Wake Forest Reloads: Demon Deacons Bring in Record 42 Mid-Year Enrollees Ahead of Spring Ball
As the calendar flips into the heart of the college football offseason, Wake Forest is wasting no time setting the tone for 2026. The Demon Deacons just welcomed a massive wave of talent to Winston-Salem-42 mid-year enrollees, the largest such class in program history. With spring football just around the corner, this group isn’t just about filling roster spots; it’s about building momentum for the next phase of the program under head coach Jake Dickert.
“This is a group that believes in what we’re building here,” Dickert said. “Toughness, competitiveness, and a commitment to growth-on and off the field-that’s what these guys bring.”
And make no mistake, this isn’t just a numbers game. The Deacs are strategically loading up with a blend of promising high school signees and seasoned transfers who are ready to compete right away.
Fresh Faces: 20 Early Signees Step Onto Campus
The high school talent entering this spring includes 20 early signees from the December signing period, and there’s plenty to be excited about. At quarterback, Wake Forest adds two intriguing prospects: Gannon Jones out of Cardinal Gibbons in Cary, NC, and Grant Lawless from East Lincoln High in Denver, NC. Both bring different skill sets, with Jones offering dual-threat potential and Lawless boasting prototypical size at 6'4".
In the backfield, Christian “Deuce” Lawrence brings a compact, powerful frame from Florida’s Thomas County Central, while the wide receiver group adds depth and speed with names like Kobe Adeleke-Hokes (Peachtree Ridge, GA), Walker Bryson (Rabun Gap-Nacoochee, NC), and Elijah Otieno (North Forney, TX).
Tight end Maximilian “Max” Tillfeldt Retsler, a 6'7" prospect from Sweden’s RIG Academy, is one of the more unique additions-a raw but physically imposing athlete who could become a matchup nightmare in the red zone.
On the defensive side, the Deacs have reinforced all three levels. The linebacker group includes Isaac Nelson (Carmel, IN), Monroe Partin (Daphne, AL), and Richard “Deuce” Dyce (Hamden, CT), each bringing size and sideline-to-sideline range. The secondary welcomes multiple new faces, including Micah Bright (Concord, NC), Somad Eaddy (Greenville, SC), and Alton “AJ” Marks (Detroit, MI via IMG Academy), helping to reload a unit that will be crucial in the ACC’s pass-heavy landscape.
And don’t overlook Ethan Hyams, a 6’3” punter from Australia’s Swans Academy. With the global pipeline continuing to grow, Hyams could be a hidden gem in the special teams unit.
Transfer Portal Pays Off: 22 Experienced Additions
Wake Forest also made serious moves in the transfer portal, bringing in 22 players with college experience to bolster depth and push for playing time immediately.
At quarterback, Gio Lopez arrives with experience from both South Alabama and North Carolina. He’s a dual-threat signal caller who adds competition and versatility to the QB room.
The running back group gets a boost with Kahnen Daniels (Florida) and Sawyer Seidel (North Dakota), both of whom bring different styles-Daniels with SEC pedigree and Seidel with shiftiness and vision.
The wide receiver room gets a complete facelift with six transfers, including Ny Carr (Miami), Kam Shanks (Arkansas/UAB), and Chase Tyler (Duke). Add in Antonio Meeks (Louisville/Tuskegee) and Drayden Dickmann (Rice), and you’ve got a group that’s suddenly deep, experienced, and versatile.
Tight end Landon Morris is another name to watch. At 6’5” and 240 pounds, he’s bounced around (Utah, Temple, Cal) but brings Power Five experience and red-zone potential.
In the trenches, Wake Forest added size and experience across the offensive line. Ryan Berger (Oregon State), Ethan Calloway (LSU), and John Ohnegian (Bucknell) headline a group that should help stabilize the front and protect whoever wins the quarterback battle.
Defensively, the Deacs made it a priority to get bigger and more physical. Sydir Mitchell, a 6’6”, 355-pound defensive lineman with stops at Texas and LSU, is a massive presence up front.
He’s joined by Matt Herron (Weber State) and D.J. Johnson (New Hampshire), giving Wake Forest more options in the trenches.
Linebackers Vincent Firenze (Dayton), Buom Jock (Colorado State/Cal), and Tylan McNichols (UAB) bring experience and physicality to the second level, while the secondary adds depth with Brian Blades II (FIU), Bernard Causey (LSU/Georgia State), and Joshua Patterson (Iowa State).
And let’s not forget Wyatt Freeman, a long snapper from Rice, who will join the team in the summer along with Dickmann and Meeks.
Building the Foundation for 2026 and Beyond
This isn’t just a roster refresh-it’s a foundational reset. Jake Dickert and his staff have clearly prioritized bringing in players who align with the program’s values and who can contribute immediately or develop into future stars.
Wake Forest has been quietly building under the radar, and this class-loaded with both upside and experience-could be the one that helps the Deacs turn the corner in the ACC.
Spring ball is still a few weeks away, but the message is clear: Wake Forest isn’t standing still. They’re building, piece by piece, and this group of 42 mid-year enrollees could be the catalyst for something special in Winston-Salem.