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NCAA Football 2009: Ranking the Running Back Units in The ACC

Scribe Written on June 08, 2009

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 08: Jonathan Dwyer #21 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets carries the ball during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on November 8, 2008 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This will begin an eight-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 a game against the Georgia Bulldogs in which he rushed for over 200 yards.

The Jackets obtain the services of Louisville transfer Anthony Allen. He only holds the Louisville single-game rushing 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-yard dash.

2) Clemson Tigers

Even with the loss of senior James Davis, the Tigers have plenty of returning talent at running back. With one of 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.

Running back recruits Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington should be major contributors this season, who were both ranked in the top-25 in 2008. Spring game breakout star Rendrick Taylor also 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.

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written on June 08, 2009 Opinion

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