ESPN College Football

Some interesting news today across the league ...

• Quarterback Juwaan Williams, who led his high school to the Georgia state championship this past season, was offered a scholarship by Georgia Tech on Wednesday.
• Maryland offensive coordinator Mike Locksley is ready for a fresh start in College Park.
• The future of Maryland quarterback Danny O'Brien is still uncertain.
• The Globe is reporting that Boston College will host Miami on Labor Day weekend in its 2012 opener.
• It cost Clemson $1.84 million to give up 70 points to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Just sayin'.
• Former Clemson quarterback Randy Anderson died on Tuesday from cancer.
• Here are some recruits Virginia Tech is targeting for 2013.
• Miami's third-string running back has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.
• Florida State received a "commitment" from a defensive tackle who is "still keeping his options open."

Our offseason spotlight series continues today with Florida State. A reminder: This series features individual players, position groups and coaches who really need to have big offseasons -- starting this spring.

Spotlight: Offensive line.

2011 Summary: Florida State’s woes up front began at this time last year, when several players were injured during the spring and the group never truly gained any cohesiveness or continuity, as injuries remained an issue through the entire season. The players who lined up for the season opener had only practiced together for about a week, and by the time FSU hosted Virginia on Nov. 19, the Noles had used six different starting lineups. No single group was in the same position for more than three straight games, and true freshman tackle Bobby Hart was thrown into the starting lineup at 17 years old. Four freshmen were in the starting lineup against Notre Dame in the Champs Sports Bowl, and that’s where the Seminoles will start off this spring.

The skinny: The good news is that David Spurlock, who missed more than five games with a knee injury, is back in the mix. The most pressing question is who will replace the two talented tackles in Zebrie Sanders and Andrew Datko. Hart, Austin Barron, Josue Matias and Tre' Jackson were the starters for the bowl game, and matured rapidly from one half to the next. If the Noles are going to get more out of their offense, particularly the running game, they’re going to have to get more out of their young linemen.

• More in this series

Heather Dinich breaks down the top three quarterback battles for the offseason: Miami, Maryland and Georgia Tech.

Maryland has its new offensive coordinator. It has its new defensive coordinator. The recruiting class has been inked.

The Terps are ready to move forward and put their abysmal 2-10 season behind them, but there’s only one piece missing -- the starting quarterback.

Danny O'Brien and C.J. Brown, who were both used last year and sometimes in the same game, will continue to play out their competition this offseason, but O'Brien, who is still recovering from a broken left arm, will be limited this spring.

First-year offensive coordinator Mike Locksley said on Wednesday he is giving both quarterbacks a chance to start over.

“My thing is, and I told both of these guys -- I haven’t watched a lot of tape on either of them from last season or previous seasons because I wanted to have a blank slate when I go in and evaluate,” Locksley said. “Obviously Danny is a very talented quarterback, and I think he’s had some success here in both systems, whether it was two years ago in the West Coast, pro-style stuff, and last year he had some success in the spread system they’re running.

“I’m a guy who really believes in doing what your personnel allows you to do,” Locksley said. “We’ve got some tight ends and fullbacks. If you study our offense, we play under center, we play in the gun. We run power plays, we run lead plays, we spread them out and run zone read, we run zone read option, so a lot of that stuff will be predicated on our quarterback and what they’re capable of executing, as well as who the playmakers are with that personnel.”

There was some speculation this offseason as to whether or not O’Brien would return for the 2012 season or transfer. Locksley said he hasn’t talked to O’Brien about that.

“You hear those rumors,” Locksley said. “To me, I didn’t address it because unless I heard it from him, I wouldn’t address it. Everything I’ve talked to Danny about and C.J. about are things we want to do on offense and how I plan on shaping the offense to fit what they’re capable of executing.”

Locksley said he’d prefer, though, if only one of them were executing it this fall.

Virginia coach Mike London has issued a statement on the speculation surrounding offensive coordinator Bill Lazor's future, and confirmed that his offensive coordinator has met with an NFL team about a job opportunity. FOXSports.com reported on Tuesday that Lazor is a candidate for the same position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here's what London had to say about it:

"I have received a number of inquiries regarding the status of Bill Lazor on our staff. Bill recently met with a NFL team regarding an opening on its staff. Considering his background in the NFL and the outstanding job he has done as our offensive coordinator, that does not surprise me.

I’m a firm believer in the continuity of the overall staff and I think the combination of quality assistant coaches and support staff have contributed to our success thus far. At the same time, opportunities present themselves that I feel are important for our staff to investigate and possibly pursue for their personal development and to allow them to meet their personal goals."

This would be a big loss for the Hoos, especially as they prepare for spring practice and build off of the momentum from 2011, but so far, there's nothing concrete. If and when there is, you can find it here.

No. 24: Omoregie Uzzi, RG, Georgia Tech

2011 stats: He was a first-team all-conference selection, and was twice named the ACC’s offensive lineman of the week. He was the Jackets' most experienced offensive linemen with 25 career starts, but he was injured and did not play in the Sun Bowl.

Previous ranking: No. 23

Making the case for Uzzi: He was the anchor on an offensive line that paved the way for the No. 2 rushing offense in the nation and the ACC’s most productive offense. Georgia Tech led the league in rushing offense, total offense and scoring offense. Uzzi flirted with entering the NFL draft and is the team's best bet for an All-American in 2012.

• No. 25 Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State

Anybody else wanna join the Big East?

• Can it be required by law that Clemson and South Carolina play each other every year?
• Officials at both schools say they'd rather handle it themselves.
• Former Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill will have to impress at the NFL combine in order to make his decision worth it.
• Four former Hokies could also improve their draft stock at the combine.
• Is Virginia offensive coordinator Bill Lazor heading to the NFL after just two seasons?
• Can't get enough of Nevin Shapiro? You can watch more on Miami's infamous fan tonight.
• FSU coach Jimbo Fisher says the Noles are now able to compete with the elite teams in the country.
• SI.com grades Larry Fedora's first recruiting class at UNC.

Our offseason spotlight series continues today with Duke. A reminder: This series features individual players, position groups and coaches who really need to have big offseasons -- starting this spring.

Spotlight: Defensive back Lee Butler, 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, rising redshirt senior.

2011 summary: Butler played in the first four games of the year before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury against Tulane. Prior to the injury, he had four total tackles along with one interception return of 76 yards for a touchdown against Stanford. Butler also was Duke’s leading punt return specialist, taking back seven kicks for a 9.4 yards per return average. Butler’s injury left a playmaking void in Duke’s secondary, and the Blue Devils went on to finish tied for 11th in the ACC with just six interceptions and were last in the conference in pass efficiency defense.

The skinny: Butler has 113 career tackles, three interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 38 career games. He’s a versatile defensive back who has played cornerback and safety for Duke and gives defensive coordinator Jim Knowles the luxury of inserting him at either spot in 2012. Butler, who also is a threat in the return game with 35 career punt returns for an 8.6 yards per return average, has resumed full-speed workouts this offseason. He’s also a two-time academic all-ACC selection.

More in this series:

• Boston College
• Clemson

There has been much speculation recently about the possibility of a Labor Day matchup between Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, though nothing has been officially announced and the ACC schedule is still not out (you can thank West Virginia for that, ACC fans).

Some reports have said that the possibility is more appealing to Virginia Tech than Georgia Tech, while others toe the line on exactly who that matchup might favor. Last November, Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech, 37-26, and the Jackets struggled to bring down the Hokies' lumberjack quarterback, Logan Thomas, who accounted for three passing and two rushing touchdowns.

One thing is clear -- Georgia Tech's players have no fear of the meaningful early game.

"No ma'am," said Georgia Tech safety Isaiah Johnson. "We amped, we pumped."

Johnson said they haven't heard anything official on it, though.

"There’s been rumors of it," he said. "We’re excited, to tell you the truth. That will be a good one. Last year, with how that turned out, we weren’t too proud about that."

It shouldn't be too much longer until we find out the official word on what the league schedule looks like. West Virginia's last-minute bail-out on Florida State put the Noles in a bind and they're scrambling now to fill the open date. There simply aren't a lot of options available. My guess for the best-case scenario is we see the schedule sometime next week.

I know, I know, you're amped. You're pumped. You're not the only one.

The official invite list for the NFL combine is out. Every school but Duke is represented, and there are a total of 43 former players from the conference who will participate, including Miami's entire starting lineup from 2011. Well, ok, not really, but it's a pretty big hit for the Canes. Best of luck to all of these guys at the next level.

Here are your ACC representatives:

BOSTON COLLEGE (1)

• Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

CLEMSON (6)

• Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson
• Andre Branch, DE, Clemson
• Antoine McClain, OG, Clemson
• Rennie Moore, DT, Clemson
• Coty Sensabaugh, DB, Clemson
• Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

FLORIDA STATE (6)

• Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
• Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
• Mike Harris, CB, Florida State
• Shawn Powell, P, Florida State
• Beau Reliford, TE, Florida State
• Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State

GEORGIA TECH (1)

• Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

MARYLAND (1)

• Davin Meggett, RB, Maryland

MIAMI (8)

• Travis Benjamin, WR, Miami
• Marcus Forston, DT, Miami
• Jacory Harris, QB, Miami
• Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
• Sean Spence, LB, Miami
• Tommy Streeter, WR, Miami
• Olivier Vernon, DE, Miami
• Brandon Washington, OT, Miami

NORTH CAROLINA (6)

• Charles Brown, CB, UNC
• Zach Brown, LB, UNC
• Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
• Dwight Jones, WR, UNC
• Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina
• Tydreke Powell, DT, UNC

NC STATE (5)

• Audie Cole, LB, NC State
• T.J. Graham, WR, NC State
• Markus Kuhn, DT, NC State
• Terrell Manning, LB, NC State
• J.R. Sweezy, DT, NC State

VIRGINIA TECH (4)

• Jarrett Boykin, WR, Virginia Tech
• Danny Coale, WR, Virginia Tech
• Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
• David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

VIRGINIA (2)

• Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia
• Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

WAKE FOREST (4)

• Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
• Joe Looney, OG, Wake Forest
• Cyhl Quarles, S, Wake Forest
• Kyle Wilber, LB, Wake Forest

Our offseason spotlight series continues today with Clemson. A reminder: This series features individual players, position groups and coaches who really need to have big offseasons — starting this spring.

Spotlight: Offensive line.

2011 summary: The senior-laden group comprised of Phillip Price, Brandon Thomas, Dalton Freeman, Antoine McClain and Landon Walker fared remarkably well with a new offensive line coach, a new offensive coordinator, a first-year starting quarterback, and a new system. The Tigers paved the way for the nation’s No. 24 scoring offense at 33.57 points per game. They were integral in blocking for a 1,000-yard rusher (Andre Ellington), 1,000-yard receiver (Sammy Watkins) and 3,000-yard passer (Tajh Boyd).

The skinny: You can argue the defensive line needs an equally big offseason, but consider this: At this time in 2008, coming off of the 2007 season, Clemson ranked in the top 25 and had James Davis, C.J. Spiller, Cullen Harper and Aaron Kelly — all of whom were returning from fantastic seasons. The Tigers were a top-10 preseason pick, but had to replace four starters on the offensive line. Clemson finished 7-6 and midway through the season, Tommy Bowden was fired. Even with all of those outstanding skill position players returning, Clemson couldn’t get it done up front, and it was a major factor in the team’s implosion that year. This spring, the Tigers have to replace three starters up front, as Freeman and Thompson are the only two returning starters. The staff moved Tyler Shatley from defensive tackle to offensive guard. He’s a 6-foot-3, 295-pound redshirt junior who is a quick athlete and could play a role in 2012.

More in this series:

• Boston College

Heather Dinich talks about three ACC coaches facing the most pressure heading into spring ball.

Hear that? It's the sound of basketball season in the ACC. Slim pickin's today, guys ...

• How will Clemson handle the nonconference schedule with only two open windows?
• Miami coach Al Golden talked about how the Canes landed the No. 8 recruiting class in the country.
• Virginia Tech AD Jim Weaver said he is pleased with how the future scheduling turned out.
• Jimbo and Candi Fisher will be honored at the state capitol today.
• Frank Beamer will appear on "Dan Rather Reports" at 8 tonight to talk about the story of Daniel Rodriguez.

It's Tuesday, ya know. Time for our weekly get together. Join me at 1 p.m. today to talk ACC football. What else are you going to do in February besides start to ogle the 2013 recruiting classes? We can look ahead to the 2012 race, look back at the 2012 recruiting classes and argue over the top 25 players of 2011 and who will be the best in 2012. Of course, it's your chat. Your topics. See you there.

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Now that the collegiate all-star games are over, Kevin Weidl and the crew at Scouts Inc. have officially turned their attention to the NFL combine, which will be held later this month. Weidl recently highlighted four players who have stood out in recent days -- for better or for worse -- and former Virginia Tech receiver Danny Coale was among them. Here's an excerpt from what Weidl had to say about the former Hokie:

There's a lot to like about Coale's overall skill set. He's a smart, competitive player who contributes in a variety of ways. He's a valuable special teams player who is reliable fielding punts and can get positive yards on returns, is solid on coverage teams, and has also filled in as a punter during his career. However, it's his skills as a receiver that are the real selling point.