James Lik Class: Senior Hometown: New Hyde Park, N.Y. High School: Memorial High School Height / Weight: 6-6 / 240 Position: Tight End Birthdate: 04/20/1977 Experience: 3VL

After three years of playing almost behind-the-scenes, this veteran Demon Deacon should emerge as a prominent player to watch in 1999 … has lettered three consecutive seasons since redshirting in his first year at WFU (1995), but really hasn't had the type of impact that he could have this fall … projected to be the starter at tight end as preseason camp opens in August … definitely the most experienced of the candidates to replace three-year starter Joe Zelenka, a free agent signee with the San Francisco Forty-Niners … would have been more of a factor last year except for a broken ankle (right) that he suffered in the first half of the Maryland game … had just begun to see some "touches" in the Deacon passing game at the time of his injury … did not take part in spring drills while still recovering from that setback but should be ready for full activity at summer's end … his original position at Wake Forest was linebacker, but switched to tight end in 1996 and saw action in eight games, catching one pass (for 2 yds) at Maryland … still saw enough action to letter, then became more of a regular participant the following fall … an intelligent player who understands the entire offensive system very well … that's a valuable quality since he has often times lined up in the Deacon backfield at fullback … has added weight and strength in order to improve his performance as a blocker when in that role, but his primary objective is to catch the ball … hopes to realize that objective often in the upcoming season.

1998: Saw limited action during the first month of the season, then caught passes in three consecutive October outings … had one reception for 11 yards versus App State, one for 12 against Duke, and two for 14 yards at Maryland before breaking his ankle … also a member of special teams (kickoff return unit) in every game prior to the injury.

1997: Played in all 11 games, sharing time at tight end with Zelenka … did not play quite as many snaps as his teammate, but actually caught one more pass … all seven of his catches were spread among the first seven dates on the schedule … only two-reception outing was against Georgia Tech (2 catches for 15 yards) … played but did not catch as pass in any of the final four games … active on special teams throughout the year.

BACKGROUND: Played for coach Dan Marino at Memorial High where he earned all-state (2nd team) recognition in 1994 as a defensive standout … recorded 12 sacks as a senior while also playing tight end … named to all-county squad and was an academic all-conference selection as well … outstanding junior year on offense, catching 43 passes and scoring 11 TDs … Memorial compiled a perfect 11-0 record that year (1993) and won the Long Island prep championship … achieved on the basketball floor, too, being named team MVP as a junior and senior … lettered three years on the baseball squad as well … a sociology major … age 21 (born 4/20/77).

CAREER STATISTICS

        REC   YDS   AVG.   TD   LG
1996    1     2     2.0    0    2
1997    7     68    9.7    0    14
1998    4     37    9.3    0    12
TOTALS  12    107   8.9    0    14

MOST RECEPTIONS
2 vs Georgia Tech, 9/20/97; at Maryland, 10/17/98

MOST YARDS RECEIVING
15 vs Georgia Tech, 9/20/97

LONGEST RECEPTION
14 yards at North Carolina, 10/11/97