2007 ACC RBs Preview
By: Roy Philpott
Unlike quarterback, the ACC figures to be fairly deep at running back entering the 2007 season.
Led by Clemson’s James Davis and C.J. Spiller, several other teams offer both talent and depth, including Virginia Tech, N.C. State, Maryland, and Georgia Tech.
Miami also has enough young talent that could change these rankings dramatically before the end of the season. Also, don’t sleep on Florida State under first-year coordinator Jimbo Fisher.
Here’s a look at the preseason running backs rankings in the ACC:
1. CLEMSON: JR. James Davis (5-11, 205), SO. C.J. Spiller (5-11, 190)
Simply put, Davis and Spiller offer the Tigers one of the top offensive backfields in the country. Davis has excellent power, vision and a nose for the end zone while Spiller provides the home run threat on the ground and through the air. Only Arkansas offers a more lethal combination. Read yesterday’s blog for more detailed information on these two.
2. VIRGINIA TECH: SR. Brandon Ore (5-11, 202)
Ore finished second in the league in rushing last season (94.8/game), trailing only Georgia Tech’s Tashard Choice, due in part to an ankle injury that kept him out of the regular season finale. Featuring a good combination of speed and power, Ore figures to be the focal point of an offense that returns nearly everybody from a year ago. If he has the kind of season many expect, Virginia Tech will win the ACC and maybe even more.
3. N.C. STATE: JR. Andre Brown (6-0, 232), JR. Toney Baker (5-10, 225)
After a disappointing season that saw the Pack drop to 3-9 overall, change is in store in Raleigh in 2007. With new coach Tom O’Brien, not to mention a lack of talent at quarterback, State figures to focus on the ground game this year and rightfully so. Brown and Baker could start at any other school in the ACC- save Clemson. It’s hard to believe this tandem averaged approximately 12 carries apiece last year. No wonder why Chuck Amato was fired. You can bet O’Brien won’t let that happen in 2007.
4. GEORGIA TECH: SR. Tashard Choice (6-1, 205)
Quick, without doing a google search, tell me who led the ACC in rushing in 2006? No it wasn’t James Davis. It wasn’t even Brandon Ore. It was Tashard Choice, who averaged 105.2 yards per game while leading the Jackets to the Coastal Division championship figures to be a key member of an offense that should change with Calvin Johnson moving on to the NFL. Choice averaged 5.0 yards per carry and went over 100 yards in nine of his last 10 games a year ago. Yes, the argument could be made he belongs higher on this list, but the three teams above him offer more pure talent and/or depth.
5. MARYLAND: SR. Keon Lattimore (5-11, 223), SR. Lance Ball (5-9, 233)
Both seniors, Ball and Lattimore offer the Terps another solid one-two punch for Ralph Friedgen. With Josh Allen moving on and serious questions at quarterback, it’s reasonable to assume the Terps will go as far as their running backs will take them in 2007. The two combined for over 1,600 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
6. MIAMI: SO. Javarris James (6-0, 210)
James nearly set a freshman record for rushing yards last year at the “U” with 802 in 10 starts. True freshman Graig Cooper could also figure in the mix here after an impressive spring, despite injuring his hand before the spring game. Miami could move near the top of this list based on talent alone, but new coach Randy Shannon needs to prove he can turn this program around before that happens.
7. FLORIDA STATE: JR. Antone Smith (5-9, 188)
Smith rushed for 456 yards and five touchdowns last season but will see an increased role in 2007 with the departure of Lorenzo Booker. Under the direction of a new offensive coordinator in Jimbo Fisher, Smith could be the Seminoles first 1,000 yard rusher since Warrick Dunn in 1996. No, that’s not a misprint, that’s just how lost Florida State’s offense has been in recent years. A more physical offensive line should also make the difference up front. Like Miami, the ‘Noles could easily move up this list during the season.
8. BOSTON COLLEGE: SR. L.V. Whitworth (5-11, 216), SR Andre Callendar (5-11, 204)
It seems ridiculous to suggest two backs that combined for over 1,400 yards last season are in the middle of the pack in the conference, but it’s true. While not possessing the same talent as Clemson’s Spiller and Davis or State’s Brown and Baker, Whitworth and Callendar are dependable and get the job done for a ball control offense led by the league’s top quarterback, Matt Ryan. Neither offers breakaway speed, but playing behind an offensive line that typically sends one or two players to the NFL every year, they don’t have to.
9. WAKE FOREST: SR. Micah Andrews (5-10, 212)
While Andrews is coming off a knee injury that forced him to miss most of the 2006 season, but he figures to be back at full strength for the first time this fall. Wake’s returning rusher from a year ago, Kevin Harris will compete for playing time alongside freshman Josh Adams. Under Jim Grobe, the Deacons figure out ways to run the football, but with ACC Freshman of the Year Riley Skinner running the show at quarterback, that could be changing.
10. VIRGINIA: JR. Cedric Peerman (5-10, 205)
Peerman played in all 12 games last season as a backup tailback and kick returner but figures to see the bulk of the time this year. Redshirt freshman Keith Payne is also battling for playing time and offers tremendous size (6-3, 243) to go along with decent speed. Al Groh and company have enough returning starters to feel better about themselves this year, I’m just not sure that feeling will last through the course of the season.
11. DUKE: SR. Justin Boyle (6-1, 215), SR., JR. Re’quan Boyette (5-10, 210)
Boyle leads a trio of backs returning for the Blue Devils, but Duke is still Duke. Even with 11 starters returning on offense and former Notre Dame QB coach Peter Vaas calling the plays this season, the Blue Devil ground game doesn’t exactly scare you. Having nine of their top 10 offensive linemen return from a year ago should help.
12. NORTH CAROLINA: SO. Richie Rich (5-9, 190), RF. Anthony Elzy (5-10, 210)
After losing last year’s leading rusher in Ronnie McGill, the Tar Heels will likely go with sophomore Richie Rich, a former three-star selection by Scout.com, as their starter under first-year coach Butch Davis, but nothing is set in stone. Redshirt freshman Anthony Elzy could take over the top spot, as could true freshman Ryan Houston. Too many questions exist here to warrant moving the Heels out of last place in the conference.
Unlike quarterback, the ACC figures to be fairly deep at running back entering the 2007 season.Led by Clemson’s James Davis and C.J. Spiller, several other teams offer both talent and depth, including Virginia Tech, N.C. State, Maryland, and Georgia Tech.
Miami also has enough young talent that could change these rankings dramatically before the end of the season. Also, don’t sleep on Florida State under first-year coordinator Jimbo Fisher.
Here’s a look at the preseason running backs rankings in the ACC:
1. CLEMSON: JR. James Davis (5-11, 205), SO. C.J. Spiller (5-11, 190)
Simply put, Davis and Spiller offer the Tigers one of the top offensive backfields in the country. Davis has excellent power, vision and a nose for the end zone while Spiller provides the home run threat on the ground and through the air. Only Arkansas offers a more lethal combination. Read yesterday’s blog for more detailed information on these two.
2. VIRGINIA TECH: SR. Brandon Ore (5-11, 202)
Ore finished second in the league in rushing last season (94.8/game), trailing only Georgia Tech’s Tashard Choice, due in part to an ankle injury that kept him out of the regular season finale. Featuring a good combination of speed and power, Ore figures to be the focal point of an offense that returns nearly everybody from a year ago. If he has the kind of season many expect, Virginia Tech will win the ACC and maybe even more.
3. N.C. STATE: JR. Andre Brown (6-0, 232), JR. Toney Baker (5-10, 225)
After a disappointing season that saw the Pack drop to 3-9 overall, change is in store in Raleigh in 2007. With new coach Tom O’Brien, not to mention a lack of talent at quarterback, State figures to focus on the ground game this year and rightfully so. Brown and Baker could start at any other school in the ACC- save Clemson. It’s hard to believe this tandem averaged approximately 12 carries apiece last year. No wonder why Chuck Amato was fired. You can bet O’Brien won’t let that happen in 2007.
4. GEORGIA TECH: SR. Tashard Choice (6-1, 205)
Quick, without doing a google search, tell me who led the ACC in rushing in 2006? No it wasn’t James Davis. It wasn’t even Brandon Ore. It was Tashard Choice, who averaged 105.2 yards per game while leading the Jackets to the Coastal Division championship figures to be a key member of an offense that should change with Calvin Johnson moving on to the NFL. Choice averaged 5.0 yards per carry and went over 100 yards in nine of his last 10 games a year ago. Yes, the argument could be made he belongs higher on this list, but the three teams above him offer more pure talent and/or depth.
5. MARYLAND: SR. Keon Lattimore (5-11, 223), SR. Lance Ball (5-9, 233)
Both seniors, Ball and Lattimore offer the Terps another solid one-two punch for Ralph Friedgen. With Josh Allen moving on and serious questions at quarterback, it’s reasonable to assume the Terps will go as far as their running backs will take them in 2007. The two combined for over 1,600 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
6. MIAMI: SO. Javarris James (6-0, 210)
James nearly set a freshman record for rushing yards last year at the “U” with 802 in 10 starts. True freshman Graig Cooper could also figure in the mix here after an impressive spring, despite injuring his hand before the spring game. Miami could move near the top of this list based on talent alone, but new coach Randy Shannon needs to prove he can turn this program around before that happens.
7. FLORIDA STATE: JR. Antone Smith (5-9, 188)
Smith rushed for 456 yards and five touchdowns last season but will see an increased role in 2007 with the departure of Lorenzo Booker. Under the direction of a new offensive coordinator in Jimbo Fisher, Smith could be the Seminoles first 1,000 yard rusher since Warrick Dunn in 1996. No, that’s not a misprint, that’s just how lost Florida State’s offense has been in recent years. A more physical offensive line should also make the difference up front. Like Miami, the ‘Noles could easily move up this list during the season.
8. BOSTON COLLEGE: SR. L.V. Whitworth (5-11, 216), SR Andre Callendar (5-11, 204)
It seems ridiculous to suggest two backs that combined for over 1,400 yards last season are in the middle of the pack in the conference, but it’s true. While not possessing the same talent as Clemson’s Spiller and Davis or State’s Brown and Baker, Whitworth and Callendar are dependable and get the job done for a ball control offense led by the league’s top quarterback, Matt Ryan. Neither offers breakaway speed, but playing behind an offensive line that typically sends one or two players to the NFL every year, they don’t have to.
9. WAKE FOREST: SR. Micah Andrews (5-10, 212)
While Andrews is coming off a knee injury that forced him to miss most of the 2006 season, but he figures to be back at full strength for the first time this fall. Wake’s returning rusher from a year ago, Kevin Harris will compete for playing time alongside freshman Josh Adams. Under Jim Grobe, the Deacons figure out ways to run the football, but with ACC Freshman of the Year Riley Skinner running the show at quarterback, that could be changing.
10. VIRGINIA: JR. Cedric Peerman (5-10, 205)
Peerman played in all 12 games last season as a backup tailback and kick returner but figures to see the bulk of the time this year. Redshirt freshman Keith Payne is also battling for playing time and offers tremendous size (6-3, 243) to go along with decent speed. Al Groh and company have enough returning starters to feel better about themselves this year, I’m just not sure that feeling will last through the course of the season.
11. DUKE: SR. Justin Boyle (6-1, 215), SR., JR. Re’quan Boyette (5-10, 210)
Boyle leads a trio of backs returning for the Blue Devils, but Duke is still Duke. Even with 11 starters returning on offense and former Notre Dame QB coach Peter Vaas calling the plays this season, the Blue Devil ground game doesn’t exactly scare you. Having nine of their top 10 offensive linemen return from a year ago should help.
12. NORTH CAROLINA: SO. Richie Rich (5-9, 190), RF. Anthony Elzy (5-10, 210)
After losing last year’s leading rusher in Ronnie McGill, the Tar Heels will likely go with sophomore Richie Rich, a former three-star selection by Scout.com, as their starter under first-year coach Butch Davis, but nothing is set in stone. Redshirt freshman Anthony Elzy could take over the top spot, as could true freshman Ryan Houston. Too many questions exist here to warrant moving the Heels out of last place in the conference.
posted by Roy Philpott @ 6:45 PM
3 Comments
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3 Comments:
The Blue Devils in front of the Heels? I just don't see it happening, Butch Davis obviously gets no respect from Roy. I agree they are a question mark team, but they've got a great coach and a top 15 recruiting class coming in to town. No way they get disgraced by the Dukies. It seems every year Maryland is always an underrated team. How many 10 win seasons will it take for the Fridge to get the respect he deserves? He outcoached the Tigers again last year. VT embarressed the Tigers last year, I think they should be at one and the tigers at the two spot. Once again, we've got a brand new starting qb this year and that's always scary down in Death Valley. Plus, you know the Tigers will lose a game or two on special teams alone this year. Just saying...
What does QB play have to do with RB rankings? Hell I would put Duke ahead of UNC. UNC did lose their RB from last season. Butch Davis is going to be good but it won't happen over night
As much as I hate to admit it, our running back situation is a complete mess in Chapel Hill. Rich could be OK but until we show something this year, we won't be scaring anybody. Duke's running back situation is a joke. We should be ahead of Duke but otherwise these rankings are spot on. Amazing how much better of a league this is with running backs as opposed to quarterbacks. Good read.
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