Demond Claiborne was a highly sought-after four-star recruit from Aylett, Virginia, ultimately choosing Wake Forest out of high school. As a freshman, Claiborne was relegated mostly to special teams. He had a flashy sophomore campaign, rushing for 165 yards in a single game and putting big highlights on tape all season. As a junior, Claiborne fully broke out, recording 1,580 all-purpose yards and 13 scores. He maintained his role as the Demon Deacons' lead back in 2025, logging another impressive season with 1,065 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns.

Claiborne has exceptional lateral agility. He displays patience behind the line before exploding into the second level with sudden acceleration. He wins one-on-one matchups in the open field with jukes that leave defenders grasping at air. The cost of his big play is that his patience and self-belief occasionally lead to losses. He excels as a receiver, turning upfield and gaining yards effortlessly after the catch. Claiborne is a bit undersized and struggles as a blocker, but his springiness makes him a perfect change-of-pace option for an NFL backfield.

Special Teams to Pro Bowler

 

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For more information on Demond Claiborne and the rest of the 2026 rookie class, get our Rookie Guide today! And come back to this page after the NFL Combine and NFL Draft for updated information!

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