It’s that time again.

After a second consecutive 4-8 season, Wake Forest Football will hit the transfer portal again after key pieces on both sides of the football move on from the team. Players like all-time program receiving yards leader Taylor Morin, four-year starters Ivan Mora and Nick Andersen, and defensive linemen Jasheen Davis and Kevin Pointer have all exhausted their eligibility, among others. 

During last year’s portal season, Head Coach Dave Clawson’s squad hit big on a few transfers. That includes Southern Illinois transfer Branson Combs, who finished the regular season fourth in the ACC in tackles and accomplished All-ACC Second Team Honors. Clawson also found former Boise State and Louisiana Tech quarterback Hank Bachmeier, whose experience created much-needed stability at the helm of the offense throughout the season.

But now, many aspects of this transfer portal season have become different with the departure of Clawson himself, who resigned on December 16th. Players that had remained with Wake Forest Football also have a 30-day window from Clawson’s resignation to enter the transfer portal.

This list will be updated routinely throughout the transfer portal window.

TRANSFERS OUT 

Harry Lodge (TE) – Standing at 6’6” and 240 lbs, the rising redshirt junior stepped into a larger role and became Wake Forest’s highest-producing tight end this season. Starting in six games, Lodge caught for 12 receptions and 110 yards. He leaves the Demon Deacons with two years of eligibility remaining. 

Horatio Fields (WR)- Fields led the Demon Deacons in receiving touchdowns this season (4) and had the second-most receiving yards (462) and receptions (39). He played in every game of the season, and had a career-high 84 yards and a touchdown in the season finale against Duke. He announced his entry into the portal via his social media pages. Fields has two years of eligibility remaining.

Walker Merrill (WR, Austin Peay)- Merrill transferred from Tennessee to the Demon Deacons after the 2022 season, and found his most action this past season, catching nine passes for 77 yards. Merrill reportedly entered the portal on Thursday, December 5th, and committed to Austin Peay University later that day. Merrill joins his younger brother, Clayton, who joined the Governors the day before. 

Nick Ragano (WR)– Ragano served as the first announcement and entry into the transfer portal from the Demon Deacons. Ragano had three catches and 15 receiving yards throughout four seasons. After graduating from Wake Forest, he has one year of eligibility remaining. 

Deuce Alexander (WR)- Alexander announced his entry into the transfer portal via his socials on December 17th. The redshirt freshman had previously announced his return to the Demon Deacons on his socials, however the decision comes in the light of Clawson’s resignation. Alexander had two touchdowns and 400 yards receiving this past season.

Nick Sharpe (OL, South Carolina)- Sharpe announced his entry into the transfer portal via his socials on December 4th. The 6’2”, 330 lb. offensive lineman played 700+ snaps during the 2024 season. Shape announced his commitment to the South Carolina Gamecocks on December 14th.

Keagen Trost (OL)- Trost had initially announced that he would be returning to the Demon Deacons next season. However, after the departure of Clawson, Trost posted his contact information for the transfer portal on his Twitter. Trost played routine snaps along the offensive line this season.

TRANSFERS IN

Kaleb Webb (WR, Tennessee)- Wake Forest landed their first addition of the transfer portal season in wide receiver Kaleb Webb, per Webb’s Instagram. A former four-star prospect, Webb racked up 22 receptions for 214 yards while with the Volunteers. (Update: Webb has switched his commitment from Wake Forest to Maryland after the resignation of Clawson.)

Ethan Hampton (QB, Northern Illinois)- The Demon Deacons added an experienced face into a young quarterback room, getting the commitment of former Northern Illinois Huskies quarterback Ethan Hampton. Hampton threw for 1600 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season. He’s anticipated to battle with redshirt freshman quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski for the starting role. (Update: Hampton has de-committed from Wake Forest after the resignation of Clawson.)

CJ Mims (DT, East Carolina)- Mims announced his commitment to the Demon Deacons on December 15th via his socials. Mims joins a defensive tackle room that will miss the departures of Kevin Pointer Jr. and Bryce Ganious.  (Update: Mims de-committed from Wake Forest on December 17th, after the resignation of Clawson.)

This article is updated as of Dec. 17th at 8:45 PM. This page will updated with new developments.