WS Chronicle

In above photo: Linebacker Brandon Chubb (48) is the acknowledged ringleader of the Deacons’ defense. (Photo by Wake Forest University Athletics)

When Brandon Chubb talks about Wake Forest’s upcoming football season, he’s adamant about one thing: He’s grown weary of seeing the Deacons’ season end in November.

It’s been that way since 2012.

“I haven’t played a game in the month of December since I was in high school,” said Chubb. “I’m so tired of watching teams in bowl games that we played during the regular season and should’ve beaten. We’re looking to change all that. We want this season to be our time to go to a bowl.”

Whether or not Wake Forest (3-9 a year ago) can double its win total and qualify for a bowl game this season remains to be seen.

To do so, the defense, keyed by an exceptional corps of linebackers, must play at the highest possible level.

Chubb, a 6-foot-1, 245-pound senior linebacker, is up for the task.

“It all comes down to finishing the fourth quarter,” he said. “Last year, we had some big games [Louisville and Clemson] where we played very well on defense, but still fell short. For three quarters, we were winning. But then we’d give up big plays in the fourth quarter, and that’s what led to our downfall.”

Chubb, a pre-season All-ACC pick, recorded 109 tackles and 3½ sacks a year ago.

In the regular-season finale against Duke, he finished with a career-high 19 tackles and was named all-conference honorable mention.

Wake Forest went through a defensive make-over last season, switching from the 3-4 set to a 4-3.

Now that the year of transition has been completed under the new system, Chubb has no doubts that the defense has the right ingredients to emerge as one of the better stop units in the ACC.

“We took some big steps with the new system that we put in last year,” he said. “Now that we’ve gone through a season, spring practice and another off-season, everybody has a better feel for what their roles are. With the defensive assignments we have in the 4-3, it gives everybody a chance to be a playmaker.”

When you take a look at Chubb’s family tree, it’s no surprise that football is the centerpiece.

The roots run deep.

The father, Aaron Chubb, was a defensive end at the University of Georgia in the 1980s.

Younger brother Bradley is a sophomore defensive end at N.C. State.

There are also two cousins in the mix.

Nick Chubb of Georgia was All-SEC at running back last year and he’s a pre-season All-America for 2015.

Zach Chubb played in the secondary at the Air Force Academy last season.

“It’s a great experience for all of us to be able to share our stories with each other,” said Brandon Chubb. “We’re always chatting with one another. Not only is it a great resource to have, but it’s such a blessing. What I enjoyed so much was coming back home while Bradley was still in high school and telling him all about what he could expect as a college football player.”