COLLEGE FOOTBALL It's no surprise that Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson has a soft spot for the players who are loyal to his program. And it's no surprise he has a soft spot for offensive lineman DeVonte Gordon, a sixth-year player who had plenty of options after last season. He could have tested the transfer portal or taken a chance with the NFL draft, but he did neither and is back this season to help right the ship for the Demon Deacons.
To get that ship righted, however, it starts in the trenches, and the offensive line will have to be better. It allowed 49 sacks last season in going 4-8 and missing a bowl game for just the third time in Clawson's 10 seasons. Entering his 11th season in Winston-Salem, Clawson has an experienced offensive line, but it has to be more consistent.
People are also reading...
"I think the thing we've focused on more than anything this camp is having depth," said Gordon, who is one of nine sixth-year players for the Demon Deacons. "We have a lot of guys ready this year and we didn't last year and that was a problem for us. We had a few injuries early last season and we had to move a lot of guys around, but I like the way we are looking.
" Gordon, who is from Washington, D.C., will be playing his natural position at left tackle.
It's a key spot on the line in pass protection, but Gordon is also a good blocker in the running game. "I can play on both sides of the line, but I'm more comfortable on the left," said the 24-year-old Gordon, who in 2022 wa.