Wake Wire: Greg Dortch Signed by Panthers + Deacs in the XFL

Former Wake Forest standout Greg Dortch has been signed by the Carolina Panthers as a return specialist.

In his 2 seasons at Wake Forest, Dortch had 438 yards and 2 TDs returning punts and was 11th in the nation in yards per return his sophomore season. The move comes after the Panthers waived former Clemson receiver and return man Ray-Ray McCloud due to his 3rd fumble in 6 games. Dortch was the starting punt returner for the Jets in the preseason and spent time on their practice squad before being signed by the Panthers.

The Deacs also had 4 former players taken in the XFL draft. I’ll do my best to figure out this weird 5 phase draft structure, but I can’t promise I won’t make a mistake.

Center Ryan Anderson was taken in the 8th round by the Houston Roughnecks. He was the 58th pick of the 2nd phase of the XFL draft, which featured solely offensive linemen.

Josh Banks, who played defensive lineman from 2013-2016 for the Deacs, was taken by the Tampa Bay Vipers in the 25th round of the draft. He was the 33rd pick in the 3rd phase of the draft, which featured defensive linemen and linebackers.

The Vipers also took former Wake Forest D-Lineman Nikita Whitlock, who played for the Deacs from 2010-2013 and finished his collegiate career with 18.5 sacks.

The New York Guardians selected Matt Colburn II in the final phase of the draft, which was just an open draft. Colburn was the 66th pick of the 5th phase.

Congratulations and Go Deacs!