2021 ACC spring football overreactions: Clemson boasts optimal WR corps in nation, UNC eyeing playoff runPosted by Leonard Hauge on May 19th, 2021 
now not each ACC team held a spring online game this 12 months, however each instruct in the league has been extremely vocal about how distinctive they suppose this may after entering into a full spring follow. Optimism is brimming at every software for the standard purpose that they bought to put within the work that turned into missed in 2020, and the development viewed this spring that became absent last year has every instruct feeling a bit bit improved about what's forward in 2021. provided that the crew receives through spring practice in shape, it's practically unimaginable to come out on the different end of spring apply worse off than if you started. That aforementioned optimism ends up in lots of effective headlines and speaking facets, which then get put via fan translation to become to the boasts and overreactions to be able to carry us into the autumn. So be a part of us as we take a glance around the ACC for probably the most large speaking aspects and takeaways from 2021 spring practices -- from the beginning place of a boast or overreaction. Boston college: The Eagles may not ever run the ball In every of the primary four years below Steve Addazio (2013-16), Boston college ranked thirteenth within the ACC when it comes to pass makes an attempt per game, most effective throwing the ball greater than Georgia Tech. The Eagles spread out the offense a little bit greater within the subsequent three seasons however certainly not finished the yr better than tenth in the convention. When a defensive coordinator is hired as a head educate, an explosion in the passing video game is not among the many standard expectations. however it's precisely what's took place with Jeff Hafley, who introduced in Frank Cignetti Jr. as offensive coordinator, Phil Jurkovec because the group's new quarterback and oversaw an offense that accomplished fourth within the ACC in move makes an attempt per game in 2020. All indications from spring aspect to greater of the equal, with Jurkovec again and his backup, Dennis Grosel, additionally incomes praise for his work during spring follow. both quarterbacks regarded first rate in the spring online game, which featured the regularly occurring combo of Jurkovec and Zay flora hooking up twice in the first half. Hafley may additionally select a extra balanced approach, however when it comes to applying the personnel, it makes feel that Boston faculty has turn into a move-chuffed crew. vegetation is among the most efficient huge receivers in the conference, Jaelen Gills is decided to have a large yr in 2021 and there are exciting more youthful receivers like Taji Johnson poised to continue this aerial success sooner or later. Clemson: top-rated WR room in the country there is going to be some push again from Columbus, Ohio, and Norman, Oklahoma, but no one in the upstate believes there may be a better set of broad receivers than what Clemson has. The offense as an entire does have questions in terms of how the order shakes out at operating lower back, no matter if the offensive line can be a energy and the backup quarterback place, but the passing online game is primed to be some of the highest quality within the nation with D.J. Uiagalelei and this group of broad receivers. Justyn Ross and Frank Ladson Jr. failed to even take part in the spring game, and the depth at the place turned into still among the many top takeaways from the scrimmage. Joseph Ngata appears in shape and able to explode, Ajou Ajou is able to flip flashes of athletic excellence into usual production and the inexperienced persons duo of Beaux Collins and Dacari Collins received on campus early and "lit a hearth" below the leisure of the community for spring apply. Add in E.J. Williams, a late-season superstar with half of his catches and both of his touchdowns in the last four video games, and the collection of skill just appears overwhelming. definitely pushing Ohio State or Oklahoma (or Alabama or USC) in the argument for top huge receiver room within the nation ability turning all that on-paper abilities into production on Saturdays. Given the different questions on offense, that may well be extra of a necessity than a luxurious. Joseph Ngata helps make up probably the most dominant extensive receiver corps in the nation. Getty pictures Duke: Blue Devils due for enhanced turnover good fortune With 20 misplaced fumbles and 19 interceptions in 11 video games, Duke ranked closing amongst all FBS teams with a -19 turnover margin on the season. Now in terms of turnover margin per game, the Blue Devils best ranked No. 125 (-1.73), however it's crucial to observe that the totality of the turnovers drives what turned into the most frustrating storyline for Duke football in 2020. Bowling green and Arizona turned it over at a better fee, however they best lived via that frustration for 5 games whereas the Blue Devils saw all types of turnovers (crimson zone, particular groups, turnovers after forcing a turnover) all through a nearly-full commonplace-season slate. Duke even had 9 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries to conclude tied for thirteenth in the nation in turnovers won, however the frequency of handing the ball correct back to the opposition has pushed David Cutcliffe to make it a key coaching factor for the spring. "I've under no circumstances been around it. I've certainly not considered the rest like that during this very lengthy career that I've had," Cutcliffe defined. "I can not pinpoint all the pleasing and different causes. but you should start it early, day one. It has to turn into essential even when the ball's not on the container." So do you believe that turnover success can swing in the different course? Duke sure hopes that probably the most eye-popping seasons in terms of turnovers sees a regression, and the Blue Devils do a more robust job of taking care of the ball. Former UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton turned into first celebrated for his successful restoration from a catastrophic leg injury. That his football profession has one other chapter is a credit score to him and the guide of friends, household, docs and coaches which have guided him lower back. Mike Norvell provided him a chance to come back conclude his playing career at Florida State, and after getting through spring suit and searching first rate in the spring video game, the dialog has modified. We're not celebrating the undeniable fact that he can play, but in its place environment the expectations for the way smartly he can play in the Seminoles offense this autumn. The quarterback combat is ongoing, and Jordan Travis could have his opportunity to win the beginning job in one of essentially the most unique fall camp storylines within the ACC. The good information for Norvell and Florida State is that both participant may also be a hit, and it's very feasible each avid gamers may be necessary for the Seminoles to attain their goals in 2021. That fundamental purpose is returning to a championship stage, which ability closing the gap with Clemson. Ever on the grounds that Jameis Winston went to the NFL, Clemson has overtaken Florida State within the ACC Atlantic largely in the back of its own run of elite quarterbacks. In that identical time, the Seminoles bounced between James Blackman and Deondre Francois with out ever getting elite play at the most critical position on the box. Milton became some of the properly quarterbacks in the recreation in 2017, and while matching those numbers from the undefeated UCF season is unrealistic, the overreaction to some strong play in the spring has us questioning if there is still an elite ceiling for the former Knight in 2021. Georgia Tech: Jeff Sims poised for breakout season Sims arrived at Georgia Tech with high expectations as a three-yr starter coming out of excessive school in Jacksonville, Florida, who participated within the Elite 11 competition and ranked as one of the precise 15 possibilities in software historical past, He embodies how Geoff Collins has flipped the recruiting script for the Yellow Jackets. Collins has also proven a dedication to playing these incredibly-touted recruits early, together with Sims' full season because the crew's starter beneath middle. Few beginners in the country had greater on their plate than Sims, who had to gain knowledge of the offense and find out how to be a university student all in the middle of strict COVID protocols preventing the form of interplay that helps young gamers do both. Collins has spoken commonly about how a great deal this spring has supposed to Sims, who has no longer only been putting in work to enhance however won the recognize of his teammates to the aspect of being voted one of the 4 captains for the spring video game. He showed out in that spring game as neatly, finishing 9 of 10 passes with two touchdowns and including a third score with a 48-yard run on the fourth play of the game. Louisville: playing cards ready to substitute Javian Hawkins a huge challenge for Louisville in 2021 is the way to change the two,347 yards and sixteen rushing touchdowns totaled through Javian Hawkins over the ultimate two seasons. The playing cards received after it early, trying to depart a while on the lower back end of the semester for extra work faraway from the observe container, and had all 15 spring practices wrapped on March 17. With basketball season in the forefront and no spring online game, the group received its work in mainly under the radar, but one of the crucial notes from Scott Satterfield's time with the media is a renewed confidence within the alternate options at operating again. Redshirt freshman Jalen Mitchell leads a gaggle that has a troublesome ask ahead in replacing Hawkins' production, but it surely's possible he may not be requested to undergo all that weight. Junior Hassan corridor returned to work this spring with a new angle after a disappointing 2020, and if that renewed power leads to something nearer to 2019 when he become the 2d-ideal back on the crew, it's going to bode well for the team's versatility on the position. Redshirt senior Maurice Burkley is additionally in the mix, and whereas he overlooked spring observe convalescing from an damage, the coaches are excited to get him back in the fall to circular out the rotation along with his adventure and ability. Miami: King-Rambo can be a bold duo whereas D'Eriq King didn't participate in spring follow as he recovers from his knee harm within the bowl video game, Miami did provide lovers a glance on the program's future on the position with Jake Garcia and Tyler Van Dyke coping with many of the first-crew reps. Manny Diaz appears like he is bought brilliant options in the back of King, and the self assurance that this group of workers has in the quarterback position has translated to confidence about the place the Hurricanes stand within the ACC pecking order, now not only in 2021 however past. Garcia and Van Dyke each played smartly within the spring online game, but the offensive thunder turned into virtually stolen by using Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo, who lived as much as the purpose of recapturing his 2019 form after a transformation of scenery. Rambo acquired looks early and infrequently, and entire leading the group in both ambitions and receptions. Miami did not get consistent efficiency from the huge receiver place last season, so Rambo's emergence together with growth from players like Mike Harley Jr. and Mark Pope will go a long strategy to taking the Hurricanes passing assault to the next degree. OU transfer Charleston Rambo provides a big spark for D'Eriq King and the Miami offense. Getty photographs North Carolina: Tar Heels ready to contend for CFP while a great deal of the dialogue round North Carolina's ceiling in 2021 will begin with and be dominated by way of a focus on Sam Howell, the sub-headlines are the explanations to suppose of the Tar Heels as a suitable-10 crew that may stay within the suitable 10 all over the season. Mack Brown outlined the issue of breaking via ultimate year after North Carolina peaked at No. 5 earlier than dropping at Florida State. You may additionally attain the precise 5 within the polls, but you're no longer a "right-five group" if one loss sends you tumbling in the rankings. successful perpetually and consistently winning while ranked buys credibility and builds a groundwork for a way you're seen as a football program. Howell will be a Heisman Trophy contender and within the combine to be a primary-circular NFL Draft pick if he continues to supply even close the degree of his freshman and sophomore seasons. there's a lot of ability talent to substitute, however gamers like Josh Downs have already flashed at vast receiver and the offense receives a lift after losing two professionals at running returned with Ty Chandler getting back from Tennessee. what's going to make North Carolina extra well-rounded and extra of a true playoff risk, youngsters, is the shielding aspect of the ball, the place formative years from a 12 months ago now has greater experience and the advantage of strength and conditioning to alternate the look. For the first time in ages, North Carolina has a protection with elite playmakers in any respect three degrees together with probably the most talented secondaries within the ACC with Tony Grimes, Storm Duck and Ja'Quirious Conley leading the way. every protective starter from the Orange Bowl loss to Texas A&M is lower back, and in view that that changed into a online game where the Tar Heels held a lead within the fourth quarter, that community enters 2021 with the expectation that they could compete with the likes of the Aggies -- who were correct within the center of the playoff picture. NC State: No excuses with journey aplenty final yr's crusade changed into arguably probably the most magnificent of the Dave Doeren period, overcoming the offseason hurdles that got here with COVID as well as a preseason COVID pause that impacted the start of the yr and participant availability once the Wolfpack did get going. starting quarterback Devin Leary was lost to harm correct as he turned into getting his groove going, and the collection of dangerous bounces would have made it easy to explain away a scarcity of success. instead, NC State grew to become in one of its foremost seasons when you consider that Doeren arrived and bumped the train as much as No. 2 on the software's all-time wins checklist. Three greater eight-four seasons, and unexpectedly Doeren is the winningest teach in application historical past. Six out of the final seven seasons have resulted in successful information and three of the final 4 have covered eight wins or extra. but as an alternative of spending energy looking returned and celebrating these signs of a constant winner and match software the attention is all on taking the subsequent step. With 18 starters returning, together with ninety percent of the protective production (No. 6 within the nation in line with ESPN's bill Connelly), it's time to peer NC State as some of the most desirable groups within the ACC in 2021. "subsequent step" is a difficult inspiration if you reside within the Atlantic Division with Clemson, and even a ten-win season comes with its challenges because of drawing both North Carolina and Miami from the Coastal Division, however's possible to attain that double-digit aim. keeping off the unexpected losses which have crept up for old NC State teams might come right down to the competitive depth we saw on reveal this spring. The Wolfpack were down distinct projected starters on both sides of the ball, yet when it came time for the spring online game, the backups did not seem unprepared or out of region. NC State has been working to construct out that depth, so when the veterans are lower back, there are adequate game-in a position bodies to maintain bad breaks all through a grueling ACC agenda. Pitt: Run online game is ready to go With Kenny Pickett returning his for his twelfth (provide or take) 12 months at Pitt, the offense certainly goes to journey on his decision-making and efficiency. but issues get plenty less demanding for Pickett if the Panthers have a fantastic run game, some thing that turned into absent for much of 2020. Pitt ranked No. 13 in speeding yards per online game and No. 12 in yards per effort in the ACC, with Vincent Davis because the most productive returned of the neighborhood thanks in part to a 247-yard speeding performance in the final video game of the season at Georgia Tech. if you take out that stat-padding finale, Pitt ranked close the backside of the ACC in most speeding categories. Taking the subsequent step for an offense that has not best Pickett however talented large receivers like Jordan Addison and Taysir Mack requires a pretty good ground attack. smartly the first rate information popping out of the spring online game is that there's a lot of buzz about how the offense is going to bounce again in 2021. Davis will as soon as again be part of the graphic, but the the spring game additionally featured some respectable operating from Izzy Abanikanda and a way that the offensive line -- "the hogs," as they call themselves -- is able to assert dominance on the aspect of attack within the equal means that neighborhood did in 2018 when Pitt gained the Coastal Division. Syracuse: formative years journey will advantage Orange in 2021 Syracuse already had a younger roster final season, however when accidents, choose-outs and different availability issues hit in 2020, the Orange needed to lean much more on the youthful end of a roster that had fifty seven of the eighty five scholarship players as actual or redshirt newcomers. The on-container results have been a one-win season, but the tone Dino Babers takes when discussing his team shows that adventure has had a favorable influence on the mentality of the group heading into 2021. The defeats that piled up throughout a 1-10 season hardened the younger gamers, revealing in observe just how difficult vigor 5 football may also be and the way a ways they had to go in their own development to be able to win in the ACC. lots of those rookie contributors suffered accidents that mandatory offseason rehabilitation and recuperation that saved them out of spring apply, but what Babers observed he saw from the super seniors who missed time with accidents in 2020 changed into a reignited fire and stage of competitiveness when they again to motion this spring. When the younger stars who received thrown into the hearth early mix with the veterans who're hungry after missing time, it's going to outcomes in a deeper and far greater competitive football group in the fall. Dino Babers will lean on youth building to start again from a 1-10 2021 season. USATSI Virginia: Scott Stadium is a legit home-container potential across 2018 and 2019, Virginia lost only 1 home game, including an undefeated list at Scott Stadium when the Wahoos claimed the Coastal Division title in 2019. Virginia most effective lost once at home in 2020 as well, but probably the most massive speakme aspects popping out of the spring video game become how inspired the gamers and coaches had been to be playing in front of fans in Scott Stadium. we've rarely mentioned Charlottesville on the checklist of hardest areas to play within the ACC, however Bronco Mendenhall is in reality engaged on promoting an ambiance that will also be a true home-field knowledge. "It does make a difference in terms of different individuals seeing you and type of holding you responsible for your guidance, that makes a difference, and then it's just greater enjoyable," Mendenhall mentioned of playing in front of enthusiasts after the spring video game. "i might like to say or not it's the identical with or with out [fans]. it be not even shut. it be means more enjoyable when we've a Scott Stadium atmosphere and a true Fourth side. So i was just definitely thankful that those that could come made it these days." Of course Virginia, the home of "first-years," "grounds" and "The garden" have a special name for the home-container competencies. "Fourth side" may additionally simply be an improved-dressed "12th Man," but if it does grow to be making a change like it did in 2019, then they name it some thing they like en route to Coastal Division title rivalry. Spring ball has allowed one of the crucial incoming transfers to make a huge affect, and few new arrivals have generated buzz like protecting handle Jordan Williams. the former Clemson Tiger has appreciate from his teammates due to his experience with the championship-successful program and his measurement -- listed at 6-1, 310 pounds however he is down to 300, per Willams -- matches a necessity for the Hokies inside up front. When the line of defense is smaller, they ought to be greater inventive with movement and the way they get power. however a player like Williams can stand his ground neatly, handle a double crew and assist the linebackers and safeties get more suitable imaginative and prescient on what's occurring within the backfield. As a former blue-chip prospect recruit from a title contender like Clemson, Williams' pedigree has a real impact on his new locker room. Wake forest: Deacs will rating forty facets per game Wake woodland has been in the midst of one of most a success runs of offensive football in college historical past. After surroundings new yardage and facets statistics in 2019, the Demon Deacons adjusted their expectations due to having 9 starters to change but nevertheless broke one more record in 2020 with most elements per online game in college history (36.0). Now all 11 starters from that offense are again for 2021, and offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero is trying to discover a means to show up the heat even more. it's not hard to think about how Wake wooded area may do it given what we noticed from new contributors closing season. working returned Christian Beal-Smith is able to go after 770 yards and 5 touchdowns, interior receiver Jaqaurii Roberson exploded with 962 yards and eight touchdowns on 62 receptions and there's a loaded set of alternate options at the outdoor receiver position for quarterback Sam Hartman, who besides the fact that children no longer a newcomer, had one in every of his most a hit seasons of college football.
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