Carlos Hernandez

NFL Draft Profile: Carlos Hernandez

Position: Wide Receiver | School: Wake Forest (via Washington State) | Class: Junior

Height: 6'0" | Weight: 192 lbs | Archetype: Route Runner / Slot

College Career Summary

Carlos Hernandez is a high-IQ playmaker who specializes in finding soft spots in coverage and maximizing touches through versatility. He began his career at Washington State, where he emerged as a reliable target, notably recording 31 catches and 5 TDs in 2024 despite missing the start of the season due to foot surgery.

Following head coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest in 2025, Hernandez became a focal point of the Demon Deacons' offense. His 2025 campaign was a story of two halves: steady involvement early on, followed by an explosive November breakout. He demonstrated "home run" ability with a program-record 93-yard touchdown reception and proved his worth on special teams with an 88-yard punt return TD. Hernandez enters the draft conversation as a nuanced slot prospect with high-end special teams value.

Career Stats Highlights

• Receptions: 89 | Receiving Yards: 1,193 | TDs: 8 Rec / 1 Rush / 1 PR

• 2025 Stats: 34 Rec, 538 Yds, 3 TD Rec (Plus 54 Rush Yds, 1 TD; 1 PR TD)

• Big Play Ability: Averaged 15.8 yards per catch in 2025, significantly higher than his career average.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Kennesaw St	3 / 20 / 0	B-	High target share early; established immediate rapport.
2	vs W. Carolina	1 / 1 / 0	D	Worst Game. Virtually non-existent in the offensive flow.
3	vs NC State	3 / 23 / 0	C+	Reliable on short crosses; limited vertical opportunities.
4	vs GA Tech	1 / 15 / 0	C	Single catch on a crucial third down; solid blocking.
5	@ Virginia Tech	5 / 51 / 0	B	Showed toughness over the middle; reliable chain-mover.
6	@ Oregon State	2 / 23 / 0	B-	Targeted on the perimeter; solid route technique.
8	vs SMU	0 / 0 / 0	F	Effectively neutralized; failed to record a stat.
9	@ Florida St	1 / 11 / 0	C+	Tough environment; caught his lone catchable target.
10	@ Virginia	1 / 4 / 0 (1 PR TD)	A-	Low offensive volume but an 88-yard punt return TD.
11	vs North Carolina	6 / 100 / 1 (1 Rush TD)	A+	The Breakout. Totaled 202 all-purpose yards and 2 TDs.
12	vs Delaware	5 / 197 / 2	A+	The Apex. Program-record 93-yard TD; 39.4 YPC avg.
13	@ Duke	6 / 93 / 0	A-	Proved his November surge wasn't a fluke; elite separation.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Leadership: Vocal on-field presence; followed his coaching staff to Wake, showing strong loyalty.

• Mental Toughness: Successfully returned from 5th metatarsal surgery (2024) without losing a step.

• Competitor: Elite effort in the open field; looks for contact on punt returns.

• Team Player: High-effort blocker; often the "decoy" on flea-flickers and trick plays.

• Star Power: When given the volume (November 2025), he proved to be a game-breaker.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 85/100

• Height/Weight: 6'0", 192 lbs. (Meets height, slightly under 200lb weight target).

• Stamina: Exceptional; stays explosive late in games (see 2nd half vs. Delaware).

• Durability: Played 11+ games in two of three seasons.

• Injury History: Foot surgery (August 2024); looked fully recovered throughout 2025.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Catching: Natural hands; very comfortable plucking the ball away from his frame.

• Route Running: Strength. Extremely polished; understands stem manipulation.

• Body Control: High; elite sideline awareness (highlight-reel catches vs. NC State/UNC).

• Separation: Creates space via suddenness at the top of the route rather than pure size.

• Release: Efficient; uses a "quick-foot" release to stack defenders in the slot.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 89/100

• Speed: 4.48 (Estimated). Very good "game speed" evidenced by his 93-yard house call.

• Agility: High. Elite short-area quickness makes him a nightmare in the punt return game.

• Jumping: Solid; plays bigger than his 6'0" height in red-zone fades.

• Acceleration: Reaches top speed quickly; elite "initial burst" off the line.

• Break Tackle: Uses elusiveness to make the first man miss; solid contact balance.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Awareness: Elite; high-level spatial awareness in zone coverage.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Polished route runner with elite separation; high-end return specialist (PR/KR); resilient after major foot injury; explosive play capability (long of 93 yards); high football IQ.

• Weaknesses: Leaner frame (192 lbs) may struggle against physical NFL press; low volume production for large stretches of 2025; catch radius is physically capped.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal Slot / Z-Receiver in a West Coast or Pro-Style offense that prizes route precision (e.g., Packers, Vikings, Rams).

• NFL Comparison: Hunter Renfrow / Khalil Shakir.

Scout's Final Word

"Carlos Hernandez is a 'coach's player.' He’s technically sound, understands defensive leverages, and provides instant value on special teams. His 2025 November tape is some of the best slot-receiver film in the ACC. While he isn't a physical specimen, his ability to separate and create big plays out of nothing will make him a valuable WR3/4 in the NFL. Projected: Round 4–5."