2026 NFL Draft report: Demond Claiborne, Running Back, Wake Forest
· Yahoo Sports
Every year, the national media clamps onto prospects, elevating their draft status. Sometimes they have hits, some turn out to be misses. This year, one player who is slowly starting to gather hype is Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne. Claiborne is the definition of a home run hitter, but does he have the consistency to be an effective back at the next level? Let's talk about it.
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Claiborne, a four-star recruit out of King William High School in King William, Virginia, hit the ground running at Wake Forest, as one of his first carries was a massive 32-yard gain, showcasing how explosive he can be. Whether it be returning kickoffs for touchdowns or finding open running lanes, he would make his presence known early. His Junior year is when things really clicked, as he rushed for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns, then followed that up this year with 907 yards and ten touchdowns.
Demond Claiborne is as twitched up as any running back prospect in the class. Twitched up means he has the juice and agility to hit any hole he sees, and can make any cut needed in the open field. When he puts his foot in the dirt and changes direction, the defender is already at a massive disadvantage. He is both quick and fast, as he can accelerate as well as anyone in the class and has borderline-elite long speed. He should carve out an early role on special teams, as he averaged 26.7 yards per return in college.
While Claiborne has exceptional skills in the open field, he sometimes relies on it too much behind the line of scrimmage while he waits for a hole to open. NFL teams might get scared off by his frame, standing just 5-foot-9, as he is notably smaller than other prospects in recent cycles. He will lose momentum early in camp, as he struggles mightily in pass protection. Claiborne also struggles with shedding tacklers who get their hands on him early, meaning he lacks that drive to break through arm tackles.
Demond Claiborne is a draft crush, I'll admit it. When the running back rankings come out, he has a good chance to land higher than others will list him. When it's all said and done, I have a fourth-round grade on him. This is right in the range you want to be targeting, running backs who can make an early impact, and Claiborne should be near the top of the list.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest