Wake Forest’s Thursday night opener against Akron in Allegory Financial Stadium is shaping up as more than just the first game of the season. Because it’s one of the Demon Deacons’ two home games - along with Miami - that doesn’t land on a Saturday, the timing makes it tougher for recruits to get there. So Wake is taking advantage of the setting and bringing in a small but targeted group.
The lone 2027 commit in attendance will be Charlie Reece, the Oak Grove product from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Reece has been committed since Feb. 5, following a junior day, and he’s set to return for his official visit on Halloween weekend.
Wake Forest will also have its eyes on Eastern Alamance defensive lineman Justice Daye, a prospect the staff is clearly trying to make a strong impression on. Daye already holds offers from Georgia, Miami, NC State, UNC, NC State and Virginia Tech, along with the Demon Deacons.
Quarterback Luke Toland of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, is making the trip as well. Wake Forest has not offered him yet, so this is one visit worth watching to see whether that changes before or after the game.
The Demon Deacons are also hosting Trinity Christian School twin defensive linemen Baganley Donzo and Mohamed Donzo. Florida State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Penn State and Virginia Tech are also in the mix for the pair, and Wake would love to put its defensive line play on display for them.
Linebacker Cade SanFillipo, a 2028 prospect from Concord, is expected too. SanFillipo turned in a strong testing performance at Under Armour Charlotte in May. He’ll be joined by his Hickory Ridge teammate, cornerback Kennis Kimble.
In Other News...
Wake Forest's New-Look Offense Took Over Fast Against Akron
Wake Forest did not need long to show how different the new-look offense could look against Akron. The Demon Deacons raced to a 28-3 halftime lead behind a string of explosive passing plays, with Gio Lopez steering the attack and the defense helping by piling up sacks and forcing a key turnover to keep the Zips on their heels.
The big-play burst came quickly and often, giving Wake Forest the kind of momentum shift it has been looking for as the season gets rolling. Lopez delivered multiple touchdown passes, and the scoring pace kept Akron scrambling even after the Zips finally pieced together a late drive before the break. For Wake Forest, the early takeaway is clear: when the passing game starts hitting in stride, the whole operation can change in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Wake Forests Fast Start Came With One Early Concern
Wake Forest got the new season off to a convincing start by beating Akron 38-16, and the early signs were encouraging on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Gio Lopez settled in quickly in his first game after transferring from UNC, while Carlos Hernandez, Antonio Meeks and Kam Shanks all helped stretch the field in an offense that also got strong protection up front.
The defense did its part, too, holding Akron to just 3 points through three quarters and getting a busy afternoon from linebacker Vincent Firenze, who finished with 9 tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Even the kicking game was a weapon, with Ethan Hyams averaging 49 yards per punt and ranking second nationally, though the bigger question coming out of the opener is how long Wake Forest can keep that early rhythm if one of its key receiving threats is forced to miss extended time. [Read more 🡒]