Wake Forest has experienced significant turnover since December.
After being hired at the end of 2024, head coach Jake Dickert took the reins of a program in transition. Now he faces the challenge of uniting 43 new players in his first year with the Demon Deacons.
But Dickert already thinks he has found the leaders of his new program in defensive back Nick Andersen, running back Demond Claiborne, center Devin Kylany and defensive back Davaughn Patterson.
“These guys are the four cornerstones of our football team,” Dickert said. “They have set the standard. They’ve demanded the best out of themselves and in each other.”
And the head coach is ready to see his pillars of Wake Forest football in action. But before then, all four players represented Wake Forest on Wednesday at ACC Kickoff. Here are some updates on them ahead of the season.
Nick Andersen
Success wasn’t guaranteed for Nick Andersen.
He started his career in 2020 as a preferred walk-on at Wake Forest. He recorded four interceptions and 47 solo tackles in his first season. And he’s only wanted to become better.
Last year, he led the ACC in total tackles with 122 in 12 starts. The number also pushed him to seventh best in the country. He led the team in solo tackles (56), and contributed a career-high 14 against North Carolina A&T. He also finished with two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
He thinks this faith in himself has a source.
“I think it comes down to consistent, hard work,” Andersen said. “That’s something my family instilled in me when I was a young kid, and I’ll take that for the rest of my life.”
Andersen plans to bring that same work ethic this go-round, even with all the changes.
He wants to attack film study, and try to get an edge wherever he can. He also looks to teammates for feedback and tries to give them constructive criticism as well.
“I’m not one that might have the greatest physical traits in the world,” Andersen said. “But to have a two-step advantage based off film study and then just trying my instincts is how I can get all the footballs I want and make as many plays as possible.”
Wake Forest defensive back Nick Andersen speaks to the media at the 2025 ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Photo by Nell Redmond/ACC) Nell Redmond Nell Redmond/ACC
Demond Claiborne
An hour after Dickert’s introductory news conference, the head coach had one thing on his mind.
He needed to talk to Claiborne.
The senior had a historic season in 2024. The running back carried the ball a career-high 228 times for a career-high 1,049 yards, making him the first Wake Forest player to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season since Cade Carney in 2018. He also scored a career-high 11 rushing touchdowns, tying quarterback Sam Hartman for second most in program history.
Dickert met with the senior right after the head coach’s news conference ended. Claiborne was sold after talking to him.
“A lot of coaches during that time when (former head coach Dave Clawson) stepped down (were) calling my phone, asking we can give you this amount of money to come here,” Claiborne said. “We can do this for you. Coach Dickert came in and his message was, ‘How can I help you as a man off the field?’”
Since then, the two have “hit the ground running.” Claiborne wants to make a statement with the new head coach.
The player believes the new offense gives him more space, allowing him to have more one-on-one matchups. He can also use his speed more in Wake Forest’s new scheme. The running back does not doubt that spectators will be shocked by what Wake Forest is capable of doing this season.
“Coming into this offense with a great mind like Coach Dickert and (offensive coordinator) Rob Ezell has definitely been something that I’ve been looking forward to, continuing to grow and continuing to learn from when the season comes around,” Claiborne said.
More than anything, Claiborne wants to stay consistent. He doesn’t want to do too much on the field and prevent the team’s success. So he’s just focused on finding his place in the new offense.
Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne speaks to the media at the 2025 ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Photo by Nell Redmond/ACC) Nell Redmond Nell Redmond/ACC
Devin Kylany
Redshirt senior Devin Kylany is new to Wake Forest. The center followed Dickert to the Demon Deacons after four seasons at Washington State.
“It was definitely a difficult time in my life,” Kylany said. “But it’s not just Coach Dickert that made it easy for me to come to Wake Forest, but the men he surrounded himself with.”
Kylany wanted to follow offensive line coach Jared Kaster, and assistant coach for wide receivers Nick Edwards.
“Coach Dickert has done a good job surrounding himself with men I can trust and I know will help me be my best,” Kylany said.
He knows he performed his best under their guidance. During his redshirt season at Wazzu, the team captain started all 11 games at center, earning his first start during the season opener. In 399 snaps, he allowed two sacks.
Kylany wants to find the same success in Old Gold and black. He has subscribed to the new era of Wake Forest, and plans to work early mornings and late nights to contribute to it. He wants to go to sleep at the right time, and eat all the stuff he should.
In his words, he wants to do anything he can to win on Saturday nights.
Wake Forest offensive lineman Devin Kylany speaks to the media at the 2025 ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Photo by Nell Redmond/ACC) Nell Redmond Nell Redmond/ACC
Davaughn Patterson
Patterson is the youngest of Dickert’s core players, but the sophomore doesn’t mind.
He grew up in a family with mostly boys. They were always playing sports. If they weren’t, it was somehow still competitive. He was often the shortest. He wasn’t the youngest, but he was close.
“Growing up, I still had to outwork people like my brother and stuff, because I was always small,” Patterson said, later adding, “So, I definitely feel like my work ethic has always been my main factor that’s gotten me to this point.”
Patterson ended last season with 74 tackles, 28 solo tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. He also added a forced fumble, an interception and three pass deflections. Patterson had a career-high 12 tackles with five solo tackles against Clemson.
Patterson came to Wake Forest because of the genuine connections. He decided to stay because he found them again with Dickert and his staff.
“The money will come as long as you keep working and you do what you’re supposed to and you follow your heart,” Patterson said. “Really, the main thing is to follow your heart, and those who care about you.”
Between his work ethic and being in the right place, Patterson thinks he has all the components for another productive season.
Emma Moon recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in Media and Journalism, and English and Comparative Literature. During her time at UNC, Emma served as the assistant sports editor and summer sports editor for The Daily Tar Heel, the university’s independent student newspaper. In these roles, she primarily covered UNC football, men’s basketball, women’s soccer and baseball.
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