Russell Wilson and NC State garner the top spot in the 2009 ACC Blitz Unit Rankings: Quarterbacks. Wake Forest and Virginia Tech are close behind, but I did manage to throw a surprise team up with the big boys and have to admit, I feel really bad for Boston College this season.

Up next: ACC Blitz Unit Rankings – Running Backs.

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- Harlon Jordan

1 – NC State
Starter: Russell Wilson
2008 Stats: 150-275 (54.5%), 1,955 Yards, 17 TD/1 INT, 133.93 Rating, 177.7 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: 6th in YDSPG, 1st in EFF, 1st in TD Passes, T-8th in Comp%
Spring Game: 10-14, 195 YDS, 1 TD

Back-Up: RS FR Mike Glennon
Spring Game: 23-38, 272 YDS, 1 TD

Wilson broke onto the scene in ’08 as a true freshman, leading the league in TD passes and efficiency and guiding the Pack to a bowl game for the first time since 2005. Standout stat: only 1 INT in 275 attempts. Has a decent arm, and can take off when the pocket collapses – but what jumps out most is his decision making. With an off-season of conditioning and learning the system a little more, look for Wilson to garner All-ACC honors in ’09. Saw decent amount of action in the spring game, putting up modest numbers (10-14, 195 Yards and 1 TD). The offensive line showed that he shouldn’t have to rely on the run as much this year.

2 – Wake Forest
Starter: Riley Skinner
2008 Stats: 232-363 (63.9%), 2,347 Yards, 13 TD/7 INT, 126.2 Rating, 180.5 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: 5th in YDSPG, 3rd in EFF, T-4th in TD Passes, 1st in Comp%
Spring Game: 15-23, 272 Yards, 1 INT

Back-Up: RS FR Ted Stachitas
Spring Game: 4-7, 56 Yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

Skinner put together another stellar campaign in ’08, eclipsing 2,000 Yards for the 3rd straight year, and is only a step behind Wilson for being ranked #1 in my unit rankings. He’s a deadly accurate passer, that has the ability (and football smarts) to turn a game around for the Deacs. He finished the season on a high note – going 11/11 in a 29-19 win against Navy in the EagleBank Bowl. The ’09 season should see similar numbers for Skinner, but it’ll be tough for Wake to reach the title game with some major losses on defense.

3 – Virginia Tech
Starter: Tyrod Taylor
2008 Stats: 99-173 (57.2%), 1,036 Yards, 2 TD/7 INT, 103.3 Rating, 86.3 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: N/A in Passing, 9th in Rushing at 61.5 YDSPG w/7 Rushing TD’s
Spring Game: 16-33, 188 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Back-Up: RS FS: Ju-Ju Clayton
Spring-Game: 4-15, 103 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Bringing flashbacks of Clemson great Woody Dantzler, Taylor guided his Hokies to another ACC Title in ’08, and helped the ACC snap an embarrassing BCS bowl win drought. The offensive line is in good shape this year, so expect to see Taylor drop back and create more of a passing threat – but don’t get it twisted, he can and will run (quite a combination with D.Evans). Dual-threat QB’s like this raise havoc for defensive coordinators. Was a little off in the spring game, but don’t read to much into it as I think you’ll see him navigate VT to the title game – again.

3 – Duke
Starter: Thaddeus Lewis
2008 Stats: 224-361 (62.0%), 2,171, 15 TD/6 INT, 123.0 Rating, 197.4 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: 2nd in YDSPG, 4th in EFF, 2nd in TD Passes, 3rd in Comp%
Spring Game: 17-23, 257 Yards, 0 TD, 0 INT (2 Rushing TD’s)

Back-Up: RS FR Sean Renfree
Spring-Game: 15-24, 210 Yards, 2 TD’s, 0 INT

Duke coming in at #3? No it’s not a typo. The Blue Devils have one of the most talented gun-slingers in Thaddeus Lewis. He’s passed for over 2,000 Yards 3 straight years, with a healthy 36-16 TD to INT ratio over the last 2 seasons. Finished 2008 in the top 4 in major passing categories. Put Lewis on a talent-laden squat like Clemson or Virginia Tech and you’re looking at the next ACC Player of the Year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see even better numbers in ’09, as Coach Cutcliffe continues to steadily improve this squad.

3 – Florida State
Starter: Christian Ponder
2008 Stats: 177-318 (55.7%), 2,006 Yards, 14 TD/13 INT, 115.0 Rating, 154.3 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: 8th in YDSPG, 6th in EFF, 3rd in TD Passes, 6th in Comp%
Spring Game: 10-19, 118 Yards, 1 TD/2 INT (65-YD TD)

Back-Up: SO C.Eddinger
Spring Game: 7-11, 118 Yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

Back-Up: FR EJ Manuel
Spring Game: N/A

Florida State appears to be seeing a resurgence to the top, and it’s thanks in part to Ponder. I won’t say he’s All-ACC caliber, but in ’08 he did enough to lead FSU to a tie for 1st in the Atlantic and a ground and pound of Big Ten Wisconsin. The Seminoles should have a lights out O-Line in ’09, giving him the opportunity to pick apart defenses. One asset to Ponder I like is his mobility – if all else fails, he can pick up a first down breaking some ankles. FSU faithful should be ecstatic to have this kid around the next 2 years. I’m looking for him to hit 2,500 Yards, and improve on his TD/INT ratio, although he did struggle big time in the spring game. But look what defense he had to go against.

6 – Georgia Tech
Starter: Josh Nesbitt
2008 Stats: 54-123 (43.9%), 808 Yards, 2 TD/5 INT, 96.3 Rating, 73.5 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: N/A Passing, 8th in Rushing at 63.0 YDSPG w/7 TD’s
Spring Game: N/A (Injury)

Back-Up: SO Jaybo Shaw
Spring Game: Passed 198 Yards, Rushed for 65 Yards, 3 TD’s

Back-Up: RS FR Tevin Washington
Spring Game: 7-10, 167 Yards, 1 TD (2 Rushing TD’s)

The 2009 season will see year 2 of the Paul Johnson era at Georgia Tech. Last year saw a remarkable potent offense, finish 1st in the ACC in total offense, rushing offense and 6th in scoring. Nesbitt leads the troops – but he’s not your typical QB. He’s more of a running back with enough of an arm to keep defenses remotely honest. His passing stats were nothing compared to the rest of the league, but they don’t need to be. His job is leading his team down the field, and creating opportunities for his dynamic running backs, which he does beautifully. Even the back-up spot has talent for the Jackets – Jaybo Shaw is going to be lights out when his day comes.

6 – Miami
Starter: Jacory Harris
2008 Stats: 118-194 (60.8%), 1,195 Yards, 12 TD/7 INT, 125.8 Rating, 91.9 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: N/A except: 10th in YDSPG w/91.9
Spring Game: 9-16, 141 Yards, 0 TD, 1 INT

Back-Up: RS FR Taylor Cook
Spring Game: 11-14, 103 Yards

With Robert Marve off to another conference, Harris steps in as the lead man. Hurricane fans shouldn’t worry though. For starters, he’s young and can really develop under Coach Shannon, not to mention seeing the fruits of some amazing recruiting classes the last few years, but he’s a very accurate. His completion percentage was higher than Marve (60.8% to 54.5%), and TD to INT ration was much better. He also has agility on his side, and can scamper when things get shaky in the backfield.

8 – North Carolina
Starter: T.J. Yates
2008 Stats: 81-135 (60.0%), 1,168, 11 TD/4 INT, 153.6 Rating, 166.9 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: 7th in YDSPG, 8th in TD Passes
Spring Game: 5-8, 96 Yards

Back-Up: SO Mike Paulus
Spring Game: 12-15, 51 Yards

After blowing up for nearly 2,700 Yards in ’07, Yates suffered a sprained ankle against Virginia Tech, side-lining him for 7 games. Still managed to pass for over 1,100 Yards, and 11 TD’s to go against only 1 INT. He’s a pro-style passer, and is probably drooling at the opportunities his receiving corp will give him. Not much of a scrambler, so he needs the O-Line to step up and give him time.

8 – Maryland
Starter: Chris Turner
2008 Stats: 214-374 (57.2%), 2,516, 13 TD/11 INT, 119.3 Rating, 193.5 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: 3rd in YDSPG, 5th in EFF, T-4th in TD Passes, 5th in Comp%
Spring Game: 15-21, 235 Yards, 2 TD’s

Back-Up: SO Jamarr Robinson
Spring Game: 12-21, 253 Yards, 3 TD’s

After a good freshman year in ’07, Turner continued to impress with a standout year last season, finishing in the top 5 in the 4 major passing categories. I think what impresses me most is his ability to place the ball exactly where the receivers need it. Definitely not a running threat, so pressure is key for defenses. If he locks in – he will burn you, plain and simple. Unfortunately for Turner, his top 2 receivers from ’08 are gone. Although he doesn’t have Torrey Smith back, giving him a set of hands he’s comfortable throwing to.

10 – Clemson
Starter: Willy Korn
2008 Stats: 26-38 (68.4%), 216 Yards, 1 TD/1 INT, 119.6 Rating, 36.0 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: N/A
Spring Game: 12-25, 144 Yards, 0 TD’s, 2 INT’s

Starter: Kyle Parker
2008 Stats: N/A
2008 Rankings: N/A
Spring Game: 13-21, 171 Yards, 1 TD

With Cullen Harper gone, the QB position was supposed to fall into the hands of Willy Korn. After receiving a medical redshirt in ’07, he saw limited time as a back-up. Following the firing of Tommy Bowden, Coach Dabo did what many Tiger faithful were hoping for – competition and a ‘best QB plays’ mentality. Against Georgia Tech, Dabo planned to use a dual-QB system, but Korn was injured early in the game, an injury that ultimately led to him only attempting 14 passes the rest of the season. If he stays in good health and the O-line holds, Korn should be effective enough to allow superstar CJ Spiller to do his thing. On a side note – watch out for sensation Kyle Parker. He has proven he’s a natural athlete (dual-sport star for the baseball team as well), and showed out at the spring game. You could very well see Korn or Parker making the All-ACC team, but inexperience is dragging the Tigers to #10.

10 – Virginia
Starter: Marc Verica
2008 Stats: 226-354 (63.8%), 2,037 Yards, 8 TD/16 INT, 110.6 Rating, 185.2 YDSPG
2008 Rankings: 4th in YDSPG, 7th in EFF, 9th in TD Passes, 2nd in Comp%
Spring Game: 14-19, 148 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Back-Up: Vic Hall (CB) or Jameel Sewell (Suspended ’08)

The QB situation at Virginia is an interesting one to say the least. After Sewell was suspended in ’08, Verica took over and quietly passed for 2,037 Yards and 8 TD. Sewell is believed my many publications to be the starter in ’09, but I think it would take Verica falling flat out of the gates to see that move take place. Then you have Vic Hall to throw into the mix. Though he played every game on defense except one last year, Hall did shine as a QB in high school, and is right in the mix for the starting job this season. With Virginias new wide-open offense, Hall might actually be the best fit.

12 – Boston College
Justin Tuggle
Spring Game: 2-7, 8 Yards

Codi Boek
Spring Game: 2-10, 14 Yards

Dave Shinskie
Spring Game: N/A

The Eagles were already in a tough spot with Crane gone. Dominique Davis showed potential, but it was far from a guarantee he would provide enough passing to open up the running game for their ultra-talented RB duo. Then came the news that Davis was suspended and decided to transfer (big mistake buddy). It leaves Boston College in a spot with 0 (yes zero) QB’s that have taken a snap in college ball. Justin Tuggle and Codi Boek are most likely the front-runners for the job (my money is on Tuggle), but they also picked up 25-year old Dave Shinskie. The former stand-out QB spent the last few years playing minor league ball. Either way, my money is on this team relying heavily on Montel Harris and the running game.

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Past Articles:

• Top 3 Play-makers of 2009

Tags: 2009 Boston College Football Blog, 2009 Clemson Football Blog, 2009 Duke Football Blog, 2009 Florida State Football, 2009 Georgia Tech Football Blog, 2009 Maryland Football Blog, 2009 Miami Hurricanes Football Blog, 2009 NC State Football Blog, 2009 North Carolina Football Blog, 2009 Virginia Football Blog, 2009 Virginia Tech Football Blog, 2009 Wake Forest Football Blog, Chris Turner, Christian Ponder, Jacory Harris, Jameel Sewell, Josh Nesbitt, Kyle Parker, Marc Verica, Riley Skinner, Russell Wilson, Thaddeus Lewis, TJ Yates, Tyrod Taylor, Vic Hall, Willy Korn