Wake Forest’s loss to Miami last Friday wasn’t just about the scoreboard. The Deacons dug themselves into an early hole with a long run of three-and-outs, and Miami’s three straight touchdowns to open the game made the rest of the night an uphill climb Wake never fully escaped.
Three games into the season, the PFF numbers offer a cleaner look at who stood out once the dust settled. And for Wake, there were some encouraging signs on both sides of the ball, especially from players who found their rhythm after halftime.
Davaughn Patterson was one of the clearest bright spots on defense. The defensive back posted an 86.3 tackling grade and a 74.8 in coverage, which helped him finish with a 77.6 overall defensive grade, fourth-best among Wake defenders.
Langston Hardy also turned in a strong outing. The star defensive end graded out at 80.1 against the run and landed at 78.3 overall, making him the second-highest-graded Wake defender.
Then there was freshman cornerback Somad Eaddy, who brought energy in the second half and backed it up with the numbers. He finished as Wake’s top defensive performer with an 84.5 overall grade across 21 snaps. That’s a small sample, but it still counts as a real success for the young corner against Miami’s top receivers.
On offense, redshirt freshman receiver Jack Foley gave Wake a lift when it needed one most. He led the Deacons’ receivers with six catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, good for 19.7 yards per reception. After a strong bowl game and a quiet start to this season, Foley looks to have found some momentum.
That matters for an offense that already has Carlos Hernandez, who is currently second in the ACC in receiving yards. But Wake needs more dependable answers when defenses start keying on Hernandez. If Foley and Cam Shanks can keep proving they can threaten defenses down the field, that gives Gio more options and gives this passing game a chance to keep growing.
Wake has already shown flashes of a legitimately strong passing attack. The next step is adding more weapons to keep that momentum going.
In Other News...
Wake Forest Just Added A Frontcourt Piece Fans Will Notice Fast
Wake Forest has added another frontcourt option for the 2026-27 roster, bringing in graduate transfer Justin Abson as the Demon Deacons continue to stock up on length and defensive presence. The 6-foot-9 big man arrives with a sturdy resume built over stops at Georgia and Appalachian State, and his calling card is the kind of rim protection that tends to show up quickly once the games start.
Abson spent two seasons at Georgia and two at Appalachian State, where he earned recognition as the 2024 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year. He also has international experience with Jamaica and graduated from Georgia with a degree in sport management, giving Wake Forest a veteran piece who brings both experience and a clear defensive identity to the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Gio Lopez Gave Wake Forest Fans A Reason To Feel Better
Even in a loss to a highly ranked opponent at home, Gio Lopez gave Wake Forest something it badly needed: a steadier hand at quarterback. Lopez showed good pocket awareness, slipped away from pressure when the protection broke down and delivered several important completions, including a sharp back-shoulder throw to Carlos Hernandez that stood out as one of the cleaner plays of the night.
For a team still looking for footing, that kind of showing matters because it suggests the offense has a chance to keep building instead of backing up. The grading on Lopez came away more encouraging than the final score, and it leaves Wake Forest with some belief heading into the next game against Louisville, where the Deacons will need the same calm pocket presence and decisive passing to carry over. [Read more 🡒]
Wake Forest Just Got A Frontcourt Boost Fans Needed To See
Wake Forests frontcourt got an important lift this week when center Justin Abson was cleared to compete after a Monroe County Circuit Court judge issued a preliminary injunction in a broader lawsuit involving 97 student-athletes. The ruling means Abson can do more than just practice under the current NCAA rules, giving Steve Forbes another body up front at a time when depth in the paint always matters.
Forbes confirmed Absons addition to the roster and said Wake Forest is following NCAA rules while the case works its way forward. The NCAA plans to appeal the decision, so the situation is not fully settled, but for now the Deacons have a usable piece in the frontcourt and a little more flexibility as they sort out their rotation. [Read more 🡒]