Ranking the ACC Units: Wide Receivers\Tight Ends

6) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
You don't really think of wide receivers with the run-first offense of Georgia Tech, but they have a good one. Demaryius Thomas caught 39 passes for 627 yards last year, including a 230 yard effort against the Duke Blue Devils. At 6-3, 229, Thomas is a physically imposing WR, who has made several pre-season All-ACC lists.

Sophomore Tyler Melton will probably start at the other WR position, but he may be pushed by four-stars 2009 WR recruit Stephen Hill. Tech employs no Tight Ends in their offense. Expect more production out of this position as Paul Johnson plans to use more run-and-shoot elements to his triple option offense.

The Seminoles don't have much experience coming back for the 2009 season, but there is talent. Gone are last years' top two receivers Preston Parker and Greg Carr. The third leading receiver Taiwan Easterling ruptured his Achilles tendon during the off-season, but FSU coaches are hopeful he will be available by the time the season starts.

Bert Reed caught 23 passes last season, and without Easterling is the No. 1 receiver. Richard Goodman, who caught 20 passes in 2007, returns after missing 2008. Caz Piurowski provides some pass-catching ability at TE. Piuroski caught eitght passes and had one touchdown last year.


8) North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels literally had a NFL receiving group last season. Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Tate, and Brooks Foster were all drafted in the recent NFL draft. Five of their top six WR's are gone, so there are some question marks.

6-3 Junior Greg Little returns in the WR position after playing running back last season. 6-4 sophomore Dwight Jones had a very solid spring as did 6-4 Joshua Adams. Zack Pianalto suffered through some injuries last year and is the likely starter at TE.


9) Maryland Terrapins
The Terrapins also lost a lot of ability at the WR and TE positions off last year's team. Goodbye to Darrius Heyward Bey, Danny Oquendo, and TE Dan Gronkowski. Torrey Smith is the unit's only returning starter. He had 24 receptions for 336 yards last year.

Ronnie Tyler was a solid third-down option last year and figures to be the other starter. Tommy Galt looks like the starter at TE. He has been a career backup at Maryland.


10) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest is another team that has to find a way to replace the previous season's pass-catching leader. D.J. Boldin and his 81 receptions are gone now. Second leading receiver Marshall Williams had 26 catches last season, and is the top returnee.

Next two on the depth chart, Devon Brown and Jordan Williams, only caught 11 passes between them last season. TE looks set with Ben Wooster and his 24 receptions.


11) Duke Blue Devils
Johnny Williams the second leading receiver for the Blue Devils is back. Last season he had 30 receptions for 327 yards, and will be Duke's feature receiver this season. 5-9 Donovan Varner had 21 catches, and will be a bigger part of the offense.

6-3 Austin Kelly adds height to the group. TE Brett Huffman, who had 10 catches in November, is another option for the Blue Devils


12) Virginia Cavaliers

The Cavaliers receivers are young, inexperienced and learning a new offense. The top returning receiver, Jared Green had 12 receptions last year. Next on the depth chart are freshman Javaris Brown, junior Staton Jobe (one catch), sophomore Kris Burd (seven catches), and junior Dontrelle Inman (two catches).

There is no experienced talent at the TE position. Under the new spread-offense, I'd expect the catches and production for Cavs receivers to go way up.

Share