As roster overhauls become the way the game goes in college football every year now, Wake Forest has some holes to fill in reshaping its defense for the 2026 season.
Dylan Hazen, Nick Anderson, and the breakout star of 2026, Karon Prunty, aren’t walking through that door any time soon, as the saying goes. One of the hallmarks of last year’s defense, not giving up explosive plays, needs some work as we get to the end of week two of Spring camp.
Wake Forest Looking For Secondary To Grow Quickly
Thursday was the first day of practice in full pads. The assertiveness was there on both sides of the ball. It was the first day of installing specifics on both sides of the ball. That was certainly an advantage-offense in this case. “We kind of slogged through it for the first time since we started camp,” head coach Jake Dickert said after the practice.
“Defensively, we gave up way too many explosive plays. And that was our calling card last year,” Dickert said. “I think we were the best or one of the best in doing it [not giving up explosive plays].”
Part of the challenge for the coaching staff is finding the right mix and match of players, particularly in the secondary. Davaughn Patterson has yet to practice in Spring but is expected back in the last couple of weeks. Rushaun Tongue is playing at full speed for the first time since week two of the 2025 season, when a shoulder injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. Braylon Johnson is learning a new position as he moves over to “star” [the hybrid defensive back position]. Redshirt freshman Jerron Blackwell and sophomore Kordell Bartley are getting a heavy workload right now. Deuce Blades is learning a new defense after transferring from Florida International.
Pieces to the Puzzle
With all the moving pieces, there have been what Dickert called “Communication busts.” He said there is an overall need to have disciplined eyes, particularly in man coverage. It led to some big yardage through the air from both Gio Lopez and Steele Pizzella with receivers wide open.
“I think you can say that. But I just don’t lean into the excuse part of it,” Dickert said on Thursday when asked if all of the moving and inserting of new pieces was a reason for the communication lapses. Last year had Anderson and Patterson ran the secondary. Now one is gone, and the other is not on the field yet. “We’ve got to demand more from those guys,” Dickert added. “We’ll be better because we failed today. It’s got to scar us.”
Part of the answer, he said, is slowing down some of the installation for the defense in order to create some success before they dive into the next level. “We’ve got to be elite learners.”
A Different Quarterback Battle
There was some honest reporting on Spring and Fall camps last year when it came to the quarterback battle. Anyone who saw both camps and was sincere could see that some days Robby Ashford was the better of the two. Other days, Deshawn Purdie had an ever-so-slight edge. But at the end of the day, neither of them consistently rose up to take total command of the offense.
This year is different. With Ashford trying to extend his pro football opportunities and Purdie transferring to Liberty University, it is Lopez’s offense to run. Pizzella is also getting his snaps with the redshirt freshman being a clear number two.
Dickert has found moments to be pleased with the progress of both of them. With a clear number one quarterback, it tweaks the method of installing the offense. “I think it’s still finding the ideal offense for Gio and being able to find it faster,” Dickert said. “It allows us to get to who we are better. I’ve said it before, but it took too long last year.”
That’s not to be dismissive of Steele. Dickert was clear last year. In order to run the offense he wants, you have to be a quarterback who can run. “I think duality is king,” Dickert said. “Steele does have an elite trait. That dude is fast. You see him take off on some third downs.”
Dickert described the difference in what any quarterback has as the gap between escapability and runability. He said both Lopez and Steele have the ability to create, and that Steele clearly has runability (Dickert quoted Steele’s high school 100-meter time as 10.6). There will be some work put in to see what kind of runability Lopez develops.
Main Image: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
