Often overlooked, never outworked—Wake Forest football has carved out a legacy through discipline, development, and disruptive play. Despite being one of the smallest Power 5 programs, the Deacs have delivered ACC titles, New Year’s bowls, and gritty, overachieving squads that earned national respect. Here are the Top 5 Wake teams of all time.

#5 – 2017 – 8-5 | Belk Bowl Champs | Clawson’s Breakthrough Moment

This was the true turning point of the Dave Clawson era, a high-scoring thrill ride led by QB John Wolford, who threw for 3,192 yards and 29 touchdowns while adding 10 on the ground. The Deacons scored 50+ points four times, including a wild Belk Bowl win over Texas A&M where both teams combined for over 1,200 yards. The defense struggled at times, but explosive offensive growth and a “never out of it” mentality gave Wake fans a glimpse of the program’s modern identity.

#4 – 1970 – 6-5 | ACC Champions | The First Crown

In an era dominated by larger ACC schools, Wake Forest shocked the league by going 5-1 in conference play and securing the program’s first ACC title. Despite a modest 6-5 overall record, the Deacons’ resilience and late-season surge, including wins over traditional powers, such as North Carolina and Duke, elevated the program. The sole conference loss came in week 2 at South Carolina. Though there was no bowl game invitation, the 1970 team set a precedent for what Wake football could achieve.

#3 – 2007 – 9-4 | Meineke Car Care Bowl Champs | Back-to-Back Bowl Brilliance

Following their magical 2006 season, Wake Forest proved it was no fluke. The 2007 team built on that success with a second straight winning season and a bowl win, showing continued dominance on defense behind ballhawk corner Alphonso Smith and clutch special teams play from Sam Swank. With freshman RB Josh Adams rushing for over 900 yards, the Deacons remained balanced and dangerous. This season confirmed Wake’s place among the ACC’s most respected programs during the mid-2000s.

#2 – 2021 -11-3 | ACC Atlantic Champs & Gator Bowl Champs | The Clawson Summit

Wake Forest’s 2021 squad rewrote the record books with one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, averaging over 41 points per game. QB Sam Hartman threw for 4,228 yards and 39 TDs, connecting repeatedly with big-play threats like A.T. Perry. Though they lost the ACC Championship Game to Pitt, they finished with 11 wins for just the second time ever. Clawson’s innovative “slow mesh” RPO offense confused defenses all season, and the Gator Bowl victory capped a historic campaign that pushed Wake into the national conversation.

#1 – 2006 – 11-3 | ACC Champions & Orange Bowl Appearance | The Grobe Golden Year

Head coach Jim Grobe led Wake Forest to an 11‑3 season, capturing only the second ACC championship in program history (first since 1970) and winning the conference title game. Quarterback Riley Skinner orchestrated a disciplined offense, while defensive standouts like Jon Abbate anchored the unit. Grobe earned national recognition, securing the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year award from the AP and the ACC Coach of the Year award. The season culminated in an Orange Bowl appearance in which the Demon Deacons lost to Louisville, but it permanently elevated Wake Forest’s profile in college football.