Patterson Ready to Take Game to New Heights
5/16/2025 8:23:00 AM | Football
“The new coaching staff came in and exceeded my expectations. They bring a lot of energy.” - Davaughn Patterson
As Wake Forest Football barrels toward the season opener against Kennesaw State on Aug. 29 at Allegacy Stadium, it's pretty clear that superstar running back Demond Claiborne will be the straw that stirs the drink for the offense. He's going to get the ball in space with an opportunity to make plays often, and the times he doesn't he'll very often be vital as either a decoy or a blocker.
On defense, that guy very well could be redshirt sophomore Davaughn Patterson. A hard hitter with great instincts, Patterson has been considered a safety in the past — and on paper that's likely to remain the case, but he's being groomed to play in several spots across the field and is one of the best leaders by example in the locker room.
If the Demon Deacons take a big step forward defensively under new head coach Jake Dickert and new defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton, it'll likely be because Patterson optimized his opportunities to make an impact. And he's the type of player who covets those opportunities.
"I like helping my team however I can," Patterson said. "It's fun for me to play different positions and try to impact the game from multiple perspectives. I like when teams on the field are pointing at me, saying, "Watch 13, watch 5." That always gives me more juice to go out there and play hard."
It didn't take long in Spring Camp for Patterson to make his presence felt. He nabbed an interception in the third practice and in the first segment with live tackling he absolutely blasted a receiver, resulting in the ball coming loose. The focus on increased energy and enthusiasm that has been installed as part of the new Wake Forest Football culture suits Patterson's playing style well.
"I just went into my drop. I saw the over route coming, then I looked back at the QB and saw the ball in the air," he said about his interception. "I had to go get it.
"My teammates and the coaches — they bring it (energy) out of everybody. We all want the best for each other. We all want to see each other doing well and making plays out there. So when everyone is out there making plays, the energy just goes up, and you naturally want to follow it and lift your teammates up."
While Patterson exudes confidence and is clearly one of the defensive back leaders, there are others who returned who are more vocal that fill that gap. Patterson will continue learning those tactics from a player like Nick Andersen, just as he did the past two seasons with Malik Mustapha and Evan Slocum.
"I've always stayed close to the leaders and captains of the team and defense throughout the years," he said. "Just being around those guys and watching them throughout their time here — guys like Malik, guys like Evan last year, watching Nick — I stayed close to them and just built off what they showed me. I've tried to take that and make it my own so that I can be a leader for my team and my teammates, on and off the field."
Patterson broke out as a redshirt freshman last season, finishing the year with 74 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, an interception and three pass breakups. As the Demon Deacons went through a short transition period with Dickert being hired to replace the departing Dave Clawson, Patterson stayed calm and measured in his decision-making process.
"As far as coming back, I have a special place in my heart for Wake," Patterson said. "They were the biggest team that offered me and really showed interest. Even with the coaching staff leaving, I still had to give Wake Forest a chance. And the new coaching staff came in and exceeded my expectations. They bring a lot of energy. They care about you a lot. That was another reason for me to stick around."
After seeing the way Patterson conducted himself in the early months of the year and then the 15 Spring Camp practices, Dickert came away impressed.
"Davaughn Patterson is a flat-out pro in how he approaches everything," he said. "I've rarely had a player like that — he could probably play all five positions back there."
And Dickert isn't being hyperbolic. Patterson will be in multiple positions making impact plays for the Demon Deacons in 2025.
On defense, that guy very well could be redshirt sophomore Davaughn Patterson. A hard hitter with great instincts, Patterson has been considered a safety in the past — and on paper that's likely to remain the case, but he's being groomed to play in several spots across the field and is one of the best leaders by example in the locker room.
If the Demon Deacons take a big step forward defensively under new head coach Jake Dickert and new defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton, it'll likely be because Patterson optimized his opportunities to make an impact. And he's the type of player who covets those opportunities.
"I like helping my team however I can," Patterson said. "It's fun for me to play different positions and try to impact the game from multiple perspectives. I like when teams on the field are pointing at me, saying, "Watch 13, watch 5." That always gives me more juice to go out there and play hard."
It didn't take long in Spring Camp for Patterson to make his presence felt. He nabbed an interception in the third practice and in the first segment with live tackling he absolutely blasted a receiver, resulting in the ball coming loose. The focus on increased energy and enthusiasm that has been installed as part of the new Wake Forest Football culture suits Patterson's playing style well.
"I just went into my drop. I saw the over route coming, then I looked back at the QB and saw the ball in the air," he said about his interception. "I had to go get it.
"My teammates and the coaches — they bring it (energy) out of everybody. We all want the best for each other. We all want to see each other doing well and making plays out there. So when everyone is out there making plays, the energy just goes up, and you naturally want to follow it and lift your teammates up."
While Patterson exudes confidence and is clearly one of the defensive back leaders, there are others who returned who are more vocal that fill that gap. Patterson will continue learning those tactics from a player like Nick Andersen, just as he did the past two seasons with Malik Mustapha and Evan Slocum.
"I've always stayed close to the leaders and captains of the team and defense throughout the years," he said. "Just being around those guys and watching them throughout their time here — guys like Malik, guys like Evan last year, watching Nick — I stayed close to them and just built off what they showed me. I've tried to take that and make it my own so that I can be a leader for my team and my teammates, on and off the field."
Patterson broke out as a redshirt freshman last season, finishing the year with 74 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, an interception and three pass breakups. As the Demon Deacons went through a short transition period with Dickert being hired to replace the departing Dave Clawson, Patterson stayed calm and measured in his decision-making process.
"As far as coming back, I have a special place in my heart for Wake," Patterson said. "They were the biggest team that offered me and really showed interest. Even with the coaching staff leaving, I still had to give Wake Forest a chance. And the new coaching staff came in and exceeded my expectations. They bring a lot of energy. They care about you a lot. That was another reason for me to stick around."
After seeing the way Patterson conducted himself in the early months of the year and then the 15 Spring Camp practices, Dickert came away impressed.
"Davaughn Patterson is a flat-out pro in how he approaches everything," he said. "I've rarely had a player like that — he could probably play all five positions back there."
And Dickert isn't being hyperbolic. Patterson will be in multiple positions making impact plays for the Demon Deacons in 2025.
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/ FootballWake Forest Football Highlights vs WCU (Sept 6, 2025)
Sunday, September 07
Sterling Berkhalter snags a 51-yard touchdown
Saturday, September 06
Demond Claiborne takes it 85 yards for his 3rd TD of the day
Saturday, September 06
Claiborne get his 2nd score of the day
Saturday, September 06