A banged-up NC State team faces another big test this week, hosting rival Wake Forest as the underdog. Here are five Demon Deacons to watch heading into Saturday's matchup.
No. 3, QB Gio Lopez, 6-foot, 220 pounds, Redshirt Junior
Lopez is off to a hot start this season after transferring from North Carolina to Wake Forest, reuniting with his former offensive coordinator from South Alabama, Rob Ezell. Through five games, Lopez has thrown for 1,377 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just one interception while completing 64.9% of his passes. He's also been sacked only nine times, showing how well Wake Forest's offensive line has protected him.
Lopez is also a mobile quarterback, recording 192 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 48 carries, averaging 4 yards per attempt. Wake Forest runs a power-spread offense that allows Lopez to get outside the pocket, extend plays, and use his mobility to avoid pressure.
For NC State to win this game, containing Lopez and keeping him in the pocket will be critical. The Wolfpack will also need to generate pressure, record sacks,s and consistently hit Lopez to disrupt his rhythm. In Wake Forest's lone loss this season, a 13-point home defeat to Miami, Lopez threw his only interception of the year and was sacked three times, tied for his season high. That could be the formula for NC State's defense.
No. 4, HB Ty Clark III, 6-foot, 205 pounds, Junior
Wake Forest's starting running back, Ty Clark, is on pace for a career-best season. Through five games, the 6-foot, 205-pound junior has rushed for 258 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. His longest run of the season went for 57 yards.
However, Clark has primarily been utilized in the running game, recording just one reception for 13 yards out of the backfield this season. Another notable running back for Wake Forest is freshman Deuce Lawrence, who stands 5-foot-7 and weighs 195 pounds. Lawrence has split carries with Clark and has been efficient, rushing for 235 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 5 yards per carry.
NC State's run discipline and ability to maintain its run fits will be critical in limiting Wake Forest's rushing attack and forcing the Demon Deacons into a one-dimensional offense.
No. 8, WR Carlos Hernandez, 6-foot, 190 pounds, Senior
Carlos Hernandez has excelled this season and is on pace for a career-best, potentially record-breaking year. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior transferred to Wake Forest from Washington State following the coaching change and has been highly productive since arriving. In 2025, Hernandez recorded 611 receiving yards and three touchdowns, averaging 15.3 yards per reception, with his longest catch going for 93 yards.
This season, Hernandez has taken on a leading role in Wake Forest's passing attack. He ranks fifth nationally with 603 receiving yards on just 37 receptions, only three fewer catches than he recorded throughout the entire 2025 season. The only receivers ahead of him nationally in receiving yards are Jeremiah Smith, Jesse Legree, KJ Duff and Malachi Toney.
I expect Wake Forest to move Hernandez around offensively to prevent him from consistently matching up against NC State's top cornerback. With the Wolfpack's defense dealing with several injuries, the secondary will need players to step up and provide additional coverage support to contain one of the nation's most productive receivers.
No. 11, EDGE Langston Hardy, 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, Redshirt Senior
Langston Hardy is currently tied for Wake Forest's team lead with three sacks and has recorded 25 total tackles this season. The redshirt senior has continued to build on a strong 2025 campaign after earning several preseason accolades, including a spot on the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list and preseason All-ACC recognition. He also received All-ACC honorable mention honors in 2025.
Hardy transferred to Wake Forest in 2025 after spending his first two seasons at UConn and immediately made an impact on the Demon Deacons' defense, recording 65 total tackles and seven sacks last season.
He's also a strong run defender, having recorded at least one tackle for loss in every game this season. Through five games, Hardy has accumulated 7.5 tackles for loss, making him a consistent presence in opposing backfields.
With NC State continuing to deal with injuries along its offensive line, Hardy and Wake Forest's defensive front could present a significant mismatch for the Wolfpack's offense.
No. 5, S Davaughn Patterson, 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Redshirt Junior
Patterson is considered one of Wake Forest's top defensive backs. Although the Demon Deacons' secondary is viewed as a weakness, Patterson has been a reliable presence in the defensive backfield, bringing valuable experience to the unit. He earned third- and fourth-team preseason All-ACC honors this year after receiving All-ACC honorable mention recognition in 2025.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound safety leads Wake Forest with four pass breakups and has recorded 36 total tackles this season.
With Wake Forest's secondary being a potential weakness and Patterson frequently lining up at safety, this could be an opportunity for NC State receivers such as Keenan Jackson, Tyran Warren, Victor Snow, and others to have big performances.
