Karon Prunty, Demond Claiborne Selected in 2026 NFL Draft

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 27: Karon Prunty #3 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons signals for a fourth down during the first half of a football game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The list of pro-Deacs grew in the final day of the 2026 NFL draft, as both CB Karon Prunty and RB Demond Claiborne were selected in the 5th and 6th round respectively.

Prunty was taken 171st overall in the 5th round by the runner up New England Patriots. Before coming to Wake Forest, Prunty played 2 years at Kansas and 2 years at NC A&T. In his 1 season with the Deacs, he was one of the best cornerbacks in the country, grading out as the 12th best coverage corner in the nation per PFF. Prunty finished the season with 40 total tackles, 1 interception, and 8 passes defended and was awarded 3rd team All-ACC honors by the media.

Demond Claiborne was taken 198th overall in the 6th round by the Minnesota Vikings. Claiborne finished his 4 year Wake Forest career with 2,600 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns, putting him at 4th in program history in rushing yards and 5th all time in rushing touchdowns. While he did not put up the production many were expecting in his senior season, he still finished with 900 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, and a career best 5.1 yards per carry. He was voted 2nd-team All-ACC by the AP. Claiborne was the 10th running back selected in the draft.

With 2 selections in the draft, the Deacs tied for 5th in the conference and had more players drafted than Louisville (1), Florida State (1), SMU (1), Pitt (1), Cal (1), UNC (0), Virginia (0), Virginia Tech (0), and Syracuse (0).