Demond Claiborne RB Wake Forest |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #1 ROLE: Work-Horse Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/15/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.37 seconds (95%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.10 DOB: 10/09/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #1 | |
| ROLE: Work-Horse Back | |
| Last Updated: 03/15/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| Forty time: 4.37 seconds (95%*) | |
| Age: 22.10 DOB: 10/09/2003 | |
| Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
| Overall Rating: | 82.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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73% |
| Break Tackles: |
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64% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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52% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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42% |
| Run Blocking: |
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59% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#164
Position rank:
#8 (RB)
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| College Games: 38 College Snaps: 1415 | ||
ESPN RATING: 77/100
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247 RATING: 93/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Micah Bernard - Utah |
|
73% |
| Bhayshul Tuten - Virginia Tech |
|
72% |
| Jerome Ford - Cincinnati |
|
70% |
Drafted: ROUND: 6 - Pick Number: 198 (MIN)
Draft Profile: Bio
Demond Claiborne arrived at Wake Forest from King William High School in Aylett, Virginia, a four-star recruit by 247Sports and a state champion sprinter who won the Virginia Class AA 100-meter title. He saw limited action as a true freshman in 2022, logging 14 carries for 57 yards. His sophomore season brought a larger workload: 586 yards and five touchdowns on 137 carries, plus a 96-yard kickoff return score against Virginia Tech.The 2024 campaign was a full arrival. Claiborne carried 228 times for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns, becoming the first Demon Deacon to rush for 1,000 yards since Cade Carney in 2018. He added 23 catches for 254 yards and two receiving scores, earned Third Team All-ACC at running back and all-purpose, and returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Miami.
As a senior in 2025, he ran for 909 yards and 10 touchdowns on 179 carries, earning Second Team All-ACC and landing on the Doak Walker, Maxwell, and Walter Camp preseason watch lists. Claiborne finished as Wake Forest's fourth all-time rusher with 2,599 yards and 26 rushing touchdowns. He accepted a Shrine Bowl invite and confirmed his track-star speed at the NFL Combine, posting one of the fastest times among backs.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Combine-confirmed top-end speed is among the best in this running back class and shows up on tape at the corner.
- Fluid change-of-direction ability allows him to redirect in tight spaces without losing momentum.
- Reads zone-blocking schemes well, showing patience to let blocks develop before committing to a lane.
- Contact balance through arm tackles is impressive given his frame, stays upright when hit off-center.
- Breakaway ability stands out on film, with nearly a quarter of his 2025 carries going for 10-plus yards.
- Two career kickoff return touchdowns and consistent return production give him immediate special teams value.
- Subtle hip fakes and shoulder dips behind the line create hesitation in linebackers before he attacks gaps.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Listed under 190 pounds and it shows when defenders square him up in the hole.
- Five fumbles in 2025 are a serious red flag after zero the previous two seasons.
- Pass protection is not close to NFL-ready, both in technique and in his ability to anchor.
- Drops spiked to six in his senior year after just two the season before.
- Not a yards-after-contact runner when defenders get a clean shot, goes down on first solid hit too often.
- Can hesitate behind the line when his initial read closes, turning potential short gains into losses.
Scouting Report: Summary
Claiborne's combine workout confirmed what the tape already suggested: he is one of the fastest backs in this class. That speed, paired with his agility and change-of-direction skills, gives him a clear path to an NFL role in a zone-heavy offense that gets him working on the edge. When he hits the sideline with a head of steam, he can turn a five-yard gain into a 20-yard chunk. His return ability alone should earn him a roster spot early. A creative play-caller who uses motion, sweeps, and outside-zone concepts can get the most out of what he does well.The combine also put his physical limitations on full display. He measured as one of the lightest backs in the class, and that lack of mass is not going to allow him to hold up as a 20-carry back at the next level. The 2025 fumble issues will make coaches nervous about handing him the ball in critical situations. His pass protection limitations keep him off the field on third downs until he proves he can handle an NFL blitz pickup, which works against his natural role as a change-of-pace option. The drop issues from his final college season need context, but six in one year is hard to ignore.
The most realistic projection here is a complementary piece in a backfield rotation. His combine speed gives him a floor as a special teams contributor, and paired with a physical, downhill runner he becomes the change-of-pace option who can stress a defense horizontally. He needs a scheme that plays to his strengths rather than asking him to do things his body was not built for.
Demond Claiborne percentiles vs other Running Backs (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Demond Claiborne (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
137.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
11.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.