2012 Wake Forest key players

A second team All-ACC player, Nikita Whitlock finished fourth on the team with 64 tackles, including 14 tackles for a loss. He is an all-around player that is adept at taking on the double-team or collapsing the pocket for a tackle behind the line. The defense should be one of the Deacons' strengths with Whitlock and the entire linebacker corps returning behind him.