
Wake Forest Welcomes Summer Enrollees
6/24/2025 4:47:00 PM | Football
The Demon Deacons added 32 players for summer classes.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – With fall camp just a few months away and the season less than 70 days away, the Wake Forest football team has added a new infusion of talent to the roster. The Demon Deacons welcome 32 summer enrollees for the first season of the Jake Dickert era.
The list of Deacs who will join the team for spring ball includes 16 incoming who signed with Wake Forest during the early signing period:
16 transfers also join the Demon Deacons ahead of winter workouts and spring football:
Meet the Demon Deacons
Summer High School Additions:
Jamar Searcy | RB | 5-8 | 180 | Pittsburg, CA / Pittsburg High School
Rated as a three-star prospect according to 247Sports… Led Pittsburg High School to the Division 1-AA State Finals during his senior season… As a senior, rushed for 1,470 yards with 18 touchdowns, averaging 105.0 yards per game, while also adding 300 yards and three touchdowns receiving… Also played safety where he added 49 tackles with 37 solo tackles and two interceptions… Rushed for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns to go along with 20 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns as a junior… Also intercepted four passes during the 2023 season… As a sophomore, recorded 695 rushing yards, 276 receiving yards, and 14 total touchdowns while also recording a career-high six interceptions and 61 tackles on defense… Also plays varsity basketball for Pittsburg.
Personal
Son of Donte and Lakia Searcy… Born on March 17, 2007.
Kalil Townes | RB | 5-10 | 200 | Atlanta, GA / The Lovett School
Played three years of varsity football under head coach Mike Muschamp at the Lovett School… During his senior season, recorded 838 rushing yards across seven games, averaging 119.7 yards per game and 7.4 yards per carry… Recorded three games with at least 100 yards rushing, including a career-high 197 yards against Spencer… Also added four catches and 14 receiving yards… Totaled 206 yards and two rushing touchdowns during his junior season… Recorded his first career 100-yard game against Luella… Ran for both of his touchdowns on the year in a victory over Hampton… Added 30 yards and a touchdown during his sophomore season… Recorded his first career touchdown in his high school debut against McNair… Also played basketball at Lovett.
Aidan Martin | OL | 6-6 | 265 | Denver, CO / Northfield High School
Rated as a three-star prospect and the fifth-best overall prospect in Colorado by 247Sports…Named as the No. 10 overall prospect in Colorado by Sports Illustrated prior to his senior season…Helped lead Northfield High School to a 4A Denver Metro League Championship as a senior…Also led Northfield to an 8-4 record during his junior season.
Personal
Son of James and Elizabeth Martin…Born on February 16, 2007
Jaishaun Offutt | OL | 6-3 | 342 | Winchester, VA | John Handley High School
Began freshman year on JV but was moved up to varsity midway through the season…Played right tackle as a sophomore…Moved to left tackle under coaching his junior year…Handley averaged 403.6 yards per game compared to 331.2 Y/G in 2022, and averaged 113.6 more yards per game on the ground (289.9) per The Winchester Star…Earned First Team All-District honors as a senior…Previously garnered First Team All-Region accolades on offense and defense…Two-time state shot put champion…Also played basketball.
Personal
Son of Tawanda Shepherd…Born January 13, 2007.
William Saba | OL | 6-5 | 272 | Purcellville, VA / Loudoun Valley High School
Team captain for Loudoun Valley as a senior…Earned First Team All-District and All-Region honors as a senior…Played on both the offensive and defensive line, recording 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack throughout his career…Only started playing football at any level his junior year in 2023…Helped lead Loudoun Valley to a 7-5 record and the VHSL Class 4 playoffs in 2023.
Personal
Son of Betty and Bill Saba…Born September 29, 2006
Bryce Kania | WR | 6-4 | 200 | Princeton, NJ / The Hun School of Princeton
Ranked as the No. 32 recruit in New Jersey…Played four years of varsity football and was a team captain his senior year…As a senior, he tallied 44 receptions for 1,082 yards and 17 touchdowns…Also he was a two-way started as a senior and recorded five interceptions on defense…Named Team MVP in 2024…Finished the 2024 season ranked second in touchdown receptions and total receiving yards in New Jersey…Finished his junior year with 630 total receiving yards, 13 TDs, seven tackles, and one interception…His legacy at The Hun School of Princeton includes being the football programs all-time leader in touchdown catches with 29…Also played varsity basketball and ran track.
Personal
Son of Jeffrey and Christine Kania…Brothers to Drew and Chase…Born April 27, 2006.
Hugh O'Brien | WR | 6-0 | 190 | Charlotte, NC / Charlotte Catholic
Played two seasons of varsity football at Charlotte Catholic… Earned Southwestern 4A All-Conference honors during his senior season… Recorded 359 receiving yards and a touchdown reception, averaging 32.6 yards per game and 15.0 yards per catch as a senior… Also added 55 yards on the ground.
Charlie Wingfield | TE | 6-4 | 239 | Franklin Lakes, NJ / Ramapo High School
Has completed three years as a varsity athlete for Ramapo…A multifaceted player, competing as an outside linebacker, wide receiver, and tight end throughout his three seasons…Named team captain as a senior when his team won the state sectional championship…Tallied a total 315 receiving yards and 53 total tackles during his sophomore year…Helped lead the Raiders to a 12-1 season and the 2023 NJSIAA championship game, 11th overall in the state…His team was the North Group 3 State Champs in 2023…Following his junior season, he earned First Team All-League, All-County & All-North Jersey honors as a tight end…Ranked No. 6 in New Jersey for FGs made and No. 5 for KPts…Had 53 total tackles, 21 solo and 32 assisted…Also has a total 43 for 51 extra points attempts and 315 receiving yards as a junior…Competes for the varsity basketball and baseball teams, serving as captain for basketball.
Personal
Son of Andy and Charlene Wingfield…Has two older brothers, Matt & AJ and one younger sister, Sara…Born January 20, 2007… His mother played women's soccer at Duke from 1988-92 and his father played football at Susquehanna from 1988-92… Aunt played basketball at Manhattan College (1985-89) and his uncle played basketball at Trinity College (1995-99). Brother, AJ, played football at Ithaca College from 2019-23.
Cole Funderburk | DL | 6-3 | 235 | Suwanee, GA / North Gwinnett High School
Named preseason All-State 6A in Georgia heading into his senior year…Recorded 62 tackles, including 34.0 tackles for loss and 10 sacks during his senior season and was a captain on his team…Led the North Gwinnett team with 16.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and 35.0 tackles for loss as a junior in 2023…Also ranked 6th in the state of Georgia for sacks in 2023…During the 2022 season, totaled 59 tackles (16 TFL), 15 sacks, 15 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles and an interception…Led his team to the quarterfinals of the Georgia AAAAAA Playoffs as a sophomore…Recorded 186 tackles, 85.0 tackles for loss, 41 sacks, 69 hurries, eight forced fumbles, and two interceptions in his high school career.
Personal
Son of Lance and Malisa Funderburk…Born December 29, 2006.
Joel Lowenberg | LB | 6-2 | 210 | Chattanooga, Tenn. / Baylor School
Ranked as a four-star linebacker…As a senior, he tallied 81 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, two sacks, 19 pressures, one pass breakup and one interception…Played two years of varsity football at the Baylor School…Has helped lead the Baylor School to an 11-0 record and a spot in the TSSAA semifinals during his senior season…Named to the All-East Region team as a junior…Helped lead Baylor to the TSSAA State Title game in 2023.
Personal
Son of Kenneth and Kelly Lowenberg…Born on June 1, 2006
Koredell Bartley | DB | 5-11 | 173 | Greensboro, N.C. / Competed at Dudley High School & Attended A&T Four Middle College
Four year varsity player for Dudley High School but attended school at A&T Four Middle College…During his senior season, recorded 31 total tackles, including three sacks and another tackle for loss…Tallied 1,718 all-purpose yards, including 742 return yards…Recorded two punts for touchdowns, including one against High Point Central and another against Ben L Smith…On offense, has hauled in 30 catches for 487 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as a score on the ground…Had a season-high 101 yards receiving and two touchdowns against Ben L Smith…Through the first two games of the playoffs, has recorded five tackles and an interception, as well as 10 receptions for 185 yards and four total touchdowns on offense…Recorded five catches for 93 yards and a receiving touchdown, as well as an interception return for a touchdown, against Asheboro in the opening round of playoffs…Recorded five receptions for 92 yards and two receiving touchdowns against AC Reynolds in the following round…Helped lead Dudley to the state quarterfinals, tallying 105 rushing yards and a touchdown, as well as five catches for 75 yards against Robinson…Led the team with 1,013 receiving yards and 11 touchdown receptions as a junior…Added four return touchdowns along with four rushing touchdowns in 2023…Has tallied 2,383 receiving yards and 26 touchdown receptions over his high school career, as well as nine return touchdowns…Has recorded five interceptions and 144 tackles in his career…High school teammate with fellow signee Jerron Blackwell.
Personal
Son of Terry Bartley and Katie Jackson…Born November 20, 2006
Jerron Blackwell | DB | 6-2 | 190 | Greensboro, N.C. / Dudley High School
Teammate of signee Koredell Bartley…During his senior season, recorded 35 total tackles, including 21 solo tackles, as well as six tackles for loss…Also recorded nine pass breakups during the regular season, including three PBUs against Northeast Guilford…Added an interception and a fumble recovery against Rockingham County…Also tallied a rushing touchdown against Southeast Guilford…During the North Carolina State Playoffs, has recorded six total tackles, four of which were solo tackles…In the first round, tallied an interception to go along with two receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown against Asheboro…Helped lead Dudley to the state quarterfinals, adding three tackles and a pass defense in their win against Robinson.
Personal
Son of Alicia Jones…Born on January 10, 2007
Seth Carethers | DB | 6-0 | 165 | Coppell, TX / Coppell High School
Played both sides of the ball for Coppell during the 2023 and 2024 seasons…As a senior, he tallied 31 tackles, 12 pass breakups and one forced fumble…As a junior averaged 14.4 kickoff return yards, ranking fourth in 6A Region, 72 total return yards, seventh in region per 247 Sports…Totaled 117 receiving yards and averaged 10.6 receiving Y/G…Helped team to a 12-1 record, 7-0 in district in 2023…Also a member of the track and field team.
Personal
Son of Teffey and Rodney Carethers…Born May 22, 2007.
William Wiebush | DB | 6-0 | 182 | Franklin, TN / Fred J Page High School
Helped lead Page to back-to-back state championship appearances as well as two seasons with 12+ wins…Explosive athlete with a 36.5" vertical per 247 Sports…Plays on both offense and defense as a safety and wide receiver…Also played as a quarterback his junior year…Rushed 27 times for 202 yards and nine touchdowns…Has a career combined 371 rushing and passing yards with zero interceptions…On defense had 38 tackles, five interceptions, five defensive touchdowns…Total of 90 touchdown points between sophomore and junior year…Was also named to the All-Region 6-5A team his junior year…Also plays varsity baseball for Page…During the regular season of his senior season, recorded 27 total tackles, including 13 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble…Recorded an interception return for a touchdown against Independence…On offense, recorded seven total touchdowns, including a three touchdown performance in the first week of the season against Giles County…In the playoffs, he has recorded four tackles, a forced fumble, a pass break up, and three touchdowns…In the state quarterfinals, recorded a 72-yard touchdown run and a 30-yard passing touchdown against Shelbyville Central…Led Page to the 5A state championship game after adding 48 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, as well as a team-high eight tackles in the semifinals against Springfield.
Personal
Son of Johnie Flotte and Roy Wiebush…Born July 18, 2006.
Braxton Winston III | DB | 6-0 | 175 | Charlotte, NC / Providence Day School
Three-time NCISAA champion at Providence Day School under head coach Chad Grier…Four-year varsity player at cornerback and kickoff/punt returner…Has recorded 141 tackles (six TFLs), seven interceptions, 27 passes defended, and a fumble recovery through 44 games played…Tallied 38 tackles and two interceptions in his senior season…Helped Providence Day to their third consecutive state championship as a junior, posting 34 tackles, including three tackles for loss, and one interception as part of a 12-1 season in 2023…Made 40 tackles (31 solo) and recorded two interceptions as a sophomore to help guide the Chargers to a state championship in 2022…Earned varsity snaps as a freshman, recording 22 tackles and two interceptions in 2021…Participated in the FBU Freshman All-American Bowl…Also plays varsity basketball and runs track at Providence Day.
Personal
Son of Braxton and Sheena Winston…Born March 5, 2007.
Rohan Macneill | P | 6-3 | 187 | Perth, Australia / Claremont Football Club
Played for Claremont Football Club as part of Western Australian Football League… Appeared in 16 games for Claremont's reserve squad, recording 133 kicks, 171 disposals and 16 tackles over his career… Recorded double-digit kicks in five games and 10+ disposals in 10 games across the 2023 season for the reserve squad… Also played two seasons with Claremont's Colts squad, playing 21 games and recording 181 and 270 disposals across the 2022 and 2021 seasons.
Personal
Son of Malcolm and Lisa MacNeill…Born on October 19, 2004.
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Spring Transfer Additions:
Billy Johnson | QB | 5-11 | 180 | Atherton, CA / Menlo Atherton / Wagner
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2024 season for the Skyhawks.
2023 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2023 season for the Skyhawks.
High School
Played high school football at Menlo-Atherton high school… Passed for 1,385 yards and 13 touchdowns while connecting on 51.7 percent of his attempts during his senior season… Added 222 passing yards and two touchdown passes over five appearances as a junior… Rated as a two-star prospect by 247Sports.
Jamario Clements | RB | 5-11 | 205 | Lafayette, GA / Lafayette High School / Duquesne
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in 11 games during the 2024 season for the Dukes… Earned First Team All-NEC honors while leading the conference with 986 rushing yards and 6.6 yards per carry… Also ranked second in the NEC with six rushing touchdowns on the season… Broke the 100-yard mark five times, including in back-to-back-to-back games against Stonehill (107 yards, one touchdown), Mercyhurst (177 yards, two touchdowns), and Robert Morris (105 yards)... Recorded a career-high 204 yards with one touchdown in the ranked-victory at Youngstown State, which was the only 200-yard game in the NEC during the 2024 season and the most rushing yards by a Duke since 2018… Rushed for 147 yards against LIU… Added rushing touchdowns against West Virginia Wesleyan and Saint Francis.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 10 games with eight starts during the 2023 season for the Dukes… Recorded 457 yards and three rushing touchdowns while also hauling in three catches for four yards… Ran for 47 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Edinboro… Tallied a season-best 101 yards and a touchdown against Central Connecticut State… Recorded 52 yards and a score against Stonehill.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in nine games during the 2022 season for the Dukes… Finished the season third on the team with 220 yards… Recorded his only touchdown of the season while also notching a season-high 94 yards in the season-finale against Wagner.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in four games during the 2021 season for the Dukes… Recorded 105 yards on 19 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per carry… Carried the ball 10 times for a season-high 58 yards and his first career touchdown against Virginia-Lynchburg… Went for 44 yards on eight carries against Wagner… Redshirted.
High School
Played high school football for head coach Paul Ellis at Lafayette High School… Earned All-State honors by Georgia High School Football Daily during his senior season… Named to the Chattanooga Times Free Press 'Dynamic Dozen'... Garnered All-Region 6-AAA accolades… Finished the 2020 season with 992 yards and 17 touchdowns in only seven games… Tallied 250 yards and three touchdowns against Heritage… Had 150 yards and three touchdowns in just one quarter against Murray County… Helped lead Lafayette to their first postseason appearance in 27 years.
Personal
Son of Kelly and Mario Clements… Born on October 22, 2002.
Ja'Marion Kennedy | OL | 6-3 | 323 | Shreveport, LA / Northwood High School / Louisiana Tech
Career Honors and Awards
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in all 13 games for the Bulldogs during the 2024 season… Made his collegiate debut in the season opener against Nicholls State.
2023 (Freshman)
Did not see any action for the Bulldogs during the 2023 season… Redshirted.
High School
Prepped at Northwood High School… Led the Falcons to a 9-3 record as a senior… Drew interest from Boston College, Arkansas State, Memphis, ULL, New Mexico State, Northwestern State, Grambling State and ULM… Helped pave the way for 1,998 rushing yards as a senior.
Rodrick Tialavela | OL | 6-5 | 321 | West Valley City, UT / Highland / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in 13 games with 10 starts during the 2024 season for the Cougars… Started all ten games at left guard, including in the Holiday Bowl against Syracuse.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in all 12 games with two starts during the 2023 season for the Cougars…Started at left guard against Colorado and Washington.
2022 (Sophomore)
Missed the entire 2022 season due to injury…Redshirted.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in eight games during the 2021 season for the Cougars…Played primarily on special teams for both the field goal and PAT units…Made his collegiate debut against Utah State.
2020 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2020 season for the Cougars.
High School
Rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 10 player in Utah coming out of Highland High School according to 247Sports…Named to the All-Region First Team during his junior season.
Personal
Son of Robert and Ruby Tialavea…Cousin Russell Tialavea played football at BYU and is the BYU Director of Football Operations… Cousin D.J. Tialavea played football at Utah State and one season with Jacksonville.
Chevalier "Karate" Brenson | WR | 6-2 | 215 | St. Louis, MO / Christian Brothers College High School / Tennessee State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in 13 games for the Tigers during the 2024 season… Eclipsed the 1,000 yard-mark, finishing the season with 1,006 yards and six touchdowns on 71 catches… Averaged 77.7 yards per game and 13.8 yards per catch… Hauled in two receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Mississippi Valley State… Recorded nine catches for 99 yards against Tennessee Tech… Notched six catches for 121 yards and a touchdown in the game against Eastern Illinois… Recorded a career-high 153 yards on five catches at Howard… Totaled a career-best 11 catches for 86 yards against UT Martin… Matched that career-high with 11 catches for 122 yards and a career-high two touchdowns against Montana.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 10 games during the 2023 season for the Tigers… Finished second on the team with 28 catches and third on the team in receiving yards with 277… Totaled two reception touchdowns during the season to tie the team lead… Tallied 85 receiving yards on four catches at UT Martin… Hauled in his first touchdown grab of the season at Kennesaw State, finishing the game with three receptions and 26 yards… Recorded a season-high seven catches and a season-best 61 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Illinois.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 10 games during the 2022 season for the Tigers… Finished the season tied for the team lead in both receptions and yards, totaling 25 receptions and 329 yards… Hauled in multiple receptions in nine of his 10 games… Totaled three catches for 64 yards against Bethune-Cookman… Recorded his first career touchdown against Eastern Illinois as he totaled three catches for 29 yards… Had his best game of the season against UT Martin as he added five catches for 70 yards… Ended his first season with the Tigers with a three catch, 69-yard performance at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Prior to Tennessee State
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in three games for the Cardinals during the 2021 season… Hauled in a catch against Penn State and Wyoming as he ended his freshman season with two catches for 12 yards… Redshirted.
High School
Three-letter winner at Christian Brothers College High School… Rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 17 overall prospect in Missouri… Caught 32 passes for 545 and six touchdowns in only six games during his senior season… Recorded 44 catches for 676 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior… Served as a team captain… Also played basketball in high school.
Personal
Born April 28… Son of Anthony Brenson and Javda Wilson.
Eni Falayi | TE | 6-4 | 240 | Boston, MA / Williston Northampton School / UMass / Utah Tech
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in six games during the 2024 season for the Trailblazers… Led Utah Tech with five receiving touchdowns, while also ranking second on the team in both receptions (31) and receiving yards (417)... Recorded a team-high 48 yards on four catches in his first game with the Trailblazers against Montana State… Returned to the field after a six game absence against Austin Peay, ending the game with four catches for 16 yards… Recorded his first touchdown of the season against Eastern Kentucky, finishing with three catches for 52 yards… Totaled 10 receptions for 105 yards and a score to help guide Utah Tech to their loan victory of the season against Central Arkansas…Tacked on four catches for 63 yards against West Georgia… Recorded his first career multi-touchdown game during the season finale against Southern Utah as he finished with six catches for a career-best 133 yards and three touchdowns.
Prior to Utah Tech
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 11 games during the 2023 season for the Minutemen… Recorded a 14-yard reception against UConn.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in eight games during the 2022 season for the Minutemen… Finished the season with two catches for 12 yards… Made his first collegiate appearance against Tulane… Notched his first career catch at Toledo… Added a five-yard reception against New Mexico State.
2021 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2021 season for the Minutemen… Redshirted.
High School
Ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 19 player in the state of Massachusetts by 247 Sports… Also rated as a three-star recruit and the No. 16 prospect in Massachusetts by ESPN… Was a two-way player at the Williston Northampton School… Named to the All-Erickson League team.
Personal
Son of Sam and Anne Falayi.
Harry Lodge | TE | 6-6 | 240 | Cambridge, MA / Belmont Hill School / Georgia Tech
Prior to Wake Forest
2025 (Redshirt Junior)
Spent the spring at Georgia Tech before transferring back to Wake Forest.
Prior to Georgia Tech
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Saw action in ten games with six starts during the 2024 season for the Demon Deacons... Recorded 12 catches for 110 yards while averaging 9.17 yards-per-reception... Made his first career start for the Demon Deacons against North Carolina A&T... Recorded a career-high 31 yards on one catch against Virginia... Recorded a catch in nine games throughout the season.
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Saw action in six games during the 2023 season for the Demon Deacons… Tallied 40 total snaps in the backfield, on the offensive line, kick return and field goal unit… Played in a season-high 12 snaps in the win against Vanderbilt… Tallied 10 or more snaps in two games during the 2023 season.
2022 (Freshman)
Did not see action in a game, earning a redshirt.
High School
Three-sport athlete at Belmont Hill School earning eight varsity letters ... In addition to football, Lodge played basketball and lacrosse ... Rated as a 2022 WR/TE top prep player in New England according to Excel Sports ... Garnered Honorable Mention All-ISL honors in 2019.
Personal
Son of Elizabeth and John Lodge... Has two sisters, Eliza and Fanny... His great grandfather, Clifford Nelson, was an All-American football and basketball player... Born on Oct. 26, 2003.
Will Loerzel | TE | 6-5 | 244 | New Orleans, LA / Isadore Newman High School / South Alabama
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2024 season for the Jaguars… Redshirted.
High School
All-State tight end for Isadore Newman High School in New Orleans… Rated as a three-star recruit by 247 Sports… Also played basketball at Isadore Newman.
Personal
Son of Colleen and Jason Loerzel.
Kamrean Johnson | TE | 6-5 | 230 | Roselle, AL / Theodore High School / Vanderbilt
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Sophomore)
Appeared in all 13 games with two starts during the 2024 season for the Commodores… Recorded one catch for a six-yard touchdown in the victory over No. 1 Alabama… Earned starts at tight end against Georgia State and South Carolina… Accumulated 197 snaps on special teams throughout the season.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in all 12 games during the 2023 season for the Commodores… Recorded 10 receptions for 99 yards and two touchdown receptions during his freshman campaign… Recorded his first career catch and first career touchdown on a 17-yard touchdown reception against Alabama A&M… Added two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown against Kentucky… Totaled a career-high 22 yards on two receptions in the season finale against Tennessee.
High School
Helped lead Theodore High School to a 13-1 record during his senior season, having totaled 12 catches for 259 yards and seven touchdowns… Rated as a three-star prospect by On3, 247Sports, and Rivals, as well as one of the 75 best players in Alabama by ESPN in his signing class… Also played basketball.
Brandon Smiley | DL | 6-2 | 306 | Durham, N.C. / Riverside High School / Elon
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 11 games with one start during the 2024 season for the Phoenix… Recorded 17 tackles with 1.5 tackles-for-loss… Notched three tackles against Duke, New Hampshire, and in his only start of the season against Campbell.
Prior to Elon
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in five games during the 2023 season for the Catamounts… Totaled seven tackles with 0.5 sacks… Recorded two tackles against Arkansas… Added a season-high three tackles, including half-a-sack, against Charleston Southern… Tallied two additional tackles against ETSU.
2022 (Freshman)
Appeared in four games during the 2022 season for the Catamounts… Recorded nine tackles with three solo efforts during his freshman campaign… Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Charleston Southern… Notched his first career tackle against Mercer, ending the game with two assisted tackles… Recorded a career-high seven tackles against Furman including a career-best three solo efforts… Redshirted.
High School
Played high school football at Riverside High School before finishing at Palmetto Prep for the 2021 season… Recorded 58 tackles including 36 solo efforts during his final season at Riverside… Named a team captain and All-Conference player in 2019.
Personal
Son of Selena and Spencer Smiley.
Alec Marenco | LB | 6-2 | 234 | El Paso, TX / Bruges High School / New Mexico / Kansas State
Career Accolades
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Senior)
Appeared in one game during the 2024 season for the Wildcats… Played on kickoff coverage against Tulane… Redshirted.
Prior to Kansas State
2023 (Junior)
Appeared in all 12 games while making 10 starts during the 2023 season for the Lobos… Earned All-Mountain West Honorable Mention honors after finishing the season with a team-best 66 tackles with 3.5 tackles-for-loss and a half sack… Also totaled three pass breakups and a forced fumble… Recorded a half sack against New Mexico State… Tallied a career high 12 tackles in New Mexico's road victory over Massachusetts… Added nine tackles with four solo efforts against Wyoming… Recorded 11 tackles, including a career high seven solo tackles, in the season finale against Utah State.
2022 (Sophomore)
Appeared in six games with three starts during the 2022 season with the Lobos… Recorded 26 tackles with one quarterback hurry during his sophomore campaign… Totaled a season-high nine tackles in his first career start against LSU… Added six tackles against UNLV, including a season-high five solo stops.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in nine games during the 2021 season for the Lobos… Primarily played on special teams during his freshman season… Recorded his first career tackle in his collegiate debut against Texas A&M… Also added tackles against Air Force, San Diego State, and UNLV.
High School
Lettered in both football and track at Bruges High School… Recorded 113 tackles with six tackles for loss during his senior season… Primarily played linebacker, but also played receiver, kicker, punter, and quarterback… Member of the district championship teams in 2019 and 2020.
Personal
Son of Oscar and Christina Marenco… Born on August 13, 2023.
Braylon Johnson | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Richmond, VA / Highland Springs High School / Virginia Tech
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Sophomore)
Appeared in four games during the 2024 season for the Hokies… Recorded four tackles with two solo efforts… Matched a career-high with three tackles during the Duke's Mayo Bowl against Minnesota… Redshirted.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in 12 games during the 2023 season for the Hokies… Recorded seven tackles with four solo tackles… Made his collegiate debut against Old Dominion… Recorded his first career tackle against Purdue… Set a career-high with three tackles, including two solo efforts, in the victory against Boston College.
High School
Four-year letterman for Coach Loren Johnson at Highland Springs High School in Virginia … Helped the Springers to three straight regional titles and a VHSL Class 5 State Championship as a senior with a record of 15-0 … Earned All-Region 5C first team honors as a junior and senior … Garnered VHSL Class 5 All-State honors as a senior … Registered 82 tackles and five interceptions over the last two seasons … Rated a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN, On3 and Rivals … Ranked No. 78 safety and No. 24 recruit in Virginia by 247 Sports … No. 115 safety and No. 36 recruit in Virginia by ESPN … No. 77 safety and No. 26 prospect in Virginia by On3 … No. 76 safety and No. 15 prospect in Virginia by Rivals … Invited to USA U-18 All-American Bowl … Lettered in track and field.
Personal
Son of Loren and Kimberly Johnson… Father, Loren, played football at Virginia Tech from 1995 to 1998… Born on June 11, 2005.
Ashaad Williams | DB | 6-2 | 178 | Russellville, Ala. / Russellville High School / North Alabama
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in all 12 games for the Lions during the 2024 season… Recorded 26 tackles with four solo efforts and two tackles for loss, including a sack…Led the team with two interceptions and 10 pass breakups…Notched four tackles with three solo tackles against Memphis…Recorded his first-career interception and his first-career sack in the win over Utah Tech…Totaled a season-high five tackles, including three solo efforts and a tackle for loss, against Central Arkansas… Added an interception and three solo tackles against Austin Peay.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 11 games for the Lions during the 2023 season… Recorded 22 tackles with 15 solo tackles and a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss, as well as five pass breakups and a forced fumble… Totaled three solo tackles against Tarleton State… Recorded his first-career tackle for loss in the game against Eastern Kentucky… Notched a career-high seven tackles with three solo efforts and tackle for loss against Central Arkansas… Added five tackles in the next game against Florida State.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in nine games for the Lions in his first season of action in 2022… Totaled 13 tackles with seven solo efforts… Made his collegiate debut against Indiana State, recording a solo tackle… Added two solo tackles in back-to-back games against UVA Wise and Chattanooga… Recorded a season-high five tackles against Kennesaw State.
2021 (Freshman)
Did not see any action for the Lions during the 2021 season… Redshirted.
High School
Played defensive back under head coach John Ritter at Russellville High School … Helped lead the Golden Tigers to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs … Named all-county four times, defensive back MVP twice, and all-area four times … Also lettered in track.
Personal
Son of Ashia Suggs and Amil Williams.
Lardarius Webb Jr. | DB | 5-9 | 168 | Opelika, AL / Jackson Academy / Oklahoma State / South Alabama
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in all 13 games while making 12 starts during the 2024 season for the Jaguars… Recorded 41 tackles with 27 solo efforts and two tackles-for-loss, as well as two interceptions and three pass breakups… Totaled four solo tackles against Ohio… Added his first interception of the season, as well as four tackles with two solo tackles and 0.5 tackles-for-loss, against LSU… Added a pair of pass breakups in the conference opener against App State… Recorded a 72-yard interception and four solo tackles against Troy… Totaled a season-high six tackles in the victory over Southern Miss.. Added a tackle in the Jaguars' victory over Western Michigan in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl.
Prior to South Alabama
2023 (Junior)
Appeared in four games during the 2023 season for the Cowboys… Saw action against Central Arkansas, Arizona State, Cincinnati, and UCF… Redshirted.
Prior to Oklahoma State
2022 (Sophomore)
Appeared in all 10 games during the 2022 season for the Bobcats… Earned NJCAA All-American honors… Recorded 28 tackles with 15 solo efforts and four tackles-for-loss, six pass breakups, and six interceptions… His six interceptions were tied for the national lead for the 2022 season… Also added 51 punt return yards on eight attempts… Recorded an interception in back-to-back games against Itawamba and East Mississippi while also adding a combined six tackles with four solo tackles and a tackle-for-loss, and two pass breakups in those two contests… Added a 50-yard interception return against Hinds… Tallied a season-high five tackles and a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown in the season finale against Northwest.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in all 10 games while making six starts during the 2021 season for the Bobcats… Named First Team All-MACCC after recording 29 tackles with 20 solo efforts and three tackles-for-loss, as well as three interceptions and nine pass breakups… Totaled three pass breakups against both Northwest and Itawamba, while adding a season-best six tackles with two tackles-for-loss against Northwest… Recorded a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown in the season opener against Northeast… Had a 75-yard pick six in the victory over Hinds… Earned Academic All-MACCC honors.
High School
Played his senior season at Jackson Academy… Recorded 58 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, and nine pass breakups during his senior season… Ranked as the No. 25 player in Mississippi by 247Sports and was the No. 2 overall player in the MAIS… Earned Clarion Ledger Second Team All-State honors as a defensive back… Recorded a pair of interceptions, including the game-winning 72-yard pick in the MAIS All-Star Game… Transferred in from Beauregard High School where he had 51 tackles and three interceptions during his junior year… Also an MAIS 5A Overall 4x100 and 200 meter champion in track.
Personal
Son of Lardarius Webb and Precious Dowdell… Father, Lardarius, played nine seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, where he won a Super Bowl and was considered to be one of the top defensive backs in the league during his career… Born on January 11, 2003.
Connor Calvert | K | 6-3 | 203 | Bend, OR / Mountain View / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Walked on prior to the season…did not appear in a game…redshirt season.
High School
Attended Mountain View High School in Oregon…as a SENIOR, named to 5A All-State First Team.
Eli Gilmour | LS | 6-3 | 218 | San Diego, CA / Del Notre / Nevada
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Made his lone appearance during the 2024 season for the Wolfpack against Hawaii… Redshirted.
High School
Played both long snapper and tight end at Del Norte High School… Helped lead Del Norte to the CIF Division 3-AA regional finals during his senior season.
The list of Deacs who will join the team for spring ball includes 16 incoming who signed with Wake Forest during the early signing period:
Player | Pos | HT | WT | YR | Hometown | High School |
Jamar Searcy | RB | 5' 8" | 180 | Fr. | Pittsburg, CA | Pittsburg |
Kalil Townes | RB | 5' 10" | 200 | Fr. | Atlanta, GA | The Lovett School |
Aidan Martin | OL | 6' 6" | 265 | Fr. | Denver, CO | Northfield |
Jaishaun Offutt | OL | 6' 3" | 342 | Fr. | Winchester, VA | John Handley |
William Saba | OL | 6' 5" | 272 | Fr. | Purcellville, VA | Loudoun Valley |
Bryce Kania | WR | 6' 4" | 200 | Fr. | Princeton, NJ | The Hun School of Princeton |
Hugh O'Brien | WR | 6' 0" | 190 | Fr. | Charlotte, NC | Charlotte Catholic |
Charlie Wingfield | TE | 6' 4" | 239 | Fr. | Franklin Lakes, NJ | Ramapo |
Cole Funderburk | DL | 6' 3" | 235 | Fr. | Suwanee, GA | North Gwinnett |
Joel Lowenberg | LB | 6' 2" | 210 | Fr. | Chattanooga, TN | Baylor School |
Koredell Bartley | DB | 5' 11" | 173 | Fr. | Greensboro, NC | Dudley/A&T Four Middle College |
Jerron Blackwell | DB | 6' 2" | 190 | Fr. | Greensboro, NC | Dudley |
Seth Carethers | DB | 6' 0" | 165 | Fr. | Coppell, TX | Coppell |
William Wiebush | DB | 6' 0" | 182 | Fr. | Franklin, TN | Fred J Page |
Braxton Winston III | DB | 6' 0" | 165 | Fr. | Charlotte, NC | Providence Day |
Rohan Macneill | P | 6' 3" | 187 | Fr. | Perth, Australia | Claremont Football Club |
16 transfers also join the Demon Deacons ahead of winter workouts and spring football:
Player | Pos | HT | WT | YR | Hometown | High School | Previous School |
Jamario Clements | RB | 5'11" | 205 | R-Sr. | Lafayette, GA | Lafayette | Duquesne |
Billy Johnson | QB | 5' 11" | 180 | R-So. | Atherton, CA | Menlo Atherton | Wagner |
Ja'Marion Kennedy | OL | 6'3" | 323 | R-So. | Shreveport, LA | Northwood | Louisiana Tech |
Rod Tialavela | OL | 6' 5" | 321 | R-Sr. | West Valley City, UT | Highland | Washington State |
Chevalier "Karate" Brenson | WR | 6'2" | 215 | R-Sr. | St. Louis, MO | Christian Brothers | Ball State/Tennessee State |
Eni Falayi | TE | 6'4" | 240 | R-Sr. | Boston, MA | Williston Northampton School | UMass/Utah Tech |
Harry Lodge | TE | 6'6" | 240 | R-Jr. | Cambridge, MA | Belmont Hill School | Georgia Tech |
Will Loerzel | TE | 6'5" | 255 | R-Fr. | New Orleans, LA | Isadore Newman | South Alabama |
Kamrean Johnson | TE | 6'4" | 230 | Jr. | Roselle, LA | Theodore | Vanderbilt |
Brandon Smiley | DL | 6'2" | 306 | R-Jr. | Durham, NC | Riverside | Elon |
Alec Marenco | LB | 6'2" | 234 | R-Sr. | El Paso, TX | Bruges | New Mexico/Kansas State |
Braylon Johnson | DB | 6'1" | 185 | Jr. | Richmond, VA | Highland Springs | Virginia Tech |
Ashaad Williams | DB | 6'2" | 178 | R-Sr. | Russellville, AL | Russellville | North Alabama |
Lardarius Webb Jr. | DB | 5'9 | 168 | R-Sr. | Opelika, AL | Jackson Academy | Oklahoma State/South Alabama |
Connor Calvert | K | 6'3" | 203 | So. | Bend, OR | Mountain View | Washington State |
Eli Gilmour | LS | 6'3" | 218 | R-Fr. | San Diego, CA | Del Notre | Nevada |
Meet the Demon Deacons
Summer High School Additions:
Jamar Searcy | RB | 5-8 | 180 | Pittsburg, CA / Pittsburg High School
Rated as a three-star prospect according to 247Sports… Led Pittsburg High School to the Division 1-AA State Finals during his senior season… As a senior, rushed for 1,470 yards with 18 touchdowns, averaging 105.0 yards per game, while also adding 300 yards and three touchdowns receiving… Also played safety where he added 49 tackles with 37 solo tackles and two interceptions… Rushed for 971 yards and 10 touchdowns to go along with 20 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns as a junior… Also intercepted four passes during the 2023 season… As a sophomore, recorded 695 rushing yards, 276 receiving yards, and 14 total touchdowns while also recording a career-high six interceptions and 61 tackles on defense… Also plays varsity basketball for Pittsburg.
Personal
Son of Donte and Lakia Searcy… Born on March 17, 2007.
Kalil Townes | RB | 5-10 | 200 | Atlanta, GA / The Lovett School
Played three years of varsity football under head coach Mike Muschamp at the Lovett School… During his senior season, recorded 838 rushing yards across seven games, averaging 119.7 yards per game and 7.4 yards per carry… Recorded three games with at least 100 yards rushing, including a career-high 197 yards against Spencer… Also added four catches and 14 receiving yards… Totaled 206 yards and two rushing touchdowns during his junior season… Recorded his first career 100-yard game against Luella… Ran for both of his touchdowns on the year in a victory over Hampton… Added 30 yards and a touchdown during his sophomore season… Recorded his first career touchdown in his high school debut against McNair… Also played basketball at Lovett.
Aidan Martin | OL | 6-6 | 265 | Denver, CO / Northfield High School
Rated as a three-star prospect and the fifth-best overall prospect in Colorado by 247Sports…Named as the No. 10 overall prospect in Colorado by Sports Illustrated prior to his senior season…Helped lead Northfield High School to a 4A Denver Metro League Championship as a senior…Also led Northfield to an 8-4 record during his junior season.
Personal
Son of James and Elizabeth Martin…Born on February 16, 2007
Jaishaun Offutt | OL | 6-3 | 342 | Winchester, VA | John Handley High School
Began freshman year on JV but was moved up to varsity midway through the season…Played right tackle as a sophomore…Moved to left tackle under coaching his junior year…Handley averaged 403.6 yards per game compared to 331.2 Y/G in 2022, and averaged 113.6 more yards per game on the ground (289.9) per The Winchester Star…Earned First Team All-District honors as a senior…Previously garnered First Team All-Region accolades on offense and defense…Two-time state shot put champion…Also played basketball.
Personal
Son of Tawanda Shepherd…Born January 13, 2007.
William Saba | OL | 6-5 | 272 | Purcellville, VA / Loudoun Valley High School
Team captain for Loudoun Valley as a senior…Earned First Team All-District and All-Region honors as a senior…Played on both the offensive and defensive line, recording 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack throughout his career…Only started playing football at any level his junior year in 2023…Helped lead Loudoun Valley to a 7-5 record and the VHSL Class 4 playoffs in 2023.
Personal
Son of Betty and Bill Saba…Born September 29, 2006
Bryce Kania | WR | 6-4 | 200 | Princeton, NJ / The Hun School of Princeton
Ranked as the No. 32 recruit in New Jersey…Played four years of varsity football and was a team captain his senior year…As a senior, he tallied 44 receptions for 1,082 yards and 17 touchdowns…Also he was a two-way started as a senior and recorded five interceptions on defense…Named Team MVP in 2024…Finished the 2024 season ranked second in touchdown receptions and total receiving yards in New Jersey…Finished his junior year with 630 total receiving yards, 13 TDs, seven tackles, and one interception…His legacy at The Hun School of Princeton includes being the football programs all-time leader in touchdown catches with 29…Also played varsity basketball and ran track.
Personal
Son of Jeffrey and Christine Kania…Brothers to Drew and Chase…Born April 27, 2006.
Hugh O'Brien | WR | 6-0 | 190 | Charlotte, NC / Charlotte Catholic
Played two seasons of varsity football at Charlotte Catholic… Earned Southwestern 4A All-Conference honors during his senior season… Recorded 359 receiving yards and a touchdown reception, averaging 32.6 yards per game and 15.0 yards per catch as a senior… Also added 55 yards on the ground.
Charlie Wingfield | TE | 6-4 | 239 | Franklin Lakes, NJ / Ramapo High School
Has completed three years as a varsity athlete for Ramapo…A multifaceted player, competing as an outside linebacker, wide receiver, and tight end throughout his three seasons…Named team captain as a senior when his team won the state sectional championship…Tallied a total 315 receiving yards and 53 total tackles during his sophomore year…Helped lead the Raiders to a 12-1 season and the 2023 NJSIAA championship game, 11th overall in the state…His team was the North Group 3 State Champs in 2023…Following his junior season, he earned First Team All-League, All-County & All-North Jersey honors as a tight end…Ranked No. 6 in New Jersey for FGs made and No. 5 for KPts…Had 53 total tackles, 21 solo and 32 assisted…Also has a total 43 for 51 extra points attempts and 315 receiving yards as a junior…Competes for the varsity basketball and baseball teams, serving as captain for basketball.
Personal
Son of Andy and Charlene Wingfield…Has two older brothers, Matt & AJ and one younger sister, Sara…Born January 20, 2007… His mother played women's soccer at Duke from 1988-92 and his father played football at Susquehanna from 1988-92… Aunt played basketball at Manhattan College (1985-89) and his uncle played basketball at Trinity College (1995-99). Brother, AJ, played football at Ithaca College from 2019-23.
Cole Funderburk | DL | 6-3 | 235 | Suwanee, GA / North Gwinnett High School
Named preseason All-State 6A in Georgia heading into his senior year…Recorded 62 tackles, including 34.0 tackles for loss and 10 sacks during his senior season and was a captain on his team…Led the North Gwinnett team with 16.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and 35.0 tackles for loss as a junior in 2023…Also ranked 6th in the state of Georgia for sacks in 2023…During the 2022 season, totaled 59 tackles (16 TFL), 15 sacks, 15 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles and an interception…Led his team to the quarterfinals of the Georgia AAAAAA Playoffs as a sophomore…Recorded 186 tackles, 85.0 tackles for loss, 41 sacks, 69 hurries, eight forced fumbles, and two interceptions in his high school career.
Personal
Son of Lance and Malisa Funderburk…Born December 29, 2006.
Joel Lowenberg | LB | 6-2 | 210 | Chattanooga, Tenn. / Baylor School
Ranked as a four-star linebacker…As a senior, he tallied 81 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, two sacks, 19 pressures, one pass breakup and one interception…Played two years of varsity football at the Baylor School…Has helped lead the Baylor School to an 11-0 record and a spot in the TSSAA semifinals during his senior season…Named to the All-East Region team as a junior…Helped lead Baylor to the TSSAA State Title game in 2023.
Personal
Son of Kenneth and Kelly Lowenberg…Born on June 1, 2006
Koredell Bartley | DB | 5-11 | 173 | Greensboro, N.C. / Competed at Dudley High School & Attended A&T Four Middle College
Four year varsity player for Dudley High School but attended school at A&T Four Middle College…During his senior season, recorded 31 total tackles, including three sacks and another tackle for loss…Tallied 1,718 all-purpose yards, including 742 return yards…Recorded two punts for touchdowns, including one against High Point Central and another against Ben L Smith…On offense, has hauled in 30 catches for 487 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as a score on the ground…Had a season-high 101 yards receiving and two touchdowns against Ben L Smith…Through the first two games of the playoffs, has recorded five tackles and an interception, as well as 10 receptions for 185 yards and four total touchdowns on offense…Recorded five catches for 93 yards and a receiving touchdown, as well as an interception return for a touchdown, against Asheboro in the opening round of playoffs…Recorded five receptions for 92 yards and two receiving touchdowns against AC Reynolds in the following round…Helped lead Dudley to the state quarterfinals, tallying 105 rushing yards and a touchdown, as well as five catches for 75 yards against Robinson…Led the team with 1,013 receiving yards and 11 touchdown receptions as a junior…Added four return touchdowns along with four rushing touchdowns in 2023…Has tallied 2,383 receiving yards and 26 touchdown receptions over his high school career, as well as nine return touchdowns…Has recorded five interceptions and 144 tackles in his career…High school teammate with fellow signee Jerron Blackwell.
Personal
Son of Terry Bartley and Katie Jackson…Born November 20, 2006
Jerron Blackwell | DB | 6-2 | 190 | Greensboro, N.C. / Dudley High School
Teammate of signee Koredell Bartley…During his senior season, recorded 35 total tackles, including 21 solo tackles, as well as six tackles for loss…Also recorded nine pass breakups during the regular season, including three PBUs against Northeast Guilford…Added an interception and a fumble recovery against Rockingham County…Also tallied a rushing touchdown against Southeast Guilford…During the North Carolina State Playoffs, has recorded six total tackles, four of which were solo tackles…In the first round, tallied an interception to go along with two receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown against Asheboro…Helped lead Dudley to the state quarterfinals, adding three tackles and a pass defense in their win against Robinson.
Personal
Son of Alicia Jones…Born on January 10, 2007
Seth Carethers | DB | 6-0 | 165 | Coppell, TX / Coppell High School
Played both sides of the ball for Coppell during the 2023 and 2024 seasons…As a senior, he tallied 31 tackles, 12 pass breakups and one forced fumble…As a junior averaged 14.4 kickoff return yards, ranking fourth in 6A Region, 72 total return yards, seventh in region per 247 Sports…Totaled 117 receiving yards and averaged 10.6 receiving Y/G…Helped team to a 12-1 record, 7-0 in district in 2023…Also a member of the track and field team.
Personal
Son of Teffey and Rodney Carethers…Born May 22, 2007.
William Wiebush | DB | 6-0 | 182 | Franklin, TN / Fred J Page High School
Helped lead Page to back-to-back state championship appearances as well as two seasons with 12+ wins…Explosive athlete with a 36.5" vertical per 247 Sports…Plays on both offense and defense as a safety and wide receiver…Also played as a quarterback his junior year…Rushed 27 times for 202 yards and nine touchdowns…Has a career combined 371 rushing and passing yards with zero interceptions…On defense had 38 tackles, five interceptions, five defensive touchdowns…Total of 90 touchdown points between sophomore and junior year…Was also named to the All-Region 6-5A team his junior year…Also plays varsity baseball for Page…During the regular season of his senior season, recorded 27 total tackles, including 13 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble…Recorded an interception return for a touchdown against Independence…On offense, recorded seven total touchdowns, including a three touchdown performance in the first week of the season against Giles County…In the playoffs, he has recorded four tackles, a forced fumble, a pass break up, and three touchdowns…In the state quarterfinals, recorded a 72-yard touchdown run and a 30-yard passing touchdown against Shelbyville Central…Led Page to the 5A state championship game after adding 48 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, as well as a team-high eight tackles in the semifinals against Springfield.
Personal
Son of Johnie Flotte and Roy Wiebush…Born July 18, 2006.
Braxton Winston III | DB | 6-0 | 175 | Charlotte, NC / Providence Day School
Three-time NCISAA champion at Providence Day School under head coach Chad Grier…Four-year varsity player at cornerback and kickoff/punt returner…Has recorded 141 tackles (six TFLs), seven interceptions, 27 passes defended, and a fumble recovery through 44 games played…Tallied 38 tackles and two interceptions in his senior season…Helped Providence Day to their third consecutive state championship as a junior, posting 34 tackles, including three tackles for loss, and one interception as part of a 12-1 season in 2023…Made 40 tackles (31 solo) and recorded two interceptions as a sophomore to help guide the Chargers to a state championship in 2022…Earned varsity snaps as a freshman, recording 22 tackles and two interceptions in 2021…Participated in the FBU Freshman All-American Bowl…Also plays varsity basketball and runs track at Providence Day.
Personal
Son of Braxton and Sheena Winston…Born March 5, 2007.
Rohan Macneill | P | 6-3 | 187 | Perth, Australia / Claremont Football Club
Played for Claremont Football Club as part of Western Australian Football League… Appeared in 16 games for Claremont's reserve squad, recording 133 kicks, 171 disposals and 16 tackles over his career… Recorded double-digit kicks in five games and 10+ disposals in 10 games across the 2023 season for the reserve squad… Also played two seasons with Claremont's Colts squad, playing 21 games and recording 181 and 270 disposals across the 2022 and 2021 seasons.
Personal
Son of Malcolm and Lisa MacNeill…Born on October 19, 2004.
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Spring Transfer Additions:
Billy Johnson | QB | 5-11 | 180 | Atherton, CA / Menlo Atherton / Wagner
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2024 season for the Skyhawks.
2023 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2023 season for the Skyhawks.
High School
Played high school football at Menlo-Atherton high school… Passed for 1,385 yards and 13 touchdowns while connecting on 51.7 percent of his attempts during his senior season… Added 222 passing yards and two touchdown passes over five appearances as a junior… Rated as a two-star prospect by 247Sports.
Jamario Clements | RB | 5-11 | 205 | Lafayette, GA / Lafayette High School / Duquesne
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in 11 games during the 2024 season for the Dukes… Earned First Team All-NEC honors while leading the conference with 986 rushing yards and 6.6 yards per carry… Also ranked second in the NEC with six rushing touchdowns on the season… Broke the 100-yard mark five times, including in back-to-back-to-back games against Stonehill (107 yards, one touchdown), Mercyhurst (177 yards, two touchdowns), and Robert Morris (105 yards)... Recorded a career-high 204 yards with one touchdown in the ranked-victory at Youngstown State, which was the only 200-yard game in the NEC during the 2024 season and the most rushing yards by a Duke since 2018… Rushed for 147 yards against LIU… Added rushing touchdowns against West Virginia Wesleyan and Saint Francis.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 10 games with eight starts during the 2023 season for the Dukes… Recorded 457 yards and three rushing touchdowns while also hauling in three catches for four yards… Ran for 47 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Edinboro… Tallied a season-best 101 yards and a touchdown against Central Connecticut State… Recorded 52 yards and a score against Stonehill.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in nine games during the 2022 season for the Dukes… Finished the season third on the team with 220 yards… Recorded his only touchdown of the season while also notching a season-high 94 yards in the season-finale against Wagner.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in four games during the 2021 season for the Dukes… Recorded 105 yards on 19 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per carry… Carried the ball 10 times for a season-high 58 yards and his first career touchdown against Virginia-Lynchburg… Went for 44 yards on eight carries against Wagner… Redshirted.
High School
Played high school football for head coach Paul Ellis at Lafayette High School… Earned All-State honors by Georgia High School Football Daily during his senior season… Named to the Chattanooga Times Free Press 'Dynamic Dozen'... Garnered All-Region 6-AAA accolades… Finished the 2020 season with 992 yards and 17 touchdowns in only seven games… Tallied 250 yards and three touchdowns against Heritage… Had 150 yards and three touchdowns in just one quarter against Murray County… Helped lead Lafayette to their first postseason appearance in 27 years.
Personal
Son of Kelly and Mario Clements… Born on October 22, 2002.
Ja'Marion Kennedy | OL | 6-3 | 323 | Shreveport, LA / Northwood High School / Louisiana Tech
Career Honors and Awards
- CUSA Commissioner's Honor Roll (2023)
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in all 13 games for the Bulldogs during the 2024 season… Made his collegiate debut in the season opener against Nicholls State.
2023 (Freshman)
Did not see any action for the Bulldogs during the 2023 season… Redshirted.
High School
Prepped at Northwood High School… Led the Falcons to a 9-3 record as a senior… Drew interest from Boston College, Arkansas State, Memphis, ULL, New Mexico State, Northwestern State, Grambling State and ULM… Helped pave the way for 1,998 rushing yards as a senior.
Rodrick Tialavela | OL | 6-5 | 321 | West Valley City, UT / Highland / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in 13 games with 10 starts during the 2024 season for the Cougars… Started all ten games at left guard, including in the Holiday Bowl against Syracuse.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in all 12 games with two starts during the 2023 season for the Cougars…Started at left guard against Colorado and Washington.
2022 (Sophomore)
Missed the entire 2022 season due to injury…Redshirted.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in eight games during the 2021 season for the Cougars…Played primarily on special teams for both the field goal and PAT units…Made his collegiate debut against Utah State.
2020 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2020 season for the Cougars.
High School
Rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 10 player in Utah coming out of Highland High School according to 247Sports…Named to the All-Region First Team during his junior season.
Personal
Son of Robert and Ruby Tialavea…Cousin Russell Tialavea played football at BYU and is the BYU Director of Football Operations… Cousin D.J. Tialavea played football at Utah State and one season with Jacksonville.
Chevalier "Karate" Brenson | WR | 6-2 | 215 | St. Louis, MO / Christian Brothers College High School / Tennessee State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in 13 games for the Tigers during the 2024 season… Eclipsed the 1,000 yard-mark, finishing the season with 1,006 yards and six touchdowns on 71 catches… Averaged 77.7 yards per game and 13.8 yards per catch… Hauled in two receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown in the season opener against Mississippi Valley State… Recorded nine catches for 99 yards against Tennessee Tech… Notched six catches for 121 yards and a touchdown in the game against Eastern Illinois… Recorded a career-high 153 yards on five catches at Howard… Totaled a career-best 11 catches for 86 yards against UT Martin… Matched that career-high with 11 catches for 122 yards and a career-high two touchdowns against Montana.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 10 games during the 2023 season for the Tigers… Finished second on the team with 28 catches and third on the team in receiving yards with 277… Totaled two reception touchdowns during the season to tie the team lead… Tallied 85 receiving yards on four catches at UT Martin… Hauled in his first touchdown grab of the season at Kennesaw State, finishing the game with three receptions and 26 yards… Recorded a season-high seven catches and a season-best 61 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Illinois.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in 10 games during the 2022 season for the Tigers… Finished the season tied for the team lead in both receptions and yards, totaling 25 receptions and 329 yards… Hauled in multiple receptions in nine of his 10 games… Totaled three catches for 64 yards against Bethune-Cookman… Recorded his first career touchdown against Eastern Illinois as he totaled three catches for 29 yards… Had his best game of the season against UT Martin as he added five catches for 70 yards… Ended his first season with the Tigers with a three catch, 69-yard performance at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Prior to Tennessee State
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in three games for the Cardinals during the 2021 season… Hauled in a catch against Penn State and Wyoming as he ended his freshman season with two catches for 12 yards… Redshirted.
High School
Three-letter winner at Christian Brothers College High School… Rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 17 overall prospect in Missouri… Caught 32 passes for 545 and six touchdowns in only six games during his senior season… Recorded 44 catches for 676 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior… Served as a team captain… Also played basketball in high school.
Personal
Born April 28… Son of Anthony Brenson and Javda Wilson.
Eni Falayi | TE | 6-4 | 240 | Boston, MA / Williston Northampton School / UMass / Utah Tech
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in six games during the 2024 season for the Trailblazers… Led Utah Tech with five receiving touchdowns, while also ranking second on the team in both receptions (31) and receiving yards (417)... Recorded a team-high 48 yards on four catches in his first game with the Trailblazers against Montana State… Returned to the field after a six game absence against Austin Peay, ending the game with four catches for 16 yards… Recorded his first touchdown of the season against Eastern Kentucky, finishing with three catches for 52 yards… Totaled 10 receptions for 105 yards and a score to help guide Utah Tech to their loan victory of the season against Central Arkansas…Tacked on four catches for 63 yards against West Georgia… Recorded his first career multi-touchdown game during the season finale against Southern Utah as he finished with six catches for a career-best 133 yards and three touchdowns.
Prior to Utah Tech
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 11 games during the 2023 season for the Minutemen… Recorded a 14-yard reception against UConn.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in eight games during the 2022 season for the Minutemen… Finished the season with two catches for 12 yards… Made his first collegiate appearance against Tulane… Notched his first career catch at Toledo… Added a five-yard reception against New Mexico State.
2021 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2021 season for the Minutemen… Redshirted.
High School
Ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 19 player in the state of Massachusetts by 247 Sports… Also rated as a three-star recruit and the No. 16 prospect in Massachusetts by ESPN… Was a two-way player at the Williston Northampton School… Named to the All-Erickson League team.
Personal
Son of Sam and Anne Falayi.
Harry Lodge | TE | 6-6 | 240 | Cambridge, MA / Belmont Hill School / Georgia Tech
Prior to Wake Forest
2025 (Redshirt Junior)
Spent the spring at Georgia Tech before transferring back to Wake Forest.
Prior to Georgia Tech
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Saw action in ten games with six starts during the 2024 season for the Demon Deacons... Recorded 12 catches for 110 yards while averaging 9.17 yards-per-reception... Made his first career start for the Demon Deacons against North Carolina A&T... Recorded a career-high 31 yards on one catch against Virginia... Recorded a catch in nine games throughout the season.
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Saw action in six games during the 2023 season for the Demon Deacons… Tallied 40 total snaps in the backfield, on the offensive line, kick return and field goal unit… Played in a season-high 12 snaps in the win against Vanderbilt… Tallied 10 or more snaps in two games during the 2023 season.
2022 (Freshman)
Did not see action in a game, earning a redshirt.
High School
Three-sport athlete at Belmont Hill School earning eight varsity letters ... In addition to football, Lodge played basketball and lacrosse ... Rated as a 2022 WR/TE top prep player in New England according to Excel Sports ... Garnered Honorable Mention All-ISL honors in 2019.
Personal
Son of Elizabeth and John Lodge... Has two sisters, Eliza and Fanny... His great grandfather, Clifford Nelson, was an All-American football and basketball player... Born on Oct. 26, 2003.
Will Loerzel | TE | 6-5 | 244 | New Orleans, LA / Isadore Newman High School / South Alabama
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Did not see any action during the 2024 season for the Jaguars… Redshirted.
High School
All-State tight end for Isadore Newman High School in New Orleans… Rated as a three-star recruit by 247 Sports… Also played basketball at Isadore Newman.
Personal
Son of Colleen and Jason Loerzel.
Kamrean Johnson | TE | 6-5 | 230 | Roselle, AL / Theodore High School / Vanderbilt
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Sophomore)
Appeared in all 13 games with two starts during the 2024 season for the Commodores… Recorded one catch for a six-yard touchdown in the victory over No. 1 Alabama… Earned starts at tight end against Georgia State and South Carolina… Accumulated 197 snaps on special teams throughout the season.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in all 12 games during the 2023 season for the Commodores… Recorded 10 receptions for 99 yards and two touchdown receptions during his freshman campaign… Recorded his first career catch and first career touchdown on a 17-yard touchdown reception against Alabama A&M… Added two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown against Kentucky… Totaled a career-high 22 yards on two receptions in the season finale against Tennessee.
High School
Helped lead Theodore High School to a 13-1 record during his senior season, having totaled 12 catches for 259 yards and seven touchdowns… Rated as a three-star prospect by On3, 247Sports, and Rivals, as well as one of the 75 best players in Alabama by ESPN in his signing class… Also played basketball.
Brandon Smiley | DL | 6-2 | 306 | Durham, N.C. / Riverside High School / Elon
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 11 games with one start during the 2024 season for the Phoenix… Recorded 17 tackles with 1.5 tackles-for-loss… Notched three tackles against Duke, New Hampshire, and in his only start of the season against Campbell.
Prior to Elon
2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in five games during the 2023 season for the Catamounts… Totaled seven tackles with 0.5 sacks… Recorded two tackles against Arkansas… Added a season-high three tackles, including half-a-sack, against Charleston Southern… Tallied two additional tackles against ETSU.
2022 (Freshman)
Appeared in four games during the 2022 season for the Catamounts… Recorded nine tackles with three solo efforts during his freshman campaign… Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Charleston Southern… Notched his first career tackle against Mercer, ending the game with two assisted tackles… Recorded a career-high seven tackles against Furman including a career-best three solo efforts… Redshirted.
High School
Played high school football at Riverside High School before finishing at Palmetto Prep for the 2021 season… Recorded 58 tackles including 36 solo efforts during his final season at Riverside… Named a team captain and All-Conference player in 2019.
Personal
Son of Selena and Spencer Smiley.
Alec Marenco | LB | 6-2 | 234 | El Paso, TX / Bruges High School / New Mexico / Kansas State
Career Accolades
- 2023 All-Mountain West Honorable Mention
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Senior)
Appeared in one game during the 2024 season for the Wildcats… Played on kickoff coverage against Tulane… Redshirted.
Prior to Kansas State
2023 (Junior)
Appeared in all 12 games while making 10 starts during the 2023 season for the Lobos… Earned All-Mountain West Honorable Mention honors after finishing the season with a team-best 66 tackles with 3.5 tackles-for-loss and a half sack… Also totaled three pass breakups and a forced fumble… Recorded a half sack against New Mexico State… Tallied a career high 12 tackles in New Mexico's road victory over Massachusetts… Added nine tackles with four solo efforts against Wyoming… Recorded 11 tackles, including a career high seven solo tackles, in the season finale against Utah State.
2022 (Sophomore)
Appeared in six games with three starts during the 2022 season with the Lobos… Recorded 26 tackles with one quarterback hurry during his sophomore campaign… Totaled a season-high nine tackles in his first career start against LSU… Added six tackles against UNLV, including a season-high five solo stops.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in nine games during the 2021 season for the Lobos… Primarily played on special teams during his freshman season… Recorded his first career tackle in his collegiate debut against Texas A&M… Also added tackles against Air Force, San Diego State, and UNLV.
High School
Lettered in both football and track at Bruges High School… Recorded 113 tackles with six tackles for loss during his senior season… Primarily played linebacker, but also played receiver, kicker, punter, and quarterback… Member of the district championship teams in 2019 and 2020.
Personal
Son of Oscar and Christina Marenco… Born on August 13, 2023.
Braylon Johnson | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Richmond, VA / Highland Springs High School / Virginia Tech
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Sophomore)
Appeared in four games during the 2024 season for the Hokies… Recorded four tackles with two solo efforts… Matched a career-high with three tackles during the Duke's Mayo Bowl against Minnesota… Redshirted.
2023 (Freshman)
Appeared in 12 games during the 2023 season for the Hokies… Recorded seven tackles with four solo tackles… Made his collegiate debut against Old Dominion… Recorded his first career tackle against Purdue… Set a career-high with three tackles, including two solo efforts, in the victory against Boston College.
High School
Four-year letterman for Coach Loren Johnson at Highland Springs High School in Virginia … Helped the Springers to three straight regional titles and a VHSL Class 5 State Championship as a senior with a record of 15-0 … Earned All-Region 5C first team honors as a junior and senior … Garnered VHSL Class 5 All-State honors as a senior … Registered 82 tackles and five interceptions over the last two seasons … Rated a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN, On3 and Rivals … Ranked No. 78 safety and No. 24 recruit in Virginia by 247 Sports … No. 115 safety and No. 36 recruit in Virginia by ESPN … No. 77 safety and No. 26 prospect in Virginia by On3 … No. 76 safety and No. 15 prospect in Virginia by Rivals … Invited to USA U-18 All-American Bowl … Lettered in track and field.
Personal
Son of Loren and Kimberly Johnson… Father, Loren, played football at Virginia Tech from 1995 to 1998… Born on June 11, 2005.
Ashaad Williams | DB | 6-2 | 178 | Russellville, Ala. / Russellville High School / North Alabama
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in all 12 games for the Lions during the 2024 season… Recorded 26 tackles with four solo efforts and two tackles for loss, including a sack…Led the team with two interceptions and 10 pass breakups…Notched four tackles with three solo tackles against Memphis…Recorded his first-career interception and his first-career sack in the win over Utah Tech…Totaled a season-high five tackles, including three solo efforts and a tackle for loss, against Central Arkansas… Added an interception and three solo tackles against Austin Peay.
2023 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Appeared in 11 games for the Lions during the 2023 season… Recorded 22 tackles with 15 solo tackles and a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss, as well as five pass breakups and a forced fumble… Totaled three solo tackles against Tarleton State… Recorded his first-career tackle for loss in the game against Eastern Kentucky… Notched a career-high seven tackles with three solo efforts and tackle for loss against Central Arkansas… Added five tackles in the next game against Florida State.
2022 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in nine games for the Lions in his first season of action in 2022… Totaled 13 tackles with seven solo efforts… Made his collegiate debut against Indiana State, recording a solo tackle… Added two solo tackles in back-to-back games against UVA Wise and Chattanooga… Recorded a season-high five tackles against Kennesaw State.
2021 (Freshman)
Did not see any action for the Lions during the 2021 season… Redshirted.
High School
Played defensive back under head coach John Ritter at Russellville High School … Helped lead the Golden Tigers to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs … Named all-county four times, defensive back MVP twice, and all-area four times … Also lettered in track.
Personal
Son of Ashia Suggs and Amil Williams.
Lardarius Webb Jr. | DB | 5-9 | 168 | Opelika, AL / Jackson Academy / Oklahoma State / South Alabama
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Redshirt Junior)
Appeared in all 13 games while making 12 starts during the 2024 season for the Jaguars… Recorded 41 tackles with 27 solo efforts and two tackles-for-loss, as well as two interceptions and three pass breakups… Totaled four solo tackles against Ohio… Added his first interception of the season, as well as four tackles with two solo tackles and 0.5 tackles-for-loss, against LSU… Added a pair of pass breakups in the conference opener against App State… Recorded a 72-yard interception and four solo tackles against Troy… Totaled a season-high six tackles in the victory over Southern Miss.. Added a tackle in the Jaguars' victory over Western Michigan in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl.
Prior to South Alabama
2023 (Junior)
Appeared in four games during the 2023 season for the Cowboys… Saw action against Central Arkansas, Arizona State, Cincinnati, and UCF… Redshirted.
Prior to Oklahoma State
2022 (Sophomore)
Appeared in all 10 games during the 2022 season for the Bobcats… Earned NJCAA All-American honors… Recorded 28 tackles with 15 solo efforts and four tackles-for-loss, six pass breakups, and six interceptions… His six interceptions were tied for the national lead for the 2022 season… Also added 51 punt return yards on eight attempts… Recorded an interception in back-to-back games against Itawamba and East Mississippi while also adding a combined six tackles with four solo tackles and a tackle-for-loss, and two pass breakups in those two contests… Added a 50-yard interception return against Hinds… Tallied a season-high five tackles and a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown in the season finale against Northwest.
2021 (Freshman)
Appeared in all 10 games while making six starts during the 2021 season for the Bobcats… Named First Team All-MACCC after recording 29 tackles with 20 solo efforts and three tackles-for-loss, as well as three interceptions and nine pass breakups… Totaled three pass breakups against both Northwest and Itawamba, while adding a season-best six tackles with two tackles-for-loss against Northwest… Recorded a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown in the season opener against Northeast… Had a 75-yard pick six in the victory over Hinds… Earned Academic All-MACCC honors.
High School
Played his senior season at Jackson Academy… Recorded 58 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, and nine pass breakups during his senior season… Ranked as the No. 25 player in Mississippi by 247Sports and was the No. 2 overall player in the MAIS… Earned Clarion Ledger Second Team All-State honors as a defensive back… Recorded a pair of interceptions, including the game-winning 72-yard pick in the MAIS All-Star Game… Transferred in from Beauregard High School where he had 51 tackles and three interceptions during his junior year… Also an MAIS 5A Overall 4x100 and 200 meter champion in track.
Personal
Son of Lardarius Webb and Precious Dowdell… Father, Lardarius, played nine seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, where he won a Super Bowl and was considered to be one of the top defensive backs in the league during his career… Born on January 11, 2003.
Connor Calvert | K | 6-3 | 203 | Bend, OR / Mountain View / Washington State
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Walked on prior to the season…did not appear in a game…redshirt season.
High School
Attended Mountain View High School in Oregon…as a SENIOR, named to 5A All-State First Team.
Eli Gilmour | LS | 6-3 | 218 | San Diego, CA / Del Notre / Nevada
Prior to Wake Forest
2024 (Freshman)
Made his lone appearance during the 2024 season for the Wolfpack against Hawaii… Redshirted.
High School
Played both long snapper and tight end at Del Norte High School… Helped lead Del Norte to the CIF Division 3-AA regional finals during his senior season.
Players Mentioned
Matt Barrie SportsCenter at Wake Forest with Demond Claiborne
Wednesday, September 10
Matt Barrie SportsCenter on Wake Forest Campus (Arnold Palmer Complex)
Wednesday, September 10
Football Media Availability (9/9/25)
Wednesday, September 10
Wake Forest Football vs Western Carolina | Cinematic Recap
Tuesday, September 09