 Early Look At The ACC Boston College: The Eagles’ biggest loss is under center with the graduation of Matt Ryan, one of the top quarterbacks in the nation last year. BC also lost both of its tailbacks, Andre Callendar and LV Whitworth, along with their top lineman, LT Gosder Cherilus, and his linemate LG Ty Hall. Ryan’s numbers cannot be replaced next year but balance could be achievable if any or all of the three tailbacks signed by the Eagles, including 4-star Josh Harden (5-9, 190) and one of the top players in West Virginia (Jerry Kelly), pan out. On defense, the hits were few but substantial, with the loss of RE Nick Larkin (6 sacks), FS Jamie Silva (leading tackler; 8 INT’s) and CB Taji Morris (14 starts; 5 PBU’s). Okechukwu Okoroha (6-1, 190) has great size and was ranked as the 6th best skills’ defensive back in the nation by Rivals.com this year so there is a chance that he could make his way into the safety gap left by Silva’s graduation. He’ll have to battle rising-junior Marty Bowman (6-2, 214) for snaps at that position, though. Clemson: There are several clear reasons for optimism as the Tigers begin preparations for 2008. The first reason is the return of quarterback Cullen Harper. Harper’s 27TD’s and 2,991 yds passing were outstanding accomplishments and curiously overlooked on the national level. It should be pointed out, though, that ten of his TD’s came against Central Michigan and La-Monroe and that he failed to pass for more than 200 yards five different times. His 14 of 33 for 104 yards and no scores against Auburn was not the note with which he wanted to end 2007 but it could inspire extra work this offseason. Clemson ended the season ranked 100th in sacks allowed so the line clearly has some work to do and any progress will certainly be to the benefit of Harper and the passing game. With James Davis’ departure to the NFL, the Tigers’ two-headed tailback monster is no more. Still, Spiller returns with 1,704 yards and 13 TD’s in his Clemson career and two highly-regarded tailbacks (Andre Ellington [5-10, 170], Jamie Harper [6-0, 210]) were added to their most recent recruiting class. Clemson finished 2007 ranked 9th in total defense, a ranking that certainly won’t be hurt by the signing of the nation’s top-ranked defensive-end (DaQuan Bowers [6-4, 267]) in February. Bowers’ arrival is key since end Phillip Merling was one of only two defensive starters lost heading into 2008. Duke: Thaddeus Lewis is one of the most unknown talents in the nation (2,430 yds; 21 TD’s; 10 INT’s in ’07). Considering half of his INT’s last year (5) came in only two games (UConn [opener] and Wake Forest), it is clear that Lewis was surprisingly efficient for the signal-caller of a team that went 1-11 last year. He certainly received no help from the running game (64 ypg [117th]) although Clifford Harris (Duke’s biggest back at 220 pounds) showed promise in the final two games of his freshman season. Lewis returns for 2008 but Duke loses its leading receiver Jomar Wright, TE Nick Stefanow, OG Zach Maurides and OC Matt Rumsey. Fortunately, they return WR Eron Riley, their most lethal threat (vs. Navy and Wake Forest, alone, he posted 14 catches for 378 yds and 6 TD’s). More important, the Devils also possess a new coaching staff, led by David Cutcliffe, who has brought a sense of confidence to this program and who has a record of developing more than a few quarterbacks in his lengthy career. Watch for Lewis to make great strides in 2008. The defense could get a boost from either of two defensive backs signed this year (Matt Daniels and Randez James). Of the eleven players who started in the season-finale, only FS Chris Davis was lost to graduation. Florida State: Bobby Bowden’s 7-6 Seminoles ended the season on a sour note in the Music City Bowl with a 7-point loss that was caused not only by an inspired Kentucky opponent but also by the absence of no fewer than 36 players who were suspended due to an academic investigation. At least two players started their first game in the bowl game. Three offensive starters are gone, including receiver DeCody Fagg and RT Shannon Boatman. However, freshman Evan Bellamy started in Boatman’s place in the bowl and has the entire off-season to fit in with the starters. JUCO-signee Corey Surrency brings good size and great speed to the scheme and could fill the void left by Fagg’s graduation. If not Surrency, then Rivals.com’s #7 “athlete,” James Fortson, may fit the bill. Defensively, FSU faces four significant losses, including early-declarant and leading-tackler WLB Geno Hayes and starting DT Andre Fluellen. Roger Williams leaves a hole at free safety and Alex Boston was a key ingredient in the depth chart at right end. Hayes and Boston’s losses could quickly be filled by the two five-star signees in the most recent class: OLB Nigel Bradham (6-2, 230) and JUCO-transfer DE Markus White (6-4, 245). Georgia Tech: Along with Arkansas (whose air-assault-scented Bobby Petrino takes over for a scheme that used to pound out yards by land with Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis), and, perhaps Michigan (Rod’s spread scheme at Michigan?!), Georgia Tech’s offense may undergo the most stark scheme change for 2008 under Navy’s former gridiron-Admiral, Paul Johnson. Johnson has stated a frank intention to install the same triple-option attack he ran at Navy at Tech. And, with the notable exception of Taylor Bennett (last year’s starting QB), most of the team is buying what Johnson and his new staff is selling. Johnson’s first recruiting class leaned heavily towards defense but it also received several important offensive linemen commitments and the endorsement of two important backs: “A-Back” Embry Peeples (5-10, 175) and one of the nation’s top fullbacks (called “B-Back” in the new scheme), Richard Watson (6-1, 225). Importantly, the scheme received commitments from two very talented receivers (players the caliber of which Johnson was probably unable to bring into Navy) which gives the staff material with which to develop a viable passing attack. “Balance” may not be the goal of the scheme but the attack could very well be less one-sided as the country became used to seeing from Navy. The defensive side of the ball must also adjust to scheme changes as Southern Miss’s Dave Wommack takes over for Jon Tenuta, who led the Yellow Jackets’ attack for the past six seasons. The defensive scheme changes will necessarily be less-severe than on the other side of the ball but Tech’s losses there are substantial. Ends Darrell Robertson and Adamm Oliver as well as linebackers Phillip Weaver (inside) and Gary Guyton (outside) are the biggest losses for the Tech defense although three different safeties have graduated and made themselves eligible for the upcoming NFL draft.
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