Wake Forest Athletics
Gio Lopez, Langston Hardy & Davaughn Patterson Set to Represent Wake Forest at 2026 ACC Kickoff
6/24/2026 2:55:00 PM | Football
The Demon Deacons are scheduled to make their appearance at the annual event on Friday, July 17 in Charlotte.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez, defensive lineman Langston Hardy and defensive back Davaughn Patterson are set to represent the Demon Deacons at the 2026 ACC Kickoff on Friday, July 17 in Charlotte, N.C.
Second-year head coach Jake Dickert and Wake Forest's student-athletes are scheduled to be live at the podium and will make multiple appearances on the ACC Network set. The entire three-day event can be seen live on ACC Network as well as on the ESPN App.
Stay tuned to GoDeacs.com and Wake Forest's social media platforms for information about live interviews and exclusive content from this exciting event.
More on the ACC Kickoff attendees:
Gio Lopez | Quarterback | Redshirt Junior
Lopez arrived in Winston-Salem earlier this year after spending the 2025 season at North Carolina, where he started 11 games at quarterback. He completed 170-of-261 passes (65.1 percent) for 1,747 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 133 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
The signal-caller recorded six games with a completion percentage of 65 percent or higher, including four contests above 70 percent. Among his top performances were a 216-yard, two-touchdown outing at Syracuse and a 203-yard, two-touchdown effort against Stanford. He also completed 21-of-27 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns against Duke.
Before joining the Tar Heels, Lopez earned All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention honors during a standout 2024 campaign at South Alabama. Starting 11 games, he threw for 2,557 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 65.9 percent of his passes and tossing just five interceptions.
He also rushed for 465 yards and seven scores, averaging 274.7 yards of total offense per game to rank 22nd nationally. Lopez finished among the Sun Belt leaders in passing touchdowns, passing yards per game, passing efficiency and completion percentage.
His breakout season included setting a South Alabama single-game record with 494 yards of total offense in the season opener against North Texas, accounting for 432 passing yards and 62 rushing yards while throwing three touchdowns. He also led the Jaguars to a school-record 87 points against Northwestern State, tossing four touchdown passes, and produced multiple touchdown performances against Louisiana and App State.
As a true freshman in 2023, Lopez appeared in five games and preserved his redshirt season while making one start. He earned 68 Ventures Bowl MVP honors after leading South Alabama to the first bowl victory in program history, a 59-10 win over Eastern Michigan. In the bowl game, Lopez threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns while adding 88 rushing yards and another score. He finished the season with 475 passing yards, four touchdown passes, 154 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
A three-star prospect out of high school, Lopez was named First Team All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a senior and competed in the AHSAA North-South All-Star Game. During his junior season, he threw for 2,767 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Langston Hardy | Defensive Lineman | Redshirt Senior
As a redshirt junior in 2025, Langston Hardy earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors after starting all 13 games for the Demon Deacons. Hardy emerged as one of the ACC's premier pass rushers, leading the conference and ranking fifth nationally with 17 tackles for loss, a mark that tied for the 11th-most in a single season in Wake Forest history. He finished the year with 67 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks and a fumble recovery. His seven sacks led the Demon Deacons and ranked fifth in the ACC.
Hardy made an immediate impact in his second game at Wake Forest, recording four tackles and 2.5 sacks against Western Carolina. He followed that performance with a season-high three tackles for loss against NC State on Sept. 11. Hardy closed the season with one of his strongest outings, posting a season-high eight tackles, two tackles for loss, a half sack and two quarterback hits in the season finale against Duke on Nov. 29.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hardy graded as the No. 11 EDGE defender in the ACC among players with at least 500 snaps and ranked as Wake Forest's third-highest-graded defender overall. He logged 619 regular-season snaps, the fifth-most among all ACC defensive linemen and edge rushers.
Davaughn Patterson | Defensive Back | Redshirt Junior
As a redshirt sophomore in 2025, Davaughn Patterson earned All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition after appearing in all 12 games for the Demon Deacons. One of the conference's most reliable defensive backs, Patterson finished with 78 total tackles, four tackles for loss, nine pass breakups and a forced fumble. His nine passes defended ranked sixth in the ACC and led Wake Forest, while he allowed just two touchdowns throughout the season.
Patterson delivered one of his top performances in Wake Forest's victory over SMU on Oct. 25, earning ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors and a spot on Pro Football Focus' Team of the Week. He was a versatile presence in the secondary, spending time at slot corner, strong safety and on special teams.
A 2025 Athlon Preseason All-ACC selection, Patterson played 753 snaps during the season, the sixth-most among ACC defensive backs. No defensive back in the conference logged more snaps at slot corner, underscoring his durability and importance to the Demon Deacons' defense.
Wake Forest Football Overview
In the greatest debut campaign by a head coach in program history, Dickert, his staff and his players guided the Demon Deacons to just the fourth nine-win season in school history, punctuated by an emphatic 43–29 victory over Mississippi State to capture the Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Wake Forest finished the 2025 season 9-4, marking the fifth time in the last nine years the program reached eight or more wins – one of only five ACC programs to accomplish that feat during the span.
With that, the nine victories in 2025 was tied for the most among all FBS and Power 4 programs in the Carolinas.
Dickert surpassed Billy Dooley who won seven games during his first season in Winston-Salem in 1987 and the 2025 campaign was highlighted by marquee College Football Playoff Top-25 wins over SMU and No. 12 Virginia – the Cavaliers' only home loss of the year – as well as a Big Four victory over North Carolina inside a sold-out Allegacy Stadium.
Defensively, the Demon Deacons were among the ACC's elite in 2025, ranking seventh in the league and 44th nationally in scoring defense while finishing top-six in the conference in both total defense and passing defense. Wake Forest did not allow a touchdown against either No. 12 Virginia or North Carolina during the season.
Individual success followed team success, as 12 Demon Deacons earned All-ACC honors in 2025. The selections marked the ninth consecutive season Wake Forest placed six or more players on the All-Conference teams, and since 2019, the program's 74 All-ACC honorees rank fifth most in the ACC. Additionally, three Demon Deacons garnered All-America honors as senior tailback Demond Claiborne and redshirt senior safety Nick Andersen were named honorable mention by Phil Steele and rookie kicker Connor Calvert was named a FWAA Freshman All-American.
The Demon Deacons return top-tier talent again for the 2026 season led by a core group of star defensive back Davaughn Patterson, breakout offensive weapon Carlos Hernandez and the ACC leader in tackles for loss Langston Hardy.
Patterson, an All-ACC selection, made 80 total tackles, 4.0 TFLs, nine pass breakups and forced a fumble. He finished sixth in the ACC and first on the team with nine passes defended. For Patterson's efforts in the memorable win over SMU, he was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week and garnered PFF Team of the Week honors.
Hernandez was the Deacs leading receiver in 2025 catching 40 passes for 611 yards and three receiving touchdowns while also scoring a rushing touchdown and returning an unforgettable punt for a touchdown in the road win at No. 13 Virginia. Against Delaware, he had a career day, catching five passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns, including a 97-yarder, the longest reception in school history. He also totaled 100 receiving yards, 51 rushing yards and two total touchdowns in the victory over North Carolina.
Hardy, an All-ACC pick, led the ACC and finished fifth in the country with 17.0 tackles for loss. He also tied for 11th in Wake Forest history with 17.0 TFLs in a season. Additionally, his 7.0 sacks led the team and was good for fifth-most in the conference.
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
Follow on Social Media:
Follow the Deacs on social media and GoDeacs.com for the latest announcements and news.
Accounts:
Second-year head coach Jake Dickert and Wake Forest's student-athletes are scheduled to be live at the podium and will make multiple appearances on the ACC Network set. The entire three-day event can be seen live on ACC Network as well as on the ESPN App.
Stay tuned to GoDeacs.com and Wake Forest's social media platforms for information about live interviews and exclusive content from this exciting event.
More on the ACC Kickoff attendees:
Gio Lopez | Quarterback | Redshirt Junior
Lopez arrived in Winston-Salem earlier this year after spending the 2025 season at North Carolina, where he started 11 games at quarterback. He completed 170-of-261 passes (65.1 percent) for 1,747 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 133 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
The signal-caller recorded six games with a completion percentage of 65 percent or higher, including four contests above 70 percent. Among his top performances were a 216-yard, two-touchdown outing at Syracuse and a 203-yard, two-touchdown effort against Stanford. He also completed 21-of-27 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns against Duke.
Before joining the Tar Heels, Lopez earned All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention honors during a standout 2024 campaign at South Alabama. Starting 11 games, he threw for 2,557 yards and 18 touchdowns while completing 65.9 percent of his passes and tossing just five interceptions.
He also rushed for 465 yards and seven scores, averaging 274.7 yards of total offense per game to rank 22nd nationally. Lopez finished among the Sun Belt leaders in passing touchdowns, passing yards per game, passing efficiency and completion percentage.
His breakout season included setting a South Alabama single-game record with 494 yards of total offense in the season opener against North Texas, accounting for 432 passing yards and 62 rushing yards while throwing three touchdowns. He also led the Jaguars to a school-record 87 points against Northwestern State, tossing four touchdown passes, and produced multiple touchdown performances against Louisiana and App State.
As a true freshman in 2023, Lopez appeared in five games and preserved his redshirt season while making one start. He earned 68 Ventures Bowl MVP honors after leading South Alabama to the first bowl victory in program history, a 59-10 win over Eastern Michigan. In the bowl game, Lopez threw for 192 yards and three touchdowns while adding 88 rushing yards and another score. He finished the season with 475 passing yards, four touchdown passes, 154 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
A three-star prospect out of high school, Lopez was named First Team All-State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as a senior and competed in the AHSAA North-South All-Star Game. During his junior season, he threw for 2,767 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Langston Hardy | Defensive Lineman | Redshirt Senior
As a redshirt junior in 2025, Langston Hardy earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors after starting all 13 games for the Demon Deacons. Hardy emerged as one of the ACC's premier pass rushers, leading the conference and ranking fifth nationally with 17 tackles for loss, a mark that tied for the 11th-most in a single season in Wake Forest history. He finished the year with 67 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, seven sacks and a fumble recovery. His seven sacks led the Demon Deacons and ranked fifth in the ACC.
Hardy made an immediate impact in his second game at Wake Forest, recording four tackles and 2.5 sacks against Western Carolina. He followed that performance with a season-high three tackles for loss against NC State on Sept. 11. Hardy closed the season with one of his strongest outings, posting a season-high eight tackles, two tackles for loss, a half sack and two quarterback hits in the season finale against Duke on Nov. 29.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hardy graded as the No. 11 EDGE defender in the ACC among players with at least 500 snaps and ranked as Wake Forest's third-highest-graded defender overall. He logged 619 regular-season snaps, the fifth-most among all ACC defensive linemen and edge rushers.
Davaughn Patterson | Defensive Back | Redshirt Junior
As a redshirt sophomore in 2025, Davaughn Patterson earned All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition after appearing in all 12 games for the Demon Deacons. One of the conference's most reliable defensive backs, Patterson finished with 78 total tackles, four tackles for loss, nine pass breakups and a forced fumble. His nine passes defended ranked sixth in the ACC and led Wake Forest, while he allowed just two touchdowns throughout the season.
Patterson delivered one of his top performances in Wake Forest's victory over SMU on Oct. 25, earning ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors and a spot on Pro Football Focus' Team of the Week. He was a versatile presence in the secondary, spending time at slot corner, strong safety and on special teams.
A 2025 Athlon Preseason All-ACC selection, Patterson played 753 snaps during the season, the sixth-most among ACC defensive backs. No defensive back in the conference logged more snaps at slot corner, underscoring his durability and importance to the Demon Deacons' defense.
Wake Forest Football Overview
In the greatest debut campaign by a head coach in program history, Dickert, his staff and his players guided the Demon Deacons to just the fourth nine-win season in school history, punctuated by an emphatic 43–29 victory over Mississippi State to capture the Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Wake Forest finished the 2025 season 9-4, marking the fifth time in the last nine years the program reached eight or more wins – one of only five ACC programs to accomplish that feat during the span.
With that, the nine victories in 2025 was tied for the most among all FBS and Power 4 programs in the Carolinas.
Dickert surpassed Billy Dooley who won seven games during his first season in Winston-Salem in 1987 and the 2025 campaign was highlighted by marquee College Football Playoff Top-25 wins over SMU and No. 12 Virginia – the Cavaliers' only home loss of the year – as well as a Big Four victory over North Carolina inside a sold-out Allegacy Stadium.
Defensively, the Demon Deacons were among the ACC's elite in 2025, ranking seventh in the league and 44th nationally in scoring defense while finishing top-six in the conference in both total defense and passing defense. Wake Forest did not allow a touchdown against either No. 12 Virginia or North Carolina during the season.
Individual success followed team success, as 12 Demon Deacons earned All-ACC honors in 2025. The selections marked the ninth consecutive season Wake Forest placed six or more players on the All-Conference teams, and since 2019, the program's 74 All-ACC honorees rank fifth most in the ACC. Additionally, three Demon Deacons garnered All-America honors as senior tailback Demond Claiborne and redshirt senior safety Nick Andersen were named honorable mention by Phil Steele and rookie kicker Connor Calvert was named a FWAA Freshman All-American.
The Demon Deacons return top-tier talent again for the 2026 season led by a core group of star defensive back Davaughn Patterson, breakout offensive weapon Carlos Hernandez and the ACC leader in tackles for loss Langston Hardy.
Patterson, an All-ACC selection, made 80 total tackles, 4.0 TFLs, nine pass breakups and forced a fumble. He finished sixth in the ACC and first on the team with nine passes defended. For Patterson's efforts in the memorable win over SMU, he was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week and garnered PFF Team of the Week honors.
Hernandez was the Deacs leading receiver in 2025 catching 40 passes for 611 yards and three receiving touchdowns while also scoring a rushing touchdown and returning an unforgettable punt for a touchdown in the road win at No. 13 Virginia. Against Delaware, he had a career day, catching five passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns, including a 97-yarder, the longest reception in school history. He also totaled 100 receiving yards, 51 rushing yards and two total touchdowns in the victory over North Carolina.
Hardy, an All-ACC pick, led the ACC and finished fifth in the country with 17.0 tackles for loss. He also tied for 11th in Wake Forest history with 17.0 TFLs in a season. Additionally, his 7.0 sacks led the team and was good for fifth-most in the conference.
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
Follow on Social Media:
Follow the Deacs on social media and GoDeacs.com for the latest announcements and news.
Accounts:
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