Wake Forest needed a strong hire to replace Notre Dame-bound defensive coordinator Mike Elko, and it appears they've done so.

Jay Sawvel — who directed a Minnesota defense that ranked No. 21 in 2016 — is finalizing terms become the next defensive coordinator at Wake Forest, a source tells 247Sports.

In the 2016 season, Sawvel directed a Minnesota unit that finished 21st in total defense, 14th in yards per play and 21st in scoring defense nationally. He also composed a gameplan that held an explosive Washington State offense to nearly 200 yards below its season average in a 17-12 National Funding Holiday Bowl win to close the season.

Sawvel's successful stint as defensive coordinator in 2016 followed an impressive run heading up the Minnesota secondary. In 2015, Sawvel orchestrated a defensive back group that finished 11th in the nation in pass yards allowed and 25th in defensive passing efficiency. He also produced from that unit a fourth round draft pick in Eric Murray and an undrafted free agent in Briean Boddy-Calhoun.

Since his arrival at Minnesota in 2011, Sawvel has regularly put together some of the best passing defenses in the Big Ten and the country. He has developed three NFL draft picks in that time with Cedric Thompson and Brock Vereen each joining Murray as draft picks out of the Gophers secondary. Only five college football teams have produced NFL draft picks out of the secondary in each of the past three years.

Sawvel is also respected as a strong recruiter and evaluator as part of a staff known for its ability to find diamonds in the rough.

A 1993 graduate of Mount Union College, Sawvel is an Ohio native who has also had coaching stints at Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois and Ferris State.