The 2026 RB class represents a huge drop-off from the historic 2025 class. There are a few big names at the top (Jeremiyah Love and Jonah Coleman, specifically), but the remaining RBs expected to be drafted come with plenty of question marks. It is definitely possible that one or more of the later-round picks make a splash in the NFL, but projecting which RB will do it is a tall task. Here, we will take a deep dive into Demond Claiborne, RB from the most dominant football program in the state of North Carolina over the last 25 years, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Full disclosure: I am a Wake Forest alum and watched every one of Demond Claiborne’s games in real time. I love the guy. He is clearly in the conversation with Kenneth Walker III as the best Wake Forest RB over the last 20+ years, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t find some areas for improvement in his game.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of our Rookie Profile series going on until the 2026 NFL Draft. For more on each rookie, check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s exclusive rookie rankings and production profiles found only in the Dynasty Pass, part of the UDK+ for 2026.
College Production Profile
| RUSHING | RECEIVING | ||||||||||||
| SEASON | TEAM | GP | CAR | YDS | Y/A | TD | LNG | FUM | REC | YDS | Y/C | TD | LNG |
| 2025 | WAKE | 12 | 179 | 907 | 5.1 | 10 | 85 | 4 | 28 | 140 | 5 | 0 | 21 |
| 2024 | WAKE | 12 | 228 | 1,049 | 4.6 | 11 | 60 | 3 | 23 | 254 | 11 | 2 | 44 |
| 2023 | WAKE | 10 | 137 | 586 | 4.3 | 5 | 42 | 0 | 3 | 35 | 11.7 | 0 | 22 |
| 2022 | WAKE | 10 | 14 | 57 | 4.1 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 1 | -5 | -5 | 0 | 0 |
| Avg (2022-2025) | 11 | 139.5 | 649.75 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 54.75 | 1.75 | 13.75 | 106 | 5.7 | 0.5 | 21.75 | |
| Total | 44 | 558 | 2,599 | – | 26 | – | 7 | 55 | 424 | – | 2 | – | |
Background
Claiborne was a four-star recruit (a rarity for Wake Forest!) and a top-40 RB prospect coming out of King William High School in Virginia. He was named the Virginia state AA Offensive Player of the Year following his Sophomore season. He led his team to a state championship as a Senior, and he was the AA state champion in the 100M dash as well. The kid can scoot! Claiborne eventually fielded offers from several Power-5 schools, including Purdue, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and even Michigan. He was also recruited and offered by Curt Cignetti while he served as Head Coach at James Madison University. But he chose Wake Forest above the rest, and he created quite a legacy for himself as a result.
Claiborne appeared in 10 games as a true Freshman in 2022, mostly on special teams and as a backup RB to Justice Ellison (who was later snagged out of the transfer portal by none other than Cignetti at Indiana). He only tallied 14 carries that season.
He worked a near-even split with Ellison in 2023, where he totaled 137 carries for 586 yards (4.3 Y/A) and five TDs. It was 2024 when Claiborne took the reins of the Wake Forest backfield; he carried the ball 228 times for 1,049 yards (4.6 Y/A) and 11 TDs, while also showcasing receiving skills via a 23/254/2 TDs stat line. Claiborne had his most efficient rushing season in 2025, carrying the ball 179 times for 907 yards (5.1 Y/A) and 10 TDs. He added 28 receptions for 140 yards (5.0 Y/C) as well.
All in all, Claiborne finished his career as Wake Forest’s fourth all-time leading rusher with 2,599 career rushing yards, and he accumulated the fifth-most rushing TDs (26) in team history. He’s also one of only two players in program history to record multiple kickoff return TDs. He earned Second Team All-ACC honors in 2025.
Measurables
| Height | Weight | Recruit | Age | Breakout Age | 40 Time | 10-Yard Split | Broad | Hand Size | Arm Length |
| 5’ 10″ | 188 lbs | 4-Star | 22.3 | 20.8 | 4.37 | 1.59 | 10′ 2″ | 9″ | 30 1/8″ |
Claiborne had a strong Combine, as he backed up his film speed with a blazing 4.37 seconds 40 (third fastest among RBs) and 1.59 seconds 10-yard split. He’s still a bit “light in the pants,” clocking in at 188 lbs, so there will be questions about how well he can handle an NFL workload and contact. His tape shows solid elusiveness and a knack for pushing the ball outside, two qualities that help him avoid big hits up the middle.
What’s On Tape
Games Viewed: Georgia Tech (2025), SMU (2025), NC State (2025), Stanford (2024)
1. Acceleration
Claiborne spent his first three seasons in Dave Clawson’s ultra-slow mesh offense (credited, in part, for Kenneth Walker III’s patience and vision). In this offense, the RB must be able to wait for the QB to make a decision, and then must be able to accelerate immediately, if given the ball. By the 2024 season, Claiborne had mastered this offense, as he led the Wake backfield with 1,049 yards and 11 TDs on 228 carries (4.6 YPC). His track background and strong acceleration are evident on film. This acceleration also shows up in the screen game, as Claiborne gets moving upfield quickly after the catch (particularly on in-breaking routes and middle screens).
2. Home Run Speed
Claiborne flashes elite ability to break a run outside and run away from defenders. He doesn’t so much “bounce” outside at the handoff; rather, he makes decisive cuts in the hole and angles his runs to the outside. This led to a lot of 5-15 yard runs and fewer head-on collisions with LBs. It also led to some beautiful LONG TD runs and a program-tying two kick return TDs.
It is evident that Claiborne is the fastest player on the field in most situations. His Combine performance ranks among the best of the last several years.
Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne was traveling 21.79 mph when he crossed the 20-yard mark during his forty, the fastest speed at 20 yards by any running back over the last four years.
Claiborne reached a top speed of 23.71 mph on his 4.37-second run.@WakeFB | #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/1nrdIOwYuP
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) February 28, 2026
In games, Claiborne pushes for the home run, but not so much that he misses out on three and four-yard gains that are right in front of him. He rarely loses yardage in the run game unless he loses his footing (which happens more than you would like to see). Claiborne had a rush of 8+ yards in 32 of his 34 games as a starter. The dude can scoot!
3. Nose for the End Zone
Claiborne leaves Wake Forest with the fifth-most rushing TDs (26) in program history, and tied for the second-most in a single season (11). On tape, you see Claiborne fight for first downs and TDs alike. He falls forward during tackles, and he shows good awareness of where he is on the field, with a knack for finding the necessary yardage. He doesn’t hesitate in goal-line packages from the 1-yard line, and he can also score from 85 yards out. He plays bigger than his size indicates, although NFL size/speed will present a totally different challenge for him.
Claiborne came up with several clutch TDs for the Demon Deacons, perhaps none bigger than an overtime 25-yard TD against Georgia Tech. His 85-yard TD against Western Carolina was 70 yards longer than any other Wake Forest RB’s longest run in the 2025 season. Claiborne averaged 0.8 YPC more than Wake’s other primary ball carrier, Ty Clark III. This cut-up showcases Claiborne pushing runs outside at the second level, breaking tackles, pushing for the end zone, and flashing elite speed:
Wake Forest RB Demond Claiborne has serious wheels. Already one of my favorite running backs in this class pic.twitter.com/CjN7yXm4w1
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) February 23, 2026
What’s Not On Tape
Scanning game film is essential to evaluating a rookie class, but it can be hard to pick out every strength and weakness of a player over just a series of plays (or worse yet, by merely looking at the box scores).
1. His Background
Like many serious prospects, Claiborne started playing football at the age of 6. As the best athlete on the field, his coaches naturally wanted to put him at QB or RB. But Demond didn’t like getting hit. So they ultimately moved him to the defensive side of the ball. When he got to High School, he still didn’t want to take hits, so he began his career as a WR. He was coached by two former RBs who taught him that, if your technique is sound, you won’t have to take too many big hits, even as an RB. They converted him to RB, and the rest is history. Claiborne credits his experience on both sides of the ball, including time as a WR, as advantageous to his development as an RB. Not taking big hits could be essential for extending his NFL career.
2. His Intangibles
Demond will be a tremendous addition to any locker room, as he works hard and values community over all else. After his Junior season, he was faced with a coaching change at Wake Forest. This was going to mean a departure from the slow mesh offense he had spent the last three seasons mastering. In today’s college football landscape, no one would have faulted the Preseason All-ACC RB for moving on to a bigger program to showcase his skills. But Demond loved the community he built at Wake Forest, including the University workers, students, teachers, and the local community. He is loyal. He’s also a fierce competitor. You can see his passion on tape, as he hates getting tripped up on a long run, and he takes on a leadership role when sorting out miscommunications. He was one of only three players selected as a permanent Captain for the 2025 Demon Deacons squad. This interview by KCSN really showcases Demond’s character, love of the game, and love of people.
3. The Flaws
Watching Demond Claiborne highlights is a truly fun experience. The guy has undeniable speed, and he has a twitchiness that makes you feel that he could really be a dynamic weapon in the NFL. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that he lost seven fumbles over the past two seasons. Ball control has been a bit of a bugaboo, and we all know that won’t fly in the NFL. He’s a bit unproven in pass blocking. PFF graded him a 6/10 in the category, and since his size aligns with more of a third-down back profile, pass blocking will need to improve in order to secure more playing time. My study found him to have pretty good hands as a receiver, but his hips were a bit tight after the catch. If he is running an out pattern, he is slow to turn upfield. It’s not the most natural movement for someone who spent some time as a WR in high school. At the same time, if he catches a middle screen or runs an in-breaking pattern, he can accelerate upfield very quickly.
Fantasy Outlook
Claiborne is expected to be a Day 3 RB selection, and there isn’t a great long-term outlook for these players. There are plenty of examples of guys making an impact in year one after being drafted that late (Woody Marks, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Dameon Pierce, Isiah Pacheco, James Robinson – undrafted). But these guys often get replaced by higher-pedigree RBs eventually. I expect Claiborne will appeal to NFL teams first as a kick returner. But if he can spend the first year or two shoring up his pass blocking and route running, he could be a legitimate threat as a third-down RB. And in today’s NFL, with some lighter RBs handling heavier workloads, there is a chance he develops into more than just that. Kenneth Gainwell seems like an ideal outcome for Claiborne, and the outlier dream scenario would be De’Von Achane. It’s most likely that this prolific college RB ends up as a Tyler Badie, Ty Johnson, or Brashard Smith type. But in a weaker RB class, there’s at least a chance Claiborne gets drafted in the third or fourth round, and that could make a substantial difference in his fantasy outlook.
Potential Landing Spots
- Minnesota Vikings – Spending a year learning from Aaron Jones would be a huge boon to Claiborne’s growth in the NFL. He could contribute immediately on special teams, and the team could secure a nice change-of-pace option at RB.
- Carolina Panthers – Chuba Hubbard is going to be a thumper this year, and everything is TBD on Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne. This team could use a more explosive back, and Claiborne could contribute immediately as a kick returner.
- Chicago Bears – I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ben Johnson bring in a playmaker like Claiborne if he’s still available in the sixth round of this draft. The Bears could use an explosive back to spell D’Andre Swift, while Kyle Monangai continues to actively seek contact in the secondary. Claiborne credits Jahmyr Gibbs and Alvin Kamara as inspiration for his play style – maybe Johnson sees some likeness to Gibbs in his game as well?
from Fantasy Footballers Podcast https://ift.tt/XeWpsqt
Reviewed by Admin
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March 15, 2026
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