The Wake Forest Demon Deacons football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Demon Deacons represent Wake Forest University in the NCAA's Atlantic Coast Conference.
Although Wake Forest began competing in intercollegiate football in 1888, the school's official record book does not generally include entries from before the 1940s, as records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons: Since the 1940s, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length. The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers. Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002. The Demon Deacons have played in 11 bowl games since this decision (with one in each season since 2016), giving many recent players an extra game to accumulate statistics. Wake Forest played in the 2006 and 2021 ACC Championship Games, giving players in both seasons yet another game to accumulate statistics. Due to COVID-19 issues, the NCAA ruled that the 2020 season would not count against any football player's athletic eligibility, giving all who played in that season the opportunity for five years of eligibility instead of the normal four.
These lists are updated through 2025.
Passing
Passing yards
+ Career 1 Sam Hartman 12,967 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2 Riley Skinner 9,762 2006 2007 2008 2009 3 Tanner Price 8,899 2010 2011 2012 2013 4 John Wolford 8,794 2014 2015 2016 2017 5 Brian Kuklick 8,017 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 6 Mike Elkins 7,304 1985 1986 1987 1988 7 Gary Schofield 7,205 1981 1982 1983 8 Jay Venuto 5,0561979 1980 9 Rusty LaRue 5,016 1992 1993 1994 1995 10 Keith West 4,748 1989 1990 1991 1992
+ Single season 1 Sam Hartman 4,228 2021 2 Sam Hartman 3,701 2022 3 John Wolford 3,192 2017 4 Riley Skinner 3,160 2009 5 Tanner Price 3,017 2011 6 Jamie Newman 2,868 2019 7 Rusty LaRue2,7751995 8 Brian Kuklick2,6831998 9 Jay Venuto2,6241980 10 Hank Bachmeier2,593 2024
+ Single game1Rusty LaRue5451995 NC State2Gary Schofield5041981 Maryland3Rusty LaRue5011995 Georgia Tech4Rusty LaRue4781995 Duke 5 John Wolford 461 2017 Louisville 6 Sam Hartman 458 2021 Army 7 Jay Venuto4471980 South Carolina 8 Mike Elkins4291986 NC State Sam Hartman 429 2020 North Carolina 10 Brian Kuklick4211998 NC State
Passing touchdowns
+ Career 1 Sam Hartman 110 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2 Riley Skinner 60 2006 2007 2008 2009 3 John Wolford 59 2014 2015 2016 2017 4 Tanner Price522010 2011 2012 2013 5 Gary Schofield441981 1982 1983 Brian Kuklick441994 1995 1996 1997 1998 7 Mike Elkins431985 1986 1987 1988 8 Jay Venuto371979 1980 9 Jamie Newman352017 2018 2019 10 Keith West281989 1990 1991 1992
+ Single season 1 Sam Hartman 39 2021 2 Sam Hartman 38 2022 3 John Wolford 29 2017 4 Riley Skinner 26 2009 Jamie Newman 26 2019 6 Jay Venuto211980 7 Tanner Price202011 8 Gary Schofield181981 9 Mike Elkins 17 1986 Phil Barnhill 17 1989 Rusty LaRue 17 1995
+ Single game 1 Sam Hartman6 2022 Clemson 2 Jay Venuto 5 1980 South Carolina John Wolford 5 2017 Louisville Jamie Newman 5 2019 Elon Sam Hartman 5 2021 Army Sam Hartman 5 2021 North Carolina Sam Hartman5 2022 Boston College 8 Phil Barnhill 4 1989 Tulsa Rusty LaRue 4 1995 Duke Riley Skinner 4 2009 Maryland Riley Skinner 4 2009 Duke John Wolford 4 2017 Texas A&M(Belk Bowl) Jamie Newman 4 2018 Duke Sam Hartman 4 2020 North Carolina Sam Hartman 4 2022 Vanderbilt Sam Hartman4 2022 North Carolina Sam Hartman4 2022 Syracuse Deshawn Purdie4 2025 Oregon State
Rushing
Rushing yards
+ Career1Chris Barclay4,0322002 2003 2004 20052James McDougald3,8111976 1977 1978 19793Michael Ramseur3,3251982 1983 1984 19854Demond Claiborne2,5992023 2024 2025 20265Tarence Williams2,5811999 2000 2001 20026Morgan Kane2,5501996 1997 1998 1999 7 Matt Colburn II 2,528 2015 2016 2017 2018 8 Cade Carney 2,446 2016 2017 2018 2019 9 Topper Clemons2,3791982 1983 1984 1985 10 John Leach2,2461990 1991 1992 1993
+ Single season1Larry Hopkins1,22819712Chris Barclay1,19220033James McDougald1,17719794Morgan Kane1,16119995Chris Barclay1,12720056John Leach1,08919937Demond Claiborne1,04920248Brian Piccolo1,04419649James McDougald1,0181976Tarence Williams1,0182001
+ Single game1John Leach3291993 Maryland2Micah Andrews2542005 Vanderbilt3James McDougald2491976 Clemson4Nub Smith2461949 William & Mary5Chris Barclay2432003 Maryland Matt Colburn II 243 2018 Louisville 7 Josh Harris 241 2010 Virginia Tech 8 Matt Colburn II 237 2017 Syracuse 9 Larry Hopkins 230 1970 Clemson Larry Hopkins 230 1971 Tulsa
Rushing touchdowns
+ Career1Chris Barclay402002 2003 2004 20052James McDougald301976 1977 1978 1979Michael Ramseur301982 1983 1984 19854Larry Russell291969 1970 19715Demond Claiborne262023 2024 2025 20266Tarence Williams221999 2000 2001 2002Josh Adams222007 2008 2009 20108Cade Carney21 2016 2017 2018 2019 9 Brian Piccolo191962 1963 1964Anthony Williams19 1988 1989 1990 1991Josh Harris192010 2011 2012 2013 John Wolford 19 2014 2015 2016 2017
+ Single season1Brian Piccolo151964Larry Russell151971 3 Kenneth Walker III 13 20204Ovie Mughelli122002Chris Barclay1220036James McDougald111979Josh Adams112007 Sam Hartman 11 2021 Demond Claiborne112024
+ Single game1John Polanski41939 Western MarylandJohn Polanski41939 DavisonRed Cochran41942 South CarolinaFred Grant41943 NC StateLarry Russell41971 DavisonLarry Russell41971 William & MaryJames McDougald41979 AuburnMichael Ramseur41982 MarylandMichael Ramseur41983 RichmondOvie Mughelli42002 Northern IllinoisChris Barclay42005 East Carolina
Receiving
Receptions
+ Career1Michael Campanaro2292010 2011 2012 20132Taylor Morin227 2020 2021 2022 2023 20243Desmond Clark2161995 1996 1997 19984Ricky Proehl1881986 1987 1988 19895Jammie Deese1841996 1997 1998 1999 6 Cam Serigne 174 2014 2015 2016 2017 7 A. T. Perry 171 2019 2020 2021 2022 8 Chris Givens1632009 2010 2011 9 Thabiti Davis1611994 1995 1996 1997 10 James Brim1531983 1984 1985 1986
+ Single season 1 Kenneth Moore 98 2007 2 Greg Dortch 89 2018 3 Chris Givens832011 4 DJ Boldin812008 A. T. Perry 81 2022 6 Michael Campanaro792012 7 Kendall Hinton 73 2019 8 Desmond Clark721997 9 Jaquarii Roberson 71 2021 A. T. Perry 71 2021
+ Single game1Michael Campanaro16 2012 Boston CollegeMichael Campanaro16 2014 Louisiana-Monroe3James Brim151986 NC StateMarlon Estes151995 NC StateKenneth Moore152007 Boston CollegeKenneth Moore152007 Navy7John Henry Mills141990 Duke8Marlon Estes131995 DukeDesmond Clark131996 Duke Michael Campanaro 13 2012 North Carolina Kendall Hinton 13 2019 Louisville
Receiving yards
+ Career 1 Taylor Morin2,974 2020 2021 2022 2023 20242Ricky Proehl2,9491986 1987 1988 19893Desmond Clark2,8341995 1996 1997 1998 4 A. T. Perry 2,662 2019 2020 2021 20225Michael Campanaro2,5062010 2011 2012 20136Chris Givens2,4732009 2010 20117Wayne Baumgardner2,4311978 1979 1980 1981 8 Jammie Deese 2,348 1996 1997 1998 1999 9 Todd Dixon 2,300 1990 1991 1992 1993 10 Jaquarii Roberson 2,158 2018 2019 2020 2021
+ Single season 1 Chris Givens 1,330 2011 2 A. T. Perry 1,293 2021 3 A. T. Perry 1,096 2022 4 Greg Dortch 1,078 2018 Jaquarii Roberson 1,078 2021 6 Ricky Proehl 1,053 1989 7 Kenneth Moore 1,011 2007 8 Sage Surratt 1,001 2019 Kendall Hinton 1,001 2019 10 Wayne Baumgardner 1,000 1979
+ Single game1Wayne Baumgardner2711980 South Carolina2John Henry Mills2301990 Duke3Carlos Hernandez197 2025 Delaware4Sage Surratt196 2019 Louisville5James Brim1941986 NC StateFabian Davis1942000 NavyCarlos Hernandez194 2026 Louisville8Chris Givens191 2011 Maryland9 Kendall Hinton 189 2019 Duke10James Brim1851986 DukeRicky Proehl1851989 Duke
Receiving touchdowns
+ Career 1 A. T. Perry 28 2019 2020 2021 20222Ricky Proehl251986 1987 1988 19893Todd Dixon221990 1991 1992 1993 4 Red O'Quinn211946 1947 1948 1949 Chris Givens 21 2009 2010 2011 Cam Serigne 21 2014 2015 2016 2017 Taylor Morin21 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 8 Desmond Clark 20 1995 1996 1997 1998 9 Kenny Duckett 19 1978 1979 1980 1981 10 Greg Dortch 17 2017 2018 Jaquarii Roberson 17 2018 2019 2020 2021
+ Single season 1 A. T. Perry 15 2021 2 Kenny Duckett 12 1980 3 Ricky Proehl 11 1989 Sage Surratt 11 2019 A. T. Perry 11 2022 6 Marlon Estes 9 1995 Chris Givens 9 2011 Greg Dortch 9 2017 Cam Serigne 9 2017 Taylor Morin9 2022 Jahmal Banks9 2022
+ Single game 1 Greg Dortch 4 2017 Louisville Greg Dortch 4 2018 Rice 3 Herb Cline 3 1941 George Washington Red O'Quinn 3 1949 William & Mary John Zeglinski 3 1975 South Carolina Kenny Duckett 3 1981 Maryland Todd Dixon 3 1992 Duke Marlon Estes 3 1995 NC State Michael Campanaro3 2012 Boston College Cam Serigne 3 2017 Syracuse Tabari Hines 3 2017 NC State Sage Surratt 3 2019 Louisville Jaquarii Roberson 3 2020 Wisconsin(Duke's Mayo Bowl) A.T. Perry 3 2021 Syracuse Jaquarii Roberson 3 2021 Army A.T. Perry3 2022 Syracuse Chris Barnes3 2025 Oregon State
Total offense Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.
Total offense yards
+ Career 1 Sam Hartman 13,822 2018 2019 2020 2021 20222Riley Skinner9,923 2006 2007 2008 2009 3 John Wolford 9,914 2014 2015 2016 2017 4 Tanner Price 9,179 2010 2011 2012 2013 5 Brian Kuklick7,838 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 6 Mike Elkins7,170 1985 1986 1987 1988 7 Gary Schofield6,784 1981 1982 1983 8 Rusty LaRue5,008 1992 1993 1994 1995 9 James MacPherson4,947 1999 2000 2001 2002 10 Jay Venuto4,915 1979 1980
+ Single season 1 Sam Hartman 4,591 2021 2 John Wolford 3,875 2017 3 Sam Hartman 3,830 2022 4 Riley Skinner 3,216 2009 5 Robby Ashford 3,026 2025 6 Tanner Price 2,964 2011 7 Phil Barnhill2,820 1989 8 Rusty LaRue 2,801 1995 9 Hank Bachmeier2,733 2024 10 Brian Kuklick 2,574 1998
+ Single game1Rusty LaRue5541995 NC State2Rusty LaRue5141995 Georgia Tech 3 John Wolford 499 2017 Syracuse 4 Sam Hartman 480 2021 Army 5 Sam Hartman 476 2021 North Carolina 6 John Wolford 475 2017 Louisville 7 John Wolford 468 2017 Texas A&M(Belk Bowl) 8 Rusty LaRue4641995 Duke 9 Sam Hartman 463 2021 Duke 10 Cory Randolph 451 2004 East Carolina
Touchdowns responsible for "Touchdowns responsible for" is the official NCAA term for combined rushing and passing touchdowns. It does not include receiving or returns. Wake Forest does not list single-game leaders in this statistic.
+ Career 1 Sam Hartman 127 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2 John Wolford 78 2014 2015 2016 2017 3 Riley Skinner 65 2006 2007 2008 2009 Tanner Price 65 2010 2011 2012 2013 5 Brian Kuklick 50 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 6 Gary Schofield47 1981 1982 1983 7 Mike Elkins46 1985 1986 1987 1988
+ Single season 1 Sam Hartman 50 2021 2 John Wolford 39 2017 Sam Hartman 39 2022 4 Jamie Newman 32 2019 5 Riley Skinner28 2009 6 Jay Venuto 22 1980 7 Tanner Price 21 2011 Robby Ashford 21 2025 9 Phil Barnhill20 1989 10 Gary Schofield19 1981
Defense
Interceptions
+ Career1Alphonso Smith212005 2006 2007 20082Ronnie Burgess171981 1982 1983 1984A. J. Greene171985 1986 1987 19884James Royster131975 1976 1977 19785George Coghill121989 1990 1991 1992Josh Gattis122003 2004 2005 20067Billy Ray Barnes111954 1955 1956Joe Carazo111963 1964 19659Terry Kuharchek101968 1969 1970
+ Single season1Alphonso Smith820072A. J. Greene71987Alphonso Smith720084Joe Carazo61965Andy Harper61966Ronnie Burgess61983Josh Bush62011
+ Single game1Nick Sacrinty41945 ClemsonA. J. Greene41987 Georgia Tech
Tackles