Part eight of the ACC Unit rankings series looks at the rankings of the special teams units of each ACC team. Special Teams rankings were probably the most inexact of the rankings I've done so far. Changing personal on return teams and kicking hot and cold streaks, can make things a little tricky. One thing I'm sure of though Matt Bosher of Miami enters the season as the ACC's best kicker, and Travis Baltz of Maryland enters the season as the ACC's best punter.Check out the completed rankings.
Running Backs
Quarterbacks
Wide Receivers\Tight Ends
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Special Teams
Full Team
Miami is returning two pre-season All-ACC special teams players. Kicker Matt Bosher and Punt Returner Travis Benjamin. Bosher was an impressive 18 for 20 on FG's last year and 40 for 40 on PAT's. Benjamin was the ACC's leading punt returner. The Canes will have to improve on a dead last finish in Kickoff returns, which is odd, since Benjamin was the also one of the teams top kick off returners. Bosher also handles the punting, and even with double duty finished 5th in the ACC in punting.
2) Maryland Terrapins
Like Miami, Maryland returns two of the best special team players in the conference. Torry Smith set an ACC single-season record for return yards last year with 1,089. Punter Travis Baltz was first team All-ACC this past season. The one big question mark for the Terrapins is at kicker. Who will replace the previous kicker Obi Egekeze? The battle looks to be between Nick Ferrara and Nick Wallace.
3) Virginia Tech Hokies
For over a decade the special teams of the Virgina have been considered among the best in country. Is the title deserved this year? Well yes and no. Even if the statistics aren't dominating, the Hokies just on their reputation force teams to alter their FG and Punt blocking schemes. In the ACC last year the Hokies ranked 8th in kickoff returns, 3rd in punt returns, 10th in net punting, and 5th in Kickoff coverage. Those are decent but not spectacular stats. Dyrell Robert is a solid kick returner, but the Hokies will start a new kicker for the third straight year. Matt Waldron is the top candidate.
4) North Carolina St. Wolfpack
5) Clemson Tigers
6) Florida State Seminoles
The Wolfpack look solid on special teams this year. T.J Graham set a NC State single-season kickoff return record with 1,028 yards last season. He also led the team in punt returns, and is pegged to handle both duties this season. Kicker Josh Czajkowski was a solid 16 for 19 on FGs, and is very accurate inside 40 yards. The Wolfpack may be relying on freshman Chris Ward at punter. The Wolfpack were 11th in the ACC in kickoff coverage last year, and look to improve that.
5) Clemson Tigers
With all do respect to the other return men in the conference, it's Tiger C.J. Spiller, who is the most explosive kick returner in the ACC. Not since Devin Hester was at Miami, has the ACC seen a player who is capable of taking any kick he receives to the house. Spiller's partner returning kickoff is Jacoby Ford, an NCAA Track Star. This gives Tiger's the ACC's best return tandem in the league. Where the Tigers may have issues are at kicker and punter. The previous year's starters have to be replaced. Spencer Benton is the front runner at kicker, and sophomore Dawson Zimmerman is the front runner at punter. Clemson led the league in kickoff coverage last year. If Benton and Zimmerman are solid, Clemson's special teams go from good to great.
6) Florida State Seminoles
The Seminoles have a big special teams hole to fill with the graduation of kicker Graham Gano. Highly regarded kicker Dustin Hopkins looks to take over that role. Sophomore Shawn Powell is a solid punter averaging 41.1 yards a kick. The Noles are solid in kick coverage. They were one of only two ACC teams, to rank in the top 6 in the ACC in kickoff coverage and net punting. Punt and Kick return duties will be most likely done by a combination of sophomore Bert Reed, senior Louis Givens, freshman A.J. Alexander, and freshman Greg Reid.
7) Virginia Cavaliers
The Cavs were the other team, in addition to the Noles to finish in the top 6 in the ACC in kickoff coverage and net punting. Sophomore punter Jimmy Howell should be even better after a solid freshman campaign. Sophomore Chase Minnifield finished 8th in the ACC in kickoff returns last season, and like Howell should improve after a strong freshman season. Taking over from kicking duties during the middle of last season Robert Randolph, he made 3 out 4 FG's and was 6 for 6 on extra points.
8) North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels have some big shoes to fill. Brandon Tate the NCAA's all-time leader in return yardage is working on his NFL career. Johnny White looks like solid kick returner. He finished last season 4th in the ACC in kickoff return average at 25.3 yds. Casey Barth is adequate at kicker making 10 of 15 FG's last season. Sophomore Jay White also made 4 FG's providing some depth. Grant Schallock will take over taking over punting duties from departed Terrance Brown. The Heels finished 4th in the ACC in kickoff coverage.
9) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets7) Virginia Cavaliers
The Cavs were the other team, in addition to the Noles to finish in the top 6 in the ACC in kickoff coverage and net punting. Sophomore punter Jimmy Howell should be even better after a solid freshman campaign. Sophomore Chase Minnifield finished 8th in the ACC in kickoff returns last season, and like Howell should improve after a strong freshman season. Taking over from kicking duties during the middle of last season Robert Randolph, he made 3 out 4 FG's and was 6 for 6 on extra points.
8) North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels have some big shoes to fill. Brandon Tate the NCAA's all-time leader in return yardage is working on his NFL career. Johnny White looks like solid kick returner. He finished last season 4th in the ACC in kickoff return average at 25.3 yds. Casey Barth is adequate at kicker making 10 of 15 FG's last season. Sophomore Jay White also made 4 FG's providing some depth. Grant Schallock will take over taking over punting duties from departed Terrance Brown. The Heels finished 4th in the ACC in kickoff coverage.
The Yellow Jackets were in general mediocre with their special teams unit last year. While the kickoff coverage was solid finishing 3rd in the ACC, Scott Blair was inconsistent handling both the punting and kicking duties. The Jackets finished 11th in the ACC in punting and 11th in FG accuracy. The return teams weren't much better. The Jackets were 10th in kickoff returns average and 9th in punt return average. Look for running back Roddy Jones to return more kicks, if coaches feel he's fully recovered from his off-season wrist injury. He was solid in the Georgia game returning kickoffs.
10) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
11) Duke Blue Devils10) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Shane Popham had to fill in for All-ACC kicker Sam Swank last year, and struggled at times. With Swank now gone Popham looks to improve on a season where he missed 4 out 5 kicks over 32 yards. He was adequate as punter. The Deacs finished near the bottom of the ACC in both kickoff and punt return average. Alex Frye and Devon Brown will be looked upon to improve those states. Wake Forest had one big bright spot last year. They led the ACC in net punting.
The Blue Devils were dead last in the ACC in punt return coverage and 9th in kickoff coverage. These are stats the Blue Devils hope to improve on. Nick Maggio was solid at kicker making 11 out 14 kicks. Punter Kevin Jones averaged a strong 41 yards a punt. Senior Leon Wright will likely handle the punt returns, and sophomore Jay Hollingsworth the kickoffs. Neither has a ton of return of return experience. Top returner Jabari Marshall is gone.
BC had all kinds of special team issues last season. They were last in the ACC in punting and last in kickoff coverage. The kickoff return average was 11th in the ACC. Punt return average was slightly better placing 7th in the ACC. Kicker Steve Aponavicius missed 7 FG's and didn't make one over 40 yards. Seniors Rick Gunnel and Jeff Smith will try to add some pop to the return game this season.
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