While the window to get into the transfer portal has come and gone, the opportunity to leave the portal for a new college football home is still there. Are there still opportunities for Wake Forest to build out its roster with players still in the portal?
The Wake Forest Roster
The Additions
New head coach Jake Dickert has added 35 players to the roster going back to the Winter portal window. That includes eight players coming in during the 10-day Spring portal window. When he took over Wake Forest football back in mid-December, Dickert highlighted the secondary and both lines as priorities in getting players from the portal.
The incoming haul has been significantly more balanced than one might expect. There have been seven offensive linemen added, something that was significantly needed for depth purposes. Wake also added six each for the defensive line, defensive backs, and wide receivers. There was also a running back, a kicker, two linebackers, four tight ends, and, of course, the two quarterbacks who are competing for the starting job.
By our count, Wake now has 99 scholarship football players. That would put them six below the national limit. Is there room to still add depth to any key positions? Do they still need more bodies? What will they gain if they go to the 105 player limit…besides more players in uniform and on the payroll.
The Numbers
As of the Spring Showcase, Wake Forest had 18 defensive backs on the roster and added a couple more portal transfers after that. While it was a priority for Dickert back in January, he seems to have filled the need. Certainly, players like Nick Anderson, Davaughn Patterson, and Rushaun Tongue stood out during camp. And it would appear there is enough depth for the four to five spots needed back there.
There are seven running backs accounted for now, with six of them competing for carries behind Demond Claiborne. The tight end room has eight on the roster, including the return of Harry Lodge. There are 13 wide receivers. The offensive and defensive lines have 32 players between them. The linebackers total nine.
The quarterback room is the smallest in numbers, and that is by design. Dickert was concerned that there weren’t enough practice snaps to go around in Spring camp. Not when there were no quarterbacks with real Deacs game experience. Either Deshawn Purdie or Robby Ashford will be the starter. The other will be the backup. After that, it is just a matter of finding the next able-bodied player in the event of injuries.
Add a few kickers (place kicker and punters) to the roster, and you get your final numbers.
Are There Holes To Fill?
So then, do the Demon Deacons really need to get to the 105 scholarship limit? Clearly it is more than a matter of players, but one of quality players. Most of the positions listed above have enough when it comes to starters. But are the backups good enough to make a difference? And if they aren’t, are the players left in the portal good enough to be those difference makers?
Over the last two weeks, more than 200 players have exited the portal database, finding new homes even at the Group of Five and FCS levels. The big-name talent is long gone from the portal. What is left is best described as serviceable. Does Wake have enough quality depth at each position to make it through without adding to the financial bottom line with another six players?
Main Image: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
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