2009 ACC Recruiting Breakdown: Part I

This feature was written by guest blogger Anton Azucar...

 

With master recruiter Butch Davis leading the way, North Carolina is on top of the ACC in the current Rivals recruiting rankings. However, this is due in part to the fact Butch is already over signed on his total class, and will need some atrophy within his current team to get back down to his allotted 25 slots. A despicable practice, taking scholarships from student-athletes, something Nick Saban is prone to do. Let’s jump right in to the current rankings, divided by ACC division, to be broken down in two parts.

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Atlantic Division:

 

1) Florida State (17 commits, #12 nationally)

5 star: 1

4 star: 9

3 star: 7

FSU is having a strong year, and with Bobby Bowden’s usual strong push leading up to signing day, this could end up a top 10 class nationally. Seems the minor uncertainty of a figure head, do-nothing CEO coach of a program is not hindering Jimbo Fisher’s recruiting abilities. Florida State has one 5-star prospect, Jacobbi McDaniel, the #2 rated DT in the nation, from Greenville, FL. With their usual assortment of 4-star players, including the #3 Athlete in Willie Downs, and the #2 RB (after Bryce Brown of course) in Chris Thompson, Jimbo certainly looks, on paper at least, to be returning to the speed burner days of FSU lore. Whether their QB and play selection are up to the task, is a whole different story.

 

2) Maryland (25 commits, #24 nationally)

5 star: 0

4 star: 5

3 star: 17

2 star: 3

The Terps are top 25 nationally in recruiting?! Did I miss something? I know Big Ralph has definitely turned the program around, but I thought it was in the vein of Wake Forest and Jim Grobe, coaching up lesser talent players. Guess not. Although, one problem with recruiting rankings before signing day is a class of twenty-five, albeit mainly full of 3-stars, will come in stronger than say, a class of fifteen 4-stars. Quantity rules the day. Maryland’s prize in this class is DeOnte Arnett, the #6 DE in the nation. In fact, Arnett is the only recruit rated in the top 10 at his position nationally, another point in my argument of quantity over quality. But hey, more power to the Terps. We Canes fans would always welcome a slow cold weather team down to Tampa or Jax for an ACC title game. Keep up the good work Big Ralph!

 

3) Clemson (12 commits, #29 nationally)

5 star: 0

4 star: 7

3 star: 5

Perfect counter example to Maryland: Clemson is a mere five spots behind the Terps with half the total number of recruits. Why? Clemson’s average star ranking is 3.58, while Maryland is 3.08. Clemson has lots of room for improvement, once they fill out this class. Clemson has a pair of top 10 national recruits: Bryce McNeal, the # 10 WR from Minnesota, and Malliciah Goodman, the #2 DE from South Carolina. Clemson historically hasn’t gone down to South Florida looking for talent, so I am not concerned with this class or with the team in general. Luckily little Tommy was finally let go this year, so we can all be spared from the incessant, needless talk of Clemson ACC title chances, only to see them lose their customary 4 games each year. Wooo for pre-season forecast brevity!

 

4) North Carolina State (26 commits, #48 nationally)

5 star: 0

4 star: 1

3 star: 18

2 star: 7

NC State embarrassed the Canes in their supposed gimme game to end the year, so I definitely have some bitterness left over from that one. But with only one 4-star (Jarvis Byrd), who is only ranked #31 at his position, I don’t get too worried about them. However, Byrd is from Pahokee. He should be coming to the U just to create depth in our secondary. Man has no in-state loyalty! I keed, I keed. One silver lining could be if a bunch of those 3-stars have chips on their shoulders and develop into better players. Coach Tom O’Brien routinely took lesser talent teams at BC into serviceable conference records; perhaps he can start doing the same in Raleigh.

 

5) Wake Forest (20 commits, #60 nationally)

5 star: 0

4 star: 0

3 star: 11

2 star: 9

Wake Forest and Jim Grobe have never been known as a recruiting extraordinaire, and this year is no exception. He finds the exact players he needs to fit his system, plugs them in, and runs the exact scheme he wants to run. And it’s been working for the past few years, with an ACC title to boot. The prize this year, if you want to call him that, is 6’2’’ 195 lbs Kicker Jimmy Newman from Alabama. Hey, at least he has a 3.9 GPA! Let’s just hope that is weighted on some 4.6 scale! Of course, expect Wake Forest to ground everyone into 16-14 slugfests, and to compete until the final week for the divisional title. Damn Demon Deacons and their overachieving mindsets.

 

6) Boston College (13 commits, # 69 nationally)

5 star: 0

4 star: 1

3 star: 4

2 star: 8

BC is in a bit of a tailspin, in case you haven’t heard. Head Coach Jeff Jagodzinski is out, with long time DC Frank Spaziani to replace him, towel and all. Of course, they just also let go of their current OC, Steve Logan, which means they currently do not have a coordinator. And it is showing in their recruiting. If they are not careful, the Matt Ryan years could be the peak of their program, and it’s all downhill from here. Current stud, head and shoulders above all others, is 4-star DT Dillon Quinn, from NY State. Ranked tenth nationally at DE, he is about the only thing to look forward to in a most likely very disappointing class, due to an abysmal coaching turnover situation. And who knows what kind of negative recruiting surrounding teams are putting in recruits ears about the loco higher ups in the BC administration.

Comments

[TLuv]

Bam

[SuperCooper]

Whipple, Whipple, Whipple, Whipple

or

Logan, Logan, Logan, Logan

[TLuv]

I didn't know that Butch practiced this type of recruiting. Pretty shady imo

[TLuv]

86....do I get a t-shirt?

[86Cane]

Article by guest blogger Anton Azucar. Forgot to post credits...

[The Truth]

Super I think you have a 100% chance of being happy then

We'll see...

[ObviousCane]

I would be happy with either.....

[TLuv]

Who's Logan again? Any info?

[86Cane]

86....do I get a t-shirt?

Posted by: TLuv | January 18, 2009 at 07:03 PM

Sure, why not. I just ordered a new batch. I still owe like five people a shirt, but can't remember who they all are.

If I owe U one (SERIOUSLY) please post it here or email [email protected].

[The Truth]

86

Left you and solar a post on the last blob. Gotta go b4 the warden catches me with the phone...

[Canez1]

Looks like the RR sweepstakes is done.

No Canez!! :(

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Canez1]

He will probably still get an ih home, but no official visit.

I guess the new OC blockbuster did not WOW him.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[SuperCooper]

Yup, RR is a goner. Oh well. Good luck to the kid.

[SuperCooper]

dmitch said that the news they got today didn't help, what can you do.

[shwarma]

I still am owed one 86' I sent my address but let me know if you need one.

[ObviousCane]

Where did he commit to?

[86Cane]

He was never a Cane to begin with, so no harm, no foul. Best of luck young man.

[hurriphin]

BC's OC?

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwn............

[86Cane]

shwarma...I gotchU! Still have your info.

[SuperCooper]

No where, he just eliminated Miami.

[canefan3]

I'd take Whipple over Logan.

[shwarma]

Logan is pro-set and before I make judgement lets see how the first season goes

[TLuv]

Ray Lewis strip!..........BEAST

[SuperCooper]

Logan has a hell of a background. I'll take him, he would be a great hire.

[Canez1]

WTF makes this Logan guy so special? The pro set??

Someone please enlighten me.

Whipple has an excellent resume. Never heard of this Logan character.

I hope he brings a little more than that to the table.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[hurriphin]

WR not so much a need.

CB & OL need it.

Massie
Campbell
White
Bunche
Reid
(Not including Hall, cause he's all Big 10)

These are our most needed kids.
We nail all five, and I'm a happy man.

Also a LB or two would be nice.

[SuperCooper]

We got no shot at Reid.

[Canez1]

BC's offense never impresses me. They always have a solid team but nothing special.

I'll pass

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[less is more]

This should be an interesting week for The U....the probably announcement of our new OC this week ans atleast 11 recruits set to visit this week!!

[hurriphin]

Soop'Coop'

Opinion or fact on Reid?

[86Cane]

We got no shot at Reid.

Posted by: SuperCooper | January 18, 2009 at 07:39 PM

Why do U say this? Have U spoken to him in person? Did U sit next to his whole family at the Under Armour all star game in Orlando? Have U spoken to his cousin Jamal?

[SuperCooper]

He says he doesn't have the time in his schedule to make a visit. So, unless that changes...

[SuperCooper]

The kid is all Georgia.

[SuperCooper]

"Steve Logan returns to the Heights for his second year as Offensive Coordinator. Last year, Logan's unit registered the ACC's top ranking in total offense. BC's offense combined for 5,951 total yards, averaging 425.1 yards-per-game. He advised and mentored Heisman-contender Matt Ryan, who ranked fourth in the nation in passing overall. Ryan, who garnered ACC Player of the Year awards for his record-setting 2007 season, led the league in passing average and total offense.

Logan joined the BC staff after two seasons as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach with the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe and one season as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Rhein Fire. Logan helped Dave Ragone (2004) and Rohan Davey (2005) earn Offensive Player of the Year and All-NFL Europe honors. Since August 2006, he has hosted a sports talk-radio show in Raleigh, N.C.

Logan reunited at Boston College with Head Coach Jeff Jagodzinski; the two worked together under ECU coach Bill Lewis from 1989-92. When Logan succeeded Lewis, Jagodzinski remained on staff for four years before accepting the offensive coordinator position at Boston College.

Prior to his stint in NFL Europe, Logan served as the head coach of East Carolina from 1992-2002. He became the school's all-time winningest coach (69-58), and led the Pirates to five bowl games, including the 1994 St. Jude Liberty Bowl, the 1995 St. Jude Liberty Bowl, the 1999 Mobile Alabama Bowl, the 2000 Galleryfurniture.com Bowl, and the 2001 GMAC Bowl. Logan led the 1995 team to a 9-3 record and a No. 23 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.

In 1996, ECU gave the Miami Hurricanes their worst defeat (31-6) in the Orange Bowl in 12 seasons. In 1999, Logan and the Pirates added to their list of "high-profile" victories, beating West Virginia, South Carolina, Miami and NC State en route to another bowl game.

Logan is widely regarded as an offensive architect, and began implementing his system as co-offensive coordinator for ECU in 1990 and 1991. The 1991 team finished 11-1, reached a top-10 national ranking and defeated NC State in the Peach Bowl.

Logan began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Union High School in Tulsa, Okla. in 1974. In 1980, he became the tight ends coach at Oklahoma State under head coach Jimmy Johnson. He moved to Hutchinson Junior College for two years before taking the reigns as offensive coordinator at Tulsa under John Cooper. Logan headed for Colorado in 1985, coaching the Buffalo running backs for two years before coaching the quarterbacks at Mississippi State until 1989.

Logan, a 1975 graduate of Tulsa, developed much of his coaching philosophy through the influence of several head coaches. He worked with former Ohio State coach John Cooper at Tulsa, former Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson at Oklahoma State, former Colorado coach Bill McCartney, and with Bill Lewis at East Carolina. Logan and his wife, the former Laura, are the parents of two sons, Vincent and Nathanael. "

He would be a great hire, he didn't have much to work with at BC and look what he did.

[86Cane]

Super...I agree!

[canezilla]

86 i was 1st like 3 times already canespace#1

[hurriphin]

Well soop'

Since you put it that way, now I feel bad.......

[TLuv]

I'm all for it SC. I think we'll see Jacory and company thrive w/him.

[86Cane]

Whenever you're inclined to doubt, just ask yourself: "Who knows more about what makes 'Canes football tick -- me, or Randy Shannon?" That should make you feel better.
Posted by: dj moonbat | June 14, 2007 at 15:44

Zilla...I gotchu too! I think I still have your 411, if not I'll let you know.

[Canefantasy]

Look for Scott Linehan to be the next OC. He just turned down the job bc he and Shannon are best pals and he will take the job with the U! Okay maybe I just made that up but we could still possibly maybe probably get Chud, Linehan, Ken Dorsey?? Those our my top OC picks! GO CANES!

[SuperCooper]

Well soop'

Since you put it that way, now I feel bad.......

Posted by: hurriphin | January 18, 2009 at 07:57 PM

We can't get everyone. Sucks we won't be getting RR or Reid, but I have faith in Randy and company.

[SuperCooper]

Notice the ties with JJ that Logan has. JJ has a lot of influence with Randy, so it wouldn't be a shock to me if Jimmy told Randy to get on it.

[SuperCooper]

But that is the conpiracy theorist in me :)

[CategoryIV_in_Pittsburgh]

Not that I wouldn't welcome more talent, but like someone else posted, We have a nice group of receivers and I would love to have RR, but if he doesn't want to be a Cane, get to steppin'...

[canefan3]

Did Dmitch say that we had hired a OC and it wasn't good enough for Randle?

[hurriphin]

Phuck a WR!! Give me a 6'6 320lb. buffet busting, head cracking, eye gouger!!

[canefan3]

Did Dmitch say that we had hired an OC and it wasn't good enough for Randle?

[hrg]

canfan3: no, he did not say that. He said:

"Just talked to one of our coaches.

Just talked to my family and our coaches. My brother will not be making an official. It had nothing to do with his trip this weekend.

I won't attempt to defend any comments some of you guys may make.

The in home will still take place but the info we got today it probably won't make a difference.

I appreciate you guys respecting my family throughout this but I already know some of you will come with the I told you so comments and I knew all along but that's fine too. If you only knew.
I wanted my brother to be a cane more then anything but I also wanted what would be best for him.

Once this all settles I will share some info.

I will be away from the board for awhile as I am still trying to get better and I know someone is going to say something off the wall and I refuse to deal with it right now.

Once again thanks to our coaches for being too notch through all of this.

I hope I can still consider you guys fam after this. Most I have no question about."

[hurriphin]

Willie McHeisman!!!!

[canefan3]

Thanks for the info.