Tuesday June 19, 2007
ACC Quarterback Rankings
ACC Quarterback Rankings
This is a very down year for quarterbacks in the Atlantic Coast Conference but the future looks much brighter. When defensive coordinators start game-panning they will not lose sleep worrying about Daniel Evans, Cameron Sexton, Jordan Steffy and many others in the league but that could change soon. Willy Korn, Tyrod Taylor, Mike Paulus, Peter Lalich and Robert Mavre are upgrades in talent level.
I think that most schools in the ACC consider their quarterbacks a question mark entering the 2007 season.
1. Boston College-A-
The Starter- Matt Ryan enjoyed a good junior season that included impressive stats. He was 263 of 427 for 2941 yards for 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He is perhaps the top pocket passer in the league but I am more impressed with his toughness. I was not the only one that thought he would not have gotten up from the famous David Dunham hit. Ryan does not have great feet but he can move a little in the pocket. It will be interesting to see how Ryan reacts to the new staff and new scheme in Chestnut Hill. The offense did not look good in the spring.
The Depth- Chris Crane, John Lowell and Rob Swanke. Crane is perhaps the top back-up in the league. Last year he hit on 67% of his passes and should take over in 2008.
The Future- Chris Johnson and Dominique Davis were a part of the last class but Johnson is the higher rated passer coming into college.
2. Wake Forest-B
The Starter- Riley Skinner started out last season as the third string quarterback but went on to win the ACC. Ben Mauck went down with an injury but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Deacs. Skinner was 171 of 260 for 2,051 yards and nine touchdowns and five interceptions in his freshman season. But it was not about numbers for Skinner. We had Jim Grobe on our radio show and Grobe said Skinner is not concerned about his numbers. Grobe said this young man is a natural leader and only cares about winning. I am impressed with Skinner’s ability to make things happen when the play breaks down.
The Depth- Brett Hodges has not any significant action and should not barring an injury to Skinner.
The Future-Skyler Jones is perhaps the most athletic quarterback Grobe has ever signed at Wake Forest. Their staff feels like he is a signal caller they can build around.
3. Duke-B-
Starter- Zack Asack missed all of last year after being kicked out of school. However, he is back and is one of the biggest sleepers in the ACC. I saw him as a freshman two years ago and came away very impressed. Asack is a strong kid with a tremendous amount of moxie. I think he is an above average passer and a terrific athlete. Duke will not have a winning season but it will not be because of the quarterback.
The Depth- Thaddeus Lewis started as a true freshman last season and may be able to hold off Asack this year. He looked good at times in a bad offense last year. He was 180 of 340 for 2,134 yards and 11 touchdowns and 16 picks. I like this athlete and think he is a talent. Again, I would not be surprised if he held onto his starting position. In either case, quarterback is one of the few strengths on this Duke squad.
The Future-Mike Capetto is a typical Duke quarterback in that he is an intelligent pocket passer.
4. Florida State-C+
The Starter- Drew Weatherford can’t be this bad. FSU fans are hoping that Jimbo Fisher will be able to turn around Weatherford and the rest of the Seminole’s QBs’ careers. Last year Weatherford was 177 of 318 for 2154 yards with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He lacks mobility but is a pretty good passer when given time. Unfortunately he has had no running game in his two years at FSU. In fact the Noles have averaged less than 100 yards per game rushing the last two seasons. Weatherford also has been the victim of poor play at wide receiver.
The Depth- Xavier Lee came out of high school as the next Charlie Ward. Unfortunately he has looked like Charlie Tuna. Lee has looked downright awful at times but again maybe that is more of the staff’s fault. In limited time as a starter Lee went 62 of 121 for 885 yards with seven touchdowns and five picks. He has good feet but lacks composure in the pocket. Lee may beat out Weatherford but that won’t be great news.
The Future-Christian Ponder and D’Vontay Richardson red-shirted last year and should be able to benefit from Fisher’s coaching.
5. Miami-C+
The Starter- Kyle Wright and the Hurricane quarterbacks are much like FSU’s situation in that they were all highly recruited but have played poorly. Wright talks the good game in the press but has not performed yet. In fact I can’t tell the difference between Wright, Weatherford, Brock Berlin, Chris Rix, etc. All of these top rated passers have failed in the Sunshine State. Wright has a very slow release but he may benefit from Patrick Nix coming in as the new QB coach in Coral Gables.km,
The Depth- Kirby Freeman is Miami’s Xavier Lee in that he is the bullpen guy that offers a little more mobility but is not the answer. Last year he was 59 of 108 for 872 yards with seven touchdowns and eight picks. Hey wait a minute, isn’t that Xavier Lee’s numbers?
The Future-Robert Mavre was set to go to Alabama but backed out and is the latest high ranking signal caller to select the Canes.
6. Virginia Tech-C+
The Starter- Sean Glennon won’t win a popularity contest because he is limited in his skill set. Without a running game Glennon would be lost. He does not have to a lot if Brandon Ore stays healthy. Glennon will do everything he can not to lose the game for the Hokies but will not be able to win the games if he is needed. Last year he was 170 of 302 for 2191 yards with 11 touchdowns and 11 picks.
The Depth- Ike Whitaker is the better athlete but he is coming back from an alcohol rehab center. How he reacts is the most important of his development.
The Future-Tyrod Taylor is the difference maker. He is the Michael and Marcus Vick-type talent. Taylor is expected to be the future star that gets Tech back in the national title picture.
7. Clemson-C+
See Monday’s blog for complete Clemson quarterback analysis.
8. Maryland-C
The Starter- Josh Portis committed to Utah out of high school. Portis signed with Florida. Portis transferred to Maryland. He saw that he was not going to beat out the Gator quarterbacks so he headed North. I am not sure he will beat out Jordan Steffy but Terp fans better hope so. Portis would give Friedgen a mobile quarterback and would allow the Terps to run more option like the big man likes to.
The Depth- Jordan Steffy was highly rated out of high school but has done nothing so far. Maryland usually gets good quarterback play but Steffy has a long way to go.
The Future-Chris Turner is a fairly highly rated member of the last class.
9. Virginia-C
The Starter- Jameel Sewell was one of several freshmen quarterbacks that were forced into action last year. He performed OK but did not scare anyone. Sewell was 143 of 247 for 1342 yards with five touchdowns and six picks. This is a poor man’s Marques Hagans.
The Depth- Marc Verica may win the back-ups job but he is not the long term answer.
The Future-Peter Lalich is the best passer Virginia has signed under Al Groh. He has a rocket arm which could be the strongest in the league. The future is bright with this gunslinger.
10. Georgia Tech-C
The Starter- Taylor Bennett is highly thought of by many but I just don’t see it. I know he looked good in the Gator Bowl but the last time I checked Calvin Johnson will not be around to bail him out. I think he has limitations and I am not sure this offense will flourish without Patrick Nix around.
The Depth-Josh Nesbitt is a true freshman that may be forced into action.
The Future- Nesbitt and Stephen Threet are two highly rated quarterbacks and highlights in a great class at Tech.
11. North Carolina-D
The Starter- TJ Yates made big impact on the new staff and may be able to win the job. The fact is that the others on campus have not set the bar too high.
The Depth- BJ Phillips red-shirted last season. He is a big quarterback that is considered a pocket passer. Cameron Sexton looked awful last season. He runs well but he did very little in his time as the starter last year.
The Future-Mike Paulus is the top rated passer to ink with the Heels in the last decade. He has little talent ahead of him on the depth chart so don’t be surprised if he gets an early look.
12. NC State-D
The Starter- Daniel Evans started most of last season but he did not impress me. Evans was 163 of 307 for 1843 yards but he had only six touchdowns and had 11 interceptions. Now he does have a great new offensive coordinator in Dana Bible but he will have to improve in his second season.
The Depth- Justin Burke has challenged Evans and could beat out the incumbent.
The Future-Harrison Beck could not cut it at Nebraska but may have new life under O’Brien and company.
864-834-6060
The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency
|
