Wake Forest lands 20 players for incoming football recruiting class

Theres a lot of room for improvement for Wake Forests football program and Coach Dave Clawson hopes the latest recruiting class can fill some of those holes.

The Demon Deacons are coming off two straight 4-8 seasons.

Its the first time theyve suffered back-to-back losing seasons since Clawsons first two years in 2014 and 15.

Clawson announced a class of 20 high-school players with several of them enrolling this spring to get a jump on college life.

Among those who signed were two Dudley High School stars in defensive backs Koredell Bartley, who is 5-foot-11 and 173 pounds, and Jerron Blackwell, who is 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds.

Both players should help in a defensive backfield that was one of the weakest aspects of Wake Forests team last season.

We're thrilled to welcome this talented group of young men who have chosen to pursue their academic and athletic journeys at Wake Forest, Clawson said in a statement.

Spanning many states, this class brings a diverse mix of skills that will drive our program forward.

I'm incredibly grateful for the effort our staff has put in over the past two years to bring together this class." People are also reading...

Dudley's Koredell Bartley signed with Wake Forest on Wednesday.

Blackwell had 35 tackles this past season and nine pass breakups helping the Panthers to the playoffs.

Bartley had 31 tackles this past season with three sacks and also had 1,718 all-purpose yards on offense.

He had two punt returns for touchdowns and had 30 catches as a wide receiver and he could end up playing there instead of defensive back.

Dudleys Jerron Blackwell is heading to Wake Forest next fall to play football.

Another key player in the class is quarterback Elijiah Oehlke, who is 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds from Fayetteville.

Hes rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN and this past season at Trinity Christian School he was 77 of 128 passing for 1,499 yards with 26 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Oehlke also competed in track and field during high school.

He is one of 10 players among who will enroll this spring and go through spring football practice.

According to 247sports.com Wake Forests recruiting class for 2025 ranks 14 out of the 17-team league.

All 20 of the incoming class were ranked as three-star recruits by 247sports.com .

[email protected] 336-727-4081 @johndellWSJ Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala | DL | 6-2 | 317 | Munich, Germany / Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School (GA) Played varsity football for Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Georgia for five years...In his senior year, recorded 45 tackles and five sacks and helped them win the state championship...

Earned All-State honors for his standout play as a senior...Helped lead Rabun Gap-Nacoochee to a 13-1 record and the No.

2 ranking in the state of North Carolina and No.

54 ranking in the nation in 2023...Recorded 32 tackles and 7.0 tackles for loss during his junior season...As a sophomore, recorded 48 tackles, three sacks, five tackles for loss 15 quarterback hurries and one pass deflection in 2022...In total, has recorded 111 tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss, and four sacks across his high school career and he served as a team captain...Also played offensive line Personal: Son of Precious Nwabuisi Ezeala and Larry Benson Ezeala...Younger brother of Baltimore Ravens fullback Chris Ezeala...Born September 14, 2005...Born and raised in Germany.

Cole Funderburk | DL | 6-3 | 235 | Suwanee, GA / North Gwinnett High School Named preseason All-State 6A in Georgia heading into his senior year...Recorded 62 tackles, including 34.0 tackles for loss and 10 sacks during his senior season and was a captain on his team...Led the North Gwinnett team with 16.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and 35.0 tackles for loss as a junior in 2023...Also ranked 6th in the state of Georgia for sacks in 2023...During the 2022 season, totaled 59 tackles (16 TFL), 15 sacks, 15 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles and an interception...Led his team to the quarterfinals of the Georgia AAAAAA Playoffs as a sophomore...Recorded 186 tackles, 85.0 tackles for loss, 41 sacks, 69 hurries, eight forced fumbles, and two interceptions in his high school career.

Personal: Son of Lance and Malisa Funderburk...Born December 29, 2006.

William Saba | OL | 6-5 | 272 | Purcellville, VA / Loudoun Valley High School Team captain for Loudoun Valley as a senior...Earned First Team All-District and All-Region honors as a senior...Played on both the offensive and defensive line, recording 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack throughout his career...Only started playing football at any level his junior year in 2023...Helped lead Loudoun Valley to a 7-5 record and the VHSL Class 4 playoffs in 2023.

Personal: Son of Betty and Bill Saba...Born September 29, 2006 Nathan Pahanich | OL | 6-4 | 291 | Princeton, NJ / The Hun School of Princeton Garnered First Team All-New Jersey Prep A honors and First Team All-MAPL accolades as a senior...Ranked as the 90th best offensive tackle recruit in the country and the 35th best overall recruit in the state of New Jersey...Reclassified to the 2025 class and transferred to The Hun School of Princeton from St.

Andrews College in Ontario...Helped lead the Hun School to a Mid-Atlantic Prep League Championship and an 8-1 record as a junior in 2023.

Personal: Son of Kristina Islic and Robert Pahanich...Born February 11, 2006.

Nicco Maggio | DL | 6-1 | 273 | Buford, GA / Buford High School Helped Georgia powerhouse Buford High School to the No.

2 ranking in the state and No.

13 nationally in 2024, according to MaxPreps...During his senior season, he recorded 40 total tackles (seven TFLs and four sacks), as well as an interception, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and an interception - also was a team captain...Averaged five tackles per game as a junior to help Buford to an 11-2 record and the quarterfinals of the heavily competitive GHSA 7A Playoffs...Played his first varsity season as a sophomore, totaling three tackles as part of an 11-1 season in 2022.

Personal: Son of Doug and Lisa Maggio...Born June 1, 2006 Braxton Winston III | DB | 6-0 | 175 | Charlotte, NC / Providence Day School Three-time NCISAA champion at Providence Day School under head coach Chad Grier...Four-year varsity player at cornerback and kickoff/punt returner...Has recorded 141 tackles (six TFLs), seven interceptions, 27 passes defended, and a fumble recovery through 44 games played...Tallied 38 tackles and two interceptions in his senior season...Helped Providence Day to their third consecutive state championship as a junior, posting 34 tackles, including three tackles for loss, and one interception as part of a 12-1 season in 2023...Made 40 tackles (31 solo) and recorded two interceptions as a sophomore to help guide the Chargers to a state championship in 2022...Earned varsity snaps as a freshman, recording 22 tackles and two interceptions in 2021...Participated in the FBU Freshman All-American Bowl...Also plays varsity basketball and runs track at Providence Day.

Personal: Son of Braxton and Sheena Winston...Born March 5, 2007.

Tyler Houser | LB | 6-2 | 221 | Sparta, NJ / Pope John XXIII High School Ranked as the No.

18 recruit in New Jersey and the 58th best linebacker recruit in the country...Is the highest rated defensive recruit in the 2025 signing class with a 0.8714 composite rating according to 24/7...Has played four years of varsity football at Pope John XXIII...Earned 2nd Team All-State honors after racking up 121 total tackles, 22.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks as a junior...Also took limited snaps at running back, highlighted by a two-touchdown performance against rival Depaul Catholic...Recorded 88 tackles, including ten tackles for loss, and six sacks in seven games during his senior season...Also plays basketball and competes in track and field...Holds a personal best 20-10.5 in the long jump, 153-3 in the javelin throw, and a 15.80 in the 110m hurdles as a sophomore according to 24/7.

Personal: Son of Corinne and Jeffrey Houser...Born October 13, 2006.

Bailey Benson | LB | 6-1 | 195 | Covington, GA / Eastside High School Four-year varsity player...ranked 19th in GA division AAAA and seventh in Region 8 for sacks during his sophomore season...has a total of 164 tackles in his high school career...totaled 66 tackles as a junior, fourth overall on the team...according to MaxPreps, also tallied four tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception during his junior year...earned First Team All-Region linebacker for Region 8-AAAAA during his junior year...Had a career high 14 total tackles, adding to his season total of 55...played basketball prior to joining the football team.

Personal: Son of Greg and Lashanda Benson...Born September 7, 2006.

Charlie Wingfield | TE | 6-4 | 239 | Franklin Lakes, NJ / Ramapo High School Has completed three years as a varsity athlete for Ramapo...A multifaceted player, competing as an outside linebacker, wide receiver, and tight end throughout his three seasons...Named team captain as a senior when his team won the state sectional championship...Tallied a total 315 receiving yards and 53 total tackles during his sophomore year...Helped lead the Raiders to a 12-1 season and the 2023 NJSIAA championship game, 11th overall in the state...His team was the North Group 3 State Champs in 2023...Following his junior season, he earned First Team All-League, All-County & All-North Jersey honors as a tight end...Ranked No.

6 in New Jersey for FGs made and No.

5 for KPts...Had 53 total tackles, 21 solo and 32 assisted...Also has a total 43 for 51 extra points attempts and 315 receiving yards as a junior...Competes for the varsity basketball and baseball teams, serving as captain for basketball.

Personal: Son of Andy and Charlene Wingfield...Has two older brothers, Matt & AJ and one younger sister, Sara...Born January 20, 2007...

His mother played womens soccer at Duke from 1988-92 and his father played football at Susquehanna from 1988-92...

Aunt played basketball at Manhattan College (1985-89) and his uncle played basketball at Trinity College (1995-99).

Brother, AJ, played football at Ithaca College from 2019-23.

Elijiah Oehlke | QB | 6-2 | 210 | Fayetteville, NC / Trinity Christian School of Academics Rated as a four-star prospect and the No.

23 quarterback recruit in the country according to ESPN...Four-year varsity athlete...Transferred into Trinity Christian from Grays Creek after his sophomore year...Led the Crusaders to a 10-2 record and a NCISAA Big East title as a junior...Completed 77 of 128 passes for 1,499 yards with 26 TD and 3 INT per MaxPreps...Also rushed 52 times for 216 yards and 9 TD...During his junior year, ranked first in conference and fourth in division for total passing yards...Helped lead Trinity Christian to a 10-1 record as a senior...Ended the 2024 regular season with 2641 passing yards, ranking No.

1 in division and No.

6 in the state...Garnered NCISAA All-State (D-II) honors, First Team All-Conference accolades and was named the BEIFC Player of the Year as a senior Also competed in track and field.

Personal: Son of Heather Oehlke and John Jones...Born July 3, 2007.

Bryce Kania | WR | 6-4 | 200 | Princeton, NJ / The Hun School of Princeton Ranked as the No.

32 recruit in New Jersey...Played four years of varsity football and was a team captain his senior year...As a senior, he tallied 44 receptions for 1,082 yards and 17 touchdowns...Also he was a two-way started as a senior and recorded five interceptions on defense...Named Team MVP in 2024...Finished the 2024 season ranked second in touchdown receptions and total receiving yards in New Jersey...Finished his junior year with 630 total receiving yards, 13 TDs, seven tackles, and one interception...His legacy at The Hun School of Princeton includes being the football programs all-time leader in touchdown catches with 29...Also played varsity basketball and ran track.

Personal: Son of Jeffrey and Christine Kania...Brothers to Drew and Chase...Born April 27, 2006.

Kadear Dembele | DL | 6-3 | 280 | West Haven, CT / West Haven High School Ranked No.

8 player in Connecticut by 247 Sports Composite...Played sophomore and senior year at West Haven, transferred to Archbishop Stepinac for his junior year...During his sophomore year ranked No.

18 in Connecticut and helped West Haven to a 9-2 season...While at Stepinac recorded 75 total tackles, 52 solo, and 23 assisted...Also recorded 6.0 sacks in 11 games played...As a senior consistently ranked No.

1 in Connecticut for sacks and top 100 for total tackles and was a team captain.

Personal: Son of Rokia Magiadembele...Born May 2, 2006.

Freddie Gillens | DB | 6-0 | 162 | Columbia, SC | Cardinal Newman High School Coached by former Demon Deacon Cory Helms...As a senior, he tallied 33 tackles, seven pass breakups, one sack, one forced fumble and two receiving touchdowns...For his efforts in 2024, he earned All-State honors...During the 2023 season helped lead his team to a 9-3 record and state playoff semifinals...Finished junior year with 27 total tackles in 12 games played and earned First Team SCISA 4A All-State honors as he also tallied 12 PBUs, 3 interceptions, two kicks blocked, and returned a kick for a touchdown...Is also a three time triple jump state champion and SCISA state record holder at 46'4".

Personal: Son of Kesha Gillens...Born October 6, 2006.

Jaishaun Offutt | OL | 6-3 | 342 | Winchester, VA | John Handley High School Began freshman year on JV but was moved up to varsity midway through the season...Played right tackle as a sophomore...Moved to left tackle under coaching his junior year...Handley averaged 403.6 yards per game compared to 331.2 Y/G in 2022, and averaged 113.6 more yards per game on the ground (289.9) per The Winchester Star...Earned First Team All-District honors as a senior...Previously garnered First Team All-Region accolades on offense and defense...Two-time state shot put champion...Also played basketball.

Personal: Son of Tawanda Shepherd...Born January 13, 2007.

Seth Carethers | DB | 6-0 | 165 | Coppell, TX / Coppell High School Played both sides of the ball for Coppell during the 2023 and 2024 seasons...As a senior, he tallied 31 tackles, 12 pass breakups and one forced fumble...As a junior averaged 14.4 kickoff return yards, ranking fourth in 6A Region, 72 total return yards, seventh in region per 247 Sports...Totaled 117 receiving yards and averaged 10.6 receiving Y/G...Helped team to a 12-1 record, 7-0 in district in 2023...Also a member of the track and field team.

Personal: Son of Teffey and Rodney Carethers...Born May 22, 2007.

William Wiebush | DB | 6-0 | 182 | Franklin, TN / Fred J Page High School Helped lead Page to back-to-back state championship appearances as well as two seasons with 12+ wins...Explosive athlete with a 36.5 vertical per 247 Sports...Plays on both offense and defense as a safety and wide receiver...Also played as a quarterback his junior year...Rushed 27 times for 202 yards and nine touchdowns...Has a career combined 371 rushing and passing yards with zero interceptions...On defense had 38 tackles, five interceptions, five defensive touchdowns...Total of 90 touchdown points between sophomore and junior year...Was also named to the All-Region 6-5A team his junior year...Also plays varsity baseball for Page...During the regular season of his senior season, recorded 27 total tackles, including 13 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble...Recorded an interception return for a touchdown against Independence...On offense, recorded seven total touchdowns, including a three touchdown performance in the first week of the season against Giles County...In the playoffs, he has recorded four tackles, a forced fumble, a pass break up, and three touchdowns...In the state quarterfinals, recorded a 72-yard touchdown run and a 30-yard passing touchdown against Shelbyville Central...Led Page to the 5A state championship game after adding 48 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, as well as a team-high eight tackles in the semifinals against Springfield.

Personal: Son of Johnie Flotte and Roy Wiebush...Born July 18, 2006.

Trishstin Glass | WR | 6-4 | 185 | Copperas Cove, TX / Copperas Cove High School Four year varsity player and became his schools all-time leading receiver...During his senior season he earned Academic All-District honors and tallied 1,125 receiving yards, 64 catches and 12 touchdowns...Those marks ranked second in his district...Garnered First Team All-District (12-6A) in Texas as a Senior...Ranked No.

17 in Region and No.

30 in TX for total receiving yards as a senior with 1,125 yards (743)...Also averaging 9.0 PPG with 126 TD pts...Finished his junior season with 48 receptions for 654 yards and 7 TDs per 247...Has a combined 1272 receiving yards and 98 receptions through freshman to junior year...Also plays basketball and track and field.

Personal: Son of Patricia Glass...Born October 27, 2006 Koredell Bartley | DB | 5-11 | 173 | Greensboro, N.C.

/ Competed at Dudley High School & Attended A&T Four Middle College Four year varsity player for Dudley High School but attended school at A&T Four Middle College...During his senior season, recorded 31 total tackles, including three sacks and another tackle for loss...Tallied 1,718 all-purpose yards, including 742 return yards...Recorded two punts for touchdowns, including one against High Point Central and another against Ben L Smith...On offense, has hauled in 30 catches for 487 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as a score on the ground...Had a season-high 101 yards receiving and two touchdowns against Ben L Smith...Through the first two games of the playoffs, has recorded five tackles and an interception, as well as 10 receptions for 185 yards and four total touchdowns on offense...Recorded five catches for 93 yards and a receiving touchdown, as well as an interception return for a touchdown, against Asheboro in the opening round of playoffs...Recorded five receptions for 92 yards and two receiving touchdowns against AC Reynolds in the following round...Helped lead Dudley to the state quarterfinals, tallying 105 rushing yards and a touchdown, as well as five catches for 75 yards against Robinson...Led the team with 1,013 receiving yards and 11 touchdown receptions as a junior...Added four return touchdowns along with four rushing touchdowns in 2023...Has tallied 2,383 receiving yards and 26 touchdown receptions over his high school career, as well as nine return touchdowns...Has recorded five interceptions and 144 tackles in his career...High school teammate with fellow signee Jerron Blackwell.

Personal: Son of Terry Bartley and Katie Jackson...Born November 20, 2006 Jerron Blackwell | DB | 6-2 | 190 | Greensboro, N.C.

/ Dudley High School Teammate of signee Koredell Bartley...During his senior season, recorded 35 total tackles, including 21 solo tackles, as well as six tackles for loss...Also recorded nine pass breakups during the regular season, including three PBUs against Northeast Guilford...Added an interception and a fumble recovery against Rockingham County...Also tallied a rushing touchdown against Southeast Guilford...During the North Carolina State Playoffs, has recorded six total tackles, four of which were solo tackles...In the first round, tallied an interception to go along with two receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown against Asheboro...Helped lead Dudley to the state quarterfinals, adding three tackles and a pass defense in their win against Robinson.

Personal: Son of Alicia Jones...Born on January 10, 2007 Joel Lowenberg | LB | 6-2 | 210 | Chattanooga, Tenn.

/ Baylor School Ranked as a four-star linebacker...As a senior, he tallied 81 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, two sacks, 19 pressures, one pass breakup and one interception...Played two years of varsity football at the Baylor School...Has helped lead the Baylor School to an 11-0 record and a spot in the TSSAA semifinals during his senior season...Named to the All-East Region team as a junior...Helped lead Baylor to the TSSAA State Title game in 2023.

Personal: Son of Kenneth and Kelly Lowenberg...Born on June 1, 2006 Get local news delivered to your inbox! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items..

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