Michael Campanaro Must Become More Dynamic for Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons failed to make it to a bowl game in 2012 and Jim Grobe needs someone to step up and change that in 2013. The best bet is that his experienced offense will step up its game next fall and take the Deacs back to the postseason. While the pressure will be on Tanner Price to lead under center, he must get help from senior wide receiver Michael Campanaro.

Campanaro has proven himself as a reliable option in the passing game, catching a team-high 79 receptions for 763 yards and six touchdowns. Wake Forest doesn’t have a deep roster of playmakers behind him, so the onus was on Campanaro to be the No. 1 guy for Price in the passing game. In 2013, if Wake has any hope of improving on offense, the senior wideout will have to do even more.

There will be even more pressure as the Deacons try and replace the production of Terence Davis, who finished second on the team in his senior season in receptions. He caught 43 passes for 544 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the only other wide receiver on the roster last season who caught a touchdown pass. Without a clear replacement to step up as the No. 2 guy in 2013, Price will have to lean on Campanero even more.

And Campanero must do more with the opportunities he gets. Last season, the wideout averaged just 9.66 yards per catch. He has proven his worth as a possession receiver, but has to stretch the field more next season to make the Wake Forest offense a bit more lethal. If he continues to only be an underneath threat, the Deacons will be nothing more than a dink and dunk offense that sputters down the stretch.

One way or the other, Campanaro holds the key to the Deacons’ fortunes in 2013. Will he take his game and the Wake Forest offense to the next level?

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