Wake Forest Football: Key players to watch against Tulane

BOONE, NC - SEPTEMBER 23: Wide receiver Greg Dortch #89 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons gets pressure from wide receiver Zy Letman #82 of the Appalachian State Mountaineers during the punt return in the first quarter of an NCAA football game on September 23, 2017 at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

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WINSTON SALEM, NC – SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Grant Dawson #50 and defensive lineman Carlos Basham Jr. #18 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons force a safety against the Utah State Aggies during the football game at BB&T Field on September 16, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Boogie Basham

Carlos “Boogie” Basham Jr. is stepping into the void left by the departure of Duke Ejiofor and is expected to be the top pass rusher for this defense.

The redshirt sophomore played in 11 games last year and finished with 24 total tackles and two tackles for a loss. However, he is still looking for his first sack of his college career.

The Green Wave have an explosive offense with quarterback Jonathan Banks, a group that averaged 450 yards with him under center last season. If the Demon Deacons hopes to stop this offense, it will start up front. There is no better way to rattle an offense than to get pressure on their quarterback.

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