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Can Wake Forest football repeat last season’s success?

By Dante Pryor

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Dave Clawson of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons watches his team play against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Truist Field on October 30, 2021 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 45-7. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Dave Clawson of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons watches his team play against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Truist Field on October 30, 2021 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 45-7. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman (10) looks to pass during the second quarter Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights faced each other in the 2021 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Sam Hartman (10) looks to pass during the second quarter Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights faced each other in the 2021 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] /

Can Wake Forest be dynamic offensively once again?

The Demon Deacons had one of the most dynamic offenses last season, finishing fourth in the country in scoring offense and 11th in total offense last season.

Quarterback Sam Hartman drove the engine of the Wake Forest offense. The fifth-year quarterback threw over 4,000 yards and 39 touchdowns in his first season as the full-time starter. There is an argument that no quarterback in the country has more mastery of their team’s offense than Hartman.

The Deacons had one of the best “running back by committee” rushing attacks in the country with four players with over 100 carries. Christian Beal, Christian Turner, Sam Hartman, and Justice Ellison combined for 2015 yards and 30 touchdowns. While not explosive, the rushing game kept defenses honest.

The receiving combination of A.T. Perry and Jaquarii Roberson combined for 142 receptions, 2371 yards, and 23 of Hartman’s 29 passing touchdowns, leading one of the best downfield passing attacks in college football.

The concern coming into the season is Hartman‘s health. He is out indefinitely with an undisclosed injury. That leaves redshirt sophomore Michael Kern and redshirt freshman Mitch Griffs who threw a total of nine passes last season. That’s not to say that either backup quarterback won’t be successful in place of Hartman.

However, the fifth-year quarterback makes this offense go, and the success of the Wake Forest offense is contingent on his return.

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