Wake Forest Athletics
ProDeacs: 53-Man Roster
8/28/2025 4:21:00 PM | Football
The Demon Deacons are well-represented on NFL rosters heading into the 2025 season, as 14 former Deacs make opening day rosters.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – With the 2025 NFL season beginning on Thursday, Sept. 4, ProDeacs makes its triumphant return as 14 Demon Deacon football alumni were placed on the opening week rosters.
Overall, Pro Deacs feature on 13 NFL rosters heading into 2025, including multiple standout players such as Jessie Bates III, Kobie Turner, Justin Strnad, and many more that will be looking to build on their success from last season.
Bates III Ready for Another Standout Season in Atlanta
Following another standout season during 2024, safety Jessie Bates III is ready to have another successful third season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025.
Bates III, who joined the Falcons from the Cincinnati Bengals prior to the 2023 season, has consistently been ranked as one of the best safeties in the NFL, having finished last season ranked inside the top-15 among safeties according to Pro Football Focus with an 80.2 defensive grade. Bates III also held an 81.4 coverage grade, which set him inside the top-10 among safeties in 2024.
Overall, Bates finished the 2024 NFL season with 102 tackles with 62 solo tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, and four pass defenses. Bates also recorded four forced fumbles, which ranked tied-for-fourth in the NFL, and four interceptions, including a pick-six against the Giants.
Strnad Looking to Build Off Career-Best Season
Linebacker Justin Strnad, who enters his fifth season in the NFL, will be aiming to build off his career-best season as he suits up for the Denver Broncos once again in 2025.
Strnad, who has spent the majority of his NFL career as a member of the Broncos' special teams unit, broke out on the scene during the 2024 season while solidifying himself in the starting lineup at the inside linebacker position for Denver. Strnad set career-best totals across every single defensive statistic last season, finishing the year with 3 total tackles with 48 solo tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, and three sacks.
Turner Set for Year Three with Rams
After two impressive seasons to begin his professional career, defensive lineman Kobie Turner is set for another great season with the Los Angeles Rams, having been named a team captain for the second-consecutive year.
After a solid rookie campaign, Turner helped bolster a dangerous defensive front for the Rams. Turner finished the regular season with career-highs in tackles (62), solo tackles (35) and tackles-for-loss (8.5). Turner also ranked second on the Rams with eight sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. During the playoffs, Turner ten tackles with seven solo efforts and three sacks to lead the Rams to the NFC Divisional round against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Tom Leading the Line in Green Bay
Offensive lineman Zach Tom is once again ready to lead the line for the Green Bay Packers during the 2025 season. Tom continued his stellar career with the Packers, helping them earn a spot in the Wildcard round of the playoffs in 2024. He finished the season as one of the premier offensive tackles in the NFL, as his 85.8 offensive grade ranked fifth among offensive tackles in 2024, while his 87.8 run block grade ranked third.
#Pro Deacs Week One Slate (All times eastern)
Overall, Pro Deacs feature on 13 NFL rosters heading into 2025, including multiple standout players such as Jessie Bates III, Kobie Turner, Justin Strnad, and many more that will be looking to build on their success from last season.
Bates III Ready for Another Standout Season in Atlanta
Following another standout season during 2024, safety Jessie Bates III is ready to have another successful third season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025.
Bates III, who joined the Falcons from the Cincinnati Bengals prior to the 2023 season, has consistently been ranked as one of the best safeties in the NFL, having finished last season ranked inside the top-15 among safeties according to Pro Football Focus with an 80.2 defensive grade. Bates III also held an 81.4 coverage grade, which set him inside the top-10 among safeties in 2024.
Overall, Bates finished the 2024 NFL season with 102 tackles with 62 solo tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, and four pass defenses. Bates also recorded four forced fumbles, which ranked tied-for-fourth in the NFL, and four interceptions, including a pick-six against the Giants.
Strnad Looking to Build Off Career-Best Season
Linebacker Justin Strnad, who enters his fifth season in the NFL, will be aiming to build off his career-best season as he suits up for the Denver Broncos once again in 2025.
Strnad, who has spent the majority of his NFL career as a member of the Broncos' special teams unit, broke out on the scene during the 2024 season while solidifying himself in the starting lineup at the inside linebacker position for Denver. Strnad set career-best totals across every single defensive statistic last season, finishing the year with 3 total tackles with 48 solo tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, and three sacks.
Turner Set for Year Three with Rams
After two impressive seasons to begin his professional career, defensive lineman Kobie Turner is set for another great season with the Los Angeles Rams, having been named a team captain for the second-consecutive year.
After a solid rookie campaign, Turner helped bolster a dangerous defensive front for the Rams. Turner finished the regular season with career-highs in tackles (62), solo tackles (35) and tackles-for-loss (8.5). Turner also ranked second on the Rams with eight sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. During the playoffs, Turner ten tackles with seven solo efforts and three sacks to lead the Rams to the NFC Divisional round against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Tom Leading the Line in Green Bay
Offensive lineman Zach Tom is once again ready to lead the line for the Green Bay Packers during the 2025 season. Tom continued his stellar career with the Packers, helping them earn a spot in the Wildcard round of the playoffs in 2024. He finished the season as one of the premier offensive tackles in the NFL, as his 85.8 offensive grade ranked fifth among offensive tackles in 2024, while his 87.8 run block grade ranked third.
#Pro Deacs Week One Slate (All times eastern)
- Greg Dortch (ARI)
- Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Casey Washington (ATL)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Boogie Basham (CAR - PS)
- Carolina Panthers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ahmani Marshall (CLE - PS)
- Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Thursday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- A.T. Perry (DEN - PS)
- Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Justin Herron (DET - IR)
- Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Zach Tom (GB)
- Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Branson Combs (JAX - PS)
- Carolina Panthers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Alex Bachman (LV - PS)
- Las Vegas Raiders vs. New England Patriots (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (LAC)
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Friday, 8:00 p.m., YouTube)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Michael Jurgens (MIN)
- Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC)
- Ke'Shawn Williams (PIT - PS)
- Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Jets (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Malik Mustapha (SF - IR)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m., FOX)
- J.J. Roberts (TB - IR)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
Players Mentioned
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