12 Players to watch in ’10

From SouthernPigskin.Com.

1. Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College – Everyone and their brother is pulling for Herzlich, the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, to return to form. He was one of the most dominant players in the nation two years ago. Spring practice is step one as “Herzy” adjusts to life back on the football field. If he can get back on track, the Eagles may have the best collection of linebackers in the nation.

2. Anthony Allen, B-Back, Georgia Tech – Gone is junior Jonathan Dwyer and the 2,790 yards and 26 touchdowns he rushed for the past two seasons. Allen played A-Back last season but will shift inside, at least some, to fill in for Dwyer. The former Louisville Cardinal runs with great balance and vision and led the nation in yards per carry in 2009 with 9.7. He could double his production from a year ago.

3. Mike Glennon, QB, NC State – Technically, Glennon is the backup to star Russell Wilson under center, but Wilson will miss this spring to focus on baseball and may be a high selection in this summer’s MLB Draft. So Glennon will operate as if he is the guy; he may be come this fall. He had just 39 pass attempts a season ago so Glennon will use this spring to develop chemistry with State’s talented group of receivers.

4. Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson – The next C.J. Spiller? Don’t laugh. He rushed for 491 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. He added eleven receptions. His role will obviously be greatly expanded with Spiller off to the NFL. Keep an eye on just how productive he is this spring.

5. Greg Reid, CB, Florida State – Jimbo Fisher told SouthernPigskin.com staff writer J.T. Bennett the following about Reid perhaps seeing snaps on offense — “He could. He is a guy who is very dynamic with the ball and flips the field very quickly. So we may make some time to get him the ball”. Defensively, Reid becomes FSU’s top corner with the departure of Patrick Robinson.

6. Bryn Renner, QB, North Carolina – The talented redshirt freshman quarterback will get a chance to show what he can do this spring. Though senior T.J. Yates is the starter, he struggled last season so Renner has a big-time opportunity ahead. With a good spring performance, he could push Yates for the number one spot.

7. Steven Friday, DE, Virginia Tech – Gone are ends Nekos Brown and Jason Worilds, leaving a major void at the end positions for the Hokies. Friday, 3.5 sacks a year ago, tops an inexperienced and unproven collection of pass rushers. He will have to step up as a leader on a young Virginia Tech defensive line.

8. Nate Irving, LB, NC State – One of the ACC’s premier linebackers back in 2008, Irving missed all of last season after breaking his leg in a wreck. He had 80 tackles and eleven tackles for loss as a sophomore. His return will be a welcome addition to a defense that ranked 11th in the league in points allowed. Watch his lateral movements this spring.

9. T.J. Barnes, DT, Georgia Tech - At 6’7”, 350 pounds, Barnes is expected to spearhead the Yellow Jackets’ transition to the 3-4 defense. While many of the players along Tech’s front seven aren’t ideal fits for Al Groh’s defensive scheme, Barnes is. He has the bulk and strength to demand double teams at the line of scrimmage.

10. Skylar Jones, QB, Wake Forest – With the graduation of the most prolific quarterback in school history Riley Skinner and top reserve Ryan McManus, the pressure is on Jim Grobe and his staff to find a quarterback. Last season’s third team signal caller, Jones may have the slightest of edges entering spring camp.

11. Orlando Franklin, OT, Miami - The lone senior on a tackle depth chart filled with underclassmen, Franklin will have to lead by example this fall for the Hurricanes. Miami must do a better job of protecting quarterback Jacory Harris this season.

12. Ross Metheny, QB, Virginia – First year head coach Mike London has numerous options to choose from at quarterback, but Metheny may be the most talented. A pure drop-back passer, this will be an important spring for this 6’2” redshirt freshman. He may emerge from camp as the starter for the Cavaliers.

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