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By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor B.J. Bennett looks at the talented rushers in the ACC. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin
The ACC has more than proved itself in recent NFL Drafts. The talent level, judging from the interest of professional teams, seems to be at an all-time high. Last season, four of the top nine selections were from ACC schools. In 2008, two of the top three and four of the top 17 selections were from the ACC. Dynamic playmakers, athletic linemen, aggressive defenders; the ACC has been home to some of the top players in all of college football in recent years.
This season, that overflow of talent is most evident at the running back position.
Ryan Williams of Virginia Tech, Montel Harris of Boston College, Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech and C.J. Spiller of Clemson are all putting together All-American caliber seasons.
Williams, who stepped into the starting role when All-ACC RB Darren Evans went down to injury, has more than lived up to his lofty prep billing. Williams has rushed for an ACC-high 834 yards and ten touchdowns, while averaging six yards per carry. Some have compared the young star to current Carolina Panthers runner DeAngelo Williams. Ryan Williams moves with a unique blend of power, speed, balance and agility and has shredded opposing defenses to date. He has rushed for 100 or more yards in five of his last six games.
“I feel like the team has been relying on the backfield for the last couple of weeks, and I’m glad that the pressure is on my back because I’m ready to help the team succeed,” Williams said of his heavy workload. “If I have to carry the ball 50 times a game, that’s what I’m going to do," Williams explained after the Miami win.
Perhaps the quiet, unassuming star of the ACC, Harris has compiled nearly 800 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns this fall. A stocky, powerful runner, Harris may not be a household name but opposing defense coordinators are quite aware of his abilities. Against NC State, Harris rumbled for 264 yards and, get this, five touchdowns. That effort might be the best single game performance of this season.
"What can I say, he had 264 yards and five touchdowns," said BC coach Frank Spaziani after the NC State game. "I guess I'd give him a helmet sticker."
The reigning ACC Offensive Player of the Year, Jonathan Dwyer has churned out 718 yards and five touchdowns in the triple option offense of Paul Johnson. He is averaging nearly six yards per carry as an effective between-the-tackles runner. Dwyer continues to be the ideal fit at the B-Back position for the Yellow Jackets.
"Just give me the ball and let me make a play. That is what the offense is about making the big plays," Dwyer said after the season opener.
The most talented of the entire group is Clemson senior C.J. Spiller. Likey a high first round NFL Draft selection, Spiller does it all for the Tigers. He has rushed for 550 yards and three touchdowns, caught 18 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns and has return one punt and three kickoff returns for touchdown. No player in college football has more returns for score. In a recent upset of Miami, Spiller scored via return and reception and amassed 310 total yards.
"We want to be considered one of those elite teams, which we think we really are. We got to come in and get the win in these types of game. We kind of let two of these games slip away earlier, but we put the focus on and we tried to change that. So this is a big win for us," Spiller said after their overtime win over Miami.
With all due respect to the other leagues, the ACC may be home to the top collection of rushers in the game today. Even some of the conference quarterbacks are capable of rushing numbers better than many tailbacks. With 707 yards, Georgia Tech’s Josh Nesbitt is the top rushing signal caller from a BCS conference. His eleven rushing touchdowns are the highest total amongst BCS conference quarterbacks as well. Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor remains one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the nation.
As ACC tailbacks continue to impress as the season progresses, many around college football are definitely taking note. You can bet NFL Draft scouts are paying close attention as well.
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Comments
Great article. Minor correction. Dwyer plays B-back.
Spiller is great in the open field, but as far as pure running back ability, I think all the ones on the list are far superior between the tackles, which will always be the bread and butter for a rb. if you can’t run in between in college, you won’t in the pros. ask reggie bush.
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