The Clemson Insider takes a sneak peak at what to expect from the football team’s inside the Atlantic Coast Conference as they begin preparations for spring practice.
After previewing the ACC’s Atlantic Division last week, today TCI will be looking at the Coastal division. After a 10-0 start to the 2017 season, Coastal Division Champion Miami ended the season on a three-game losing streak which included a 38-3 loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.
Will Miami reign supreme over the division once again? Or will Virginia Tech dethrone the leaders of the Coastal Division?
Miami
After the hype of a wild 10-0 start for the Hurricanes, they fell off fast, leading to a 10-3 record. Being a defensive based team, their offensive capabilities were still impressive. Led by returning quarterback Malik Rosier, this team is returning its star under center.
Along with Rosier, they return leading rusher Travis Homer as well as injured star running back Mark Walton, who missed the entirety of last season. While they return stars in Rosier and Walton, they lose Rosier’s top target from last season third team All-ACC wide receiver Braxton Berrios. Not only does he lose his top wide out, but also standout tight end Christopher Herndon IV.
With returning starters Jeff Thomas and Lawrence Cager, Mike Hurley will be expected to step in with competition from incoming freshman Mark Pope and Brian Hightower. Replacements on the left side of the offensive line are also expected as they graduate both starters on the side. Hayden Mahoney is next in line to step in at left guard while current backup at left tackle Kai-Leon Herbert is expected to fill in there.
Last seasons stacked defense is only losing four players, all of which on the defensive line. This includes third team All-ACC defensive end Trent Harris and Chad Thomas, who play the same position on the line. With there being no current replacement at the position it seems as if it will be an open competition. At defensive tackle, Kendrick Norton has elected to enter the draft rather than finish attend the U for his senior year. Questions are raised at this position as well, with backup Anthony Moten graduating, there is expected to be heated competition here as well. Pat Bethel is the frontrunner for the position. With little departures, they return four All-ACC players including Shaquille Quarterman, RJ McIntosh, Michael Jackson and Jaquan Johnson. Key games for the Hurricanes will be Sept. 2nd against LSU on opening day as well as Nov. 17th when they play at Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is coming off of yet another solid season, but fell short of making the ACC championship game. With Josh Jackson returning from a successful freshman year under center, the offense looks to keep up with their progression as they are only losing two starters. One of such players is Jackson’s top target and leading receiver Cam Phillips.
As the top target, Phillips received for more than 500 yards than the next closest receiver on the team. His production is a tough replacement, but Tech’s top rated incoming recruit Tre Turner will look to step in at the position, along with competition from current freshman Hezekiah Grimsley. Starting receivers Sean Savoy and Eric Kumah will look to improve from last season. On the offensive line, the lose only one starter in left guard Wyatt Teller.
Upcoming redshirt senior Demetri Moore is likely to replace him on the line, still giving a veteran sense with his age. The Hokies will look to have tight end Dalton Keene step into a bigger role his sophomore year.
While there are minimal losses on the offensive side of the ball, the defense has a lot of holes to fill. Of these losses, the biggest come in the shape of two first team All-ACC players’ linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and cornerback Greg Stroman. The two had major impacts on the defense and Edmunds lead the team in tackles with 108 and Stroman had 4 interceptions to go along with 11 passes deflected.
As the unquestioned leaders of the team their replacement is a key for VT. Dylan Rivers has the opportunity to step in at the middle linebacker position and lead a completely new linebacking corp as all three starters at linebacker are graduating. Freshman Bryce Wyatt looks to replace Stroman at the corner position as well. Terrell Edmunds will declare for the draft coming off injury at safety as well.
On the defensive line, they lose nose tackle Tim Settle as he prepares to leave early for the draft. Another freshman looking to step into playing time sophomore year, Jimmie Taylor will look to step into the position. Key games for the Hokies will be Sept. 3rd at Florida State and Nov. 17th home against Miami.
Georgia Tech
Coming off a disappointing season just like a lot of this division, the Yellow Jackets will look to reverse fortune in this upcoming season. While last season was not their best, they’ll hope to see their offense be able to lead the way for the young team.
Leading the team under center will be returning starter and standout at quarterback TaQuon Marshall. Totaling 27 touchdowns overall through the air and on the ground, Marshall was able to get it done rushing and throwing. In the backfield of the option offense, they’ll return second leading rusher KirVonte Benson who eclipsed 1,000 yards last season.
They will have to do some searching for replacing all-purpose back J.J. Green, with Nate Cottrell looking to replace him. At receiver they lose over 50% of their production as Ricky Jeune graduates. Jalen Camp is in line to take over. They lose only one player on the offensive line in redshirt senior Shamire Devine. While they will miss his veteran presence on the line, backup Will Bryan will be heading into his senior year and will look to step up for his team.
On the defensive side of the ball they will have some holes to fill as they are losing some key players. Their biggest problems are in the secondary, where they are losing four starters led by safety Corey Griffin. With the holes in their secondary, they will have to look to last years’ backups such as Jalen Johnson and Ajani Kerr to step up and fill the gaps left.
Recruits such as Charlie Thomas at safety will also look to step into playing time his freshman year. The other two losses they’ll look to fill are in the defensive end position and at outside linebacker. With Terrell Lewis graduating, Tyler Cooksey is expected to step in and be a part of the veteran line. Key games for GT will be at Virginia Tech on Oct. 25th and at Georgia Nov. 24th.
Pittsburgh
Pitt is a team that would like to make improvements from their season last season, but are in a tough position to do so. While they do return star wide out Quadree Henderson and starting quarterback Ben Dinucci delivering him the ball, protecting them will be a difficult task.
On the offensive line the Panthers as they lose seniors Alex Officer and Jaryd Jones-Smith. They also lose Brian O’Neill at left tackle, as he departs for the draft early. Replacing these linemen will be the main goal for the team offensively.
Mike Herndon at left guard and Tony Pilato at left tackle are expected to fill in on the left side of the line, but replacing Jones-Smith will be a challenge as his backup also graduates. Recruit Jake Cradel will hope to scoop up the open spot on the line. With their also being an open spot at receiver, it is uncertain who will take over as leading receiver while Jester Weah graduates. Henderson may look to get more involved in the passing game.
Defensively Pitt only loses two players, but like many teams it is in the secondary. With Avonte Maddox graduating and Jordan Whitehead declaring early for the draft, it has left gaps for them in the corner and safety positions.
Maddox who led the team in pass deflections (11) will be an especially hard replacement to secure. Incomers Marquise Williams and Judson Tallandier will look to get reps in the position early, although Dennis Briggs will seek to take over the position for his senior year. Along with Briggs, Phillipie Motley will look to step into the corner position for his senior year. The team will return leading tackler Oluwaseun Idowu, as well as the rest of the linebacking corp.
The defensive line will be led by Dewayne Hendrix. Key games for the Panthers will be against Penn State Sept. 8th and at Miami Nov. 24th.
Virginia
Last season Virginia had some stars on the defensive side of the ball, but losing them will definitely make it a more difficult recovery season for the Cavaliers. Linebacker Micah Kiser totaled 143 tackles last season, earning him honors of third team All-American, Campbell trophy winner for the nation’s top scholar athlete and the Dudley award which is awarded to the state’s top player.
His production for the team can never be overstated, and finding his replacement will be important. Going into his sophomore year, Zane Zandier will look to take over the reins in the middle. Also a third team All-American, safety Quin Blanding was a massive asset for the team in previous seasons.
As a safety he had a whopping 136 tackles and 4 interceptions. Production like that at the safety position is something the Cavaliers will have little hope to replace. Another freshman, Joey Blount hopes to take over at the position. With the rest of the defensive starters returning, they’ll look for someone to take over as the new leader.
On the offensive side of the ball, they lose six starters in total, starting with quarterback Kurt Benkert who had a quietly good season last year. As for most teams, it is tough to replace a solid starter at quarterback and like much of this team, they will look to have a young guy step in.
Going into his sophomore year, Lindell Stone will look to make the most of his opportunity but dual threat incomer Brennan Armstrong will look to give competition. While their top target Olamide Zacchaeus will be back for the quarterbacks, two starters in Andre Levrone and Donovan Dowling will be moving on next year. This will open up room for young receivers Terrell Jana and Devonte Cross.
Chris Glaser and Dillion Reinkensmeyer are the two who are likely to fill in for the tackle positions, who lose both starters to graduation. Key games for Virginia will be Sept. 29th at NC State and Nov. 23rd at Virginia Tech.
Duke
After last season’s 3-5 record in the ACC, the Blue Devils are yet another team who will look for a better performance in conference play. Duke will be returning quarterback Daniel Jones who showed a lot of potential last seasons and should be expected to be seen under center again.
While they lose leading rusher Shaun Wilson, they have a capable running back in Brittain Brown coming back after falling only 100 yards short of Wilson, as they split carries. With their skill positions set, returning all starting receivers as well, their holes to fill come on the offensive line.
Starting tackles Gabe Brandner and Evan Lisle both graduate, giving opportunities to a young Robert Kraeling at right tackle and team veteran Christian Harris who has seen sometime at right tackle. At center, they lose possible draftee Austin Davis, although his backup Zach Harmon isn’t expected to have problems jumping into the starting lineup his senior season.
With a majority of the team’s losses coming on the offensive side of the ball, the Blue Devils lose only two starters on the defensive side of the ball. At corner they lose senior Byron Fields, who was second on the team in interceptions and was also one of the team’s veteran leaders.
Backup Brandon Feamster saw some time lined up against receivers last season and is likely to step into the position in the secondary. They’ll also see the departure of defensive tackle Mike Ramsey.
Ramsey was tied for sacks on the team last season with 9.5 and his production will have question marks around who will replace him. With backup Quaven Ferguson rarely playing last season, incoming freshman Elijah Brown will look to sweep up the spot.
Duke returns leading tackler Joe Giles-Harris who will lead the team from the middle. Key games for the Blue Devils will be Oct. 20th against Virginia and Nov. 10th against UNC.
North Carolina
One of the biggest surprises of last season, UNC was the worst team in the ACC after finishing top three in their division each of the prior three seasons. Going into next season, the Tar Heels will still be losing a lot of their talent, hoping new faces will change the environment.
Chazz Stuart was the most productive of three quarterbacks last season and will lead the race for the starting position. Four-star recruit dual threat quarterback Jace Ruder is expected to come in and put up a good fight for the position right out of the gate.
Two of three starting receivers graduate in Austin Preohl and Jordan Cunningham but their minor production will look to be replaced and improved upon next season. While young Dazz Newsome and upcoming senior Josh Cabrera will be in contention for both positions, incoming freshman and the Tar Heel’s top recruit Jordyn Adams will likely take over immediately in one of the spots.
They also lose four spots on the offensive line which has a specific spot of interest at the left guard, who has no clear cut player in place to step up.
Like many teams in the ACC, North Carolina is losing talent in the secondary with a starter graduating and with one still uncertain of his future. K.J Stewart who also dual started at the nickleback will be graduating. Patrice Rene will look to step into the corner position with recruit DeAndre Hollins in competition.
Free safety Dorn Myles is undecided on leaving for the draft or not, but would be a starter if set to return. With a full defensive line returning and leading tackler Cole Holcomb set to return, the only other position that will need replacement is the strong side linebacker position where Crayson Collins is graduating. Uncertainty at the position is clear as they had no clear cut backup get any time at the position last season. Key games for the Tar Heels will be Oct. 13th against Virginia Tech and Nov. 24th against NC State.
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