Wake Forest athletic director John Currie, who asked that the star running back hold off before making any further decisions until he gets a chance to meet the new head coach.
That process didn't take long, as Jake Dickert was announced as the 33rd Wake Forest football coach in program history, with Dickert making a point to single out Claiborne during his introductory press conference as someone he was prioritizing speaking with — later that very day, as it turned out.
"Can you help me emotionally and mentally get to where I want to be?" Claiborne asked Dickert, in his first few hours on the job in Winston-Salem.
"I assured him that physically, I would improve through workouts and commitment to training," Claiborne said. "But off the field, I needed guidance as a man."
"I don't know you yet, but I want to get to know you," Dickert responded
Dickert said he didn't deliver a sales pitch to Claiborne, and didn't dwell on revenue sharing, NIL or his on-the-field role.
"I asked him about himself, his family, the struggles he's faced, why he came here, and how he's matured," Dickert said. "It turned into a one-sided conversation with him doing most of the talking. I gave him a little insight into what we planned to do and why he fit, but it was more about understanding who he is and who he wants to be.
"I wanted to create value for him, and when they realize that this approach is a bit different from what everyone else is telling them, I think it makes a big impact. I believe it's an authentic way to interact."
Although Claiborne arrived as a freshman three years ago with breakaway speed and the ability to make people miss in space, it took awhile for him to come to trust then Wake Forest running back coach John Hunter, but they eventually built an inseparable bond. The day after Claiborne's meeting with Dickert, he spoke with Hunter who explained he wouldn't be returning.
"Don't make your decision based on what I do," Hunter told Claiborne. "You need to make the best decision for yourself, and whatever you choose, I'm going to fully support you."
With the monumental task of building both a roster and a coaching staff in the same truncated timeframe, Dickert made quick progress, hiring Effrem Reed as the new running backs coach.
"I connected with Coach Reed, who has a great vibe; he's a much younger coach but genuinely cares," Claiborne said. "When I got sick with the flu, he reached out to make sure I was doing okay and had everything I needed. The biggest change, which I've fully embraced, is the weight room. I believe Coach Ben (Iannacchione) and his staff are the glue that will keep us together. We do so much training with them, and it's about more than just football."
Suddenly getting started at 5 a.m. to lift is something that excites Claiborne.
"Even on tough mornings, I'm eager to be around a great group of guys," he said. "Their energy during workouts and their passion for what they do are contagious. Many of the strengths we develop come from the fact that it's such a developmental program. When younger players join, we're focused on developing everyone and building up our older guys as well. Everyone is expected to work hard; if you're a freshman and you're ready to play, then you'll play."
Dickert is naturally high-energy and he's hired a staff that exemplifies those qualities as well. The product is a younger, more vibrant atmosphere surrounding the program than returning players are accustomed.
"The vibe in the locker room has been tremendous," Claiborne said.
"If you don't believe, get out," Claiborne said Dickert told them in the first team meeting.
"Having a coach who carries that level of conviction—he wants us to win games—really sets a tone," Claiborne said. "He emphasizes that we're going into games to dominate, not just to compete. Hearing a coach express that kind of passion makes you sit up and get excited for what's ahead."
Claiborne had the 13th 1,000 yard rushing season in Wake Forest program history last season, going for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns on 228 carries. He added 23 receptions and two receiving touchdowns; as well as one score out of the 11 kickoffs he returned. In spring conversations with Dickert, it's apparent the current thought process is to involve Claiborne in the offense in as many different ways as possible. Claiborne moved into 20th place in Wake Forest all-time rushing yards with 1,649, just behind Brian Piccolo with 1,735.
"It's definitely been a journey, but looking back, I'm happy with my decision," Claiborne said. "Now, it's time to grind and work for what I want in the future."
Players Mentioned
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