Edwards and Wide Receivers Pushing Forward Collectively
5/29/2025 9:51:00 AM | Football
“It’s been a collective deal. There are a lot of guys stepping up.” - Nick Edwards
It's easy to ponder the plight of all the returning football Demon Deacons as they adjust to a completely new staff, evolving culture and restructured offensive and defensive systems — especially those who may have already been in the program for five-or-six years.
But obviously there's major adjustments for the new staff as well, who are learning to work with nearly 100 new players, and a different athletic administration, fan base and home environment.
For new Wake Forest Balogh Family Football Assistant Coach for Wide Receivers Nick Edwards, he's found himself leaning on receivers in his room like Micah Mays, Ben Grice and EJ Reid to help navigate Winston-Salem.
"I ask Micah a lot of different questions — about food, mostly," Edwards said with a chuckle. "Like, where's the best place to go? Because in Pullman, we didn't have that many options. Micah's done a phenomenal job with that. Ben Grice has helped out, and EJ's another one. Those guys have been awesome with the transition."
There are changes aplenty on the field as well, as a revamped receivers room works through a new offensive scheme whipped up by new offensive coordinator Rob Ezell.
"We did a really good job today," Edwards said following a late Spring Camp practice. "We have an explosive running back, and the first step for us is we always have to block on the perimeter. When that happens, everything opens up downfield. You saw Sterling (Berkhalter) catch a deep post later in the scrimmage, and things like that open up a lot of different options for us — especially the quick game and some play-action shots. So we were excited about what we saw today."
For this all to work, everyone has to be willing to work together with an open mind and willing heart.
"It's been a collective deal," Edwards said. "Because it's my first time working with these guys, there are a lot of guys stepping up. Micah Mays has done a phenomenal job. He played last year, and his physicality — when the ball is in his hands — he does really good stuff. You saw Sawyer Racanelli today, who caught a go ball down the sideline. He's a gritty guy too. He puts his face in there on certain run plays.
"I already mentioned Sterling Berkhalter. Carlos Hernandez has done a phenomenal job all camp. Carlos was at Washington State, so we already kind of know what he can do. And EJ showed up today, caught a couple balls, and he's been having a solid camp as well. So it's been a group effort—guys are doing a really good job for us."
After stints with Eastern Washington, California, Cal Poly and the Atlanta Falcons to begin his coaching career, Edwards worked as receivers coach with head coach Jake Dickert at Washington State the last two seasons. Washington State receiver Kyle Williams Kyle Williams was named to the preseason 2024 Biletnikoff Award Watch List, which is awarded to the top receiver of the season. He finished the year with 70 receptions for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns, and was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
"First it was Coach Dickert — what he does with the program in terms of building culture and things like that," Edwards said about what drew him to follow Dickert to Winston-Salem. "Wake Forest has a rich history; they've been the winningest school in the state over the past decade. That speaks volumes in itself. So they've been doing a great job, and it's been awesome to be here so far."
But obviously there's major adjustments for the new staff as well, who are learning to work with nearly 100 new players, and a different athletic administration, fan base and home environment.
For new Wake Forest Balogh Family Football Assistant Coach for Wide Receivers Nick Edwards, he's found himself leaning on receivers in his room like Micah Mays, Ben Grice and EJ Reid to help navigate Winston-Salem.
"I ask Micah a lot of different questions — about food, mostly," Edwards said with a chuckle. "Like, where's the best place to go? Because in Pullman, we didn't have that many options. Micah's done a phenomenal job with that. Ben Grice has helped out, and EJ's another one. Those guys have been awesome with the transition."
There are changes aplenty on the field as well, as a revamped receivers room works through a new offensive scheme whipped up by new offensive coordinator Rob Ezell.
"We did a really good job today," Edwards said following a late Spring Camp practice. "We have an explosive running back, and the first step for us is we always have to block on the perimeter. When that happens, everything opens up downfield. You saw Sterling (Berkhalter) catch a deep post later in the scrimmage, and things like that open up a lot of different options for us — especially the quick game and some play-action shots. So we were excited about what we saw today."
For this all to work, everyone has to be willing to work together with an open mind and willing heart.
"It's been a collective deal," Edwards said. "Because it's my first time working with these guys, there are a lot of guys stepping up. Micah Mays has done a phenomenal job. He played last year, and his physicality — when the ball is in his hands — he does really good stuff. You saw Sawyer Racanelli today, who caught a go ball down the sideline. He's a gritty guy too. He puts his face in there on certain run plays.
"I already mentioned Sterling Berkhalter. Carlos Hernandez has done a phenomenal job all camp. Carlos was at Washington State, so we already kind of know what he can do. And EJ showed up today, caught a couple balls, and he's been having a solid camp as well. So it's been a group effort—guys are doing a really good job for us."
After stints with Eastern Washington, California, Cal Poly and the Atlanta Falcons to begin his coaching career, Edwards worked as receivers coach with head coach Jake Dickert at Washington State the last two seasons. Washington State receiver Kyle Williams Kyle Williams was named to the preseason 2024 Biletnikoff Award Watch List, which is awarded to the top receiver of the season. He finished the year with 70 receptions for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns, and was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
"First it was Coach Dickert — what he does with the program in terms of building culture and things like that," Edwards said about what drew him to follow Dickert to Winston-Salem. "Wake Forest has a rich history; they've been the winningest school in the state over the past decade. That speaks volumes in itself. So they've been doing a great job, and it's been awesome to be here so far."
Players Mentioned
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Wake 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