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Last week we took a look at the ACC's top returning quarterbacks and found out that most of the conference's top signal callers will be back for 2007. This time we'll look at the running backs, and like the quarterbacks, most of the top runners from 2006 will be back and looking to put up even bigger numbers in 2007. The ACC wasn't known as an offensive conference last season, but they do have several high-quality runners, as well as other backfields where the ball carrying duties were shared by more than one capable back. With most of the talent returning this year, we should see improved rushing numbers in 2007.
Tashard Choice (Georgia Tech) led the ACC in rushing last season. He didn't have to share the backfield with anyone, he played in an offense that was set up perfectly for his running style, and he ran behind one of the few good offensive lines in the ACC. No one had really heard of Choice until last season, but everyone knows who he is now. With star receiver Calvin Johnson off to the NFL, Choice will have to carry the load for Georgia Tech in 2007.
Clemson had two of the top backs in the ACC last season. James Davis was a sophomore who ran for almost 1,200 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per carry. He was expected to have a breakout season in 2006, and he didn't disappoint. Of course, Davis would have had an even more impressive season had he not been forced to share time with impressive freshman C.J. Spiller. Spiller ran for almost 1,000 yards and averaged 7.3 yards per carry. Many people expect Spiller to displace Davis as the starting running back in 2007, though Davis has done nothing to deserve a demotion. Other ACC running backs are hoping to break the 1,000 yard barrier this year. Maryland's Lance Ball is one of them, though his chances may not be great. He ran for 815 yards last season, but he split time with Keon Lattimore, who ran for 743 yards. Both backs were relatively even in all statistical categories last year, and they'll likely split carries again in 2007.
Miami's Javarris James led the Canes in rushing with 802 yards last season. However, he shared time with three other backs. Tyrone Moss ran for 285 yards, Charlie Jones had 193 and Derron Thomas had 159. Now that James has established himself as the starter, he has a chance to become one of the top backs in the conference, if his offensive line can improve. NC State and Boston College each have too many good running backs not to have a 1,000 yard rusher, unless someone gets hurt. The Wolfpack play Toney Baker and Andre Brown. Baker ran for 688 yards last season, while Brown added 658. They should be the strength of NC State's offense again this year under new head coach Tom O'Brien. O'Brien left a similar situation at Boston College, where L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender got roughly the same amount of work at tailback. Whitworth gained 791 on the ground, while Callender had 633. No one else on the team had more than 66 yards rushing in 2006.
Unfortunately for Andrews,
he blew out his knee in the third game of the season. In 2+ games he had rushed
for 256 yards. Wake had no one who could replace him, yet they still went on to
win the ACC. Getting a healthy Andrews back will be huge for the Demon Deacons
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Branden
Ore (Virginia
Tech) proved he was one of the top backs in the nation when he had back-to-back
200 yard games against Southern Miss and Clemson in October. However he badly
sprained his ankle in his first carry against Wake Forest in November and missed
the remainder of that game, as well as all of the next game against UVA. Despite
missing almost two full games and having questionable blocking, Ore ran for
1,137 yards. With a better line in 2007, he should have a big year, if he can
stay healthy.
6-1,
175-pound CB/S Eddie Whitley has a busy month of June planned. The
Butler (Matthews, N.C.) standout junior already has three camps on his
schedule, with all three camps being at ACC schools. Whitley is anxious to
make many visits this summer, as he hopes to make a commitment by the
middle of his senior season.
On
February 24, 2006, Frank Beamer hired Curt Newsome away from James Madison
to serve as Virginia Tech's new offensive line coach. The Hokies'
offensive line was once one of the top units in the nation, but had fallen
upon hard times. The talent level was down, and of the players that were
in the program, not many were prototypical Curt Newsome players.
Virginia's
Al Groh and Mike London have stopped by Norview High School (Norfolk, VA)
this month. As have Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer, Curt Newsome and Charley
Wiles. Both programs are putting the full-court press on for 6-4,
290-pound defensive line recruit Buddy Ruff, whose recruitment is
turning into one of the top in-state battles in the 2008 class.
In
just two days, Virginia Tech has lost the services of two offensive
players. True freshman tight end Branden Barden decided to transfer to
Vanderbilt after spending Spring semester in Blacksburg, while rising
r-junior running back George Bell is moving on to Catawba College after
recurring knee problems limited his playing time at Virginia Tech.
In
the last couple of months, we have told you about some pilot sponsor
campaigns that will help us sign long-term sponsorship deals that will
shape the future of our web site, its success, and our ability to improve
the site for you. You'll recall that we need your help to make these pilot
campaigns succeed. We've rolled out three of these campaigns so far, and
we proudly introduce a fourth: CarMax, the way car buying should be.
Please read on for more information about CarMax, and how you can help
TechSideline.com.
Ocean
Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA) ATH Marcus Davis, a junior fast on the
rise in the recruiting ranks, showed off his abilities at two camps this
month and his performances have been well received by college coaches. The
6-5, 215-pound Davis has added four offers this month alone, raising his
offer total from three to seven.
Virginia
Tech had hoped to ride the considerable skill of pitching ace Angela
Tincher to a regional championship, but it was not to be, not this year.
Tincher lost twice on Saturday, falling first to Ohio State 2-1 and then
to Cal State Fullerton 1-0 in the nightcap. Tincher struck out 18 batters
Saturday to up her season total to 617, currently tied with Tennessee's
Monica Abbott for the third-highest single-season total in NCAA history.