Jake Dickert has revitalized Wake Forest football over the last two years and has the team in contention for a Playoff slot with only three games remaining in the regular season. His efforts are being validated in the form of a new contract. Many decisions go into a successful turnaround, but without the right quarterback, the rest of the roster does not get to properly shine. Gio Lopez is amplifying the “Dickert effect” and raising the Demon Deacons' ceiling to heights few fans thought possible.
The redshirt junior impressed at South Alabama but scuffled at North Carolina last season. Sun Belt signal-callers who jump into the transfer portal and then stumble are not always guaranteed a second chance on a Power Four squad. But Wake Forest believed in him.
“Obviously a game-changer for our program, and I think he's a great story for college football to just say how important fit is,” Dickert told ESPN's College GameDay before the Demon Deacons' road game versus SMU. “He was at a place that didn't quite fit him last year, and obviously the marriage with him and {Wake Forest offensive coordinator Rob Ezell} has been magical, but I saw it all the way back in January.
“He's authentically himself every day, he's got a smile on his face and this dude's competitive character is off the charts. And when that's the face of your program, it's amazing what your team could really accomplish.”
Article Continues Below"Gio Lopez has been a game changer for our program..
He's a great story for College Football about how important fit is..
He's authentically himself every day and his competitive character is off the charts"@CoachDickert #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/NytzJXz8qv
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 14, 2026
Wake Forest is cruising to a 9-1 record after dropping 42 unanswered points in the first half on Saturday. Lopez missed last weekend's 77-0 blanking of Merrimack due to a leg injury, but he looks just fine against SMU. Despite weathering some inaccuracies in the passing game, the Alabama native has thrown for 114 yards and scored three total touchdowns at time of print. He has tossed only one interception all-season-long and accounts for 24 TDs.
In this day and age, non-blue-chip programs are more dependent than ever on competent transfer quarterbacks. If a team can identify a true impact-QB, it can skyrocket. Jake Dickert has his man in Gio Lopez, and alongside a stingy defense (15.9 points allowed per game), they are leading Wake Forest football to the precipice of the top-10 rankings.
The No. 13 Demon Deacons should gain even more favor with the selection committee after its dominant performance in Dallas.