Team Preview: New Look Wake Forest For 2022

I have begun team previews of some of the top teams in the Raleigh/Durham region.&nbsp; There are a lot of talented players throughout the region.&nbsp; The previews will highlight the recruits on the teams featured.&nbsp; A high level of competition is expected as the high school season starts in late August. Wake Forest has had a long history of success as a run-oriented offensive team.&nbsp; Wake Forest plans to offset the running attack with a passing game during the upcoming season.&nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144933" first="Nigel" last="Lucas"] (6'1" 175, QB)</strong> will direct the new look offense with a combination of running and passing plays.&nbsp; He finished last season with 1,059 total yards and 6 TDs.&nbsp; Nigel will hand the ball off to workhorse <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144702" first="Mikey" last="DiPasquale"] (5'10" 190, RB)</strong> who will lead the running attack.&nbsp; He finished last season with 817 total yards and 15 TDs.&nbsp; Nigel will deliver passes to&nbsp;<strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Ta</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">vian Williams (</span></strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>6'2" 160, WR), Aaron Reynolds (6'4" 190, TE), and Matthew DeJesus (6'1" 220, TE).&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id="377402" first="Brady" last="Cole"] (6'2" 225, OL) and [player_tooltip player_id="377403" first="Peyton" last="Hoggard"] (6'1" 210, OL)</strong> are both technique-sound offensive linemen who will use their quickness to control defenders while opening lanes for the running backs and protecting the quarterback.</span> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="377434" first="Jackson" last="Briley"] (6'4" 210, DE)</strong> is quick out of his stance to make contact with blockers and move past them to make stops.&nbsp; He is expected to anchor the defensive line.&nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="377431" first="Zane" last="Williams"] (5'11" 205, LB) and [player_tooltip player_id="377428" first="Jeremiah" last="Bethel"] (5'9" 220, LB)</strong> both run well in the open field and displayed good lateral movement.&nbsp; Zane finished last season with 82 total tackles, 23 of the tackles were for losses.&nbsp; Jeremiah finished last season with 70 total tackles, 12.5 of the tackles were for losses.&nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144933" first="Nigel" last="Lucas"] (6'1" 175, DB), [player_tooltip player_id="377424" first="Dashaun" last="Grant"] (6'0" 170, DB), and [player_tooltip player_id="377425" first="Vance" last="Day"] (5'10" 170, DB)</strong> anchor a solid defensive secondary.&nbsp; Nigel finished last season with 44 total tackles and will lead the secondary unit.&nbsp; Dashaun finished last season with 63 total tackles, 1.5 of the tackles were for losses.&nbsp; Vance finished last season with 53 total tackles, 2.5 of the tackles were for losses.&nbsp; Wake Forest is expected to contend for the conference crown and advance in the state playoffs.