:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68595391/usa_today_15000534.0.jpg)
Former Wake Forest quarterback John Wolford will make his first career NFL start on Sunday, as he starts for the Los Angeles Rams in place of the injured Jared Goff.
Jared Goff underwent surgery on his thumb this morning, John Wolford will start on Sunday.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 29, 2020
The #WhyNotJohn movement that first started during Wolford’s senior season at Wake when he put up Heisman-worthy numbers and people were campaigning for him to be in the Heisman Trophy race is once again alive and well, as he will finally get a chance to show off his skillset in the NFL.
In his senior season in 2017 John was 239-374 for a 63.9% completion rate, threw for 3192 yards and 29 touchdowns, threw 6 interceptions, averaged 8.5 yards per attempt, and had a QB rating of 158.0 in 12 games.
Dave Clawson said today in his press conference that Wolford is one of his favorite players he has ever coached.
"John is one of my all time favorite players. I think in alot of ways he represents all the best about @WakeForest." @WakeFB HC @CoachClawson on @DemonDeacons alum John Wolford, who will start this week for the @RamsNFL on Sunday. Win & the Rams are off to the playoffs. @WFMY pic.twitter.com/whSFig8SHf
— Brian Hall (@bhallwfmy) December 29, 2020
Noted ESPN contributor Mina Kimes is practically the leader of the John Wolford fan club, and has been since his time in the AAF.
Guys I literally have pages and pages of notes on John Wolford. I'm like the random physicist who specializes in a rare event and gets the call in the science fiction movie. This is my moment.https://t.co/J9n7cdJdqr
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 28, 2020
As the quarterback of the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF, Wolford completed 130-of-206 passing attempts for 1,617 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, and had a 95.9 quarterback rating. He very well could have been the MVP of the AAF had the league completed its season.
Wolford becomes the second former Wake Forest player to start his first career NFL game at quarterback this season after Kendall Hinton played quarterback for the Denver Broncos a few weeks ago when all quarterbacks on their roster were in quarantine due to contact tracing.
The Rams host the Arizona Cardinals at 4:25pm on Sunday. We’re all Rams fans this week!
Best of luck to John in his first career start! GO DEACS and GO RAMS!!!