The South Atlantic Conference didn’t hand out a comeback player of the year award in 2023, but Catawba’s Deno Wardlow certainly would have been a nominee.
The redshirt junior from Winston-Salem (Parkland HS) has endured and overcome plenty since stepping on the Salisbury campus in 2020.
Wardlow suffered a serious bout of COVID as a true freshman and had to move back home for a stretch to recover. He says he fell behind in his classes, then fell behind on the football field after later suffering an injury.
Then, in January 2022, as things were returning to normal, Wardlow’s father passed away.
“I lost my role model, my mentor, and my everything,” he said, as quoted in a “Catawba Stories” feature on the college’s official Web site (HERE). “My dad played a significant role in my life. His death was very unexpected, and my family and I have struggled extremely hard with trying to keep it together.”
Wardlow moved home, but returned to Catawba upon the insistence of his mom. “I tried so hard to focus and motivate myself, but I was at a loss of words and full of emotions,” he said. “I was unable to get any sort of motivation back which caused me to fail my classes. I was in an even deeper hole.”
Wardlow didn’t play football at all in the fall of 2022. But Catawba’s football coaches and the school’s Student Success Center rallied behind him. And he rallied from within.
Wardlow returned to the football field last fall and made an immediate impact for the Indians and new coach Tyler Haines.
In the season opener, Wardlow picked off three passes, helping Catawba beat Elizabeth City State. In late October, he intercepted a fourth-quarter pass to seal a victory against Barton.
For the season, Wardlow made the 2023 All-Piedmont team as a defensive back, picking off five passes in all (tied for first in the league) and recording 66 tackles. He twice earned SAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Wardlow’s grades have improved, and per “Catawba Stories” he’s on pace to graduate next winter, majoring in sport management with a minor in athletic coaching.
SAC coaches certainly haven’t forgotten about Wardlow’s presence on the gridiron. He was voted to the SAC’s preseason All-Piedmont team last week, along with fellow Catawba teammates Jakarri Martin II, Evan Simons, Bo Pryor and Marquece Williams.
The College Football Network lists Wardlow as the No. 9 safety in Division II.
Wardlow and the Indians will open the new season in a marquee environment on Saturday, Sept. 7, serving as FCS Davidson’s first opponent in its new stadium. Catawba will play its first three games on the road, visiting Shaw on Sept. 14 and UVA Wise on Sept. 21.
The long-awaited home opener will be Sept. 28 against conference foe Carson-Newman.
“After the loss of my father, my life is different. I see things differently now,” Wardlow said “I have had the chance to really see just how important all the decisions I make are.”
#2 Deno Wardlow
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 180
- Year: R-Jr.
- Position: Defensive Back
- Major: Sport Management
- Minor: Athletic Coaching
- Hometown: Winston-Salem
- High School: Parkland Magnet HS
2023 Highlights: Played in all 11 games, leading the team with five interceptions … Enjoyed a season-high 12 tackles against Mars Hill on Sept. 16 and had 10 stops against Newberry on Oct. 14 … Was named the SAC Defensive Player of the Week twice, after the three-INT performance against Elizabeth City State and following a big game against Barton in late October.
Other Catawba Highlights: Did not play during the 2022 season … Saw action in nine games in 2021, recording 41 tackles and returning an interception 39 yards for a score against UVA Wise. Also forced and recovered a fumble against Barton … Played in two games and picked off one pass as a true freshman, in Catawba’s COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign.
High School Highlights: Played both football and basketball at Parkland High … Earned all-conference and All-Northwest in football, finishing with 10 interceptions.
