Wake Forest Football: Can Demon Deacons get to next level in 2019?

Quarterback battle could dictate 2019 success

There’s an old saying in football, “if you have two quarterbacks you don’t have one.”

That might not be the case for Wake Forest this season. Rising sophomore Sam Hartman threw for 16 touchdowns in nine games before a season-ending leg injury, and junior Jamie Newman led Wake Forest to three wins in their last four games including a 37-34 comeback victory in an entertaining Birmingham Bowl game.

Newman has all the measureables. He’s 6-4, 230 pounds with a big-time arm and he’s a legit dual-threat quarterback with the ability to run as well.

Hartman isn’t spectacular at any one thing but he does everything well. He’s an average runner with a good arm and picked up the offense well as a true freshman. Wake Forest wouldn’t go wrong with either starting at quarterback this season.

Whoever starts will have new backfield mates as both leading rushers from last season — Matt Colburn and Cade Carney — have graduated. It might be running back by committee with redshirt sophomore Christian Beal heading the way.

All-everything wide receiver Greg Dortch has moved on to the NFL, but they are strong at receiver led by Sage Surratt. The offensive line has some building to do in the interior, but this offense might just have a little juice especially on the perimeter.