- Sam Hartman is Wake Forest’s all-time leading passer with 12,967 yards.
- As a redshirt freshman, Riley Skinner led the Demon Deacons to the Orange Bowl.
- Brian Piccolo’s No. 31 is retired by the school.
While Wake Forest isn’t near the top of the NCAAF odds to win national championships, they’ve still had some success, including bowl game victories in back-to-back seasons (2021 and 2022).
Today, the Demon Deacons football odds are available at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
Continue reading below to see my list of the top five Demon Deacons.
5 Best Wake Forest Demon Deacons Football Players, Ranked
| Rank | Player | Position | Demon Deacons Years |
| 1 | Sam Hartman | QB | 2018-2022 |
| 2 | Riley Skinner | QB | 2006-2009 |
| 3 | Brian Piccolo | RB | 1962-1964 |
| 4 | Chris Barclay | RB | 2002-2005 |
| 5 | Aaron Curry | LB | 2005-2009 |
Wake Forest Demon Deacons All-Time Greatest Football Players
1. Sam Hartman
Hartman played at Wake Forest for five seasons from 2018 to 2022. He redshirted during the 2019 season, and, of course, the 2020 season was shortened.
He finished with 12,967 passing yards (most in program history), including 4,228 in 2021 (single-season passing record), 110 passing touchdowns (first), 13,822 total yards (first), and 127 total touchdowns (first).
Hartman holds the top two single-season passing touchdown records with 39 in 2021 and 38 in 2022.
He was second-team and third-team All-ACC. He was also a finalist for the Manning Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award.
He finished his career with Notre Dame in 2023.
2. Riley Skinner
Skinner played at Wake Forest from 2006 to 2009, where he racked up 9,762 passing yards (second), 60 passing touchdowns (second), 9,923 total yards (second), and 65 total touchdowns (third).
He’s not atop any program records, but Skinner was responsible for bringing a level of success to Wake Forest the program simply wasn’t used to.
As a redshirt freshman, he took over as the starting quarterback, went 10-2, won the ACC championship, and led the Demon Deacons to the Orange Bowl.
Skinner was the ACC Rookie of the Year and second-team All-ACC.
3. Brian Piccolo
Piccolo suited up for Wake Forest from 1962 to 1964. He ran for 19 rushing touchdowns (eighth). He ran for 15 of those in 1964, which is tied for the single-season rushing touchdown record.
He was second-team All-American, ACC Player of the Year, first-team All-ACC, and the program retired his No. 31.
Over his first two seasons, he had a combined 161 carries. In his final season, he had 252 carries for 1,044 yards and those record-setting 15 touchdowns.
4. Chris Barclay
Another running back, Barclay, was at Wake Forest from 2002 to 2005.
He ran for 4,032 yards (first) and 40 rushing touchdowns (first).
Of his 4,032 yards, he ran for 1,192 during the 2003 campaign, which ranks second in the single-season rushing record books at Wake Forest.
He was the ACC Player of the Year, ACC Offensive Player of the Year, two-time first-team All-ACC, and second-team All-ACC.
5. Aaron Curry
Curry played at Wake Forest from 2005 to 2009 before becoming the No. 4 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.
He won the Butkus Award (top linebacker) and was first-team All-American, first-team, and second-team All-ACC.
Curry had 332 tackles (10th), 9.5 sacks, 46 tackles for loss, and six interceptions.
He’s the most decorated defensive player in Wake Forest history.
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