FSU Seminoles: Virginia Tech Hokies
As of today, there are 100 days until the start of the college football season.
You bet we’re counting.
If you’re Scot Loeffler, Virginia Tech's new offensive coordinator, 100 days must feel like a nanosecond. The Hokies aren’t the only ones, though, with plenty of work to do before the season begins. Here’s a checklist of five things the ACC and its teams must accomplish before the opening kickoff:
1. Name starting quarterbacks. Syracuse can’t even talk about Oklahoma transfer Drew Allen yet because he’s not on campus and won’t enroll until next month, but the Orange are just one of several teams in the ACC that still have an ongoing quarterback competition. Virginia’s quarterback controversy has seemingly gone on for years, and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher has yet to officially anoint Jameis Winston as EJ Manuel’s successor. Pitt is also still searching for a dependable leader, along with NC State.
2. Find an offense in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech has become one of the ACC’s brand-name programs, a consistent winner and a representative in the Top 25 and BCS standings. That changed last season when the Hokies bumbled their way through their most disappointing season in 20 years. Coach Frank Beamer made sweeping changes to his offensive staff, but little improvement was seen in the spring game. Loeffler said it wasn’t a true indication of the progress that was made in the other 13 practices, but also conceded there is still a lot of work to be done. With Alabama looming in the season opener, all eyes will be on the ACC in Week 1. When the Hokies are good, the ACC is better.
3. Improve defensively. With the exception of Florida State, which finished the season ranked No. 6 in the country in scoring defense, 2012 wasn’t a banner year for ACC defenses. The conference usually has some of the nation’s best defenses -- including Boston College -- but there was no Luke Kuechly and no identity for the Eagles last fall. Miami beat Duke 52-45. Georgia Tech beat North Carolina 68-50. Clemson beat NC State 62-48. Clemson took a major step forward defensively with its bowl win against LSU, but the defense must become elite in its second season under coordinator Brent Venables if Clemson is going to be a national-title contender.
4. Minimize the turnovers. Virginia Tech was No. 86 in turnover margin last year, and quarterback Logan Thomas threw three picks in the spring game. Boston College was No. 88 in the country in turnover margin, FSU No. 93, NC State No. 99, Maryland No. 104, Virginia No. 110. That’s almost half the league ranked among the worst in the country in turnover margin. The Hokies play Alabama. Virginia plays Oregon. BC plays at USC. FSU is at Florida, and the Seminoles turned it over five times versus the Gators in FSU's 37-26 loss last year. The Gators scored 10 points off turnovers in that game. If the ACC is going to stand a chance, it can’t give away freebies.
5. Stay out of the trainer’s room. Virginia Tech standout corner Antone Exum is still rehabbing from the torn ACL he suffered in a pickup basketball game. The bulk of Wake Forest’s offensive line was walking wounded all spring, and that group will make or break the Deacons' season. Clemson backup quarterback Chad Kelly and starting tight end Sam Cooper both tore their ACLs this spring. If the ACC is going to beat the best this fall, it needs its best players on the field. For some programs, like Boston College, the depth isn’t there to afford injuries.
You bet we’re counting.
If you’re Scot Loeffler, Virginia Tech's new offensive coordinator, 100 days must feel like a nanosecond. The Hokies aren’t the only ones, though, with plenty of work to do before the season begins. Here’s a checklist of five things the ACC and its teams must accomplish before the opening kickoff:
1. Name starting quarterbacks. Syracuse can’t even talk about Oklahoma transfer Drew Allen yet because he’s not on campus and won’t enroll until next month, but the Orange are just one of several teams in the ACC that still have an ongoing quarterback competition. Virginia’s quarterback controversy has seemingly gone on for years, and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher has yet to officially anoint Jameis Winston as EJ Manuel’s successor. Pitt is also still searching for a dependable leader, along with NC State.
2. Find an offense in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech has become one of the ACC’s brand-name programs, a consistent winner and a representative in the Top 25 and BCS standings. That changed last season when the Hokies bumbled their way through their most disappointing season in 20 years. Coach Frank Beamer made sweeping changes to his offensive staff, but little improvement was seen in the spring game. Loeffler said it wasn’t a true indication of the progress that was made in the other 13 practices, but also conceded there is still a lot of work to be done. With Alabama looming in the season opener, all eyes will be on the ACC in Week 1. When the Hokies are good, the ACC is better.
3. Improve defensively. With the exception of Florida State, which finished the season ranked No. 6 in the country in scoring defense, 2012 wasn’t a banner year for ACC defenses. The conference usually has some of the nation’s best defenses -- including Boston College -- but there was no Luke Kuechly and no identity for the Eagles last fall. Miami beat Duke 52-45. Georgia Tech beat North Carolina 68-50. Clemson beat NC State 62-48. Clemson took a major step forward defensively with its bowl win against LSU, but the defense must become elite in its second season under coordinator Brent Venables if Clemson is going to be a national-title contender.
4. Minimize the turnovers. Virginia Tech was No. 86 in turnover margin last year, and quarterback Logan Thomas threw three picks in the spring game. Boston College was No. 88 in the country in turnover margin, FSU No. 93, NC State No. 99, Maryland No. 104, Virginia No. 110. That’s almost half the league ranked among the worst in the country in turnover margin. The Hokies play Alabama. Virginia plays Oregon. BC plays at USC. FSU is at Florida, and the Seminoles turned it over five times versus the Gators in FSU's 37-26 loss last year. The Gators scored 10 points off turnovers in that game. If the ACC is going to stand a chance, it can’t give away freebies.
5. Stay out of the trainer’s room. Virginia Tech standout corner Antone Exum is still rehabbing from the torn ACL he suffered in a pickup basketball game. The bulk of Wake Forest’s offensive line was walking wounded all spring, and that group will make or break the Deacons' season. Clemson backup quarterback Chad Kelly and starting tight end Sam Cooper both tore their ACLs this spring. If the ACC is going to beat the best this fall, it needs its best players on the field. For some programs, like Boston College, the depth isn’t there to afford injuries.
ESPN 150 athlete Dravon Henry (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa) listed his top four schools about two months ago with the understanding it would slow down his recruitment.
With the mailbox now stuffed with 50 letters by the middle of the week, it's safe to say the four-star athlete understood incorrectly.
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Six-foot-9 OT Ruble garnering big attention 
April, 23, 2013
Apr 23
2:07
PM ET
By
Josh Moyer | ESPN.com
ASHBURN, Va. -- Offensive tackle Brock Ruble (Hyattsville, Md./DeMatha) has been in high demand lately.
Since the holidays, the 6-foot-9 prospect said he usually leaves school with a white trash bag full of letters. Not too shabby for a first-year starter.
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#BlueChipBattles: ESPN 150 release edition
April, 19, 2013
Apr 19
12:49
PM ET
By RecruitingNation | ESPN.com
Student Sports, ESPN, ESPNSpeedy Noil, Adoree Jackson and Da'Shawn Hand are three of the most coveted recruits in the Class of 2014.
: RecruitingNation summoned its writers from around the country to outline the recruiting battles for the ESPN 150's top 10 prospects.
Plus, rank the battles in SportsNation.
#TopFBMixtapes: Athlete mixtapes are all the rage in this highlight-crazed era of sports. We reached out to our Twitter followers to find out which 2014 football stars had the best highlight reels on YouTube, then had our staff rank and comment on the top submissions.
Tom Luginbill writes
: After talking to many coaches across the country and hearing their frustrations, here are their five biggest complaints about homemade highlight videos.WR Booth starts tour in SEC, adds offer
April, 5, 2013
Apr 5
1:45
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Instead of going to the beach for spring break, ESPN Watch List wide receiver Dominique Booth (Indianapolis/Pike) spent his break visiting interested colleges across the southeast and east coast. His first stop was to the University of Alabama.
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Watch List DL Street to choose from two?
March, 28, 2013
Mar 28
10:39
PM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A month ago, ESPN Watch List prospect Kentavius Street (Greenville, N.C./Rose) had a shakeup in his leaderboard after a coaching change occurred at the program he favored at the time. Now it seems things are settling in at the top, although a few other schools are hoping to get the 6-foot-3, 262-pound defensive lineman on campus soon.
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When offer No. 31 came in for Washington (Pa.) running back Shai McKenzie last week, he figured it was time to start cutting his list. It sounds simple, but McKenzie had a harder time when it came to putting pen to paper.
“He struggled to make a list,” Washington coach Mike Bosnic said. “He’s really unsure.”
“He struggled to make a list,” Washington coach Mike Bosnic said. “He’s really unsure.”
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Athletic directors see their salaries rise, too
March, 7, 2013
Mar 7
5:00
PM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
Head coaching salaries have been on the rise for years. So have assistant coach salaries, sparking a further separation between the programs that can pay and the programs that cannot.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that athletic directors have seen their salaries grow as well.
USA Today, which annually compiles head coaching salaries, recently found FBS athletic directors make an average of $515,000. That is an increase of more than 14 percent since USA Today last reported on AD salaries in 2011.
The ACC beats that average. Of the available salaries compiled by USA Today, ACC athletic directors were set to make an average of $602,829 in 2013. All but two made more than $500,000 -- Kevin Anderson at Maryland ($499,490), and Randy Spetman at Florida State ($350,00).
That doesn't count incoming Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich, who makes a cool $1.4 million -- the highest paid athletic director at a public school. Only nine athletic directors make $1 million or more. The next highest paid public school AD is Dan Radakovich at Clemson, checking in at $725,000.
Boston College and Miami, two private schools, did not disclose figures.
While Spetman's salary has remained the same for the past several years, it still surprises me that the athletic director at one of the most high-profile football programs in the nation is the lowest paid in his league. And one of the lowest paid in the entire state of Florida. Florida AD Jeremy Foley makes more than $1 million; USF AD Doug Woolard makes nearly $500,000; Todd Stansbury at UCF makes just a smidge more ($375,000); and FIU AD Pete Garcia makes $441,832.
I know Spetman has faced his share of criticism, and the Noles have fought through some financial problems. They do pay Jimbo Fisher $2.75 million -- the highest paid coach in the ACC. But something seems off when the ADs at FIU, UCF and USF make more than the guy at Florida State.
Here are is the complete list of AD salaries in the ACC, thanks to USA Today.
*Louisville expected to join ACC in 2014
** Maryland will depart ACC in 2014
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that athletic directors have seen their salaries grow as well.
USA Today, which annually compiles head coaching salaries, recently found FBS athletic directors make an average of $515,000. That is an increase of more than 14 percent since USA Today last reported on AD salaries in 2011.
The ACC beats that average. Of the available salaries compiled by USA Today, ACC athletic directors were set to make an average of $602,829 in 2013. All but two made more than $500,000 -- Kevin Anderson at Maryland ($499,490), and Randy Spetman at Florida State ($350,00).
That doesn't count incoming Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich, who makes a cool $1.4 million -- the highest paid athletic director at a public school. Only nine athletic directors make $1 million or more. The next highest paid public school AD is Dan Radakovich at Clemson, checking in at $725,000.
Boston College and Miami, two private schools, did not disclose figures.
While Spetman's salary has remained the same for the past several years, it still surprises me that the athletic director at one of the most high-profile football programs in the nation is the lowest paid in his league. And one of the lowest paid in the entire state of Florida. Florida AD Jeremy Foley makes more than $1 million; USF AD Doug Woolard makes nearly $500,000; Todd Stansbury at UCF makes just a smidge more ($375,000); and FIU AD Pete Garcia makes $441,832.
I know Spetman has faced his share of criticism, and the Noles have fought through some financial problems. They do pay Jimbo Fisher $2.75 million -- the highest paid coach in the ACC. But something seems off when the ADs at FIU, UCF and USF make more than the guy at Florida State.
Here are is the complete list of AD salaries in the ACC, thanks to USA Today.
- Tom Jurich, Louisville: $1.4 million*
- Kevin White, Duke, $906,536
- Dan Radakovich, Clemson: $725,000
- Ron Wellman, Wake Forest: $688,000
- Mike Bobinski, Georgia Tech: $625,000
- Jim Weaver, Virginia Tech: $621,529
- Steve Pederson, Pitt: $596,595
- Craig Littlepage, Virginia: $586,750
- Daryl Gross, Syracuse: $570,057
- Bubba Cunningham, North Carolina: $565,000
- Debbie Yow, NC State: $500,000
- Kevin Anderson, Maryland: $499,490**
- Randy Spetman, Florida State: $350,000
- Brad Bates, Boston College: NA
- Blake James, Miami: NA
*Louisville expected to join ACC in 2014
** Maryland will depart ACC in 2014
Cornerback Darin Smalls (Summerville, S.C./Summerville) was one of many juniors to descend upon Tallahassee for Florida State's second junior day last weekend.
The prospects were shown around the campus and facilities, learning more and more about the program. But to Smalls, one part stood out above the rest.
The prospects were shown around the campus and facilities, learning more and more about the program. But to Smalls, one part stood out above the rest.
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Junior offensive tackle David Sharpe has not been thinking about football lately. Leading up to Thursday night’s Florida Class AAA basketball championship between his Providence High School Stallions and the Coral Springs Christian Crusaders, the talented two-sport athlete has let his coach field all of his football recruiting calls. And there have been a lot of them.
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Seminoles continue hitting the Carolinas
February, 8, 2013
Feb 8
12:00
PM ET
By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
With the addition of the new coaches on staff, Florida State looks to be extending it recruiting reach back into the Carolinas.
Normally sticking to the states of Florida, Georgia and Alabama over the last couple of cycles, there is renewed interest in the states all up and down the East coast.
Darin Smalls (Summerville, S.C./Summerville) was the latest to grab an offer from the Seminoles, and it was one that caught him somewhat off guard.
Normally sticking to the states of Florida, Georgia and Alabama over the last couple of cycles, there is renewed interest in the states all up and down the East coast.
Darin Smalls (Summerville, S.C./Summerville) was the latest to grab an offer from the Seminoles, and it was one that caught him somewhat off guard.
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Signing Day is now hours away, so let's take one final look at where things stand among ACC teams before the madness begins.
The latest ESPN Top 40 class rankings
No. 10 Florida State
No. 15 Clemson
No. 16 Virginia Tech
No. 18 North Carolina
No. 23 Miami
No. 33 Virginia
Miami is the only team that has made a recent move, up one spot. Everybody else is holding steady. But all this could all change Wednesday when undecided players begin announcing. Florida State and Miami remain in the mix for at least five of the top prospects in the nation; Clemson is in the mix for four.
What to watch Wednesday
ESPN Recruiting Nation has this very comprehensive list of the top uncommitted prospects in the nation, along with projections for where they end up. Let's take a look at which ones could be playing in the ACC.
CB Mackensie Alexander, No. 4 overall prospect. Choosing between Auburn, Mississippi State, Clemson and Texas A&M. Announcement time: 11:15 a.m., ESPNU.
LB Matthew Thomas, No. 6 overall prospect. Choosing between Florida State, Miami, Alabama, Georgia and USC. Announcement time: 9:15 a.m., ESPNU.
DT Montravius Adams, No. 13 overall prospect. Choosing between Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Clemson. Announcement time: 9:45 a.m., ESPNU.
WR Stacy Coley, No. 47 overall prospect. Choosing between Florida State and Miami, among others. Announcement time: 11:05 a.m., ESPNU.
WR Jordan Cunningham, No. 107 overall prospect. Choosing between Florida State, Vanderbilt, Stanford and Oklahoma State. Announcement time: 10:20 a.m., ESPNU.
OL Tyrone Crowder, No. 125 overall prospect. Choosing between Clemson and Georgia. Announcement time: 4:05 p.m., ESPNU.
DT Keith Bryant, No. 135 overall prospect. Choosing between Florida State and Miami. Had previously committed to Miami. Announcement time: 1:45 p.m., ESPNU.
LB Jermaine Grace, No. 138 overall prospect. Choosing between Miami and Louisville. Announcement time: 2 p.m., ESPNU.
OT Denver Kirkland, No. 144 overall prospect. Choosing between Florida State and Arkansas. Last week, Miami reportedly pulled his scholarship offer, and there are conflicting reports about whether fences have been mended. In any case, he and Thomas both attend the same high school in Miami, so whatever happens here could impact Thomas as well. Announcement time: 9:20 a.m., ESPNU.
ATH Adrian Baker, No. 197 overall prospect. Choosing between Oklahoma and Clemson. Had previously committed to Florida State.
RB Cornelius Elder, No. 203 overall prospect. Choosing between Auburn and Georgia Tech, but has said he won't announce on Signing Day.
DT Jay-nard Bostwick, No. 286 overall prospect. Choosing between Miami, Florida and Alabama. Announcement time: 8 a.m., ESPNU.
Here is the complete list of announcements set for ESPNU.
The latest ESPN Top 40 class rankings
No. 10 Florida State
No. 15 Clemson
No. 16 Virginia Tech
No. 18 North Carolina
No. 23 Miami
No. 33 Virginia
Miami is the only team that has made a recent move, up one spot. Everybody else is holding steady. But all this could all change Wednesday when undecided players begin announcing. Florida State and Miami remain in the mix for at least five of the top prospects in the nation; Clemson is in the mix for four.
What to watch Wednesday
ESPN Recruiting Nation has this very comprehensive list of the top uncommitted prospects in the nation, along with projections for where they end up. Let's take a look at which ones could be playing in the ACC.
CB Mackensie Alexander, No. 4 overall prospect. Choosing between Auburn, Mississippi State, Clemson and Texas A&M. Announcement time: 11:15 a.m., ESPNU.
LB Matthew Thomas, No. 6 overall prospect. Choosing between Florida State, Miami, Alabama, Georgia and USC. Announcement time: 9:15 a.m., ESPNU.
DT Montravius Adams, No. 13 overall prospect. Choosing between Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Clemson. Announcement time: 9:45 a.m., ESPNU.
WR Stacy Coley, No. 47 overall prospect. Choosing between Florida State and Miami, among others. Announcement time: 11:05 a.m., ESPNU.
WR Jordan Cunningham, No. 107 overall prospect. Choosing between Florida State, Vanderbilt, Stanford and Oklahoma State. Announcement time: 10:20 a.m., ESPNU.
OL Tyrone Crowder, No. 125 overall prospect. Choosing between Clemson and Georgia. Announcement time: 4:05 p.m., ESPNU.
DT Keith Bryant, No. 135 overall prospect. Choosing between Florida State and Miami. Had previously committed to Miami. Announcement time: 1:45 p.m., ESPNU.
LB Jermaine Grace, No. 138 overall prospect. Choosing between Miami and Louisville. Announcement time: 2 p.m., ESPNU.
OT Denver Kirkland, No. 144 overall prospect. Choosing between Florida State and Arkansas. Last week, Miami reportedly pulled his scholarship offer, and there are conflicting reports about whether fences have been mended. In any case, he and Thomas both attend the same high school in Miami, so whatever happens here could impact Thomas as well. Announcement time: 9:20 a.m., ESPNU.
ATH Adrian Baker, No. 197 overall prospect. Choosing between Oklahoma and Clemson. Had previously committed to Florida State.
RB Cornelius Elder, No. 203 overall prospect. Choosing between Auburn and Georgia Tech, but has said he won't announce on Signing Day.
DT Jay-nard Bostwick, No. 286 overall prospect. Choosing between Miami, Florida and Alabama. Announcement time: 8 a.m., ESPNU.
Here is the complete list of announcements set for ESPNU.
Final 2012 ACC power rankings
January, 8, 2013
Jan 8
10:10
AM ET
By
Heather Dinich and
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
The entire 2012 season is officially in the books, and there was some movement in the final ACC power rankings for ESPN.com based on the bowl performances. Before we turn the page and look ahead to how the ACC will stack up in 2013, take one look back on the 2012 pecking order:
FINAL
1. Florida State (12-2, 7-1 ACC; Previous ranking: No. 1) -- Clemson has the more impressive bowl win, but there’s no denying Florida State’s accomplishments this season. The Noles won the program’s first BCS bowl since 2000, defeating Northern Illinois 31-10 in the Discover Orange Bowl. An ACC title and Orange Bowl win make FSU the ACC’s undisputed No. 1 in 2012.
2. Clemson (11-2, 7-1; PR: No. 2) -- The Tigers hung on to beat No. 8 LSU 25-24 thanks to a 37-yard field goal by Chandler Catanzaro as time expired in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Quarterback Tajh Boyd has yet to announce if he will return for his senior season. Regardless, it was a monumental win for the program and the ACC.
3. Georgia Tech (7-7, 5-3; PR: No. 4) -- The Jackets’ 21-7 win over USC was a huge boost for their program, and it also was significant for the ACC. Georgia Tech’s defense was the highlight against the Trojans. It also was Paul Johnson’s first bowl win as coach at Georgia Tech.
4. North Carolina (8-4, 5-3; PR: No. 5) -- There’s no question the Tar Heels were one of the best teams in the Coastal Division in Larry Fedora’s first season, but they were ineligible for a bowl because of NCAA sanctions. Fedora will be challenged to replace standout running back Giovani Bernard, who left early for the NFL draft, and his lead blocker, Jonathan Cooper.
5. Miami (7-5, 5-3; PR: No. 3) -- The Canes weren’t a great team in 2012, but they overachieved enough to earn respect and could have played for the ACC title had they not self-imposed a bowl ban. The program is still waiting for closure from the NCAA.
6. Virginia Tech (7-6, 4-4; PR: No. 8) -- In what was one of the most painful-to-watch bowl games of the season, the Hokies beat Rutgers 13-10 in overtime of the Russell Athletic Bowl. The program avoided its first losing season since 1992, but didn’t earn any style points in the process. Many questions still face Frank Beamer.
7. NC State (7-6, 4-4; PR: No. 7) -- Under the direction of interim coach Dana Bible, the Pack ended the season the same way it began 2012 -- with an embarrassing performance in a loss to an SEC team. NC State turned it over five times in a 38-24 loss to Vanderbilt in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.
8. Duke (6-7, 3-5; PR: No. 6) -- This season will always be remembered as the year Duke got back to a bowl game for the first time since 1994. The Blue Devils, however, lost a 48-34 heartbreaker to Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl. With the score tied at 34 and Duke driving to score the game winner, Josh Snead fumbled at the Cincy 5-yard line with 1:20 left.
9. Wake Forest (5-7, 3-5; PR: No. 9) -- The Deacs ended their season losing three straight and four of their last five to miss bowl eligibility. Recruiting has been the biggest priority for the Deacs since their season ended with a home loss to Vanderbilt.
10. Virginia (4-8, 2-6; PR: No. 10) -- The Hoos had to win their last two games to become bowl eligible and couldn’t do it, but Mike London wasted no time in making offseason changes. He fired defensive coordinator Jim Reid and has since hired former NC State coach Tom O’Brien and former NC State linebackers coach Jon Tenuta.
11. Maryland (4-8, 2-6; PR: No. 11) -- The Terps put on a respectable performance this past season despite the unbelievable amount of injuries to starting quarterbacks. The biggest news, of course, was that Maryland will play one more season in the ACC before joining the Big Ten.
12. Boston College (2-10, 1-7; PR: No. 12) -- The Eagles hired Steve Addazio to turn things around, and he has hired several of his former assistants from Temple, including former BC assistant Ryan Day as offensive coordinator.
FINAL
1. Florida State (12-2, 7-1 ACC; Previous ranking: No. 1) -- Clemson has the more impressive bowl win, but there’s no denying Florida State’s accomplishments this season. The Noles won the program’s first BCS bowl since 2000, defeating Northern Illinois 31-10 in the Discover Orange Bowl. An ACC title and Orange Bowl win make FSU the ACC’s undisputed No. 1 in 2012.
2. Clemson (11-2, 7-1; PR: No. 2) -- The Tigers hung on to beat No. 8 LSU 25-24 thanks to a 37-yard field goal by Chandler Catanzaro as time expired in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Quarterback Tajh Boyd has yet to announce if he will return for his senior season. Regardless, it was a monumental win for the program and the ACC.
3. Georgia Tech (7-7, 5-3; PR: No. 4) -- The Jackets’ 21-7 win over USC was a huge boost for their program, and it also was significant for the ACC. Georgia Tech’s defense was the highlight against the Trojans. It also was Paul Johnson’s first bowl win as coach at Georgia Tech.
4. North Carolina (8-4, 5-3; PR: No. 5) -- There’s no question the Tar Heels were one of the best teams in the Coastal Division in Larry Fedora’s first season, but they were ineligible for a bowl because of NCAA sanctions. Fedora will be challenged to replace standout running back Giovani Bernard, who left early for the NFL draft, and his lead blocker, Jonathan Cooper.
5. Miami (7-5, 5-3; PR: No. 3) -- The Canes weren’t a great team in 2012, but they overachieved enough to earn respect and could have played for the ACC title had they not self-imposed a bowl ban. The program is still waiting for closure from the NCAA.
6. Virginia Tech (7-6, 4-4; PR: No. 8) -- In what was one of the most painful-to-watch bowl games of the season, the Hokies beat Rutgers 13-10 in overtime of the Russell Athletic Bowl. The program avoided its first losing season since 1992, but didn’t earn any style points in the process. Many questions still face Frank Beamer.
7. NC State (7-6, 4-4; PR: No. 7) -- Under the direction of interim coach Dana Bible, the Pack ended the season the same way it began 2012 -- with an embarrassing performance in a loss to an SEC team. NC State turned it over five times in a 38-24 loss to Vanderbilt in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.
8. Duke (6-7, 3-5; PR: No. 6) -- This season will always be remembered as the year Duke got back to a bowl game for the first time since 1994. The Blue Devils, however, lost a 48-34 heartbreaker to Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl. With the score tied at 34 and Duke driving to score the game winner, Josh Snead fumbled at the Cincy 5-yard line with 1:20 left.
9. Wake Forest (5-7, 3-5; PR: No. 9) -- The Deacs ended their season losing three straight and four of their last five to miss bowl eligibility. Recruiting has been the biggest priority for the Deacs since their season ended with a home loss to Vanderbilt.
10. Virginia (4-8, 2-6; PR: No. 10) -- The Hoos had to win their last two games to become bowl eligible and couldn’t do it, but Mike London wasted no time in making offseason changes. He fired defensive coordinator Jim Reid and has since hired former NC State coach Tom O’Brien and former NC State linebackers coach Jon Tenuta.
11. Maryland (4-8, 2-6; PR: No. 11) -- The Terps put on a respectable performance this past season despite the unbelievable amount of injuries to starting quarterbacks. The biggest news, of course, was that Maryland will play one more season in the ACC before joining the Big Ten.
12. Boston College (2-10, 1-7; PR: No. 12) -- The Eagles hired Steve Addazio to turn things around, and he has hired several of his former assistants from Temple, including former BC assistant Ryan Day as offensive coordinator.
More than 150 of the top underclassmen prospects in the country were in attendance for the Under Armour All-America Combine. There is no shortage of talent set to come out of the Tar Heel State in the 2014 class, and it was well represented on Friday.
Coaches line up to see WR Thompson
The AFCA coaches convention is in Nashville, Ten. Jan. 6-9, but for ESPN 2014 Watch List wide receiver Trevion Thompson (Durham, N.C./Hillside), it might as well have taken place at his school over the past few months.
Coaches line up to see WR Thompson
The AFCA coaches convention is in Nashville, Ten. Jan. 6-9, but for ESPN 2014 Watch List wide receiver Trevion Thompson (Durham, N.C./Hillside), it might as well have taken place at his school over the past few months.
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- 2014 safety C.J. Reavis (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale) has added three new offers recently from Maryland, North Carolina and North Carolina State.
With Boston College, Virginia and Virginia Tech in hand already, it provides a nice, local base for his recruiting options.
"They are all pretty close to home," he said before the Under Armour Combine. "They talk to me a lot and show me a lot of love.
With Boston College, Virginia and Virginia Tech in hand already, it provides a nice, local base for his recruiting options.
"They are all pretty close to home," he said before the Under Armour Combine. "They talk to me a lot and show me a lot of love.
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ABOUT NOLE NATION
David Hale
David Hale joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering the Philadelphia Phillies for The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., and the University of Georgia for The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph. Hale has written about college and professional sports since 2004. He currently lives in Tallahassee, Fla., and can be reached at davidmhale@gmail.com.
Corey Dowlar
Corey Dowlar joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering Florida State and South Florida athletics for 247Sports.com and Rivals.com. Dowlar has written about Florida State sports and recruiting since 2007. He currently lives in Clearwater, Fla., and can be reached at cdowlar@gmail.com.