Wake Forest Athletics
ProDeacs: 53-Man Roster
9/1/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
The Demon Deacons are well-represented on NFL rosters heading into the 2026 season, as 13 former Deacs make opening day rosters.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – With the 2026 NFL season beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 9, ProDeacs makes its triumphant return as 13 Demon Deacon football alumni were placed on initial 53-man rosters.
Overall, Pro Deacs feature on 13 NFL rosters heading into 2026, including multiple standout players such as Kenneth Walker III, Jessie Bates III, Kobie Turner, Justin Strnad and many more that will be looking to build on their success from last season.
Walker III Ready for New Challenge with Chiefs
After guiding the Seattle Seahawks to victory in last season's Super Bowl, running back Kenneth Walker III is set for a new challenge heading into the 2026 season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Walker III recorded another stellar season with the Seahawks in 2025, finishing the regular season with 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns, as well as 31 receptions for 282 yards. Walker III carried this momentum into the playoffs, where he rushed for 313 yards and four touchdowns, including going for 135 yards en route to winning Super Bowl MVP.
Bates III Eyeing Another Standout Season
Considered one of the best safeties in the NFL, Jessie Bates III is looking to add another standout season as he enters his fourth season with the Atlanta Falcons.
Bates III ended 2025 with 98 total tackles and three interceptions, including a pick-six against the Los Angeles Rams. In his eight seasons as a professional, Bates III has logged 27 interceptions and four pick-sixes. Additionally, Bates III has recorded multiple interceptions in all but one season, including a career-best six during the 2023 season.
Strnad Looking to Continue Success in Denver
Linebacker Justin Strnad will be looking to continue his recent success with the Denver Broncos this upcoming season.
After a breakout season in 2024, the sixth-year professional tallied 58 total tackles, a career-high 4.5 sacks and his first career interception while leading the Denver Broncos to the AFC West crown last season. Overall, Strnad has notched 131 tackles and 7.5 sacks over the last two seasons, cementing himself as a key figure in a dominant Broncos defense.
Turner Ready for Year Four with Rams
Entering his fourth season with the Los Angeles Rams, defensive lineman Kobie Turner is set for a breakout season on one of the best defensive fronts.
Last season, Turner, who was named a team captain for the third consecutive season, continued his stellar start to his career as he recorded 48 tackles, seven sacks and his first career interception.
Mustapha Set for Third Season with 49ers
Safety Malik Mustapha is set for another stellar season in 2026 as he enters his third season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Following an outstanding rookie campaign, Mustapha recorded a career-best season despite battling injuries. In total, Mustapha tallied 76 tackles, including 44 solo efforts, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, three pass defenses and an interception in just 12 games. Mustapha also added 11 tackles, including eight solo tackles and his first career sack, during the 2025 NFL playoffs.
Three Rookies Earn Spots on Opening Week Rosters
After being selected in the 2026 NFL draft, rookies Demond Claiborne and Karon Prunty both earned spots on opening week rosters.
Prunty, who was selected by the New England Patriots in the fifth round, will suit up in the opening game of the 2026 NFL season in a Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks. Meanwhile, Claiborne, who was taken in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings, will open his professional career against Wake Forest alum Zach Bako-Bewele and the Green Bay Packers in an NFC North division battle.
Meanwhile, defensive lineman Jayden Loving earned a spot on the Chicago Bears' 53-man roster after signing as an undrafted free agent. Loving will make his return to the Tar Heel state as the Bears take on the Carolina Panthers in Week One.
#Pro Deacs Week One Slate (All times eastern)
Overall, Pro Deacs feature on 13 NFL rosters heading into 2026, including multiple standout players such as Kenneth Walker III, Jessie Bates III, Kobie Turner, Justin Strnad and many more that will be looking to build on their success from last season.
Walker III Ready for New Challenge with Chiefs
After guiding the Seattle Seahawks to victory in last season's Super Bowl, running back Kenneth Walker III is set for a new challenge heading into the 2026 season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Walker III recorded another stellar season with the Seahawks in 2025, finishing the regular season with 1,027 rushing yards and five touchdowns, as well as 31 receptions for 282 yards. Walker III carried this momentum into the playoffs, where he rushed for 313 yards and four touchdowns, including going for 135 yards en route to winning Super Bowl MVP.
Bates III Eyeing Another Standout Season
Considered one of the best safeties in the NFL, Jessie Bates III is looking to add another standout season as he enters his fourth season with the Atlanta Falcons.
Bates III ended 2025 with 98 total tackles and three interceptions, including a pick-six against the Los Angeles Rams. In his eight seasons as a professional, Bates III has logged 27 interceptions and four pick-sixes. Additionally, Bates III has recorded multiple interceptions in all but one season, including a career-best six during the 2023 season.
Strnad Looking to Continue Success in Denver
Linebacker Justin Strnad will be looking to continue his recent success with the Denver Broncos this upcoming season.
After a breakout season in 2024, the sixth-year professional tallied 58 total tackles, a career-high 4.5 sacks and his first career interception while leading the Denver Broncos to the AFC West crown last season. Overall, Strnad has notched 131 tackles and 7.5 sacks over the last two seasons, cementing himself as a key figure in a dominant Broncos defense.
Turner Ready for Year Four with Rams
Entering his fourth season with the Los Angeles Rams, defensive lineman Kobie Turner is set for a breakout season on one of the best defensive fronts.
Last season, Turner, who was named a team captain for the third consecutive season, continued his stellar start to his career as he recorded 48 tackles, seven sacks and his first career interception.
Mustapha Set for Third Season with 49ers
Safety Malik Mustapha is set for another stellar season in 2026 as he enters his third season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Following an outstanding rookie campaign, Mustapha recorded a career-best season despite battling injuries. In total, Mustapha tallied 76 tackles, including 44 solo efforts, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, three pass defenses and an interception in just 12 games. Mustapha also added 11 tackles, including eight solo tackles and his first career sack, during the 2025 NFL playoffs.
Three Rookies Earn Spots on Opening Week Rosters
After being selected in the 2026 NFL draft, rookies Demond Claiborne and Karon Prunty both earned spots on opening week rosters.
Prunty, who was selected by the New England Patriots in the fifth round, will suit up in the opening game of the 2026 NFL season in a Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks. Meanwhile, Claiborne, who was taken in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings, will open his professional career against Wake Forest alum Zach Bako-Bewele and the Green Bay Packers in an NFC North division battle.
Meanwhile, defensive lineman Jayden Loving earned a spot on the Chicago Bears' 53-man roster after signing as an undrafted free agent. Loving will make his return to the Tar Heel state as the Bears take on the Carolina Panthers in Week One.
#Pro Deacs Week One Slate (All times eastern)
- Jessie Bates III (ATL)
- Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Greg Dortch (BUF - PS)
- Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Jayden Loving (CHI)
- Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ja'Sir Taylor (CIN - IR)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Ke'Shawn Williams (CIN)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., FOX)
- Blake Whiteheart (CLE)
- Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Caelen Carson (DAL)
- Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Justin Strnad (DEN)
- Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
- Zach Bako-Bewele (GB)
- Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Branson Combs (JAX)
- Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1:00 p.m., CBS)
- Kenneth Walker III (KC)
- Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN)
- Nick Andersen (LAR - PS)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, 8:35 p.m., NETFLIX)
- Alex Bachman (LAR - PS)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, 8:35 p.m., NETFLIX)
- Kobie Turner (LAR)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, 8:35 p.m., NETFLIX)
- Demond Claiborne (MIN)
- Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Michael Jergens (MIN - IR)
- Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS)
- Karon Prunty (NE)
- New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks (Wednesday, 8:20 p.m., NBC)
- Malik Mustapha (SF)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams (Thursday, 8:35 p.m., NETFLIX)
- Sam Hartman (WAS - PS)
- Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday, 4:25 p.m., FOX)
Players Mentioned
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