WLOS -- Last year the Wake Forest mantra was "good to great" and by most accounts the Demon Deacons did that. They went from a 4-and-5 overall record in 2020 to making the ACC championship game and winning the Gator Bowl in convincing fashion last season.

Now, ahead of their 2022 campaign, the Demon Deacons are evolving their motto. The word head coach Dave Clawson landed on is "mentality," meaning the players now have to deal with success.

Former A.C. Reynolds offensive lineman CJ Elmonus is among the Demon Deacons tasked with carrying that out. He's working with the twos now, but has a chance to earn some starts. With that goal in mind, he's taking the "mentality" motto seriously, implementing it every single day he steps on the field.

"I think it's just something that we all have to remind ourselves," said Elmonus. "It's just something mindset determines how you're going to practice every day, how you're going to do meetings, whether you're going to remember things."

The 6-foot-7, 291 pounder is aware the motto might seem cliché, but it's something he's choosing to internalize.

"I think mindset is just one of those things, like yes it's a team mantra but it's something we've already had in ourselves," Elmonus explains. "It's a reminder to hold yourself to the highest standard."

Elmonus saw action in eight games last year including the final seven of the 2021 campaign. He totaled a season-high 19 snaps in the victory over Duke. He also tallied 84 snaps total on the season.