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Wake Forest Football: 2018 Preseason Awards

By Brandon Croce

WINSTON SALEM, NC - AUGUST 31: Wide receiver Greg Dortch #89 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons strides in for a touchdown against the Presbyterian Blue Hose during the football game at BB&T Field on August 31, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC - AUGUST 31: Wide receiver Greg Dortch #89 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons strides in for a touchdown against the Presbyterian Blue Hose during the football game at BB&T Field on August 31, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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WINSTON SALEM, NC – AUGUST 31: Linebacker Justin Strnad #23 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons tackles running back Mark Robinson #32 of the Presbyterian Blue Hose during the football game at BB&T Field on August 31, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC – AUGUST 31: Linebacker Justin Strnad #23 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons tackles running back Mark Robinson #32 of the Presbyterian Blue Hose during the football game at BB&T Field on August 31, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year

Winner: Justin Strnad

The Demon Deacons lost their top two linebackers from last year which presents a great opportunity for redshirt sophomore Justin Strnad.

The linebacker looked good last year in limited time and really showed off his playmaking ability. He finished the year with 51 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

The expectations are higher for Strnad but his coach believes he has a chance to be All-ACC this year, according to this interview with 247Sports:

"Sherrod: “I think he has a chance. He has to show up this season. He’s going to have to really be in on some tackles and flash some, just as he did toward the end of last year. I thought he had a really solid game against Texas A&M, and he just needs to continue to bring that playmaking ability every weekend we play.”"

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