Spring Showcase Offers ‘Small Taste’ of Wake Forest in the Dickert Era

Spring Showcase Offers ‘Small Taste’ of Wake Forest in the Dickert Era

5/5/2025 7:38:00 AM | Football

“I'm thankful for these guys. I'm thankful for them accepting the change and understanding what the new Wake Forest is going to look like. You got a small taste of that today, so just excited." - Jake Dickert

By: Les Johns

Just a day after the four-month anniversary of his hiring as new Wake Forest Football head coach, Jake Dickert led his Demon Deacons onto the Allegacy Stadium field to display what they've learned through the first 14 practices of spring camp in the annual Spring Showcase.

The scoring system was set up as offense versus defense, with the defense coming out slight victors after being a step ahead through most of camp; but the scrimmage wasn't without highlights from both sides.

"Just excited to see a lot of success out there, and you can see the hard work our men have put in over the last five weeks," Dickert said. "I'm thankful for these guys. I'm thankful for them accepting the change and understanding what the new Wake Forest is going to look like. You got a small taste of that today, so just excited."

Dickert and his staff rebuilt the quarterback room quickly once taking the reins, adding Charlotte sophomore transfer Deshawn Purdie and South Carolina senior transfer Robby Ashford as well as freshman Steele Pizzella.

"Offensively, it was Deshawn's (Purdie) best day in a long time, if I'm being honest," Dickert said about how they played in the Spring Showcase. "We wanted to go out there, throw the ball around a little bit, and spread it out. It's hard to tell in Thud [essentially not completely live tackling, as players aren't brought all the way to the ground] and live situations some of the playmaking ability after the catch, but that was a positive.

"Micah Mays showed he's a downfield threat. Don't worry—D.C. [Demond Claiborne] took the day off. He'll be carrying the ball plenty as we get going. Defensively, we were very stout. It's hard to play thud football. But the way they're flying around, the way they've bought into our system and what we're asking them to do—Nick Andersen has just been a stalwart and a leader on that side."

The quarterback competition will continue deep into Fall Camp it seems.

"We need more reps," Dickert said. "Both Deshawn and Robby—you can see a very distinct and different skill set. That's the biggest thing as we head into summer and fall camp—formulating the offense to fit their strengths.

"You can see the big arm. Deshawn made some great throws today. Every once in a while, decision-making and processing—those have to get to that elite level in this offense. And when Robby takes off, I mean, who's catching him? So just consistency on both sides for both guys—that's what we need to improve. Whoever can take care of the ball and lead this football team will be the first one out there. But don't be surprised if we start with two guys even going into the season."

There were some teachable moments for the Deacs as well, including getting a field goal blocked, taking a sack around the 30-yard line and multiple avoidable penalties.

"That's why I love the spring showcase," Dickert said. "Getting in pads, going in front of fans, running out of the tunnel—you learn a lot about your football team in those moments. We've got to have one heck of a summer to become the team we need to be to compete and win in the ACC."

One of the key focuses has been getting the team ready to go up front. An infusion of talent along the offensive and defensive lines has come together throughout the spring with some still working their way back from injury.
This has provided plenty of development opportunities over the 14 practices and in the Spring Showcase.

"I always start with the offensive line. And we haven't had most of our guys. We were cautious with some of them we knew would be out. But even still, the individual growth—George Sell, in his last year, still coming out and getting better every day, more confident. Clinton Richard, George Steih, Jack Hines—this group has the potential to be the most physical offensive line I've had as a head coach. I'm really excited about that. Now they've got to go do it, right?"

Fa'alili Fa'amoe, who transferred from Washington State to follow Dickert and his offensive line coach Jared Kaster, labels his style of blocking on the line "violent," a somewhat unusual adjective at that position.

"You've got to put your hand in the dirt and move people—and there's violence to that," Dickert said. "There's a mentality to it. That comes from Coach Kaster and (offensive coordinator) Coach Ezell. I've said it many times: physicality travels. And we need to do things nobody sees, so on game days, it's just second nature. You can't practice in pajamas and expect to be tough on Saturdays. It's a mindset.

"I love that he said that—violence, physicality. He's grown a lot, and I'm excited to help him put a stamp on his career here at Wake Forest."

Told repeatedly as he took the job as head coach that the secondary was the problem area of the Demon Deacon defense, Dickert has seen players like Nick Andersen, Rushaun Tongue and Davaughn Patterson thrive during camp.

"Our defense can be really successful when the spine of the defense is really good and they're communicating—and that starts with Nick Andersen," he said. "It's not just about what he did today—he might've played 10 snaps—it's about what he's done over these 15 practices. For a guy who's been here this long to be that focused and aggressive in the daily process—it's awesome to see. Davaughn Patterson is a flat-out pro in how he approaches everything. I've rarely had a player like that—he could probably play all five positions back there. Rushaun [Tongue] has been ultra-consistent. He's taken the next step in his development. But behind them, we need to continue building our depth. That's going to be a big part of what we focus on to complete our football team in the coming weeks."

So now that spring camp is over, it's time for Dickert and his staff to exhale, right?

Not exactly, as the NCAA Transfer Portal is open and they will be looking for the best possible student-athletes to join the Demon Deacons for the 2025 season to help firm up any potential weak spots.

"The biggest thing is value," Dickert said. "That's what you look for this time of year—who can add value to your football team? We know we have to add tight ends. That is a must. Every other position, we'll look at who can bring the right value to the team, who can add special teams, who can add starting depth, who can compete.

"That's what college football is about. And you have to pour into those kids, get them ready in a three-month period before game one. There's urgency to that, and that process has already begun. We're excited to add to this football team."