Ranking the ACC’s top rushers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The ACC may be a bit thin when it comes to quarterbacks, but the stable of running backs is talented and deep. Here are my top five running backs in the ACC for the 2007. Tell me if you disagree.
1. Tashard Choice, Sr., Georgia Tech. Choice led the ACC in rushing (1,473 yards) on a team that had Calvin Johnson, the best receiver in the country. With Johnson gone, Choice will clearly be the man in the offense of new coordinator John Bond.
2. James Davis, Jr., Clemson. The Atlanta native had a good year (1,187 yards) in 2006 but it could have been a great year if Clemson had been able to throw the ball a lick. He barely touched the ball at the end of the season when opponents figured out that the Tigers couldn’t pass. That needs to change.
3. Brandon Ore, Jr., Virginia Tech. Ore (1,137 yards in 2006) has proven he’s tough enough to get yards inside but quick enough to get into the secondary and make big yardage. He had consecutive 200-yard games last season. Like James Davis, Ore needs for his quarterback (Sean Glennon) to play better in order to take some of the pressure off him.
4. C.J. Spiller, Soph., Clemson. Speed, speed and more speed. Just when defenses adjust to the pounding of James Davis, Spiller (1,415 all purpose yards) will rip off a long run. Offensive coordinator Rob Spence has to keep finding different ways to get this guy the ball in the open field. Spiller scares linebackers to death.
5. Antone Smith, Jr., Florida State. People forget that the diminutive Smith (5-9, 188) actually beat out Lorenzo Booker at the end of the season only to dislocate an elbow in his very first career start. New offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher will find a lot of different ways to get Smith the ball in space. Think Warrick Dunn.
HONORABLE MENTION
— Toney Baker, Jr., N.C. State. Baker (688 yards in 2006) had 174 yards against Clemson.
— Lance Ball, Sr., Maryland. For a stocky guy, the 5-9, 223-pound Ball showed surprising quickness in rushing for 815 yards (8 TDs) last season.
— Andre Brown, Jr., N.C. State. Brown was the Wolfpack’s leading rusher in seven games and went over the 100-yard mark twice.
— Andre Callender, Jr. Boston College. Callender was the second-leading rusher on his team last season, but he will thrive as a runner and a receiver in the offense of new coordinator Steve Logan.
— Javarris James, Soph., Miami. Edgerrin James’ cousin had 802 yards last season, the second-highest total ever for a Miami freshman. Now James will be a big part of rebuilding the offense under new coordinator Patrick Nix. One caveat: James will have to hold off another rookie, Graig Cooper, to get his carries.
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