AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 18
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Watching Tech’s Nesbitt, four others
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yes, we’re getting ready to crank up March Madness, but there is always time to keep an eye on spring ball. Here are five players I’m going to keep track of this spring in the ACC because if they get better, their teams will be better come this season:
1. Josh Nesbitt, QB, Georgia Tech: In the interest of full disclosure, you need to know that one reason I’m watching Josh is that he played at my old high school (Greene County). The other reason is that Nesbitt, who averaged 6.4 yards each of the 53 times he ran the ball as a freshman, has the physical tools to run Paul Johnson’s offense very effectively. But Nesbitt has to learn the offense and win the job against Calvin Booker, the Auburn transfer. I know this about Johnson. The guy who makes the fewest mistakes and the best decisions is going to play. It’s all about production for Georgia Tech’s coach.
2. Aaron Kelly, WR, Clemson: Running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller get a lot of ink but this guy is as good at his position as anybody in the country. After 77 catches in his first two seasons at Clemson, the Marietta native exploded for a school record 88 catches in 2007. With 165 career catches, he only needs 52 more to become the ACC’s all-time leader. Kelly has a chance to have a monster year in 2008.
3. Thaddeus Lewis, QB, Duke: Lewis has thrown for 4,564 yards in 23 career starts, which is the fourth highest total for a sophomore in ACC history. But he only completed 55.3 percent of his passes for 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. I say “only” because new head coach David Cutcliffe likes his quarterbacks to be up near the 60 percent mark with only single digits in interceptions.
4. Riley Skinner, QB, Wake Forest: Skinner led the Deacons to an ACC championship as a freshman and came back to help the Deacons post a 9-4 record in 2007. Last season he completed 72.4 percent of his passes but he threw too many interceptions (13). If this guy can learn to protect the ball just a little better he has a chance to be very good. He has completed 69.5 percent of his career passes. The ACC career record is 67 percent held by Virginia’s Matt Schaub. Skinner could break that record.
5. Brian Toal, LB, Boston College: In 2006 Toal was as good as any linebacker in country. He even carried the ball on goal line situations and scored six touchdowns. But shoulder problems forced Toal to undergo surgery and he was forced to sit out the entire 2007 season. Now he’s back for this senior year.
