Demond Claiborne

NFL Draft Profile: Demond Claiborne

Position: Running Back | School: Wake Forest | Class: Senior

Height: 5'10" | Weight: 200 lbs | Archetype: Elusive / Speed

College Career Summary

Demond Claiborne leaves Winston-Salem as one of the most explosive playmakers in Wake Forest history. After a patient start to his career, he became the undisputed engine of the Demon Deacons' offense in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, he posted a 1,000-yard season, showing he could carry the load in a high-tempo ACC offense.

His 2025 campaign solidified his status as a "chunk-play" specialist. Despite battling a rib injury early in the season and seeing a dip in late-season efficiency as defenses keyed on him, Claiborne finished with 907 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging over 5.0 yards per carry. On December 15, 2025, Claiborne officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, concluding his career with 2,599 rushing yards and 28 total touchdowns.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Rushing: 179 carries, 907 Yds, 10 TD (5.1 avg)

• Receiving: 28 receptions, 140 Yds, 0 TD (5.0 avg)

• Kickoff Returns: 18.0 avg per return

• Total TDs: 10

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rush/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Kennesaw St	3/19/0	C-	Injury Scare. Exited early with a rib injury; played only one half.
2	vs W. Carolina	10/193/3	A+	The Apex. Averaged a massive 19.3 YPC with 3 scores.
4	@ Virginia Tech	7/29/1	B-	Limited touches but remained efficient in a hostile environment.
5	vs Georgia Tech	21/119/2	A	The Workhorse. Displayed elite twitch and red-zone finishing.
7	@ Oregon State	16/144/1	A	Home Run Gear. 9.0 YPC; shredded the second level of the defense.
8	vs SMU	23/73/0	B-	High volume, low room. Fought for every inch against a Top-25 front.
10	@ Florida State	14/27/0	D	Season Low. Stifled by FSU's speed; averaged only 1.9 YPC.
11	@ Virginia	25/75/0	B	Career-high in carries; managed the clock despite heavy defensive focus.
12	vs North Carolina	23/98/1	A-	Bounce Back. Broke a 3-game TD drought; showcased high-end vision.
13	vs Delaware	12/37/1	C+	Efficiency dipped, but notched his 10th TD of the season.
14	@ Duke	13/58/0	B-	Final regular-season game; steady but lacked the signature explosive play.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Leadership: A senior leader who remained the focal point of the offense through quarterback changes.

• Mental Toughness: Played through a painful rib injury early in 2025 to return as a primary producer.

• Competitor: Elite drive; he plays with a "chip on his shoulder" due to his smaller stature.

• Team Player: Known for his work on special teams (kick returns) and selfless pass blocking.

• Star Power: When he's "on," he is one of the most electric players in the ACC.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 82/100

• Height/Weight: 5’10”, 200 lbs. (Meets Height Target; below 215 lbs Weight Target).

• Stamina: Good; handled 20+ carries in multiple games, though efficiency occasionally trailed off late.

• Durability/Injury History: Rib injury in 2025 and minor ailments in 2024; his smaller frame raises questions about a 17-game NFL workload.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 89/100

• Ball Security: Elite. Only one fumble in over 450 career touches. High-and-tight carriage.

• Vision: Above average. Excels at identifying cutback lanes and "darting" into gaps.

• Contact Balance: Good for his size; uses "loose" athleticism to slip through arm tackles.

• Catching: Consistent. 28 catches in 2025 prove he is a reliable check-down option.

• Pass Block: High effort; uses his low center of gravity well, but can be overpowered by pro-sized LBs.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Speed: Elite. GPS-tracked at 4.32 (unofficial). True game-breaking speed.

• Agility: Exceptional. His "twitchiness" makes him a nightmare in one-on-one situations.

• Acceleration: Elite. Reaches top speed in a few steps; outstanding "burst" through the hole.

• Break Tackle: Uses suddenness rather than power to make defenders miss.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Awareness: High. Understands the flow of the Wake Forest "slow mesh" offense and times his bursts perfectly.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Verified world-class speed (sub-4.4); elite ball security; dynamic "one-cut" ability; versatile enough to contribute as a returner and receiver.

• Weaknesses: Undersized for a primary "bell-cow" role (200 lbs); efficiency struggled when volume increased late in 2025; power is limited in goal-line situations.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Spread or Outside Zone offense that prioritizes speed in space (e.g., Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs).

• NFL Comparison: Kyren Williams / Keaton Mitchell hybrid.

Scout's Final Word

"Demond Claiborne is a 'lightning bolt' in this draft class. While he likely won't be a 20-carry-a-game back in the NFL, his elite acceleration and zero-fumble track record make him the ultimate 'change-of-pace' weapon. He’s a Day 3 sleeper who could easily become a 1,000-yard scrimmage producer in the right system. Projected: Round 4–5."