Wake Forest Athletics
Langston Hardy Named Shriners Children's East-West Bowl Defensive Player of the Week
10/12/2026 9:59:00 AM | Football
The Wake Forest captain made his presence felt in a dominating performance against NC State in a 38-14 victory in Week 6 action.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest redshirt senior defensive lineman Langston Hardy on Monday was named Defensive Player of the Week by the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl for his performance in the Demon Deacons' 38-14 victory over NC State in Week 6 action.
Hardy matched redshirt junior linebacker Vincent Firenze for the team lead in total tackles (eight) and solo tackles (four) along with logging a Wake Forest-high two tackles for loss to help lead the Demon Deacons to their largest road win in Raleigh over NC State in 83 years.
The Jacksonville, Fla., native recorded 1.5 sacks on the day while helping hold NC State to just 0.6 yards per rush. The 0.6 yards per rush were the lowest by any ACC program in a game this season and is also tied for the second-lowest average in a Power 4 matchup this season, trailing only the -0.1 yards per rush by Washington against Iowa.
Hardy now ranks tied for second in the ACC in tackles for loss this season at 9.5 and over the last two seasons, his 26.0 tackles for loss are most amongst active defensive players.
Tackles For Loss Leaders: 2025-26 Seasons
Hardy matched redshirt junior linebacker Vincent Firenze for the team lead in total tackles (eight) and solo tackles (four) along with logging a Wake Forest-high two tackles for loss to help lead the Demon Deacons to their largest road win in Raleigh over NC State in 83 years.
The Jacksonville, Fla., native recorded 1.5 sacks on the day while helping hold NC State to just 0.6 yards per rush. The 0.6 yards per rush were the lowest by any ACC program in a game this season and is also tied for the second-lowest average in a Power 4 matchup this season, trailing only the -0.1 yards per rush by Washington against Iowa.
Hardy now ranks tied for second in the ACC in tackles for loss this season at 9.5 and over the last two seasons, his 26.0 tackles for loss are most amongst active defensive players.
Tackles For Loss Leaders: 2025-26 Seasons
| Rank | Name | School | TFLs |
| 1. | Langston Hardy | Wake Forest | 26.0 |
| 2. | Stephen Daley | Indiana | 25.0 |
| T3. | Xavier Atkins | Auburn | 24.5 |
| T3. | Colin Simmons | Texas | 24.5 |
| 5. | Princewill Umanmielen | LSU/Ole Miss | 24.0 |
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
DL
/ FootballMonday, October 12
Wednesday, October 07
Wednesday, October 07
Tuesday, October 06