Following one season as the backup quarterback for the South Carolina Gamecocks, Robby Ashford has officially announced his transfer to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Ashford, who has previously played for several schools, is expected to compete for the starting quarterback position this upcoming season.
Ashford, who last season started one game against the Akron Zips, had impressive stats during his time at South Carolina. He completed 15 of 21 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his talent with 133 rushing yards and another score during the game. On the whole, Ashford appeared in eight games with the Gamecocks, throwing for 324 yards and two touchdowns on just 32 attempts, along with 227 rushing yards on 41 carries.
Before his time at South Carolina, the 6-foot-2, 229-pound Ashford had stints at Oregon and Auburn. His career has been notable for frequent transitions; he spent his redshirt year at Oregon and performed for two seasons at Auburn before transferring to South Carolina. Ashford originally transferred to South Carolina with hopes of securing the starting role but lost out to LaNorris Sellers, who enjoyed a breakout season with impressive statistics.
The quarterback market at Wake Forest looks promising yet crowded, with Ashford joining the likes of Jeremy Hecklinski and Tyler Mizzell after Michael Kern and Hank Bachmeier completed their eligibility. The team, under new head coach Jake Dickert, is also welcoming former Washington State commit Steele Pizzella and the signed recruit Elijiah Oehlke. Ashford’s competitive experience could provide him with the edge as he seeks to establish himself as the top option.
Coach Jake Dickert stepped in to lead the Demon Deacons after the retirement of longtime coach Dave Clawson. Dickert, who previously coached at Washington State, is known for his effective offensive system, which helped star quarterbacks like Cam Ward excel. Ashford expressed enthusiasm about joining Wake Forest, citing Dickert’s vision for the program and his desire to win immediately. "Just what Coach Dickert is building and his vision for the program and wanting to win now," Ashford told ESPN, highlighting his eagerness to contribute to the team right away.
Ashford’s record shows he has had his fair share of challenges and triumphs. Across three years of collegiate play, he completed 160-of-309 passes for 2,082 yards, with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. On the ground, he has totaled 1,154 rushing yards from 240 carries, adding another 14 touchdowns. These statistics paint him as not only versatile but also as a dual-threat quarterback capable of making plays with both his arm and legs.
The transition marks Ashford’s fourth school after he previously played for Oregon, Auburn, and South Carolina. His experience could prove invaluable for the Demon Deacons, especially with the uncertainty around their quarterback depth following previous departures. The challenges he faced at South Carolina, especially being the backup to Sellers, are now positioned as past hurdles rather than definitive obstacles. He is slated to have one final year of eligibility owing to COVID regulations, which allows him to leverage his seasoned experience effectively.
Wake Forest, having faced its share of changes recently, is eager to reinvent itself. The school went 8-16 over the final two seasons with former head coach Clawson, and the program appears primed for rejuvenation under Dickert’s leadership. Ashford’s commitment is part of rejuvenation efforts, as Coach Dickert has actively sought to upgrade the roster through the transfer portal since taking office.
Ashford’s arrival gets fans talking about what he might bring to the team's offense as he shares his aspirations to be "the guy" at Wake. With his connections and competitive energy, Ashford is ready to take center stage, hoping to leave his mark as the new face of the Demon Deacons’ offense.
The future looks bright as Ashford transitions to Wake Forest, hoping to bring both stability and excitement to the quarterback role, as well as contribute to building the new identity of the Demon Deacons football team.