Deacs Stocks on the Rise After Pro Day Performances

3/27/2026 12:16:00 PM | Football

“These guys are cornerstones for our program. They were catalysts for one of the best record turnarounds in college football last season.” - head coach Jake Dickert

By: Andrew Kovar

The numbers tell part of the story. The rest, as Wake Forest head football coach Jake Dickert made clear, is about everything you can't measure.

On Wake Forest's Pro Day Wednesday, inside a packed McCreary Field House with evaluators from nearly every NFL organization and seven CFL teams, the outgoing class that led the Demon Deacons to a 9-4 season and a Duke's Mayo Bowl title took center stage. This wasn't about one drill, one rep or one sprint. It was about years of work finally meeting the opportunity to impress NFL evaluators.

"This game isn't played in shorts and tights," Dickert said. "Your tape speaks for itself."

Still, the stakes and the stage were undeniable.

Among the crowd were position coaches from across the league, including running backs coaches from the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys, both there with a clear purpose: to get a closer look at running back Demond Claiborne.

Already regarded by Coach Dickert as 'one of the most explosive players in the country,' Claiborne used the day not just to confirm what was on film, but to answer questions about durability, size, and versatility.

He arrived at 195 pounds as he continued to work and build his body after the NFL Combine, and moved with the same burst that he had during his four seasons on the field. Claiborne ended his All-American career with 2,599 rushing yards which ranks fourth in program history.

For Claiborne, the moment stretched beyond metrics.

"I come from the country, the middle of nowhere," Claiborne said. "Being the first from my community to go to the NFL Combine, to do Pro Day, it means everything."

That perspective showed in his approach. Every drill, every interaction, every answer carried the weight of something larger than football—a path not just for himself, but for those watching from home.

Around him, teammates followed similar arcs—different journeys, same destination.

For offensive lineman Fa'alili Fa'amoe, the moment was rooted in gratitude.

"It was a great workout," Fa'amoe said. "Great to be back out here."

No theatrics, no overstatements, just quiet confidence in the work already done.

Others let their performances speak with impressive numbers, helping their stock rise with them.

Linebacker Dylan Hazen delivered one of the most complete days, posting a 4.60 40-yard dash, a 39-inch vertical and a 10-foot-4 broad jump, while adding a 4.14 short shuttle, 6.77 three-cone and 26 bench reps. The numbers circulated quickly online, drawing praise across scouting circles and social media for their balance of explosiveness and agility.

Defensive lineman Jayden Loving turned heads with raw strength and power, repping 33 on the bench press to go along with a 4.82 40, 35-inch vertical, and 9-foot-3 broad jump. His performance—particularly the bench and 40-yd dash—became one of the more talked-about moments of the day, reinforcing the physicality teams had already noted on tape while also showing elite speed for the defensive tackle position.

Then there was Karon Prunty, who may have answered more questions than anyone. A player known for his length, Prunty showcased his speed with a 4.45 40-yard dash, pairing it with a 10-foot-3 broad jump, 4.20 short shuttle, and 6.82 three-cone.

"I proved all the doubters wrong," Prunty said.

Also in the defensive back room, Nick Andersen showcased his athleticism. His 35-inch vertical, 10-foot-1 broad jump, 6.82 three-cone and 17 bench reps reinforced what he believes already shows up every Saturday.

"A lot of people are fast," Andersen said. "But are you fast on the football field?"

Andersen was one of the more productive players in Wake Forest history over his career, finishing eighth all-time in program history with 368 tackles.

And then there was quarterback Robby Ashford, perhaps the most intriguing projection of the group. Ashford embraced the possibility of becoming something more than just a quarterback at the next level. His workout and conversations with teams reflected a player willing to adapt.

"I know I can play quarterback," he said. "And I know I can play another position, too."

Pro Day also reflected something larger, something Dickert has been building since arriving in Winston-Salem.

Wake Forest's turnaround to nine wins wasn't just about results. It was about reshaping perception inside the program and outside it.

Pro Day offered a snapshot of that shift.

Scouts weren't just evaluating individuals, they were evaluating a program that, in Dickert's words, is beginning to mirror the structure and demands of the NFL itself.

And as each player cycled through drills, 40-yard dashes, position work, interviews the message remained consistent.

"This was their day," Dickert said.