Wake Forest coach denies bashing Lamar Jackson's NFL chances

Wake Forest's Dave Clawson said Monday he wasn't the ACC coach that anonymously denounced star Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson as an NFL prospect in a recent story published by Sports Illustrated.

"This is what's called fake news," Clawson told reporters after practice, as transcribed by Scout's Les Johns.

"I never said those things. I have great respect for Lamar Jackson as a football player. I think he is one of the elite players not only in the ACC, but in the country. I respect the way he plays the quarterback position, and those comments in no way reflect the respect I have for him. I would never say that."

Jackson said Saturday that it was told to him that Clawson was the ACC coach that tore apart his game in the article. The coach was asked to compare Jackson to Deshaun Watson, and ended up ripping the former.

"Jackson has no shot at playing quarterback in the NFL. None," the unnamed coach said. "He can't make the throws and can't read coverages. He's not going to have a chance."

Louisville and Wake Forest drew bad blood last season after it was revealed a Wake Forest broadcaster leaked the team's game plan to Cardinals coaches days before their encounter.

The Demon Deacons limited Jackson to a season-low 145 yards passing, but he wound up rushing for 188 yards and led the Cardinals to a 44-12 win.