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Dependable, determined, dynamic … those "Ds" aptly describe Wake Forest's Deese -- one of the premier wide receivers in the ACC entering the 1999 season … the second-leading receiver in the league a year ago with 68 receptions, a figure that ranked him 20th in the country in that category as well … only All-American Torry Holt had more catches in '98 … Demon Deacon coaching staff now cannot wait for his senior year and what should be another tremendous year … that excitement was heightened during the spring practice period when he made big catch after big catch in scrimmage situations … performed at that level while also working with the WFU track team as part of an ACC championship 4x100 relay team (along with football teammates Reggie Austin, Chris Justice & John Stone) … highlight of the spring came on April 17th when he helped win that conference track crown at Clemson, then drove back to Groves Stadium and caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in the Spring Game that evening … possesses outstanding athletic skills, including speed (ran a 4.3 this past spring in the 40), quickness, leaping ability (3rd on the team in the vertical jump at 37.5") and soft hands … also quite elusive as a runner, often times making the first (and sometimes even a second) tackler miss after he makes a reception … plays with a real toughness and determination that is contagious among his teammates … since redshirting in 1995, has proven to be the "go to" guy in many crucial situations, so there's no reason to think that will be any different this fall … enters '99 as the #5 receiver in Wake Forest history (152 receptions), a figure that stands 17th on the ACC career chart … holds down the seventh spot on the school's receiving yardage list (1,904 yds) as well … ranked among the top 10 receivers in the ACC in both receptions and receiving yardage in each of the last two years -- and that was playing alongside the league's all-time leading receiver Desmond Clark … needs 65 catches this year to break Clark's ACC record for receptions in a career (216) … that may be a lot to ask, but this is one player who has seldom disappointed during the past three seasons. 1998: A starter in every game and a star in most … four times surpassed the 100-yard mark in receiving, including three straight outings to close the schedule … that tied a Wake Forest record for consecutive 100-yard performances set by Ricky Proehl in 1989 … reached double digits in receptions against both NC State (12) and Georgia Tech (11), while totaling eight catches at Air Force and in win over Navy … had at least three receptions in all 11 dates and five-or-more on seven occasions … first topped 100 yards in receiving on national TV versus Navy (8 catches for 122 yds) … came through with game-tying TD reception in closing minute to send App State game into overtime … best statistical afternoon came at NC State when he established new career highs of 12 receptions and 167 yards … scored on a nine-yard pass from Brian Kuklick that day, while also setting up another score with a 48-yard reception … longest play of the year, though, came the following week on a 56-yard touchdown catch and run versus Florida State … ended the year with a terrific effort at Georgia Tech (11 catches for 141 yds) … his 68 total receptions equaled the second-highest single season total in WFU history (Marlon Estes had 68 in 1995) … was eighth in the ACC in receiving yardage (75.1 ypg). 1997: Opened the year in spectacular fashion with touchdown receptions in each of the first three games … his 12-yard TD catch gave Wake the lead to stay in the third quarter of win over Northwestern … scored from 13 yards out at East Carolina and on an eight-yard pass versus Georgia Tech … went over the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career in that matchup with Tech, grabbing seven passes for 118 yards … turned in another outstanding effort the next outing with nine catches for 104 yards in victory over NC State … a spectacular leaping catch on a critical third down play kept alive the game-winning drive that led to Matthew Burdick's field goal against the Wolfpack … scored his fourth TD of the year at North Carolina on a 19-yard toss (from Brian Kuklick, the passer in his other three scores as well) … went over the 100-yard mark one more time in meeting with Clemson (102 yards on 7 receptions) … caught five-or-more passes seven times overall … finished second on the team with 54 catches (behind only Desmond Clark's school-record 72 receptions). 1996: Started the season slowly with a 16-yard reception against Northwestern his only contribution in the first three games … had at least two catches in the last eight dates, though, as his playing time and productivity increased more and more … nearly reached the 100-yard mark with 90 yards on four receptions, including a 40-yarder, versus Navy … totaled five catches the next week at Florida State, then turned in a season-best outing in finale at NC State … had seven catches for 92 yards, including a two-yard touchdown, that afternoon. BACKGROUND: One of the top high school prospects in North Carolina as a senior at Scotland County High … on the receiving end of 41 passes for 760 yards in 1994, teaming with current Deacon Kevin Smith to lead their squad to a 10-2 record and the second round of the state playoffs … scored touchdowns as a receiver (10) and special teams player (two on kickoffs, one of 86 yards on a punt return) … even contributed as a long-snapper as well, a duty he handled in the Shrine Bowl … was the leading pass receiver in that all-star game, catching four passes for 41 yards … selected to the state's East-West contest as well … started for two years at Scotland under coach Mark Barnes, totaling over 1,300 yards in pass receptions … a standout on the track-and-field team, earning MVP honors as a junior and senior … placed fourth in the state championships his senior year in the 300-meter hurdles and fifth in the pole vault … majoring in sociology … age 22 (born 5/10/77).
CAREER STATISTICS REC YDS AVG. TD LG 1996 30 381 12.7 1 40 1997 54 697 12.9 4 41 1998 68 826 12.1 3 56 TOTALS 152 1904 12.5 8 56
MOST RECEPTIONS MOST YARDS RECEIVING 100-YARD GAMES LONGEST RECEPTION TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS |
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