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DEL.ICIO.USRanking 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.
Comments
By yellowblood
August 11, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
Tony: From what you are reporting VA TECH is going to have an awesome defensive unit and I guess that’s why they are picked to win the ACC. Makes sense. Over here in the Carolinas, GA Tech was selected as the 2nd best and 6th best ( by two different sportscasters) defensive unit in the ACC. VA Tech was picked ast 1st by both. Will you be ranking (opinion only, I realize)overall defensive units or have you already done that ?
By Paw5501
August 11, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this
Seems the people in Atlanta forgot who kept Mr. Johnson out of the end zone. Mike Hamlin(Clemson) will be one of the Best DB’s in the ACC this year.
By clmtigr
August 11, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
I can understand why he’s not on this list now, but DeAndre McDaniel from Clemson will be by the end of the season. Chalk that up, that kid is a stud.
By ga_tech_92
August 11, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Jackets…Sting ‘em…Bzzz!!!!!!!!!!
By Nick Saban
August 11, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
This ACC stuff is baloney. But I did talk about the yellow jackets in my blog today.
http://sabanator.blogspot.com
By addicted
August 11, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
@Paw5501 - Seeing that Reggie Ball has graduated, there is really no need to talk about him anymore.
I think a major factor on GT’s defensive side that should not be overlooked is the presence of Tenuta. He makes a world of a difference on any side that he would coach.
By Tony Barnhart
August 11, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Hey, yellowblood:
I may rank offensive and defensive units at some point. Thanks for the idea.
If anybody else has lists and rankings they would like to see, I’m open to suggestions.
Thanks,
Tony
By Wes
August 11, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
What about So. Crezdon Butler from Clemson… Seems he covered Calvin Johnson rather well last year, actually went up with him in a jumpball situation and came down with the pick… as a true freshman. Gotta get honorable mention for that. Also tied the Clemson single season record for INTs for a freshman.
By Georgia Tech=JOKE
August 11, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
Hey yellowblook, remember when Georgia lit up that vaunted VT defense for 28 second half points last year in a big fat W? Do you remember that? Poor yellowblood.
By PeppGT
August 15, 2007 2:07 AM | Link to this
Do you remember the last time you made a classy comment? That’s right never!
You are a douchebag.