Ranking the ACC Units: Running Backs

This will begin an nine part series in which I will rank the different units of each ACC Teams over the next several weeks. This is just in time for the college football season.

These are the units I will cover culminating in total team rankings:

Running Backs
Quarterbacks
Wide Receivers\Tight Ends
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Special Teams
Full Team



1) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Starting with returning ACC Offensive player of the year Jonathan Dwyer, who gained 1,395 on the ground, The Yellow Jackets are flat out loaded at this position. Next is Roddy Jones, who rushed for 690 yards last season including more than 200 in a season ending victory over the Georgia Bulldogs. The Jackets obtain the services of Louisville transfer Anthony Allen. He only holds the Louisville single game rushing yards record. After that you have running backs Lucas Cox and his 7.7 yards per rush, Marcus Wright who rushed for over 3,000 yards his senior season in high school, and Embry Peebles, who runs a mid 4.3 40.

2) Clemson Tigers
Even with the loss of senior James Davis, the Tigers have plenty of returning talent at running back. One the country's most explosive players CJ Spiller's now becomes the feature back. Spiller ran 690 yards last year and is the current active ACC leader in career rushing yards. Top 25 2008 running back recruits Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington should be, major contributors this season. Spring game breakout star Rendrick Taylor gives the Tigers a tough inside runner.

3) Virginia Tech Hokies

The Hokies 1,265 yard runner Darren Evans is back. Only a sophomore, Evans should be even better this year. He finished the year as the MVP of the Orange Bowl running for 153 yards in the game. The Hokies have their own talented recruit, who looks ready to contribute in 2009. Ryan Williams the 4 star High School All American from 2008, had 86 yards running in spring game, to go along with 66 yards receiving. Former starter Kenny Lewis Jr, who ruptured his achilles tendon last season, won't unseat Evans and likely will not play ahead of Williams, but should still have a big impact.

4) Maryland Terrapins

The Terrapins have their own 1000 runner coming back in underrated Da'Rel Scott. Scott last year gained 1,133 running yards and was named first team All-ACC. Along with Scott, Davin Meggett and Morgan Green form a formidable backfield. Davin Megget is son of former NFL player Dave Megget, was one of the top freshman running backs in the ACC last year. He gained 457 yards for a, 5.13 yards per carry average. Green who should also see some playing time ran for 72 yards in the Humanitarian bowl.

5) Miami Hurricanes
Returning Hurricane leading rusher Graig Cooper gained 841 yards in 2008. The often injured, but talent running back Javaris James looks to comeback healthy for his senior season. If James is 100% and returns to the form that made him a Freshman All-American the Hurricanes will posses one of the best one of the best 1 - 2 punches in the ACC.

6) North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels have a nice 1-2 running back combination of their own. Shaun Draughn rushed for 866 yards on 198 carries. Ryan Houston, 245 lb will be the in between the tackles runner. Last year he gained 299 yards, and scored 8 touchdowns. Another top ACC running back from the recruiting class of 2008, Jamal Womble could also vie for playing time.

7) Boston College Eagles

The Eagles have one of the youngest backfields in the ACC, but they have plenty of talent. True freshman Josh Haden and Montel Harris combined for 1,379 yards last year and 6 touchdowns. Harris had 900 yards and Haden had 479. Senior Jeff Smith provides running back experience. He had 192 yards rushing last year on 37 carries.

8) Florida State Seminoles

The Seminoles will have new starter at running back who, will have to replace Antone Smith's team leading 792 yards and 15 touchdowns. The most likely candidates are sophomores Jermanine Thomas, who rushed for 482 yards last year, and Ty Jones. Thomas in particular is a very good receiver.

9) North Carolina State Wolfpack

The Wolfpack have the potential to have a very solid backfield this season. Senior Tony Baker has missed nearly two full seasons with a knee injury. In 2006 Baker was the Wolfpack's leading rusher with 688 yards. He joins the teams second leading rusher from 2008 Jamelle Eugene who had 442 yards. If Baker can return to his 2006 form, the Pack will have nice running back tandem.

10) Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The Deacs played musical chairs with their running backs last season. Coach Jim Grobe started the season with Josh Adams, switched to Brandon Pendergrass, and finished the year with Kevin Harris. Harris had 136 yards in the EagleBank Bowl, and is the likely starter for 2009. Josh Adams has the most potential though, as he looks to regain the form that made him the ACC Rookie of the year in 2007.

11) Duke Blue Devils

How good the Blue Devils are at running back will depend one thing, the return of Re'quan Boyette. Boyette was Duke's leading rusher in 2006 and 2007, but missed all of 2008 with a knee injury. The returning leading rusher Jay Hollingsworth led the Blue Devils in 2008 with 399 rushing yards. Tony Jackson also saw significant time last year while gaining 259 yards, and showed good speed in his limited opportunities.

12) Virginia Cavaliers

The Cavs 2008 leading rusher Cedric Peerman is gone, and now the Cavaliers are left searching for who will start at running back this season. The top candidate appears to be Mikell Simpson who ran for 570 yards in 2007, but only 262 in an injury filled 2008. The Cavs will be running a new spread attack under recently hired offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon, so it's a little tricky to say how the running backs of Virginia will adjust. Redshirt freshman Torry Mack and sophomore Max Milien could vie for time.