Post by All Things ACC on May 3, 2017 19:01:25 GMT
ESPN wrote a piece on the biggest positives from Spring ball for each Top 25 teams... Here is what was written from the ACC
2. Florida State
Dalvin Cook is gone, but the running back might not be missed as much as we all assumed. Cam Akers appears to be the real deal, and while it's unfair to expect him to fill the void left by Cook completely, his strong spring offered a taste of what might be in store. Given FSU has some other solid backs on the roster and another ESPN 300 runner on the way this summer in Khalan Laborn, expect the Seminoles' offense to pick up more or less where it left off. -- David M. Hale
7. Clemson
That freshman Hunter Johnson ended the spring as arguably Clemson's hottest quarterback is both a positive and a negative for the Tigers. On the plus side, Johnson has oodles of talent and made some significant strides in his first three months on campus. He didn't look great in the spring game, but he had perhaps the best throw of the day and a few others that were dropped. On the downside, that the kid who just arrived on campus is already a strong contender to win the starting job is a bit concerning, particularly after a spring game in which the offenses looked shaky at best. Still, Johnson's ceiling is high, and if he continues to mature over the offseason, Clemson could be in the remarkable position of replacing Deshaun Watson with another All-America-caliber quarterback. -- Hale
15. Miami
The Hurricanes are expected to have an elite defense this season, but the one area of concern is the secondary. The good news is Miami found some answers there this spring, with Sheldrick Redwine establishing himself at safety, and Malek Young and Michael Jackson showing more growth. Help is on the way to bolster depth this offseason, so the coaches feel better about this group headed into the fall. -- Andrea Adelson
17. Louisville
Lamar Jackson looked comfortable and confident taking snaps from under center throughout the spring, picking up the skill rather quickly. The Cards hope to integrate more of that into the offense this season, not only to take pressure off Jackson and get the backs more involved, but to do more play-action as well. -- Adelson
22. Virginia Tech
The Hokies' biggest worry isn't quarterback. Sure, coach Justin Fuente told us that before the spring, but did we really believe him? As it turns out, Josh Jackson, A.J. Bush and freshman Hendon Hooker all looked pretty good this spring. Sure, there are some bigger questions about who'll fill in the supporting cast, but in the wake of Jerod Evans' surprise departure, it sure looks like the Hokies have some options for his replacement. -- Hale
2. Florida State
Dalvin Cook is gone, but the running back might not be missed as much as we all assumed. Cam Akers appears to be the real deal, and while it's unfair to expect him to fill the void left by Cook completely, his strong spring offered a taste of what might be in store. Given FSU has some other solid backs on the roster and another ESPN 300 runner on the way this summer in Khalan Laborn, expect the Seminoles' offense to pick up more or less where it left off. -- David M. Hale
7. Clemson
That freshman Hunter Johnson ended the spring as arguably Clemson's hottest quarterback is both a positive and a negative for the Tigers. On the plus side, Johnson has oodles of talent and made some significant strides in his first three months on campus. He didn't look great in the spring game, but he had perhaps the best throw of the day and a few others that were dropped. On the downside, that the kid who just arrived on campus is already a strong contender to win the starting job is a bit concerning, particularly after a spring game in which the offenses looked shaky at best. Still, Johnson's ceiling is high, and if he continues to mature over the offseason, Clemson could be in the remarkable position of replacing Deshaun Watson with another All-America-caliber quarterback. -- Hale
15. Miami
The Hurricanes are expected to have an elite defense this season, but the one area of concern is the secondary. The good news is Miami found some answers there this spring, with Sheldrick Redwine establishing himself at safety, and Malek Young and Michael Jackson showing more growth. Help is on the way to bolster depth this offseason, so the coaches feel better about this group headed into the fall. -- Andrea Adelson
17. Louisville
Lamar Jackson looked comfortable and confident taking snaps from under center throughout the spring, picking up the skill rather quickly. The Cards hope to integrate more of that into the offense this season, not only to take pressure off Jackson and get the backs more involved, but to do more play-action as well. -- Adelson
22. Virginia Tech
The Hokies' biggest worry isn't quarterback. Sure, coach Justin Fuente told us that before the spring, but did we really believe him? As it turns out, Josh Jackson, A.J. Bush and freshman Hendon Hooker all looked pretty good this spring. Sure, there are some bigger questions about who'll fill in the supporting cast, but in the wake of Jerod Evans' surprise departure, it sure looks like the Hokies have some options for his replacement. -- Hale