Wake Forest is going to need a new cornerbacks coach:
I've got some thoughts here and I'm trying to pound out basketball previews, so instead of a story or column, just going to put them here ...
You might be inclined to think this is a good move for Wake Forest because of how inconsistent the cornerbacks play was this season. Obviously Gavin Holmes was a rollercoaster, JJ Roberts regressed, Caelen Carson couldn't stay on the field. WF got decent contributions from the grad transfers, Isaiah Wingfield and Jermal Martin Jr., though Brad Lambert coaches the nickels. And DaShawn Jones was a bright spot for his emergence in the second half.
I think this is a big loss for WF, though. It's not his fault Carson has dealt with injuries. Holmes probably was going to be what he's been for the past two seasons under any coach. I've always gotten the sense that Wake's players like Paul Williams. Ja'Sir Taylor's game vaulted to another level when he arrived and he's playing NFL games because of it. Carson played at an All-ACC level as a freshman after the COVID offseason because of Williams' tutelage. And everything about Antonio Robinson Jr., Wake's incoming 4-star CB, seemed to indicate that he and Williams were extremely close.
Probably goes without saying but I'll type it out anyway: It'll be interesting to see who Clawson hires as the replacement.
I've got some thoughts here and I'm trying to pound out basketball previews, so instead of a story or column, just going to put them here ...
You might be inclined to think this is a good move for Wake Forest because of how inconsistent the cornerbacks play was this season. Obviously Gavin Holmes was a rollercoaster, JJ Roberts regressed, Caelen Carson couldn't stay on the field. WF got decent contributions from the grad transfers, Isaiah Wingfield and Jermal Martin Jr., though Brad Lambert coaches the nickels. And DaShawn Jones was a bright spot for his emergence in the second half.
I think this is a big loss for WF, though. It's not his fault Carson has dealt with injuries. Holmes probably was going to be what he's been for the past two seasons under any coach. I've always gotten the sense that Wake's players like Paul Williams. Ja'Sir Taylor's game vaulted to another level when he arrived and he's playing NFL games because of it. Carson played at an All-ACC level as a freshman after the COVID offseason because of Williams' tutelage. And everything about Antonio Robinson Jr., Wake's incoming 4-star CB, seemed to indicate that he and Williams were extremely close.
Probably goes without saying but I'll type it out anyway: It'll be interesting to see who Clawson hires as the replacement.
