 |
|
| Tuesday, May 1 Georgia Tech set to challenge FSU's hold on ACC By Brad Edwards Special to ESPN.com |
|||||||||||||||
|
The ACC has belonged to Florida State ever since the Seminoles joined the conference in 1992. Is this the year someone other than FSU wins the conference crown? Some experts are saying Georgia Tech could end the reign this fall. Here is a look back at how the schools of the ACC fared this spring.
Battling it out Most coaches hate the media circus surrounding a quarterback competition, but it appears Bowden will have to deal with it this fall. Willie Simmons showed great ability in relief of Woodrow Dantzler last season and took all of the snaps with the first team in spring drills as Dantzler sat with a leg injury. Simmons didn't play as well as he could have, but his solid spring game (21-39, 240 yards) will have the fans talking all summer. Eye catcher: LB John Leake The redshirt freshman capped off an impressive spring with a dominant spring game, making 10 tackles (3 for loss) and returning an interception 57 yards for a score. He is backing up Braxton Williams at star safety, which is a cross between a strong safety and outside linebacker. Budding star: WR Kevin Youngblood Youngblood was the offensive star of the spring game with 11 catches for 142 yards. The rising sophomore was a reserve last year, but is now the frontrunner to fill the role of Rod Gardner, a fellow graduate of Raines H.S. in Jacksonville, Fla.  Duke Blue Devils2000 overall record: 0-11 Conference record: 0-8 (9th) Returning starters Offense: 7 Defense: 7 Kickers: 2 2000 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Chris Douglas * (503 yds) Passing: D. Bryant* (1,448 yds) Receiving: Mike Hart* (540 yds) Tackles: Ryan Fowler* (87) Sacks: Fowler* (7) Interceptions: Jeff Phillips*, Ronnie Hamilton* and Fred Harris (2 each) What's new Two key defensive players, LB Nate Krill (shoulder) and SS B.J. Hill (knee), return after missing the entire 2000 season following surgery. Both participated in spring drills and are a much-needed addition to the nation's second-worst defense of a year ago. Battling it out: The play of Charles Porter in the spring locked down one defensive end spot, leaving last year's starters, Tyran Grissom and Shawn Johnson, to compete for the same defensive end position. Johnson has the edge coming out of spring practice, but the battle is certain to be decided this fall. Eye catcher: LB Jim Scharrer Scharrer just enrolled at Duke in January after playing six seasons of minor league baseball and is already listed as a starting linebacker entering the fall. He was a 1994 SuperPrep football All-American at Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep before being drafted in the second round by the Braves in 1995. Budding star: RB Chris Douglas As a redshirt freshman last season, Douglas led the Blue Devils in rushing with an average of almost five yards per carry. In addition, he caught 22 passes and led all freshmen nationally with 131 all-purpose yards per game.  Florida State Seminoles2000 overall record: 11-2 Conference record: 8-0 (1st) Returning starters Offense: 5 Defense: 4 Kickers: 1 2000 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Travis Minor (923 yds) Passing: Chris Weinke (4,167 yds) Receiving: Marvin Minnis (1,340 yds) Tackles: Bradley Jennings* and Brian Allen (102 each) Sacks: Jamal Reynolds (12) Interceptions: Tay Cody (6) What's new We've heard this before. Bobby Bowden says he is going to make the running game a priority -- even to the extent of running to set up the pass. Without a quarterback who has ever played the position in a college game, it might not be such a bad idea. Unfortunately, the Seminoles also have very little experience at running back. Battling it out The starting QB will be decided this fall between redshirt freshman Chris Rix and converted receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin was one of the nation's top quarterback recruits two years ago but requested the position switch almost immediately. Rix is listed at the top of the depth chart after spring practice, but the race is very close. Both are very mobile and will have a much different style than Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke. Eye catcher: DE O.J. Jackson Jackson played behind Jamal Reynolds last season and recorded only eight tackles. But when given the chance to play in the spring, he showed great speed around the end. His impressive series of practices culminated with five sacks in the spring game. Seminole fans are hoping he could be the next in the line of great defensive ends. Budding star: LB Kendyll Pope Though he played some as a freshman last year behind Tommy Polley, Pope will now get enough snaps to show his talent and possibly become a dominant player. He is very fast, has great instincts and was all over the field in the spring. He has already drawn comparisons to Derrick Brooks.  Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets2000 overall record: 9-3 Conference record: 6-2 (t-2nd) Returning starters Offense: 7 Defense: 9 Kickers: 2 2000 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Joe Burns* (908 yds) Passing: George Godsey* (2,906 yds) Receiving: Kelly Campbell* (963 yds) Tackles: Daryl Smith* (94) Sacks: Greg Gathers* (13) Interceptions: Jeremy Muyres* (4) What's new Ralph Friedgen is no longer calling the plays, having taken the head-coaching job at Maryland. The new offensive coordinator is Bill O'Brien, who assumed that role before the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Though O'Brien will have his own play-calling style, the offense should not be noticeably different. If anything, the quarterbacks will have more experience since George Godsey sat out spring drills with a knee injury. Battling it out Four-year starter Chris Brown is gone from the left tackle position, and the competition to replace him is now between Jason Kemble and redshirt freshman Leon Robinson. Kemble surprised a lot of people with his play in the spring and is currently listed as No. 1, but Robinson has great talent and is still very much in the running. Eye catcher: CB Albert Poree The sophomore transfer from Notre Dame was impressive enough on the scout team last year to be listed as a starting corner entering spring drills. His on-field attitude energized the defense during the spring, and he backed it up with great playmaking skills. Budding star: MLB Daryl Smith Smith started nine games last season and led the team in tackles as a true freshman. He earned Freshman All-America honors for that effort, but bigger things could lie ahead. He has made big plays in big games (interception return for TD vs. Georgia last year) and will now lead the defense of one of the nation's top teams.  Maryland Terrapins2000 overall record: 5-6 Conference: 3-5 (t-6th) Returning starters Offense: 8 Defense: 8 Kickers: 1 2000 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: LaMont Jordan (920 yds) Passing: Calvin McCall (1,533 yds) Receiving: Guilian Gary (568 yds) Tackles: E.J. Henderson* (109) Sacks: Kris Jenkins (8) Interceptions: Shawn Forte (4) What's new
Shaun Hill ended last season as the starting quarterback and holds a slight lead over redshirt freshman Chris Kelley following spring drills. Kelley had to redshirt last year after tearing up his knee in the summer and is still trying to adjust to the college game. Both could still get competition from Latrez Harrison, who had a solid spring game and is also in the hunt. Eye catcher: FS Randall Jones After making the transition from quarterback a few years ago, Jones started in the secondary three times in 2000 and showed a good feel for defense. Now, he has shown great leadership during a solid spring and has made some memorable plays, including a 100-yd interception return in a scrimmage. Budding star: LB E.J. Henderson He had 109 tackles last year to lead the team, but didn't get much attention around the conference because of the many talented athletes at linebacker. Henderson has good speed and a nose for the ball and has drawn plenty of praise from Friedgen, who had to game plan against him at Georgia Tech.  North Carolina Tar Heels2000 overall record: 6-5 Conference: 3-5 (t-6th) Returning starters Offense: 6 Defense: 6 Kickers: 2 2000 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Brandon Russell* (508 yds) Passing: Ronald Curry* (2,325 yds) Receiving: Bosley Allen* (634 yds) Tackles: Brandon Spoon (131) Sacks: Julius Peppers* (15) Interceptions: Errol Hood* (2) What's new John Bunting is the Tar Heels' new head coach and brings in six new assistants, including both coordinators. Gary Tranquill will run the offense which plans to be more aggressive and pass downfield more often. The defense should still be the strength of the team under new coordinator Jon Tenuta. Battling it out UNC must replace two tight ends who were selected in the NFL Draft. Doug Brown and Zach Hilton have primarily been special teams players but will now look to become an offensive starter. For now, coaches are calling it an even race. Neither has made a catch in a college game. Eye catcher: RB Andre Williams Williams was the team's third running back last year but had an outstanding spring that has put him in contention for the starting spot. He is the type of physical runner that Bunting is looking for in his offense, and Williams certainly didn't hurt his case with 15 carries for 88 yards in the spring game. Budding star: DT Ryan Sims He might already be one of the top defensive tackles in the ACC but is overshadowed on his own defensive line by Julius Peppers. Sims had nine tackles for loss last year, including six sacks. He was the top performer in the weight room this spring and seems ready for a breakout year in 2001.  N.C. State Wolfpack2000 overall record: 8-4 Conference record: 4-4 (5th) Returning starters Offense: 7 Defense: 7 Kickers: 1 2000 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Ray Robinson* (788 yds) Passing: Philip Rivers* (3,054 yds) Receiving: Koren Robinson (1,061 yds) Tackles: Levar Fisher* (166) Sacks: Brian Jamison* (5.5) Interceptions: Corey Lyons* (3) What's new
Battling it out With the early departure of Adrian Wilson to the NFL, immediate help is needed at strong safety. The leading candidates are J.J. Jones -- a true freshman who enrolled in January -- and Julius Patterson. Jones should be the guy if he continues to improve. At receiver, one spot should belong to Bryan Peterson, while about six others are in the running for playing time, including a heralded incoming group of freshmen Eye catcher: LB Brian Jamison Jamison moved from defensive end this spring and played well both inside and outside. Amato likes him a lot at linebacker, and he will likely end up on the strong side. Jamison led the team with eight tackles in the spring game. Budding star: LB Levar Fisher Who was the nation's leading tackler in 2000? If you guessed someone other than Levar Fisher, you were incorrect. It's not likely he can improve on his statistics in the coming season, but he should have everyone's attention going into it. He should receive consideration for major awards in 2001.  Virginia Cavaliers2000 overall record: 6-6 Conference record: 5-3 (4th) Returning starters Offense: 5 Defense: 6 Kickers: 2 2000 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Antwoine Womack* (1,028 yds) Passing: Dan Ellis (1,642 yds) Receiving: Billy McMullen* (541 yds) Tackles: Yubrenal Isabelle (128) Sacks: Ljubomir Stamenich* (4) Interceptions: Ahmad Hawkins (4) What's new Al Groh left the New York Jets to coach his alma mater, and Cavalier fans are excited to have him. So far, the team looks to be more physical and aggressive, and a new positive attitude is obvious to those around the program. The team might not have any more talent than it did a year ago, but it seems ready to play football. Battling it out A couple of sophomores, Matt Schaub and Bryson Spinner, are competing for the starting job at quarterback. Spinner has more game experience and had better stats in the final spring scrimmage, but Schaub seems to have a better feel for the new offense at this point. The position is up-for-grabs entering the fall. Eye catcher: LB Raymond Mann Mann tried to play as an undersized defensive end in his true freshman season last year but has now been moved back to his natural position of linebacker. He is now bigger and stronger than he was at DE and has fit well into Groh's 3-4 scheme. Budding star: RB Antwoine Womack There has been no denying Womack's talent from the moment he stepped on campus in Charlottesville, but until last season, various setbacks kept him from getting enough experience to further develop his skills. He carried the momentum from last year's 1,000-yard season into the spring and seems determined to take his game to the next level.  Wake Forest Demon Deacons2000 overall record: 2-9 Conference record: 1-7 (8th) Returning starters Offense: 10 Defense: 9 Kickers: 2 2000 statistical leaders (* - returners) Rushing: Tarence Williams* (661 yds) Passing: James MacPherson* (1,324 yds) Receiving: Ira Williams* (495 yds) Tackles: Marquis Hopkins* (100) Sacks: Calvin Pace* (9) Interceptions: Adrian Duncan*, Michael Clinkscale*, Quintin Williams* (2 each) What's new Jim Grobe took a struggling program at Ohio and turned it into a winner in the Mid-American Conference. We'll see if he can work the same magic with the Deacs in the ACC. Grobe was known for his option offense at Ohio and will bring some of that to Wake. In addition, the defense will have a new look with a 3-4 alignment. Battling it out If Grobe chooses to have a versatile offense, he has the quarterbacks to pull it off. James MacPherson is the passer. He played in eight games last year, starting three. Anthony Young is the runner. He played in nine games and started five as a true freshman last year. Young was the team's second-leading rusher with almost 500 yards. As of now, the job is still under contention. Eye catcher: WR Jason Anderson When teams give a lot of option looks on offense, it opens the door for the occasional big play from a receiver. Anderson could be the guy to produce those big plays. The redshirt freshman was impressive in the spring, and the coaches are excited about his potential. Budding star: DT Nate Bolling After a very promising junior season, Bolling is eyeing a possible all-star year in 2001. He had 52 tackles last season, including 11 behind the line of scrimmage. With plenty of experienced teammates around him, he should spend plenty of time in opposing backfields. Brad Edwards researches college football for ESPN and is a contributor to ESPN.com throughout the year.
|
|
||||||||||||||
