By: Al Burke
Spotlight
on the ACC
Who will be the key offensive
players in the race for the ACC title in 2012? Some will be established stars,
some replacing former stars and a smattering of new faces who hope to be the
stars of tomorrow (or this season anyway). Opinions, objections and abuse
(maybe not that one) are always welcome. Feel free to leave comments below or
contact me on Twitter.
Atlantic Division
Boston College
QB Chase Rettig - Star RB Montel
Harris may be gone prematurely, but the trio of returning backs suggest BC
should be able to run the ball effectively. That won’t be enough though; Rettig
doesn’t have to be amazing (although it would be nice), but he has to show he
can be consistent at least. A receiver who could stretch the field would be
nice, but Rettig has enough in place to move the chains and let the running
attack and defense do the rest.
2011 Stats: Passing
317-170-1960-12-9, Rushing 41-(-84)-1.
Clemson
RB Andre Ellington - What about Tajh Boyd? Or Sammy Watkins?
Well, they were definitely impact players on the Tigers resurgent ACC title
winning squad, when Ellington got injured later in the season, the Tigers
struggled. He was out for the Georgia Tech game, and hampered against NC State
and South Carolina. While he was healthy for West Virginia, poor defense took
him out of the game early, although he performed well when given the chance.
Keeping him healthy next season should be priority #1.
2011 Stats: Rushing 223-1178-11,
Receiving 22-109-0, KR 5-131-0.
Florida State
LT Cameron Erving – or Daniel
Glauser; or pretty much any OL. Somebody throw a block please. Last season the
line was dreadful, allowing QB EJ Manuel to get battered (41 sacks) and paving
the way for a meager 3.3 yards per carry. For a team considered a dark horse
for the national title, this kind of production will not cut the mustard. Can
you imagine this bunch against LSU’s DL? No matter how good the defense is, it
can’t cover for a unit this bad.
2011 Stats – 13 games at DT
Maryland
QB CJ Brown – I debated over
whether an RB would be more appropriate here, but the Terps look solid with
Justus Pickett and freshman Wes Brown, so the play of CJ is the key. He’s a
dual-threat who showed enough in 5 starts to suggest that the future could be
rosy for Maryland. He’s an excellent runner, but needs to be way more accurate
as a passer. Getting all the passing reps in spring camp helped, but he’ll get
a push from freshman Caleb Rowe in fall.
2011 Stats: Passing:
166-82-842-7-6, Rushing 79-574-5.
North Carolina State
QB Mike Glennon – the forgotten
man in the Russell Wilson saga, Glennon showed great resilience (and talent)
throughout the season, despite patchy protection from a O-Line that allowed 34
sacks. It wasn’t all their fault, as Glennon is far from fleet-of-foot. This
season, many of last year’s key performers return, including 4 OLs. HC Tom
O’Brien will not allow them to be this poor again. Glennon could be all-ACC
this year, and will get a long look from NFL scouts.
2011 Stats: Passing
453-283-3054-31-12, Rushing 51-(-110)-1.
Wake Forest
WR Terence Davis – QB Tanner
Price had a breakout year last season, but it was in part attributable to WR
Chris Givens’ (85-1330-9) success. Price is back and he has #2 receiver Michael
Campanaro, more of a slot guy, but he needs someone who can stretch the field
and clear the middle of the field for Campanaro now that Givens is gone. Davis
showed some play-making ability, but in true Cris Carter fashion, “only caught
TD passes”. This season he needs to show he can carry a full-time load or the
WF offense will struggle to move the ball consistently.
2011 Stats: Receiving 20-269-5,
Passing 1-1-9-0-0
Coastal Division
Duke
QB Sean Renfree – HC David
Cutcliffe has had success with QBs in the past – a couple of guys by the name
of Manning – and his current protégé has all-ACC potential. Despite a rocky
start to his career on replacing Thaddeus Lewis, he’s improved every season and
could be ready to take a big jump in his senior year. He has his favorite
receiver back, and the Blue Devils look the strongest they have in a number of
years.
2011 Stats: Passing
434-282-2891-14-11, Rushing 58-(-58)-4.
Georgia Tech
WR Jeff Greene – Sounds kind of
strange picking a receiver as a key to this offense, but Stephen Hill was a
big-play threat last season, averaging over 30 yards a catch and scoring 5
times, to go with his blocking ability. Greene doesn’t possess Hill’s speed,
but he has the size and strength to be a factor as a receiver and a blocker (he
could line up at LB or S too). If the Bulldogs can’t get someone to stretch the
field, the running attack will find the going that little bit tougher. Greene
can’t afford to drop as many as Hill though.
2011 Stats: 12 games played.
Miami
RB Mike James – the QB battle has
yet to be decided and the WRs are unproven outside of Allen Hurns, so the
Hurricanes will need to ride the rushing attack, at least until the passing
offense starts to click. James is a powerful runner who wears down defenders
with his punishing style and has seen a chuck of action over the last couple of
seasons, including 11 TDs. He has a monstrous line (averaging 317 lbs) paving
the way and some good backups to keep him fresh. The U will need him.
2011 Stats: Rushing 72-275-7,
Receiving 9-80-1.
North Carolina
WR Jheranie Boyd – Dwight Jones
was a big part of the UNC passing attack, playing the role of deep threat and
go-to guy. He’s off to the NFL, Boyd gets his chance to show what he can do as
a starter after averaging over 20 yards per catch and scoring 12 TDs on just 40
receptions. Having Erik Highsmith to play the possession role should help
things tick over. QB Brynn Renner could be poised for a big season.
2011 Stats: Receiving 14-292-5,
Rushing 7-56-0.
Virginia
QB Michael Rocco – okay, so he
hasn’t won the starting job yet and some (mostly SEC fans) feel Phillips Sims
will take the job in fall, but he got a lot better over the course of the season
(overlook VTech). After throwing just 1 TD and 7 picks in his first games,
Rocco went 12-5 over the last 8 as Virginia went on a 6-2 run to make their
first bowl in 4 years. He has the benefit of a solid running game, a good
O-Line, and the explosive Tim Smith at receiver among others. He’s set for at
least another bowl run, and if he can improve even further, a division title is
in the offing for the Cavs.
2011 Stats: Passing
366-222-2671-13-12, Rushing 40-118-2.
Virginia Tech
RB Michael Holmes – VT have been
the class of the conference for most of the 21st century, but 2012
may see them slip back among the back despite the return of QB Logan Thomas.
The problem is, only 2 other starters return on offense and star RB David
Wilson isn’t one of them. Make no mistake, the O revolved around Wilson and a
capable replacement is a must. Redshirt freshman Holmes looks to be the heir
apparent to Wilson, and he’s good enough to have an impact from the start. The
Hokies need him to.
2011 Stats: Redshirted
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