TheWolfpacker.com - Around the ACC

August 10, 2006

Steve Downey
TheWolfpacker.com Staff

With just three weeks to go and counting until the start of the 2006 college football season, tis the season for preseason publications and preseason rankings. The ACC landed four of its 12 teams in the preseason coaches poll. Florida State led the way at No. 10, followed by Miami at No. 11, Virginia Tech at No. 16 and Clemson at No. 18. The SEC garnered the most respect from the coaches, placing six teams in the preseason poll (including three in the top 10). The Big Ten, led by No. 1 Ohio State, and the Big 12, led by No. 2 Texas, matched the ACC with four teams apiece. The Pac-10 (three), Big East (two), Mountain West (one) and one independent rounded out the poll.

A comprehensive survey of all the preseason magazines had the same four ACC teams among its top 25, which was determined by a point system based on the rankings in each publication. Notre Dame received the most preseason love, edging out Ohio State for the top ranking 308-304. Once again, Florida State was the top-ranked ACC team, compiling 217 points to come in at No. 10. Miami (No. 12, 196 points), Virginia Tech (No. 17, 138 points), Clemson (No. 20, 97 points), Boston College (tied for No. 28, 43 points) and Georgia Tech (No. 31, 22 points) also earned preseason notice.

Here are a few more tidbits that caught my eye the past couple of weeks:

? Tommy Hunt, who has worked as the ACC's coordinator of football officials since 1999, will retire at the end of the 2006-07 academic year.

? Colleges have profited from the success of a popular video game. In fact, Florida State earned approximately $130,000 in royalties last year.

? ESPN college hoops analyst Dick Vitale has six ACC teams in his preseason top 40, starting with North Carolina at No. 1.

? The postseason NIT field has been cut back to 32 teams, effective in 2007.

Boston College
Despite six straight bowl victories, the best streak in the nation, Boston College opened fall football practice feeling the need to earn some respect. ... After physicals were conducted prior to the start of practice, it was learned that four Eagles won't be ready for the start of the season and could miss the entire year: senior strong safety Ryan Glasper (hip), sophomore defensive end Jim Ramella (right shoulder), senior defensive tackle Justin Bell (Achilles) and redshirt freshman safety Brian Young (knee). ... Junior defensive tackle B.J. Raji suffered an injury during practice. ... Junior kicker Ryan Ohliger has sought the help of a sports psychologist in an effort to improve upon a mediocre sophomore season. ... Junior quarterback Matt Ryan, who was 5-0 as a starter last year, will be the offensive leader for BC this year. ... Junior middle linebacker Jolonn Dunbar was surprised to be elected a team captain along with Ryan and senior right guard Josh Beekman. ... Redshirt freshman defensive end Austin Giles has the unenviable task of trying to replace departed All-American Mathias Kiwanuka. ... Freshman linebacker Mark Herzlich is glad he backed out of his original commitment to Virginia so he could attend Boston College. ... Freshman Billy Flutie, the nephew of Doug and Darren Flutie, could serve as a backup quarterback, a punter and/or a placekicker for the Eagles this year.

Clemson
The Tigers' first practice lasted all of 27 minutes before bad weather ended it prematurely. ... Former Clemson starting quarterback Willie Simmons has returned to the Tigers as a video graduate assistant for the coaching staff. ... Junior linebacker Nick Watkins, who hails from New Orleans, has more on his mind than just football. ... Freshman running back C.J. Spiller is already living up to the hype. ... Class of 2006 commitment DeAndre McDaniel, who was listed as the No. 6 safety in the nation by Rivals.com, did not meet the entrance requirements at Clemson, but still plans to be a Tiger after attending Hargrave Military Academy. ... New starting quarterback Will Proctor and junior cornerback C.J. Gaddis think expectations should be high for their team. ... Charlottesville, Va., tight end Brian Linthicum picked the Tigers from among 12 offers and plans to enroll in January. ... The Tigers also added Alabama defensive end Drew Traylor to their 2007 commitment list. ... Offensive coordinator Rob Spence hopes his unit can jell and develop some chemistry during training camp. ... Clemson's receiving corps has big-play potential. ... Redshirt freshman Quentez Ruffin, a 6-4, 250-pound offensive tackle, is going to transfer. ... Freshman wide receiver Kendrick Johnson graduated from high school last December with the necessary GPA and ACT score to enroll at Clemson, but was still waiting for approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse when practice started.

Duke
Rising sophomore forward Josh McRoberts, Duke's leading returning scorer, had back surgery. ... The Blue Devils will take part in the College Basketball Experience Classic this year. Duke, Marquette, Stanford and Texas Tech will each host a four-team regional, with the winners of each regional advancing to Kansas City. ... Duke received a vote in the preseason coaches poll courtesy of old friend Steve Spurrier. ... If the Blue Devils are going to show improvement in 2006, they need some freshmen to step up. ... Still, there seem to be too many questions for Duke to have a good season. ... Speedy athlete Josh Trezvant, Rivals.com's No. 10 player in Arkansas, committed to the Blue Devils. ... Senior cornerback John Talley was one of 33 players named to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the nation's top defensive back. ... Sophomore quarterback Marcus Jones plans to seize the opportunity that has been given to him. ... Duke is giving away free tickets to its season opener against Richmond Sept. 2.

Florida State
The Seminoles will seek more consistency this season, and could be helped by the fact they had less drama heading into fall practice than they did a year ago. ... Florida State's monster 30-man 2006 recruiting class did not suffer as much attrition as expected, which has paid early dividends. ... The pressure to produce will be on FSU offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden. ... Despite the loss of big-play threats Fred Rouse and Kenny O'Neal, the FSU wide receivers have impressed their coaches. ... Sophomore pass-catcher Richard Goodman has been especially good. ... Football coach Bobby Bowden recently revealed that he was offered the head coaching position of the USFL's Jacksonville Bulls after the 1984 college season, but turned down the money to remain at FSU. ... Former FSU quarterback Gary Pajcic passed away at the age of 58. ... Offensive tackle Antwane Greenlee, Rivals.com's No. 12 player in Georgia and No. 13 offensive tackle in the nation, backed out of his verbal commitment to the Seminoles and now plans to be a Georgia Bulldog. ... One of the nation's top cornerbacks, Michigan native Dionte Allen, committed to the Seminoles after an enjoyable visit to Tallahassee. ... Robert Hallback III has transformed himself from a little-used walk-on into a contributor at wide receiver. ... The Seminoles got the first verbal commitment for their 2007 hoops recruiting class when 6-9 forward Julian Vaughn picked FSU over Virginia, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh and Kentucky. The addition of the Oak Hill Academy product gives the Noles a needed big-man presence.

Georgia Tech
Senior quarterback Reggie Ball is tired of winning seven games ? something the Yellow Jackets have done four straight seasons. ... For what it's worth, some Yellow Jackets are thinking big. ... Junior wide receiver Calvin Johnson is among the preseason Heisman hopefuls. ... Junior running back Tashard Choice is primed to pick up where erstwhile starter P.J. Daniels left off last year. ... Junior tight end Wayne Riles, who has not played since 2003, is attempting to overcome back problems. ... Sophomore offensive lineman Jacob Lonowski has recovered enough from offseason shoulder surgery that he could earn a starting spot this year. ... Assistant coach Gifford Smith has played a major role in Georgia Tech's strong start with its 2007 recruiting class. ... Tech's offseason yoga workouts were okayed by the ACC. ... Georgia Tech will open the Maui Invitational with a game against Purdue.

Maryland
Sophomore tackle Jared Gaither, one of the Terrapins' top blockers, and sophomore guard Jaimie Thomas were suspended for two weeks of preseason camp for a violation of team rules. ... South Carolinian Stephen St. John, a 6-6, 285-pound offensive tackle, announced for Maryland, becoming the Terps' eighth verbal commitment for 2007. ... Tight end Vernon Davis, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, is gone, but his presence is still being felt in Maryland's recruiting efforts. ... Brooklyn, N.Y., native Lansford Watson verbally committed to the Terps with the hope that he can follow in Davis' footsteps. ... In-state linebacker Derek Drummond's verbal pledge gave the Terps 10 commitments. ... Tyler Bowen, a 6-7, 309-pound offensive lineman from Georgia, and Taylor Watson, a 6-2, 225-pound fullback from Maryland, also committed to the Terrapins. ... Football coach Ralph Friedgen is fired up to be calling the plays for the Terps offense this year. ... If the receiving corps can step up, it would provide Friedgen's offense with a big boost. ... Junior linebacker Wesley Jefferson will try to fill the big shoes of departed ACC Defensive Player of the Year D'Qwell Jackson.

Miami
Senior wide receiver Ryan Moore, senior tailback Tyrone Moss, junior linebacker James Bryant and junior wide receiver Rashaun Jones were suspended for the Sept. 4 season opener against Florida State for violating an undisclosed team rule. Moore will also miss the Canes' second game against Florida A&M Sept. 9. ... The suspensions capped what has been a tumultuous offseason for the Canes. ... Football coach Larry Coker has received some positive press for taking a stand. ... Before he was suspended, Moss was optimistic about his recovery from the knee injury he suffered last November. ... The Canes hope freshman tailback Javarris James is as good as his first cousin, former Cane Edgerrin James. Javarris will wear No. 5, just like Edgerrin did, and leads the way for a talented freshman class. ... Freshman defensive end Chris Smith was released from his scholarship so that he could transfer to Fresno State. ... Freshman Orlando Franklin, a 6-6, 326-pound offensive lineman, was not able to suit up for the Canes' first practice due to the NCAA Clearinghouse. He headed to Canada, where he used to reside, in hopes of resolving the situation, but the trip may not have helped. ... Redshirt junior linebacker Jon Beason is motivated to have a big season. ... Former Hurricanes linebacker Willie Williams had his plans to transfer to Louisville nixed by Miami, then was turned down by Troy. ... The Canes are well represented in all the preseason publications. ... The Hurricanes Oct. 14 nonconference tilt against Florida International is a big deal in the Miami area. ... Basketball coach Frank Haith traveled to Tobacco Road to land Miami's third verbal commitment for 2007, 6-9, 240-pound power forward Julian Gamble. ... Former Hurricanes guard Robert Hite signed a free-agent deal with the Miami Heat.

North Carolina
The UNC athletic department has developed a unique new way to generate some revenue, establishing the Tar Heel Rewards program. ... North Carolina has been the antithesis of Quarterback U. ... The Tar Heels' starting quarterback position is still up for grabs. ... How an inexperienced offensive line comes together could be just as important as who wins the starting quarterback battle between Joe Dailey and Cam Sexton. ... Optimism reigned after the Heels' first practice. ... Senior wide receiver Jesse Holley is poised to have a breakout senior season. ... Larry Edwards is the leader of the UNC defense. ... The UNC defense suffered a big loss when junior strong safety Trimane Goddard was lost for the season with a fractured foot. ... Sophomore linebacker Mark Paschal is making the most of the second chance given to him by football coach John Bunting. ... UNC needs senior running back Ronnie McGill to stay healthy. ... Backup ballcarrier Barrington Edwards figures to get plenty of playing time. ... Mike Dykes, a 6-4, 275-pound offensive lineman from Pittsburgh, verbally committed to North Carolina at the end of July, giving the Tar Heels 15 early pledges. ... Freshman linebacker Jarrell Miller will not enroll at UNC until January, and will attend Fork Union Military Academy this fall.

Virginia
Four-star linebacker Terrence Fells-Danzer's verbal commitment to UVa has not stopped other schools from recruiting him, but he has reemphasized that he will be a Cavalier next fall, as did four-star cornerback/wide receiver Chase Minnifield. ... Anthony Mihota, a 6-5, 260-pound lineman from Fredericksburg, Va., who stars on both sides of the ball for his high school team, became UVa's 12th commitment for 2007. ... Pittsburgh native Andrew Devlin, 6-6, 260-pound tight end, also gave his verbal pledge to UVa. ... Nate Lyles' return from a serious neck injury was uplifting for his teammates. ... Senior defensive back Tony Franklin, who was kicked off the team this past spring, is back in the good graces of head coach Al Groh. ... Vic Hall arrived at UVa a quarterback, but has been converted into a cornerback. ... Senior wide receiver Deyon Williams was lost for an indefinite amount of time after suffering a stress fracture in his right foot. ... The Cavaliers are hoping their inexperienced offensive line can come together quickly. ... Class of 2007 hoops commitment Eric Wallace would like to join his cousin, Memphis Grizzlies forward Stromile Swift, in the NBA some day.

Virginia Tech
In-state offensive guard Jaymes Brooks, a 6-3, 296-pounder, picked Tech over offers from Florida, Maryland and Tennessee, among others. ... The Hokies also added 6-3, 290-pound offensive lineman Khalil Latif. ... The Hokies then landed a commitment from Californian Rhett Ellison, who is a 6-5, 230-pound tight end. ... Alonzo Tweedy, a 6-1, 173-pound athlete, gave the Tech coaches his commitment in person. ... Tech's commitment list swelled to 21 with the addition of 6-2, 253-pound defensive end Courtney Prince. ... Barquell Rivers, a 5-11, 208-pound linebacker from North Carolina, kept the good times rolling on the recruiting trail with his verbal pledge to the Hokies. ... Hunter Ovens, a 6-2, 220-pound linebacker from Florida, may not end up at Tech after originally commiting to the Hokies. ... Tech commitment Tyrod Taylor had a good experience at the Elite 11 quarterback camp in California. ... A trio of players, who have combined for 12 career completions, are still competing for the Hokies' starting quarterback job. ... Redshirt freshman Ike Whittaker thinks he'll be the one lining up under center when the Hokies open their season Sept. 2 against Northeastern. ... Tech coach Frank Beamer hopes to name a starting QB sooner rather than later. ... In response to his team's undisciplined play in its final two games last season, Beamer said that any player drawing a personal foul or a flagrant foul this season will forfeit $100 of their bowl-game stipend. ... Junior defensive back Roland Minor suffered a freak injury in an automobile accident near his family's home in Washington, D.C., that could cause him to miss Tech's first four games. ... Class of 2008 power forward J.T. Thompson, a 6-6, 210-pounder, committed to Virginia Tech over offers from South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia and East Carolina.

Wake Forest
Wake Forest is attempting to raise money for the construction of a seven-story Deacon Tower on the home side of Groves Stadium that would include club seats, premium club tables, box suites and a new press box. ... Football recruit Dennis Godfrey and the Demon Deacons athletic department mutually agreed that he shouldn't enroll at Wake Forest. ... Football coach Jim Grobe is focusing on the fundamentals in the early going of preseason practice. ... The Demon Deacons entered fall practice in relatively good health, with the exception of one key player: junior defensive end Matt Robinson. If he is unable to play, it would be a big loss for the Wake defense. ... Sophomore cornerback Alphonso Smith is emerging as a leader. ... Sophomore linebacker Aaron Curry loves to practice. ... Senior guard Michael Drum came out of nowhere to contribute on the hardwood last year, and hopes to lead the Demon Deacons back to the NCAA Tournament this season.

FEATURED PRODUCT