Wake Forest Athletics
Football
Effrem Reed
- Title:
- Assistant Coach, Running Backs
After leading one of the most prolific offenses in the country with Wake Forest Offensive Coordinator Rob Ezell, Head Coach Jake Dickert announced the addition of Effrem Reed to his staff as Running Backs Coach ahead of the 2025 season.
During his first season as running backs coach at Wake Forest, running back Demond Claiborne continued to etch his name into the Wake Forest record book, moving to fourth all-time in career rushing yards. Claiborne also became the program’s all-time leader among Wake Forest running backs in career rushing touchdowns during the College Football Era and surpassed AT Perry for the most overall touchdowns in the CFP Era during the 2025 season.
In his lone season at South Alabama, Reed helped the Jaguars rewrite the record books, as the 2,582 yards on the ground were the most in program history. Under Reed’s guidance, freshman Fluff Bothwell and junior Kentrel Bullock each rushed for over 800 yards marking the first time in South Alabama history that a pair of tailbacks had both rushed over 800 yards in the same season.
Bothwell rushed for 834 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games as a true freshman in 2024. He led the Sun Belt Conference in rushing touchdowns and finished seventh in yards. Bothwell had four 100-yard games and five multi-touchdown games, earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors.
Bullock rushed for 832 yards and seven touchdowns in his first year under Reed. Bullock is the first South Alabama student-athlete to rush over 100 yards in a bowl game and had four 100-yard games in 2024 after not crossing over the century mark before Reed arrived in Mobile.
Prior to his time in Mobile, Reed spent four years at Michigan State. He arrived in East Lansing in 2020 as an offensive analyst and was promoted to running backs coach in January 2022.
In his final season at Michigan State, Reed helped guide running back Nathan Carter to nearly 800 yards rushing, while ranking third in the Big Ten in attempts. Carter rushed for over 100 yards in three games, including a season-high 113 yards on 18 carries in his debut against Central Michigan in Week 1. Reed assisted Carter in becoming the first Spartan since Jehuu Caulcrick in 2007 to score three touchdowns in a single quarter after running for three scores (2 yards, 44 yards, 6 yards) in the third quarter of the 45-14 win over Richmond in Week 2.
During his first season as running backs coach, Reed helped mentor first-year starter Jalen Berger, who ranked 11th in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns (6), 12th in carries (148) and 15th in rushing (56.9 ypg; 683 yards).
In Reed’s second season as an analyst for the Spartans in 2021, MSU finished third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 31.8 points per game under offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. The offense featured unanimous All-American, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III, who ranked second in the FBS in rushing with 1,636 yards. Walker, who was also named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year, was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Seattle and went on to become a finalist for NFL Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,050 yards for the Seahawks in 2022. The Spartans had a total of four players overall on offense drafted in 2022, including offensive tackle AJ Arcuri (seventh round, Rams), tight end Connor Heyward (sixth round, Steelers and wide receiver Jalen Nailor (sixth round, Vikings).
Reed joined the Spartan football program in 2020 as an offensive analyst after spending the previous two seasons (2018-19) at Louisiana. He was a defensive graduate assistant for the Rajun' Cajuns in 2019 and the director of player engagement for the program in 2018.
A four-year letterwinner as a running back for Louisiana from 2012-15, Reed played for Johnson, who served in the same role for the Ragin' Cajuns during Reed's career. As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Reed recorded career highs in rushing yards (414), carries (86) and rushing TDs (5). He played in 44 games throughout his career and compiled nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards to go along with eight TDs.
Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Reed was a first-team all-state honoree at Dutchtown High School after rushing for 1,926 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior in 2010. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Louisiana in 2015.
Wake Forest (2025-Present)
Wake Forest enjoyed a nine-win campaign capped by a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory. Highlighted by one of the program’s most productive offensive seasons in recent years, the Demon Deacons scored 30 or more points six times and averaged over 28 points per game, both marks representing the program’s highest outputs since the 2022 season. Wake Forest also generated 27 plays of 30 yards or more, its most explosive-play total since 2022, while showcasing offensive balance and depth across multiple position groups.
Running back Demond Claiborne earned Second Team All-ACC recognition. Claiborne continued to etch his name into the Wake Forest record book, moving to fourth all-time in career rushing yards. Claiborne also became the program’s all-time leader among Wake Forest running backs in career rushing touchdowns during the College Football Era and surpassed AT Perry for the most overall touchdowns in the CFP Era during the 2025 season.
South Alabama (2024)
In his lone season at South Alabama, Reed helped the Jaguards rewrite the record books, as the 2,582 yards on the ground were the most in program history. Under Reed’s guidance, freshman Fluff Bothwell and junior Kentrel Bullock each rushed for over 800 yards marking the first time in South Alabama history that a pair of tailbacks had both rushed over 800 yards in the same season.
Bothwell rushed for 834 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games as a true freshman in 2024. He led the Sun Belt Conference in rushing touchdowns and finished seventh in yards. Bothwell had four 100-yard games and five multi-touchdown games, earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors.
Bullock rushed for 832 yards and seven touchdowns in his first year under Reed. Bullock is the first South Alabama student-athlete to rush over 100 yards in a bowl game and had four 100-yard games in 2024 after not crossing over the century mark before Reed arrived in Mobile.
Michigan State (2020-23)
Prior to his time in Mobile, Reed spent four years at Michigan State. He arrived in East Lansing in 2020 as an offensive analyst and was promoted to running backs coach in January 2022.
In his final season at Michigan State, Reed helped guide running back Nathan Carter to nearly 800 yards rushing, while ranking third in the Big Ten in attempts. Carter rushed for over 100 yards in three games, including a season-high 113 yards on 18 carries in his debut against Central Michigan in Week 1. Reed assisted Carter in becoming the first Spartan since Jehuu Caulcrick in 2007 to score three touchdowns in a single quarter after running for three scores (2 yards, 44 yards, 6 yards) in the third quarter of the 45-14 win over Richmond in Week 2.
During his first season as running backs coach, Reed helped mentor first-year starter Jalen Berger, who ranked 11th in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns (6), 12th in carries (148) and 15th in rushing (56.9 ypg; 683 yards).
In Reed’s second season as an analyst for the Spartans in 2021, MSU finished third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 31.8 points per game under offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. The offense featured unanimous All-American, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III, who ranked second in the FBS in rushing with 1,636 yards. Walker, who was also named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year, was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Seattle and went on to become a finalist for NFL Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,050 yards for the Seahawks in 2022. The Spartans had a total of four players overall on offense drafted in 2022, including offensive tackle AJ Arcuri (seventh round, Rams), tight end Connor Heyward (sixth round, Steelers and wide receiver Jalen Nailor (sixth round, Vikings).
Louisiana (2018-19)
Reed spent two seasons at Louisiana serving as a defensive graduate assistant for the Rajun' Cajuns in 2019 and the director of player engagement for the program in 2018. Louisiana made the postseason in both seasons with Reed on staff, including a victory over Miami (Ohio) in the 2019 Lending Tree Bowl.
As a player:
Reed played running back for the Ragin’ Cajuns from 2012-15, lettering every season of his career. As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Reed recorded career highs in rushing yards (414), carries (86) and rushing TDs (5). He played in 44 games throughout his career and compiled nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards to go along with eight TDs.
Postseason History
Coaching History
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
During his first season as running backs coach at Wake Forest, running back Demond Claiborne continued to etch his name into the Wake Forest record book, moving to fourth all-time in career rushing yards. Claiborne also became the program’s all-time leader among Wake Forest running backs in career rushing touchdowns during the College Football Era and surpassed AT Perry for the most overall touchdowns in the CFP Era during the 2025 season.
In his lone season at South Alabama, Reed helped the Jaguars rewrite the record books, as the 2,582 yards on the ground were the most in program history. Under Reed’s guidance, freshman Fluff Bothwell and junior Kentrel Bullock each rushed for over 800 yards marking the first time in South Alabama history that a pair of tailbacks had both rushed over 800 yards in the same season.
Bothwell rushed for 834 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games as a true freshman in 2024. He led the Sun Belt Conference in rushing touchdowns and finished seventh in yards. Bothwell had four 100-yard games and five multi-touchdown games, earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors.
Bullock rushed for 832 yards and seven touchdowns in his first year under Reed. Bullock is the first South Alabama student-athlete to rush over 100 yards in a bowl game and had four 100-yard games in 2024 after not crossing over the century mark before Reed arrived in Mobile.
Prior to his time in Mobile, Reed spent four years at Michigan State. He arrived in East Lansing in 2020 as an offensive analyst and was promoted to running backs coach in January 2022.
In his final season at Michigan State, Reed helped guide running back Nathan Carter to nearly 800 yards rushing, while ranking third in the Big Ten in attempts. Carter rushed for over 100 yards in three games, including a season-high 113 yards on 18 carries in his debut against Central Michigan in Week 1. Reed assisted Carter in becoming the first Spartan since Jehuu Caulcrick in 2007 to score three touchdowns in a single quarter after running for three scores (2 yards, 44 yards, 6 yards) in the third quarter of the 45-14 win over Richmond in Week 2.
During his first season as running backs coach, Reed helped mentor first-year starter Jalen Berger, who ranked 11th in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns (6), 12th in carries (148) and 15th in rushing (56.9 ypg; 683 yards).
In Reed’s second season as an analyst for the Spartans in 2021, MSU finished third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 31.8 points per game under offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. The offense featured unanimous All-American, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III, who ranked second in the FBS in rushing with 1,636 yards. Walker, who was also named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year, was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Seattle and went on to become a finalist for NFL Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,050 yards for the Seahawks in 2022. The Spartans had a total of four players overall on offense drafted in 2022, including offensive tackle AJ Arcuri (seventh round, Rams), tight end Connor Heyward (sixth round, Steelers and wide receiver Jalen Nailor (sixth round, Vikings).
Reed joined the Spartan football program in 2020 as an offensive analyst after spending the previous two seasons (2018-19) at Louisiana. He was a defensive graduate assistant for the Rajun' Cajuns in 2019 and the director of player engagement for the program in 2018.
A four-year letterwinner as a running back for Louisiana from 2012-15, Reed played for Johnson, who served in the same role for the Ragin' Cajuns during Reed's career. As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Reed recorded career highs in rushing yards (414), carries (86) and rushing TDs (5). He played in 44 games throughout his career and compiled nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards to go along with eight TDs.
Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Reed was a first-team all-state honoree at Dutchtown High School after rushing for 1,926 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior in 2010. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Louisiana in 2015.
Wake Forest (2025-Present)
Wake Forest enjoyed a nine-win campaign capped by a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory. Highlighted by one of the program’s most productive offensive seasons in recent years, the Demon Deacons scored 30 or more points six times and averaged over 28 points per game, both marks representing the program’s highest outputs since the 2022 season. Wake Forest also generated 27 plays of 30 yards or more, its most explosive-play total since 2022, while showcasing offensive balance and depth across multiple position groups.
Running back Demond Claiborne earned Second Team All-ACC recognition. Claiborne continued to etch his name into the Wake Forest record book, moving to fourth all-time in career rushing yards. Claiborne also became the program’s all-time leader among Wake Forest running backs in career rushing touchdowns during the College Football Era and surpassed AT Perry for the most overall touchdowns in the CFP Era during the 2025 season.
South Alabama (2024)
In his lone season at South Alabama, Reed helped the Jaguards rewrite the record books, as the 2,582 yards on the ground were the most in program history. Under Reed’s guidance, freshman Fluff Bothwell and junior Kentrel Bullock each rushed for over 800 yards marking the first time in South Alabama history that a pair of tailbacks had both rushed over 800 yards in the same season.
Bothwell rushed for 834 yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games as a true freshman in 2024. He led the Sun Belt Conference in rushing touchdowns and finished seventh in yards. Bothwell had four 100-yard games and five multi-touchdown games, earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors.
Bullock rushed for 832 yards and seven touchdowns in his first year under Reed. Bullock is the first South Alabama student-athlete to rush over 100 yards in a bowl game and had four 100-yard games in 2024 after not crossing over the century mark before Reed arrived in Mobile.
Michigan State (2020-23)
Prior to his time in Mobile, Reed spent four years at Michigan State. He arrived in East Lansing in 2020 as an offensive analyst and was promoted to running backs coach in January 2022.
In his final season at Michigan State, Reed helped guide running back Nathan Carter to nearly 800 yards rushing, while ranking third in the Big Ten in attempts. Carter rushed for over 100 yards in three games, including a season-high 113 yards on 18 carries in his debut against Central Michigan in Week 1. Reed assisted Carter in becoming the first Spartan since Jehuu Caulcrick in 2007 to score three touchdowns in a single quarter after running for three scores (2 yards, 44 yards, 6 yards) in the third quarter of the 45-14 win over Richmond in Week 2.
During his first season as running backs coach, Reed helped mentor first-year starter Jalen Berger, who ranked 11th in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns (6), 12th in carries (148) and 15th in rushing (56.9 ypg; 683 yards).
In Reed’s second season as an analyst for the Spartans in 2021, MSU finished third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 31.8 points per game under offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. The offense featured unanimous All-American, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III, who ranked second in the FBS in rushing with 1,636 yards. Walker, who was also named the Big Ten Running Back of the Year, was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by Seattle and went on to become a finalist for NFL Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,050 yards for the Seahawks in 2022. The Spartans had a total of four players overall on offense drafted in 2022, including offensive tackle AJ Arcuri (seventh round, Rams), tight end Connor Heyward (sixth round, Steelers and wide receiver Jalen Nailor (sixth round, Vikings).
Louisiana (2018-19)
Reed spent two seasons at Louisiana serving as a defensive graduate assistant for the Rajun' Cajuns in 2019 and the director of player engagement for the program in 2018. Louisiana made the postseason in both seasons with Reed on staff, including a victory over Miami (Ohio) in the 2019 Lending Tree Bowl.
As a player:
Reed played running back for the Ragin’ Cajuns from 2012-15, lettering every season of his career. As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Reed recorded career highs in rushing yards (414), carries (86) and rushing TDs (5). He played in 44 games throughout his career and compiled nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards to go along with eight TDs.
Postseason History
| Season | Bowl Game | Opponent | Result |
| 2025 | Duke’s Mayo Bowl | Mississippi State | W, 43-29 |
| 2024 | Veterans Bowl (South Alabama) | Western Michigan | W, 30-23 |
| 2021 | Peach Bowl (Michigan State) | Pittsburgh | W, 31-21 |
| 2019 | Lending Tree Bowl (Louisiana) | Miami (Ohio) | W, 27-17 |
| 2018 | Cure Bowl (Louisiana) | Tulane | L, 24-41 |
Coaching History
| Seasons | School/Team | Title/Position Coached |
| 2025-Present | Wake Forest | Running Backs |
| 2024 | South Alabama | Running Backs |
| 2022-23 | Michigan State | Running Backs |
| 2020-21 | Michigan State | Offensive Analyst |
| 2019 | Louisiana | Graduate Assistant |
| 2018 | Louisiana | Director of Player Engagement |
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
- RB Kenneth Walker III (2nd) - Michigan State ‘22 - Seattle Seahawks
- Hometown: Geismar, La.
- Education: 2015 - Bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana Lafayette
Steve Forbes - Postgame Presser at Pitt
Wednesday, January 28
Steve Forbes - Postgame Presser at Duke
Saturday, January 24
Steve Forbes - Postgame Presser vs. SMU
Wednesday, January 21
Men's Basketball All-Access at Florida State
Monday, January 19
