The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are going with a completely fresh start in 2014. After 13 seasons with the program, head coach Jim Grobe resigned from his position in December. Bowling Green’s Dave Clawson was hired to replace Grobe. And Clawson has now decided to start a freshman quarterback during the upcoming season, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
“John Wolford is going to be our starting quarterback,’’ Clawson said. “We made that decision (Monday) after watching the tape of (Sunday’s) scrimmage.
“Not just last night in the scrimmage, but consistently through camp he has executed the offense at the highest level. And I think he gives us our best opportunity to win football games.’’
Wolford was considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, who chose the Demon Deacons over the East Carolina Pirates, Mississippi State Bulldogs and Penn State Nittany Lions.
Clawson’s decision to start Wolford is in complete contrast to the approach Grobe took with the program. Grobe was known for building the program by placing a redshirt on all incoming freshmen and developing their talent over time.
“We will try and redshirt players but if a freshman gives us the best chance to win, we’re going to play him,” Clawson told ESPN.com’s Andrea Adelson. “It’s not fair to the juniors and the seniors in the program to make a decision based on what’s best five years from now. He gives us the best chance to win so we will now prepare him as our starting quarterback.”
Wolford was given the nod in the quarterback competition, because he’s a better fit in Clawson’s spread offense than sophomore Tyler Cameron and junior Kevin Sousa.
(Photo courtesy of Rivals.com)