1. Jonathan Dwyer, GT – Dwyer is the returning ACC Offensive player of the year because he gained 1,395 on the ground with 12 TDs. Throw in over 200 yards receiving with another TD in there, and you have what is called the best running back in the ACC this year. Watch for the execution in the triple option to perform even better this year allowing Dwyer to run up and down the field all day. Look to handcuff with Roddy Jones if he is still available.

 

 2. Darren Evans, VT – The Hokies have Darren Evans back. He rushed for over 1,200 yards last year. Evans should be even better in his junior year. He finished the year as the MVP of the Orange Bowl, running for 153 yards in the game. Watch for Evans to keep the same sort of numbers. As a handcuff, look to freshman Ryan Williams.

 

 3. CJ Spiller, Clemson – One of the country’s most explosive players- CJ Spiller, now becomes the feature back for Clemson since Thunder- James Davis, has left for the NFL. Spiller ran 690 yards last year which is a down year, but he is still the current active ACC leader in career rushing yards. Dabo Swinney has made it very clear that he is looking to lean on Spiller this year as the QB situation is still in flux. As mentioned with the QB section for Clemson, I would watch for some creative Wild Cat schemes with Spiller. Pick up Jamie Harper as the handcuff.

 

 4. Da’Rel Scott, Maryland – The Terrapins have their own 1,000 yard runner coming back in underrated Da’Rel Scott. Scott gained 1,133 yards last year on the ground and was named first team All-ACC. Scott possessed the advantage of speedy Derrius Heyword-Bey to stretch the defense each down. He loses that this year, but I would not expect it to hinder him too much. Watch for him to possibly break the double digit TD this year. Best handcuff is Davin Meggett.

 5. Montel Harris, BC – As a true freshman, Harris managed to rack up almost 1,000 yards on his own with a team that most defenses didn’t respect in the passing game. Meaning, even with more defenders in the box, Harris still rushed for 900 yards and 5 TDs. He also caught 20 passes last year making him a viable third down back as sophomore. If possible, handcuff with Josh Haden.

 

 6. Graig Cooper, Miami – The leading returner to the Hurricanes is rusher Graig Cooper. He gained over 800 yards in 2008. In his junior season, I would expect Cooper to play a little better, and I do expect to see him catch a ton of balls out of the back field under Mark Whipple’s new offensive scheme. His TD will probably stay in the mid single digits. Best handcuff is Javaris James.

 

 7. Jermain Thomas, FSU – As only a true freshman, Thomas managed to rush for 482 yards on only 69 carries. That averages to about 7 yards per carry. TD machine Antone Smith is gone, along with his 15 TDs last year. Thomas won’t get a whole lot of goal line carries, but he definitely has the ability to break a long one at any time. With the running game as the focus again this year, I think Thomas has the most potential to be the first back in a while for FSU to break the 1.000 yard barrier. Handcuff with Ty Jones as he will split carries with Thomas.

 

 8. Shaun Draughn, UNC – Shaun Draughn rushed for over 800 yards on just under 200 carries last year and scored 3 TDs. He also caught 18 balls thrown his way for just under 100 yards and a score. Watch for T.J. Yates to look his way early and often in the season while the new crop of wide receivers is broken in. Yates knows he can trust his RB, so they will at the very least be used as safety valves for every play. Perfect handcuff is Ryan Houston who had 8 TDs last year.

 

 9. Roddy Jones, GT – Roddy Jones rushed for 690 yards last season, including a game against the Georgia Bulldogs in which he rushed for over 200 yards. He had 4 rushing scores and 155 receiving yards for 1 score. I expect Jones numbers will stay about the same, with probably less receiving yards. He is a good #2 RB  if you can get him. If you don’t grab Jones as a handcuff to Dwyer, than look to Anthony Allen.

 

 10. Brandon Pendergrass, WF – Wake Forrest played musical chairs with their running backs last year. Jim Grobe started the season with Josh Adams, switched to Brandon Pendergrass midseason, and finished out with Kevin Harris. I expect a little bit of the same to take place again this year or at least a running back by committee. Pendergrass had the better year last year and I think still has the leg up going into the fall. He had only 528 yards rushing, but had 5 TDs. Best idea is to handcuff with Josh Adams in case my predictions are right for Wake’s running game.

 

 11. Re’quan Boyette, Duke – The return of Re’quan Boyette will have the most impact on this team offensively. Boyette was Duke’s leading rusher in the 2006 and 2007 seasons, but missed all of 2008 with a knee injury. I sort of have higher expectations for him, but I’m cautious with expecting any kind of break out season after taking a full year off due to injury. I feel that his highest value will be a high end #2 RB with a low end of bye-week fill in. Handcuff with Jay Hollingsworth who had 400 yards rushing last year.

 

 12. Jamelle Eugene, NC State – Eugene is not going to wow you with a high yard per carry average and probably won’t break 1,000 yards this season, but what he does bring to the table is a ton of receiving yards. He had 26 receptions for 226 yards last year. With having arguably the best QB in the ACC, he’ll get a ton of looks this season. He’ll be in a timeshare with Tony Baker who is returning from extensive knee problems which allowed him to see the field in only limited action. Handcuff with Baker just in case.

 

 13. Davin Meggett, Maryland – Meggett was not the feature back, but he still managed 89 carries last year and made the best of it by breaking 450 yards on the ground and 4 scores to go with it. The running game will be looked to carry the load this year as there is a young group of receivers taking the field. If Meggett is not grabbed as a handcuff to Da’Rell Scott, then look to handcuff him with Morgan Green who touched the ball 24 times with 3 scores last year.

 

 14. Josh Haden, BC – Haden touched the ball more than 100 times last year which bodes well for him. I feel that Boston College is going to have a running back by committee this year which makes Haden a viable #2. He almost eclipsed 500 yards last year and added a score and 100 receiving yards. Handcuff Haden with Jeff Smith if he hasn’t already been taken off the board as the handcuff to Montel Harris.

 

 15. Mikell Simpson, Virginia – Now that Cedric Peerman has gone to the NFL, Simpson becomes the main guy. He had a measly 262 yards on 87 carries, averaging out to about 3 yards per carry. With the implementation of the spread offense, I don’t see Simpson breaking any school rushing records, but he will see a ton more balls thrown his way. Meaning, he could break some screens for long gains and scores. Simpson is probably a low end #2. Torry Mack is the best handcuff for Simpson.

Related posts:

1. 2009 Fantasy Rankings – ACC Quarterbacks
2. 2009 Fantasy Rankings – ACC WRs
3. 2009 ACC ALL-FANTASY TEAM
4. ACC Bookends Week 2: The Duke Spirit
5. ACC Bookends

Tags: ACC