Tuesday August 05, 2008

ACC Defensive Back Rankings/ Ryan Update

Ryan Update 8-5
Ryan had another excellent day Monday. I was not in Charlotte but did speak to him a couple of times and he sounded great. Kelly, David and Stef said he looked great and did great in therapy. Ryan will be discharged on Thursday, August 14.

I hope to finalize plans for his birthday party today and will post something tomorrow. The party will be in Clemson on Saturday, August 16th. We would love to have you come by and celebrate Ryan’s 17th birthday.

We just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone again. We continue to have people call, write, e-,mail, text and come by to see Ryan. More than anything else we want to thank you for your prayers.

ACC Defensive Backs
1. Clemson
Headliner-Michael Hamlin is the heart of this defense. He is a bright safety that excels in all aspects of the game.
Depth-Chris Chancellor is a terrific cover corner who is very fundamentally sound. Clemson has good depth at corner with Byron Maxwell and Marcus Gilchrist.
Future-Spencer Adams has fantastic closing speed and when he gets bigger and stronger Adams should be a force.

2. Florida State
Headliner-Myron Rolle is a superstar and a future first round pick. He is a physical presence but must improve as an open field tackler.
Depth-Patrick Robinson, Tony Carter and Michael Ray Garvin are perhaps the three best corners on one team in America. This gives the Noles a terrific nickel package. This is a very experienced group.
Future-Dionte Allen red-shirted a year ago but he has a chance to replace the three corners next season.

3. Wake Forest
Headliner-Alphonso Smith burst on the scene as a freshman but had a down sophomore season. He came back with a great junior campaign when he had eight picks. Smith may be the finest cover corner in the ACC.
Depth-Chip Vaughn and Kevin Patterson are two senior returning starters that will patrol the secondary in one of the nation’s top defenses. Brandon Ghee would be the top corner on most teams in the conference.
Future-Cyhl Quarles will have to be a part of a secondary in 09 that replaces three starters.

4. Miami
Headliner-Anthony Reddick looked like first round draft pick early in his career but injuries and other issues have side tracked his progress. It is time for Reddick to step up and regain his form.
Depth-Randy Phillips and Levon Ponder are part of the safety crew that is trying to replace Kenny Phillips. The Canes return both corners but DeMarcus Van Dyke is the future star here.
Future-Brandon Harris is the type of defensive back that Miami won national titles with.

5. Virginia Tech
Headliner-Victor Harris is one of the toughest corners in America. He is a rarity in that he covers like a corner but hits like a safety. “Macho” is the perfect nickname for this star who could have left early.
Depth-Kam Chancellor is the only returning starter in the secondary but he is a very good safety. Chancellor had a very good sophomore season. He might be the biggest safety in the league.
Future-Chris Hill may have started if Harris had opted for the NFL.

6. Georgia Tech
Headliner-Morgan Burnett had a very impressive true freshman season. He looks like he is the next star safety in Atlanta. When Michael Hamlin Myron Rolle move to the NFL, Burnett might be the best in the ACC.
Depth-Jahi Word-Daniels is a fantastic corner who has great ball skills. Tech will be very young in the secondary this year so Word-Daniels might not be tested as much this season.
Future-Brandon Lewis is a talented safety that might get a look. Willie White red shirted in 2007.

7. Virginia
Headliner-Ras-I Dowling is a huge corner that made his mark as a freshman last year. He could contended for All-ACC honors with another good season.
Depth-Vic Hall is one of the keys to the 08 season. He is a solid corner. Byron Glaspy is a senior returning starter as the free safety.
Future-Ausur Walcott is a big safety that may eventually grow into a linebacker.

8. Maryland
Headliner-Antwine Perez is a transfer from Southern Cal who steps right in at free safety. He immediately becomes an All-ACC candidate
Depth- Kevin Barnes is the only returning starter for the Terps this season in the secondary. N he led the team in picks last year but might not see as much action in 2008.
Future-Cameron Chism is the only defensive back signed in February.

9. North Carolina
Headliner-Tremaine Goddard is the leader of this young secondary. He is a physical safety that should have a shot at the NFL after a good senior season. He is the leading returning tackler in 2008.
Depth- Dunta Williams, Kendric Burney and Charles Brown were three players that received starting experience as freshman a year ago. They should have a better front seven in front of them but they are still the key to an improved defense this season.
Future-Melvin Williams was a JUCO All-American who should break into the lineup.

10. NC State
Headliner-Jeremy Gray is a big corner that had a good junior season. He is the leading returning tackler and interceptor from 2007. He is part of a solid corner combination.
Depth-DeAndre Morgan is a solid corner who excelled as a freshman last season. J.C. Neal gets his first chance at the starter’s role at safety this year and I think he is more than ready to play well.
Future-Dominique Ellis is a freshman that grabbed some attention in the spring. He could be a factor this season but the spring gave him that head start.

11. Boston College
Headliner-Paul Anderson is the only returning starter from last year’s very good secondary. He was the squad’s fifth leading tackler from last season.
Depth-Roderick Rollins and DeLeon Gause are the two corners that will have to take over this season. BC puts a lot of pressure on their corners as they sell out to shut down the run so this pair will see a lot of action.
Future-Okechukwu Okoroha is a safety prospect that should get a chance to play this season. He is the highest rated of the seven freshmen signed in February.

12. Duke
Headliner-The Devils don’t have a true All-Conference candidate this season but they return three starters off of a bad secondary.
Depth-Leon Wright is an experienced corner who returns after a good season a year ago. He had three picks and is one of the top returning tacklers.
Future-Matt Daniels is a highly thought of defensive back that should play as a true freshman.

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