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Saturday, August 11, 2007
Ranking the ACC’s best defensive backs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today we wrap up the position-by-position breakdown of the best players in the ACC and SEC. I can’t think of a better group of athletes with which to finish. Here are the best five defensive backs in the ACC for the 2007 season:
1. Kenny Phillips, Jr., Miami: Ed Reed and Sean Taylor set the standard for safeties at Miami. This guy has a chance to be just as good. Missed three games last season due to injury but was still a third-team All-America as a sophomore.
2. Brandon Flowers, Jr., Virginia Tech: Flowers was an All-ACC pick last season after breaking up 21 passes in 13 games. He’ll make a number of All-America teams this season.
3. Jamal Lewis, Sr. Georgia Tech: A first-team All-ACC player last season after switching to safety from corner the previous spring. He was Tech’s third-leading tackler with 74 and had three interceptions. Returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown against Samford.
4. Myron Rolle, Soph., Florida State: He has just scratched the surface of his talent. Rolle started 10 games as a true freshman and was the ACC defensive rookie of the year. He may play both rover and safety this season.
5. DeJuan Tribble, Sr., Boston College: Has 26 career starts at cornerback for the Eagles. He has 11 career interceptions and returned three picks for touchdowns during the 2006 season.
HONORABLE MENTION
Tony Carter, Jr., Florida State: Carter, who has started 24 of his last 26 games at Florida State, had four scores last season (two on interceptions and two on blocked kicks).
Chris Clemons, Jr., Clemson: The safety was Clemson’s second leading tackler last season with 102. Had five games with double-digit tackles.
Isaiah Garner, Sr., Maryland: A Notre Dame transfer who had 63 tackles last season as a cornerback. Very strong and very athletic.
Victor Harris, Jr., Virginia Tech: Teams with Brandon Flowers to give Virginia Tech one of the best set of cover corners in the country. Had four interceptions in 2006.
Glenn Sharpe, Sr., Miami: This guy deserves to be on this list for sheer persistence. He returned to action last season and played in 12 games after missing most of 2004 and 2005 with injuries. Had 44 tackles and two interceptions.
