Tuesday July 10, 2007

ACC Wide Receiver Rankings

ACC Wide Receivers Rankings
1. Virginia Tech
The Starters-Josh Morgan and Eddie Royal might be the best starting wide outs in the ACC and lead a deep group of receivers. Morgan is the biggest and perhaps most physical of the group. Royal is a speed guy that also has good hands.
The Depth-Josh Hyman is basically a starter and another of the top wide receivers in the league. Justin Harper is the fourth senior in this group and another talent.
The Future-Andre Smith is a terrific talent that has a much bigger role after the four seniors move on.

2. Florida State
The Starters-Greg Carr has a chance to one of the best wide outs in FSU history. His 12 touchdowns last season were among the tops in the country. This is one of the tallest wide receivers in the college football. De’Cody Fagg is the senior leader of this group. He is a solid performer.
The Depth-Rod Owens has as much potential as any wide out on campus other than Carr. Richard Goodman and Damon McDaniel hope to continue to progress in their development. Joslin Shaw is another solid guy that will provide senior leadership.
The Future-Cameron Wade was the only wide receiver FSU signed last season.

3. Maryland
The Starters-Darrius Heyward-Bey might be the best wide receiver in the ACC this season. His fantastic freshman season included 45 balls for 694 yards and five touchdowns. He is a speedster that is perhaps the best big play guy in the league. Isaiah Williams is another of the top wide outs in the league. This might be the top 1-2 punch in the ACC.
The Depth-Kevin Gresham and Nolan Carroll need to step it up in order to provide depth at this spot.
The Future-Tony Logan is a highly thought of athlete that might avoid a red-shirt.

4. North Carolina
The Starters-Hakeem Nicks is among the most talented wide outs in the league. He is a complete player that only lacks more experience. Brandon Tate has good speed and should see his numbers increase in the new offense.
The Depth-Brooks Foster has had a solid career. Joe Dailey started at Nebraska at quarterback and got beat out so he transferred to North Carolina to play quarterback but got beat out there. We will see how he progresses at wide receiver.
The Future-Greg Little and Rashad Mason are two huge wide outs that should avoid red-shirts this year. This is a great group of freshmen and a major reason I rank the Heels so high here.

5. Georgia Tech
The Starters-James Johnson is the new go-to-guy in Atlanta but there will be a drop off with Calvin Johnson’s departure. Demaryius Thomas red-shirted last year but was impressive in the spring and could be the new starter here.
The Depth-Greg Smith is another young wide out that is probably the third most talented receiver on campus. Corey Earls red-shirted last season but emerged in the spring.
The Future-D.J. Donley was one of the highest rated prospects in the state of Georgia last season. He enrolled early and went through spring ball.

6. Clemson-See Monday’s blog for complete Clemson wide out analysis.

7. Wake Forest
The Starters-Kenneth Moore is a versatile athlete that had to play running back and wide receiver a year ago. He has good speed and is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Kevin Marion is another athlete that is good after the catch. This is a very good duo.
The Depth-Demir Bolden and Chip Brinkman are solid in their depth here. Bolden returns from a suspension and has a bunch of potential.
The Future-Marshall Williams is one of the highest rated wide outs to sign with Wake under Grobe.

8. Miami
The Starters-Lance Leggett is a long-legged receiver that has tons of promise but has been inconsistent. Sam Shields was one of the highest recruited wide outs in recent years for the Canes and he did not disappoint last year. He is a speed guy that that has been more productive than any other wide out in Coral Gables.
The Depth-Darnell Jenkins and Ryan Hill were highly thought of coming out of high school but have not lived up to the hype.
The Future-Leonard Hankerson and Jermaine McKenzie have a chance to play because depth is an issue for the Canes this season.

9. NC State
The Starters-John Dunlap and Darrell Blackman had great starts to their careers but slowed down as juniors. As a freshman Dunlap looked like he was ready to become the next great Wolfpack receiver. He is a big-physical receiver but has been inconsistent. Blackman is a former running back that is still adjusting.
The Depth-Donald Bowens and Jarvis Williams are young but both have big bodies and are considered solid heading into the season.
The Future-Jay Smith was one of the more highly recruited wide receivers in the region last year. He may get a long look this fall.

10. Duke
The Starters-Eron Riley had a fantastic freshman season but tailed off a little last year. He is still a big target and I expect bigger things from him in this new offense. Jomar Wright is a productive receiver who is now healthy again.
The Depth-Raphael Chestnut is basically a starter. He is another solid receiver who should see bigger numbers because Duke plans on throwing the ball more.
The Future-Josh Trezivant is a speed guy that should play this season.

11. Boston College
The Starters-Kevin Challenger takes over as the go to guy now that Tony Gonzalez is gone. Challenger’s 47 receptions for 543 yards and five touchdowns are tops among the returning guys. Brandon Robinson is a speed guy that had a few big plays a year ago.
The Depth-Rich Gunnell and Clarence Megwa will see more time in their sophomore seasons because the new staff wants to play more four wide-out sets.
The Future-Warren Wilson, Domincik Magazu and Ifeanyi Momah are three promising freshmen.

12. Virginia
The Starters-Maurice Covington and Cary Koch will have to start unless Kevin Ogletree can return from injury.
The Depth-Chris Gorham will get a look because there is little experience here.
The Future-Chris Dalton is the best of the young receivers on scholarship.

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