At Wake Forest, new head coach Jake Dickert is leveraging the transfer portal to orchestrate a comprehensive roster transformation for the Demon Deacons. Drawing inspiration from Curt Cignetti’s successful overhaul at Indiana, Dickert is prioritizing experienced transfers over untested freshmen to elevate the program’s competitiveness.
Here’s a closer look at Dickert’s strategic approach and potential implications for Wake Forest’s 2025 season.
Jake Dickert’s Portal Moves Echo Curt Cignetti’s Roster Rebuild at Indiana
Jake Dickert took charge at Wake Forest after an impressive period at Washington State, where he built a 23-20 total record. Having a history of developing talent, Dickert was signed to build on the legacy of Dave Clawson, who led Wake Forest to consistent appearances in the bowl and an ACC division title over 11 years.
However, Clawson’s last two seasons ended in back-to-back 4-8 records, which breeds leadership shifting after his unexpected resignation following the 2024 season.
Since being appointed, Dickert has been promised resources to execute a full roster flip. In the winter transfer cycle, Wake Forest secured about two dozen transfers, and new players are anticipated this month.
This transfer approach projects the approach Cignetti used at Indiana, using a transfer-heavy roster to see the Hoosiers to an 11-1 record in 2024. Dickert’s approach is further evident as eight of his former Washington State players followed him to Wake Forest, evidence of his ability to retain trust and loyalty.
Dickert’s outline, in a way, resembles that of HC Curt Cignetti’s transformation at Indiana, yet the two scenarios go in different directions in meaningful ways. Cignetti’s 2024 Indiana team added 31 transfers, including 13 from his previous program, JMU.
It seems that the new Demon Deacons coach is trying to use the same tactic by importing eight Washington State transfers to ensure a core group versed in his coaching strategy.
This continuity could, in a way, speed up the implementation of his vision at Wake Forest. Yet, unlike Cignetti, who inherited a perennial underachiever at Indiana, Dickert steps into a program with a stronger recent pedigree under Clawson, tempered by its late decline.
Recruiting dynamics also differ. Bolstered by Big Ten resources, Indiana attracted high-profile transfers like quarterback Kurtis Rourke from Ohio. Wake Forest, a private institution with stringent academic standards, faces a narrower recruiting pool. Dickert realized this was a reason for emphasizing development over pursuing elite recruits.
As Wake Forest gears up for the 2025 season, Dickert’s transfer-heavy strategy will face its first test against a challenging ACC slate. If he can emulate Cignetti’s rapid turnaround, the “Deacs” could reemerge as a contender, capitalizing on the experience and maturity of their new roster. Early signs seem promising.
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Yet sustainability remains a concern. If recruitment and retention lag, over-reliance on transfers may hinder long-term development. The portal’s volatility also poses a retention risk, as some players could depart as quickly as they arrive.
Dickert will have to cultivate a compelling culture to anchor his roster, balancing short-term gains with enduring stability.
As the 2025 season approaches, Wake Forest stands at a crossroads, with Dickert’s vision poised to shape its trajectory in the ACC and beyond.
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