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Thursday, August 9, 2007
Rating the ACC’s best linebackers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’d stack this group of linebackers against any in the country. Here are my top five in the ACC as we head into the 2007 season. Who did I leave out?
1. Vince Hall, Sr., Virginia Tech: Led the nation’s best defense (219.46 ypg, 11.0 ppg) with 128 tackles. Had 10.5 tackles for loss. He has 304 tackles in 38 career starts. Coaches believe he is the best linebacker to ever play for Virginia Tech.
2. Phillip Wheeler, Sr., Georgia Tech: An All-ACC player last season who will be an All-American in 2007. Wheeler is so fast and so athletic that it is almost impossible to knock him off his feet. Had nine sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss last season.
3. Xavier Adibi, Sr., Virginia Tech: This guy would be the defensive star on any other team in the country. He was second on the team with 82 tackles and has six interceptions in his career. He was second team All-ACC last season. Barring injury, he’ll be on the first team in 2007.
4. Jolonn Dunbar, Sr., Boston College: The Eagles will be without LB Brian Toal, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. But Dunbar is a big time player. He had 7.5 sacks last season and recovered two fumbles for touchdowns against Maryland.
5. Nick Watkins, Sr. Clemson: Led Clemson in tackles last season with 116. Has been the model of consistency throughout his career with at least five tackles in each of his 25 career starts.
HONORABLE MENTION
Gary Guyton, Sr., Georgia Tech: Guyton moves over to take the spot vacated by KaMichael Hall, the All-ACC performer. Guyton had a big 2006 with eight tackles for loss and a fumble return for a touchdown in the win over Virginia Tech.**
Geno Hayes, Jr., Florida State: Spent the spring working at middle linebacker but coaches decided he wasn’t big enough (6-2, 218) to handle the position. He returns to outside linebacker, where he started 10 of 13 games as a sophomore.
Erin Henderson, Jr., Maryland: Henderson led the team with 114 tackles last season. Had 17 tackles in a win over Clemson. The Terps are expecting this guy to become a star this season.
Derek Nicholson, Jr., Florida State: The Seminoles’ middle linebacker is coming off a knee injury that knocked him out in the middle of the 2006. If he stays healthy, Nicholson will have a huge year.
Michael Taulilli, Jr., Duke: He was a freshman All-America in 2005 and last season had 94 tackles.
