Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Make Massive QB Decision for 2026
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The Wake Forest Demon Deacons host the Akron Zips at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium for Week 1 of the regular season next week. Throughout the spring and fall, Wake Forest has held a very close quarterback competition to replace Robby Ashford. Ashford most recently served as the Demon Deacons’ starting quarterback in his lone season with the team, finishing with a 7-4 record.
The first challenger is redshirt junior transfer Gio Lopez. After spending 2023 and 2024 with South Alabama, Lopez transferred to North Carolina in 2025. He won the starting job and completed 170 of 261 pass attempts for 1,747 yards, ten touchdowns, and five interceptions, finishing with a 4-7 record. He has the most experience of the two.
The second competitor is redshirt freshman Steele Pizzella. Pizzella served as the third-string quarterback during his true freshman season and failed to complete his lone pass attempt before redshirting. He originally committed to Washington State as a three-star recruit before decommitting and joining Jake Dickert at Wake Forest.
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons make a massive QB decision for 2026
According to Pete Nakos of On3, Wake Forest has named Gio Lopez as the starting quarterback for 2026. Lopez ultimately won the job because of his starting experience and familiarity with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Rob Ezell. Ezell was South Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2024.
Wake Forest has named North Carolina transfer Gio Lopez its starting quarterback for the 2026 season, a source tells @On3.
The former South Alabama transfer has thrown for 4,781 career yards and 32 TDs with 12 rushing TDs. https://t.co/zGCPu5EPXMpic.twitter.com/uKs1tlPJQj
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) August 25, 2026
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