Hailed as the savior of the program when he spurned the likes of Notre Dame, Penn State and Syracuse to sign with Wake Forest, Leak spent a season of apprenticeship behind senior Ben Sankey. But with Sankey gone, a new day has dawned in Deacon Land.

It's the day of C.J. And coach Jim Caldwell -- who said he imposed the gag order on Leak to avoid a quarterback controversy -- said it should be a bright day indeed.

"He's got all the intangibles," Caldwell said. "He's a hard worker. He's got a passion for the game. He's smart. He works at it on the field as well as in the classroom. He's a good leader, because he leads by example. But he's also a vocal guy who wants to be good.

C.J. Leak(AP)

"He doesn't just want to be good. He wants to be a champion. That's the thing that you'll sense. He doesn't want to be average. He wants to be a champion. He's special."

Leak displayed impressive raw ability and not much else as a freshman, when he completed 6 of 18 passes for 59 yards and carried 13 times for 27 yards. But after spending spring practice as the No. 1 quarterback, and beefing up to 6-4, 235 pounds for the pounding he is certain to take, Leak will be the player Caldwell builds his offense around.

He has the speed and power to put pressure on the corners and the vision, awareness and arm strength to pass out of the pocket. He's near the top of the list for breakout players in 2000.

"I consider myself multiple -- I can do it all," Leak said. "I'm very coachable. I do whatever the coach asks. I know my talents and skills allow me to do that.

"So it doesn't matter what I'm put in. I can go in there and get the job done."

For Wake Forest to succeed this season, he'll have to.

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