2007 ACC WR Rankings

By: Roy Philpott

As mentioned in a previous blog, the Atlantic Coast Conference appears to be a great league for running backs in 2007. The conference offers plenty of talent and depth through the top eight teams with players like James Davis, C.J. Spiller, Brandon Ore, Toney Baker, Keon Lattimore, Lance Ball, Javarris James, Antone Smith and Tashard Choice.

Also mentioned in a previous blog, at quarterback, the league leaves much to be desired. Teams in the ACC broke in seven new starters last season and there could be more growing pains in 2007 before the situation improves.

At wide receiver, well … it’s somewhere in between. The top two teams in the league, Virginia Tech and Maryland return almost every key wideout from a year ago while Miami, Florida State and N.C. State have enough returning talent to be scary.

Georgia Tech and Clemson have talent, but face the challenge of replacing All-ACC standouts Calvin Johnson and Chansi Stuckey.

Duke, surprisingly, isn’t all that bad.

With all of that in mind, here’s a look at 2007 wide receiver rankings in the ACC:

1. Virginia Tech
- Virginia Tech isn’t known as a school to produce big time receivers, but the Hokies have more returning talent at the position than any school in the conference this season. Eddie Royal highlights a group of four seniors that offer a variety of skills. With Brandon Ore in the backfield, and nearly every significant contributor back from last year’s team, QB Sean Glennon has no excuses not to lead this team to 10+ wins.

2. Maryland
- Maryland returns its top four pass catchers from a year ago, including All-ACC performer Darrius Heyward-Bey. Think of him as the speedster with the funny last name. Isaiah Williams is no slouch either. The question remains in College Park … does Ralph Friedgen have anybody that can throw this group the ball? The Terps are ranked this high because of Heyward-Bey.

3. Miami
- Seniors Lance Leggett and Darnell Jenkins give the Hurricanes an edge in talent, but much like many of their ACC counterparts, who can throw them the ball? Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman leave much to be desired.

4. Florida State
- The ‘Noles offer one of the biggest targets in the ACC in Greg Carr, but much like Miami and Maryland, there are still quarterback issues. Carr is a touchdown machine that has unlimited potential provided someone can throw him the ball. Senior De’Cody Fagg is another weapon to be utilized in Jimbo Fisher’s new offense.

5. N.C. State
- Both Darrell Blackman and John Dunlap return for the Wolfpack under new head coach Tom O’Brien. Both have talent and have proven they can make big plays with the game on the line (check Dunlap’s game-winning TD against Boston College last season and Blackman’s league-leading 28.9 yards per kick return). The two combined for 57 catches last season.

6. Georgia Tech
- Surprisingly, Georgia Tech isn’t as bad off as you think after losing all-world receiver Calvin Johnson to the NFL. James Johnson and freshman Demaryius Thomas will give new quarterback Taylor Bennett a solid 1-2 punch. Keep in mind Johnson caught a very respectable 39 passes for over 600 yards and seven touchdowns in 2006.

7. Clemson
- The trio of Aaron Kelly, Tyler Grisham and Jacoby Ford give the Tigers plenty of returning experience, despite the loss of All-ACC performer Chansi Stuckey. Kelly should be a threat for the jump ball while Ford should fill nicely for Stuckey. If junior Rendrick Taylor can stay healthy this unit will move up this list.

8. Duke
- The Blue Devils return their top three performers at wide receiver in 2007, including junior Eron Riley, who offers decent big play ability, and senior Jomar Riley. A quick look at the Blue Devils’ offense would lend one to believe this could be a turnaround season. Problem is any sort of turnaround in Durham equates to a two or three win season.

9. North Carolina
- Hakeem Nicks will give the Heels hope on offense this season. Only a sophomore, Nicks turned in an impressive 39 receptions for 660 yards a year ago. Brandon Tate and converted quarterback Joe Dailey also give North Carolina options. Don’t ask about quarterback.

10. Boston College
- Just one starter returns in Chestnut Hill this season- Kevin Challenger. Challenger is good, and his quarterback may be the best in the league, but the Eagles’ wide receivers as a whole don’t keep opposing defensive coordinators up at night.

11. Wake Forest
- The Deacons could actually throw more in 2007 with the emergence of QB Riley Skinner. If so, look for senior Kenny Moore to be the beneficiary. Senior Kevin Marion also offers good speed. Wake Forest doesn’t have bad wide receivers, but most other teams in the league have some combination of better options.

12. Virginia
- Junior Maurice Covington and Tulane transfer Cary Koch are serviceable receivers but the Cavs have little else to offer. Virginia’s top receiver from a year ago, Kevin Ogletree, tore his ACL during spring practice and will likely miss the entire season. By the way, how far has this program fallen the last three years?

2007 WRs Preview

By: Roy Philpott

With two-time All-ACC wide receiver Chansi Stuckey now in the NFL with the New York Jets, Clemson’s wide receivers have some ground to make up in 2007.

Gone are Stuckey’s 50 receptions for 700 yards and three touchdowns from a year ago. Gone is his senior leadership.

On paper, it sounds like the Tigers could be in trouble. The reality is nothing could be further from the truth.

Clemson returns three receivers with plenty of experience in pressure situations, and the expected improved play at quarterback should allow for more passes downfield. Add it all up and it should equal greater production for Clemson's wideouts in 2007.

According to wide receivers coach Dabo Swinney, the best thing about this year’s group is experience.

“Rendrick, Aaron and Tyler- they all played as freshmen and sophomores last year,” said Swinney. “They've got a tremendous amount of experience and have played in some big games and made big plays in big games. Then you throw Jacoby in there with him now past his freshman year after having success and making big plays. Those are our four guys that have to get it done for us out of the gate.”

Not surprisingly, the production of this unit will go hand in hand with the play at quarterback. If the Tigers get the kind of inconsisency seen during last season's 1-4 tailspin, all bets are off. But if some combination of Cullen Harper and Willy Korn can get the job done, look out.

Here’s a look at the top returning wide outs, as well as some of the newcomers:

AARON KELLY – Kelly’s numbers fell significantly from his freshman to his sophomore season (47 catches to just 30 last year) but after a strong spring practice, he could be the best of the bunch in 2007.

“His game is at a whole different level,” said Swinney. “He's going to make a bunch of plays and was our best guy on the field this spring. He's pushing 200 pounds and is strong.”

It’s no secret Kelly disappeared at times in 2006. Part of that was due to poor quarterback play. Some would argue part was due to conservative play calling. But a large part was due to the fact Kelly just didn’t get the job done. His run blocking was inconsistent at best and he also dropped a fair share of passes.

This spring however, Kelly put that all behind him and showed the kind of play that could lead to a record-breaking season in 2007. As Clemson’s best downfield threat at 6-feet-6 inches tall, Kelly will thrive assuming the Tigers’ quarterback play improves.

JACOBY FORD – Ford did something last year that is hard for any freshman to do in any sport- live up to the hype. Arriving at Clemson as one of the fastest players in country, Ford proved time and time again he’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Ask South Carolina about his 76-yard touchdown reception. Ask Florida Atlantic about the muffed punt he returned 92 yards for another score.

He can do it a number of different ways.

While not the biggest target, Ford stands to be the biggest beneficiary of Stuckey moving on to the NFL. He’ll play in the slot and be utilized even more this season on swing passes, reverses and punt returns. Don’t be surprised to see his rushing and receiving numbers double this season.

RENDRICK TAYLOR - It’s been two years since Taylor arrived on the scene from Marlboro County, and as each one goes by, expectations seem to get higher and higher for this massive wide out. However the key in 2007 rests on one critical aspect to his game – health. As a freshman, a broken wrist limited him to just nine receptions for 69 yards. Last year he broke his elbow against Wake Forest and only saw action in seven games, catching 12 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown.

He’s shown flashes of brilliance during spring practice and in limited time on game day, but can he stay healthy? If so, the Tigers may have one of the most underrated groups of wide receivers in the ACC this season. Oh by the way, Clemson strength and conditioning coach Joey Batson timed Taylor, who weighs 240 pounds, at 4.52 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Wow.

TYLER GRISHAM – Possession receiver? Don’t tell that to Grisham, but if the three receivers mentioned first in this blog stay healthy, it still seems like his role in this offense in 2007. Granted, that’s not a bad place to be and has improved in each of his first two years at Clemson. He was third on the team in receptions last year with 25. He also scored three touchdowns. Both numbers should increase in 2007.

XAVIER DYE – Dye enrolled at Clemson this spring and made enough of an impression to warrant early playing time. A thicker version of Aaron Kelly, Dye needs to learn the playbook and work on his route running see the field this season. Helping his cause is the fact he played his last year of high school football with freshman QB Willy Korn.

LA'DONTE HARRIS - It's hard to believe Harris will be a senior in 2007 but it's true. He'll see spot duty again this season but should improve on his three receptions from a year ago.

JEFF OGREN – Ogren enrolled in school in January 2006 redshirted his freshman year. Has shown surprising speed at times and will see spot duty this season.

NELSON FAERBER – This former walk-on earned a scholarship last year and saw action in 11 games. He's a solid role player who will see spot duty again this season.