Dembry a late bloomer

When talking about Wake Forest's receiving corps Chris Givens and Michael Campanaro often highlight the discussion, but do not forget to mention Danny Dembry.

The redshirt senior from Ahoskie, NC has emerged as one of quarterback Tanner Price's top targets.

"I think Tanner is just looking for me a little more," Dembry said. "When he was scrambling on third down he found me coming back toward him on the sidelines, so I think he's just looking out with good passes."

Prior to this season Dembry only had 10 career receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown. In the Demon Deacons 34-27 win over N.C. State he had a career day: six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Dembry also had a 10-yard rushing touchdown on a reverse.

His touchdown reception may have been the play of the game. Campanaro took the ball on a reverse, and found the wide open Dembry, who ran the rest of the 40 yards for the score.

"I got really excited," Campanaro said. "Danny and I, both of us throw it. In practice we trade off. I saw the play call, and went straight to the spot where I was throwing it, and kind of just put my hands on my hips and didn't look at him, because I knew he was going to try to run over there, and get it, but I was just happy he got open and I was able to get it to him."

Performances like last Saturday's are what Jim Grobe and his staff long expected from the 6-foot-2 and 185-pound wide receiver. Grobe said Dembry was content hanging back in the shadows his first three years, and that again appeared to be the case after registering only two receptions for eight yards against Syracuse.

Something was different last week, enabling the senior to emerge from the shadows.

"At halftime when coach looked at me he told me Camp was out," Dembry said. "I feel like he was ready for me to make plays, so I just came out there and did my job."

Grobe has been ready, especially after the type of training camp Dembry had. Campanaro and Givens missed most of preseason practice with hamstring problems, which is when Dembry emerged as the go-to-guy for Price.

He performed well in Wake's scrimmages, and appeared poised for a curtain call in his final campaign in Winston-Salem, which he made against the Wolfpack. Look for more.

"I think he's playing really, really good football," Grobe said. "He's a guy that's been very, very patient, worked really, really hard, and now he's got his opportunity he's taken advantage of it. He's done a really nice job."