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NFL-bound star gets snubbed by reporters in heartbreaking viral moment

By OLIVER SALT, US ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 13:37 EST, 3 March 2026 | Updated: 13:39 EST, 3 March 2026

NFL Draft hopeful Demond Claiborne suffered a heartbreaking moment this week after just two reporters appeared to attend his Combine interview.

Claiborne, a standout running back from Wake Forest University, can be seen fielding questions from one of the journalists while up on the stage in a video which has gone viral on social media.

The 22-year-old had just completed a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the Combine before heading upstairs for his discussion with two members of the media.

'Let them sleep. Better to be unknown now than a bust later,' one user said on X.

'May be a great later round steal. I would imagine he now has a huge chip on his shoulder and will be highly motivated,' wrote another.

A third posted: 'I hope this lights a fire under him and motivates him. I will take him on my Bears.'

NFL-bound Demond Claiborne suffered a heartbreaking moment at the Combine this week

Heartbreaking: Wake Forest standout RB Demond Claiborne only had two people show up to ask him questions at the NFL combine.

You can just see the pain on his face 😔💔pic.twitter.com/1TvYXeB0k1

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 3, 2026

While a fourth put: 'Boy if that ain’t motivation…'

After taking over as their starter in 2024, Claiborne initially registered 228 carries for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns at Wake Forest.

Last season he had 179 carries for 907 yards and 10 touchdowns as the Demon Deacons went 9-4, before winning their Duke's Mayo Bowl showdown with Mississippi State.

At the Combine, Claiborne's time of 4.37 seconds was the 19th best score in the 40-yard dash.

Mississippi State's Brenen Thompson ran the fastest time with 4.26 seconds, just ahead of Ohio State's Lorenzo Styles Jr. (4.27) and LSU's Zavion Thomas (4.28).

Mississippi

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