WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - Wake Forest won't know until late August whether to count on Fred Staton as one of its running backs, coach Jim Grobe said this week. <br>
<br>
Staton gained 583 yards as a sophomore in 2001, but sat out last season to concentrate on academics as the Demon Deacons produced one of the top rushing teams in the nation. <br>
<br>
The former West Charlotte prep star remains in academic trouble as fall camp approaches, Grobe said. <br>
<br>
``He's got a chance, but he has a lot of work to do in the second session of summer school,'' Grobe said. ``He's not a little question mark, he's still a big question mark.'' <br>
<br>
Even if Staton returns to the field he's too heavy to play tailback. As of now, he's listed as the team's No. 3 fullback, weighing 250 pounds. <br>
<br>
``We haven't counted on Freddie for a long time,'' Grobe said Tuesday. ``We really haven't beaten him over the head about his weight because he's got so much work to do in the class room.'' <br>
<br>
Grobe said Staton would have to lose about 25 pounds to be in the mix at tailback, where the Demon Deacons have quality depth with Chris Barclay, Cornelius Birgs and Dominic Anderson. <br>
<br>
Anderson was moved in the spring from strong safety to offense and has impressed the coaching staff. <br>
<br>
``Freddie would have to get down to about 225 before we would put him back there,'' Grobe said. ``He never had great speed, but he was always a physical back for us.'' <br>
<br>
Staton finished eighth in the ACC in rushing two seasons ago with seven touchdowns. <br>
<br>
The Demon Deacons open 2003 at Boston College on Aug. 30.
