ESPN College Football

The theme this week at ESPN.com has been 100 days, as we began the countdown until the season begins. Practice, though, is even closer. Here's a look at when each team in the ACC reports to summer camp, according to the league office in Greensboro, N.C.:

Experience counts.

Nobody in the ACC has more of it returning in 2013 than Miami -- and nobody lost more of it than Florida State. How much that will matter in the conference race is yet to be determined, but it can't be overlooked.

Here's a look at who has the most starters returning in the ACC, according to numbers provided by the conference:

Miami: 20
Wake Forest: 18
Boston College: 17
Virginia Tech: 17
Duke: 17
Georgia Tech: 17
Pittsburgh: 16
Virginia: 15
North Carolina: 14
Maryland: 14
Syracuse: 13
Clemson: 13
NC State: 12
Florida State: 11

Here's another way to evaluate the experience returning in the ACC, as per a note from the conference office:

Three ACC teams rank among the top 10 teams nationally in the FBS in numbers of games their returning players have started. In a survey put together by Colorado sports information director Dave Plati, Texas leads all schools nationally with 393 returning starts. Duke leads all ACC schools and is third nationally in number of returning starts with 364. Georgia Tech is right behind the Blue Devils with 361 starts, and Virginia Tech ranks 10th (331).

The Nation’s Top 10:

Pl. School ....................................... Starts

1. Texas ..............................................391

2. Mississippi .....................................365

3. Duke ..............................................364

4. Georgia Tech ................................361

5. East Carolina ..................................355

6. UNLV.............................................346

7. Stanford .........................................336

Arizona ..........................................336

9. Rice ................................................334

10. Virginia Tech ................................331

ACC baseball!

• Former Arkansas quarterback Brandon Mitchell is ready to compete for a starting job at NC State.
• The ACC has a few freaks -- and that's a good thing.
• Miami defensive end Ricardo Williams is no longer on the team.
• Athlon Sports is all over the Tigers today as their No. 6 team in the country.
• Former Clemson running back C.J. Spiller might be getting more touches with the Bills this year.
• Can Syracuse coach Scott Shafer have better luck recruiting New York, New Jersey and PA?
• How will the pay scale for Maryland's assistants compare with their peers in the Big Ten?

As the season slooowwly creeps up on us and we enter what will be the final season in the current BCS system, ESPN.com is taking some time today to reflect on how each conference has overachieved and underachieved during the BCS era. History reminds us it's impossible to predict how the season will play out. Who will disappoint? Who will exceed our expectations?

Since 1998, when the BCS began, here’s a look at five things each the ACC has done to overachieve and underachieve during that span:

Five best overachieved

1. Wake Forest in the 2007 Orange Bowl. The 2006 Deacs were the Cinderella of the BCS that year, the smallest school in the BCS making big history under coach Jim Grobe. The unheralded team defeated Georgia Tech 9-6 to win the program’s second ACC football championship (and its first since 1970). The Demon Deacons' nine points were by far the fewest ever scored by a winning team in a Division 1-A title game. Wake Forest earned the program’s first trip to a BCS game.

2. Ralph Friedgen winning 31 games in his first three seasons. In 2001, Friedgen became the first coach in league history to win the ACC title in his first year as head coach, and he was a consensus choice for national coach of the year. With the players he inherited from Ron Vanderlinden, Friedgen had three straight seasons of at least 10 wins each -- unprecedented success in the program’s history.

3. ACC conning Notre Dame into affiliation. It was a major coup for commissioner John Swofford, who convinced the Irish to join the ACC in all sports but football, and to commit to an agreement to play five annual football games against the ACC, beginning in 2014. It was a critical step in stabilizing the future of the conference.

4. 2007 Boston College: The Eagles were ranked as high as No. 2 in the country that year after rallying to beat Virginia Tech in late October. Jeff Jagodzinski had one of the most successful first seasons in school history, as he guided the team to 11 wins, including a win against Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl. It was the first time BC had won 11 games since 1940.

5. Joe Hamilton Heisman runner-up. Georgia Tech’s quarterback finished second in the 1999 Heisman Trophy voting, an impressive accomplishment for a player listed at 5’10, 190 pounds. While many doubted his pro potential because of his size, there was no questioning his accomplishments with the Yellow Jackets. The ACC’s all-time leader in total offense with 10,640 yards led the Jackets to an 18-5 record over his last 23 games, including a share of the 1998 ACC championship.

Five worst underachieved

1. Florida State’s 2012 loss to NC State. The Seminoles’ 17-16 loss at NC State last year was unforgettable, and to some FSU fans, probably unforgivable. The Noles were ranked No. 3 in the country at the time and finally being taken seriously as a national-title contender again when it all slipped away in the fourth quarter in Raleigh. Despite the ACC title and Orange Bowl win, there will always be a sense of what could have been had FSU not squandered a 16-0 halftime lead.

2. The ACC’s 3-13 record in BCS bowls. Despite all of the NFL draft picks the conference has produced, despite all of the elite recruits the league lured in, the ACC spent the BCS era digging itself a gaping hole it could never climb out of in the current system. Florida State, Virginia Tech and Clemson combined for a 3-10 record in BCS bowls.

3. Miami’s mediocrity. Five national titles -- and yet not one Coastal Division crown. When Miami joined the ACC on July 1, 2004, league officials thought the perennial power would be an instant upgrade. Instead, Miami’s mediocrity has been its main storyline, and more recently, its saga involving the NCAA has overshadowed any success Al Golden has had on the field. Since joining the ACC, Miami has had three different head coaches and hasn’t been able to win more than nine games or finish better than second place in the division. When Miami is great again, the ACC will be, too.

4. Clemson’s collapse in 2008. The Tigers entered the season as the No. 9 team in the country and finished with a thud at 7-6. The downward spiral began in the opener against Alabama, when Clemson had zero yards rushing on 14 attempts. Despite the dynamic duo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller, and standout receiver Jacoby Ford, Clemson lost three straight to Maryland, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech, and former coach Tommy Bowden resigned mid-season. It couldn’t have gone much worse for a team that began with such high expectations.

5. FSU vs. the best since its last BCS appearance. Since 2000, when Florida State last played for a national title, the Seminoles are 18-24 against opponents ranked in the Associated Press top 25, and that includes a win against Northern Illinois in the Discover Orange Bowl. Despite playing in two national championship games in the BCS era, Florida State was unable to translate that success into a winning record against ranked opponents.

100 days and counting ...

• The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Virginia Tech-Maryland game scheduled for 2014 in M&T Bank Stadium is off because the Terps are heading to the Big Ten.
• Former FSU coach Bobby Bowden is preparing for a return trip to Tally.
• The quarterback situation at NC State just got more interesting with the addition of Arkansas transfer Brandon Mitchell.
• Paul Johnson disputes the criticism that playing against his offense in practice hurts his defense.
• A rivalry between Clemson and Pittsburgh is unlikely.
• Memo to North Carolina -- these are the rings you want.
• Virginia Tech's video board is coming down to be replaced.
• Clemson got a commitment from a running back, according to a few reports.

As of today, there are 100 days until the start of the college football season.

You bet we’re counting.

If you’re Scot Loeffler, Virginia Tech's new offensive coordinator, 100 days must feel like a nanosecond. The Hokies aren’t the only ones, though, with plenty of work to do before the season begins. Here’s a checklist of five things the ACC and its teams must accomplish before the opening kickoff:

1. Name starting quarterbacks. Syracuse can’t even talk about Oklahoma transfer Drew Allen yet because he’s not on campus and won’t enroll until next month, but the Orange are just one of several teams in the ACC that still have an ongoing quarterback competition. Virginia’s quarterback controversy has seemingly gone on for years, and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher has yet to officially anoint Jameis Winston as EJ Manuel’s successor. Pitt is also still searching for a dependable leader, along with NC State.

2. Find an offense in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech has become one of the ACC’s brand-name programs, a consistent winner and a representative in the Top 25 and BCS standings. That changed last season when the Hokies bumbled their way through their most disappointing season in 20 years. Coach Frank Beamer made sweeping changes to his offensive staff, but little improvement was seen in the spring game. Loeffler said it wasn’t a true indication of the progress that was made in the other 13 practices, but also conceded there is still a lot of work to be done. With Alabama looming in the season opener, all eyes will be on the ACC in Week 1. When the Hokies are good, the ACC is better.

3. Improve defensively. With the exception of Florida State, which finished the season ranked No. 6 in the country in scoring defense, 2012 wasn’t a banner year for ACC defenses. The conference usually has some of the nation’s best defenses -- including Boston College -- but there was no Luke Kuechly and no identity for the Eagles last fall. Miami beat Duke 52-45. Georgia Tech beat North Carolina 68-50. Clemson beat NC State 62-48. Clemson took a major step forward defensively with its bowl win against LSU, but the defense must become elite in its second season under coordinator Brent Venables if Clemson is going to be a national-title contender.

4. Minimize the turnovers. Virginia Tech was No. 86 in turnover margin last year, and quarterback Logan Thomas threw three picks in the spring game. Boston College was No. 88 in the country in turnover margin, FSU No. 93, NC State No. 99, Maryland No. 104, Virginia No. 110. That’s almost half the league ranked among the worst in the country in turnover margin. The Hokies play Alabama. Virginia plays Oregon. BC plays at USC. FSU is at Florida, and the Seminoles turned it over five times versus the Gators in FSU's 37-26 loss last year. The Gators scored 10 points off turnovers in that game. If the ACC is going to stand a chance, it can’t give away freebies.

5. Stay out of the trainer’s room. Virginia Tech standout corner Antone Exum is still rehabbing from the torn ACL he suffered in a pickup basketball game. The bulk of Wake Forest’s offensive line was walking wounded all spring, and that group will make or break the Deacons' season. Clemson backup quarterback Chad Kelly and starting tight end Sam Cooper both tore their ACLs this spring. If the ACC is going to beat the best this fall, it needs its best players on the field. For some programs, like Boston College, the depth isn’t there to afford injuries.

Pitt isn’t the only team in need of an ACC rival.

The good news in the ACC is that six teams -- Florida State, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Virginia and Virginia Tech already have rivalries in place should the ACC decide to reserve the final week of the regular season for rivalry games. North Carolina and NC State would also make sense, but there are still six teams in need of somebody to hate.

My take is don’t force it, because that’s the only option with Syracuse right now. Even Louisville, which will join the ACC in 2014, is already taken (Kentucky). Pitt? Well, it’s looking for a rival, too, but the Panthers have better options in the Coastal Division.

Let the rivalries emerge and develop on their own as the conference race plays out over the next few years with Syracuse and Pitt in the mix, and preserve the rivalries that are already in place. Syracuse fans probably couldn’t even tell you who their biggest rival is. Some would argue West Virginia. Others will tell you Penn State. Boston College? Meh.

Syracuse will close its first ACC season at home against former Big East teams Pittsburgh and Boston College, respectively. Those are the two most logical options for the Orange’s top rivals, and Pittsburgh has the second-longest series in Syracuse history with 67 games against the Orange. Boston College makes sense because it’s in the Northeast, fans of both schools can travel to the games, and the two programs played almost every season from 1961-2004. There’s just nothing about BC-Cuse football right now, though, that makes this series any more than two programs trying to step over each other in the Atlantic Division.

Syracuse fans should be thrilled Penn State is on the schedule this year as the opener at MetLife Stadium in The Meadowlands, but can it be a rivalry renewed? Might Syracuse have to look outside the ACC for its next true rival, or will a reunion with former Big East foes rekindle the hate?

Syracuse needs help. Cast your votes now.

Time to check in with ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr. to see where the top ACC prospects for the 2014 draft rank at quarterback, linebacker and tight end.

Quarterback

No. 2 Tajh Boyd, Clemson

Next up: Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

Of Boyd, Kiper Jr. writes, "People who would question Boyd because he was throwing to a great arsenal of pass-catchers last year should watch what he did against LSU in the Chik-fil-A Bowl. Boyd might as well have gone 12 rounds with Rocky in that game. Not only did he take hits on a lot of designed runs, the LSU defense battered him. But he played through it. The kid is tough."

And yes, you knew Thomas would make this list, considering how high Kiper Jr. has been on the senior-to-be in the past. Kiper calls him a "must-watch prospect" for 2014. Boyd and Thomas are featured on ESPN Insider Travis Haney's "make-or-break scenarios" for top quarterback prospects.

Kiper also gives a shout out to Bryn Renner of North Carolina, Stephen Morris of Miami and Pete Thomas of NC State in a "more I like" category.

Tight end

No. 3 Eric Ebron, North Carolina

Kiper Jr. writes: "He has the athleticism to be split out at the next level a la an Aaron Hernandez, but I like that Ebron displays a willingness, and even a bit of a nasty streak, when called on to block."

Outside linebacker

No. 5 Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech

Next up: Christian Jones, Florida State

Kiper Jr. says of Attaochu: "Tall, rangy and with good closing speed, he could play either outside linebacker or defensive end, but projects better at OLB for the NFL."

Want more? Haney ranks the Top 10 most talented teams in America . Florida State checks in at No. 4, and Miami is at No. 8. Clemson just misses the cut at No. 12. Of those three teams, only Miami is not projected to start the season in the Top 25. But don't be surprised if the Canes end the season there.

The current bowl math doesn’t favor the expanded version of the ACC.

With eight bowls and 14 teams in the conference, that means only 57 percent of the ACC will make the postseason this year, at most.

3682361With 14 teams in the conference, including Pittsburgh and Syracuse, there has to be more than the current eight guaranteed bowl slots moving forward, but what number will constitute the “sweet spot” ACC commissioner John Swofford said he is looking for? Especially considering how Notre Dame will soon be elbowing its way into the league’s bowl lineup and taking one of those coveted spots? (If Notre Dame is ranked higher than or equal to an ACC bowl-eligible team, or is within one victory of a bowl eligible team, the Irish can be selected for that bowl spot.) Swofford recently told ESPN.com that the league could increase its bowl tie-ins to nine or 10 games. Will that be enough? Too many?

Last year, when the SEC went to 14 teams, it added the Independence Bowl as its 10th bowl tie in, but only nine teams qualified, and one -- Alabama -- was playing in the national championship. With the new College Football Playoff system to start in 2014, the ACC will have to replace the Chick-fil-A Bowl in its lineup, as that bowl will be one of the host bowls in the playoff. The ACC also has to consider the possibility of having a team in the playoff. It also has to acknowledge the reality of having only eight bowl-eligible teams on average:

ACC’s bowl eligible teams during 12-team era

2012: 6 (not including UNC and Miami, which were ineligible)

2011: 9

2010: 9

2009: 7

2008: 10 (ACC record)

2007: 8

2006: 8

2005: 8

The number of bowl games is currently up for debate. Cast your votes now.

Andrea Adelson discusses the spring performances of receiver Rashard Smith and cornerback Dontae Johnson.

Stay tuned for updates from the spring meetings.

• Here are a few notes from Day 1.
• Several ACC records are in reach for Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd.
• Injured Duke receiver Blair Holliday will enroll in summer classes.
• Will Myles Autry join his brother on the Georgia Tech football team?
• Here is a Maryland recruiting update from Alex Prewitt of The Washington Post.
• Miami picked up a commitment from quarterback Brad Kaaya, but commit Alin Edouard is wavering.
• Torry Holt has been selected for the NC State Hall of Fame.
• Who else deserves to have their jersey retired at Syracuse?
• Andy Bitter of the Virginian-Pilot recaps how the Virginia Tech defensive line did this spring.

Asa Watson says he has always had the heart to help people.

In quite a twist, it was his bad heart that got him started on one of his first mission trips at NC State.

It was 2011, the year Watson had his first heart surgery to correct a rapid heartbeat. Coaches told him he would have to redshirt. Watson decided he wanted to do something big. So rather than attend the first session of summer school, he volunteered with Athletes In Action's "Urban Project L.A."

Watson spent three weeks volunteering and was mainly in the Skid Row section of the city, helping out kids, working on urban renewal projects and getting to know the community itself.

The trip had such a profound impact on him, he volunteered with the project again during spring break last March.

"That was a really eye-opening experience because I had never been around an area so stricken by poverty," Watson said in a recent phone interview. "That had such an impact on me. I also had great experiences with the people I met, and leading up to this year, I realized as a senior my time is running out. I always wanted to do something for my spring break. I decided this was the time to do it."

Watson spent time in Compton on his second trip, working on a prayer tour, visiting local ministries and connecting with children in the area. He also did some work around the community as well, and spent time at the local Salvation Army.

When Watson was younger, he did some mission trips as well. His dad, Ken, is a pastor in Norfolk, Va. His mom went on many trips. The first one they went on together was to Belize. "That one started my heart for helping people," Watson said.

Along the way, there have been trips to Jamaica and Canada, as well. But the two trips to Los Angeles opened his eyes to an even bigger truth. Spending a few weeks somewhere is really only a start.

"In order to get lasting, sustainable change you have to spend a long time investing in a place, you have to learn to know the people in the community and figure out what their real need is," Watson said. "People don't need just a meal and a pair of shoes. They need better resources and a vision to see that there is a way to improve their lives, improve their situations."

Watson has given of himself during times of great uncertainty in his own life. As a sophomore at NC State, he started feeling lightheaded sometimes during practices, and his heart would race uncontrollably. Doctors discovered he had too many electrical pathways to his heart.

"Instead of one heartbeat, I had three," he said.

After the first procedure did not completely correct the problem, Watson underwent a second heart surgery in 2012. He remains on medication to help control his heartbeat. Though it sounds downright scary, doctors tell Watson his heart condition puts him in no extra danger when playing contact sports.

"When I explain to people, most can’t understand. It just felt like my heart was tired," Watson said. "I’ve learned to deal with it. It doesn’t happen as much as it used to, but there’s still those instances when my heart beats too fast, and I get lightheaded and have to stop."

Now going into his final season, Watson has one last shot to make an impact on the offense. New coach Dave Doeren has Watson listed as the first-team tight end on the post-spring depth chart.

"I think the tight end is going to play a pretty big role in the offense," Watson said. "I’m going to have to be a great blocker, and I’m going to have to be able to receive the ball when asked. I’m looking forward to the change."

Inspired by Florida's "#ComePlayWRFortheJoker" campaign, our recruiting writers looked at other ways schools can sell themselves on the trail. Here's a look at recruiting pitches for the ACC:

Boston College Eagles
What they're selling: B.C. has a metropolitan area to sell prospects. There are several top professional sports teams to enhance the college atmosphere.
What they're missing: Other than Matt Ryan, B.C. hasn't had great success and they were only marginally successful when he was there. Also, the professional sports teams in the area limit exposure for B.C.

Clemson Tigers
What they're selling: Clemson sports a beautiful campus in a picturesque area of the country. Head coach Dabo Swinney's public demeanor must appeal to prospects as well.
What they're missing: Other than enjoying college life, there's not a lot to do nearby. Despite high expectations, Clemson still hasn't produced championship results.

Duke Blue Devils
What they're selling: Education, first and foremost. Quarterbacks should also appreciate the chance to be tutored by head coach David Cutcliffe, who has coached Peyton and Eli Manning.
What they're missing: Because of academic requirements, there will always be a ceiling of success at Duke. Also Duke football will always play second fiddle to Duke basketball.

Florida State Seminoles
What they're selling: Florida State has a brand that is known nationally. They also have the ability to win at a high level thanks to nearby talent.
What they're missing: Other than a refurbished stadium, facilities at Florida State aren't great. The Seminoles also have the tough challenge of recruiting against nearby SEC schools.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
What they're selling: Tech prospects often laud Atlanta and its big-city feel. With a campus downtown, there's plenty to do. Sports-wise, there are plenty of professional teams to enjoy.
What they're missing: Exposure is the toughest challenge for Tech. Georgia Tech is overshadowed by local pro teams and nearby Georgia.

Maryland Terrapins
What they're selling: Since Randy Edsall took over as head coach, the Terrapins have had good success wooing local prospects. Under Armour has helped. Following the Oregon model, Maryland has won prospects over with flashy uniforms.
What they're missing: Winning is the biggest knock on Edsall's regime at Maryland. Despite all the hype, he has posted two losing seasons.

Miami Hurricanes
What they're selling: Coral Gables isn't a bad place to live. Miami's educational offerings are a plus too. Miami's greatest advantage is the local talent who grows up rooting for the Canes.
What they're missing: The continued wrangling between Miami and the NCAA about possible improper benefits to players has to scare some prospects. Miami also has struggled recently. They're not the high-flying team that was once so dominant.

North Carolina Tar Heels
What they're selling: Coach Larry Fedora's offense has excited prospects. It seems to sell well to skill-position players. Yet offensive linemen have also been enticed since they can perfect pass-blocking while still being physical.
What they're missing: Fedora will have to prove he can win at a high level to convince nearby prospects to stay close to home. North Carolina basketball will always overshadow North Carolina football.

North Carolina State Wolfpack
What they're selling: The Wolfpack have been selling early playing time to prospects recently. That always resonates with high school players.
What they're missing: The Wolfpack have so much nearby competition that it's tough to see them recruiting at an elite level. North Carolina is the state school. Duke and Wake Forest can offer elite educations. Where does N.C. State fit in?

Pittsburgh Panthers
What they're selling: Pitt has a metropolitan city with several professional team to sell. Coach Paul Chryst also relates to prospects well.
What they're missing: Competition for media coverage in Pittsburgh can be tough.

Syracuse Orange
What they're selling: Syracuse offers prospects from a talent-rich area the opportunity to stay close to home. There's also the Syracuse basketball team that keeps the school on a national sports stage.
What they're missing: Just when it seemed like Syracuse was up and coming, it lost coach Doug Marrone to the Buffalo Bills.

Virginia Cavaliers
What they're selling: Virginia coach Mike London has done an incredible job of relating to prospects. He's tapped into several talent-rich areas in Virginia and nabbed top prospects.
What they're missing: Winning. At some point, London and company will have to prove they can win on Saturdays to continue to nab top prospects in February. If he can do that, watch out.

Virginia Tech Hokies
What they're selling: As always, Tech sells a kind of toughness that appeals to some prospects. It may not be for all but it tends to resonate with some. Tech has built a successful program on that. Coach Frank Beamer's stability helps the Hokies recruit as well.
What they're missing: Tech has slid recently. It once was playing for national championships. That time seems to have passed. Tech needs to land a star player to achieve a higher level.

NC State defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable is in his first season with the Wolfpack and coach Dave Doeren, and he is also coaching the linebackers. His resume also includes stops at Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Georgia Tech. I caught up with Huxtable recently to get his take on the transition going on in Raleigh. Here are the highlights of our conversation:

How was the spring for you?

Dave Huxtable: It was a good spring. Being new, the coaching staff and players getting familiar and getting to know us, there were some positives, and getting to know each other and installing the defense, and learning the terminology and schemes, I thought the guys did a good job of it this spring. We’re nowhere near where we want to be yet, but we got a lot of good work done.

How much of the playbook did you guys actually install?

DH: We installed the base defense, did not really throw a whole lot at them, but that’s the foundation of what we’re going to do, and as we get into fall camp we’ll have some new installation we’ll ask them to learn, things we’ll pull out of our bag of tools for the season.

I know you coach the linebackers as well, how did those guys look?

DH: I think I saw some improvement at the end of the spring. Again, we have a lot of work left to do at that position, but I really enjoy the guys I’m coaching there. They’re great character guys, they’ve got a great attitude, they’re hard workers and good learners, and there’s some talent there.

What’s your biggest concern heading into summer camp? Maybe priority is a better word -- for what you want to get done by the opener.

DH: I think there’s some depth at some positions. I think our safety position is a concern with depth there, as is our defensive end position. And then, again, I think we finished strong in the spring and I’m looking forward to our guys having a great summer. I know our strength coaches are going to do a great job with them in the offseason here, and I know our guys will work hard and they’ll come to camp ready and prepared. Just for us to pick up with the momentum we had at the end of spring.

How much of a whirlwind was it for you when the guys first went out there with the new staff?

DH: Those first couple of days it was more, ‘Hey you, over there!’ They have their jersey numbers on, but we got a chance to know a lot of them and get familiar with the names and faces in the offseason program, but every once in a while you say, ‘Hey 49, get over here!’ But it was fun, and really a neat group of guys here on this football team. I think guys who really want to be coached and be coached hard. Football is important to them and winning is important to them.

What positions still have the biggest ongoing competitions?

DH: I think at every linebacker position there’s great competition going on. A lot of new guys at those positions that were not starters last year. I think there were two starters that left last year that were gone. At the linebacker spot there’s a lot of competition. I would say the defensive end position. There’s good competition at both of those spots.

Who are some of the guys who are in the mix for both of those spots?

DH: At defensive end, [Darryl] Cato-Bishop and Mike Rose are competing. At the linebacker position, at mike, M.J. [Salahuddin] and Zach [Gentry] and Robert Caldwell came on strong at the end of spring, as did Ryan Cheek. At that mike linebacker position there’s a lot of good competition there. Brandon Pittman has been a guy who played a lot here, he’s fast and really finished the last couple of weeks of the spring strong. But you know, so did Drew Davis, a young linebacker who was very productive in our last two scrimmages. Competition is a good thing, it’s going to make us all better.

Are you running a completely different style of defense?

DH: We’re a base 4-3 defense, which they have been in the past. They probably blitzed a little bit more than what we will do. Then again, the terminology is totally different. What they call apples we call oranges, so there is a terminology to learn for the players.

How have things been going with the staff?

DH: Coach Doeren has been tremendous, just the way he’s handled the staff and the players. His organization, his detail to everything he does has just been outstanding. What a neat staff, a good group of guys who are all very passionate about football and recruiting and understand the business. It’s been really neat kind of being a new guy and getting to know all of the coaches. It’s been a fun experience, and I really enjoy working with them.

How did what you saw on the field this spring compare with what you might have seen on film of NC State?

DH: The players, we spent a lot of time on fundamentals and technique and not a huge amount of instillation. More just trying to be pros at our position and really sharpening the tools and fundamentals and techniques of the players. I think we’ve made some good ground on that from what we had seen on film. They were well-coached, and it’s making our job a little easier because the former staff did a great job with them. Now we just have to get them doing the things we’re going to ask them to do. We have a ways to go in that area, but with our spring practice we got some good work done.

I like to say it's "Mother's Day Week" in our house ...

• USA Today will tell you who the moneymakers are in college athletics.
• Florida State and the ACC are in it for the long haul.
• Clemson freshman T.J. Green will get his first shot at playing wide receiver.
• Former Maryland receiver Kevin Dorsey talks about getting drafted by the Packers.
• Jerry Palm says Florida State is going to win the ACC.
• Nevin Shapiro's former CFO is backing him up.
• Former NC State running back Ted Brown will be recognized as one of the best in the game.
• Syracuse's introduction to the ACC's Atlantic Division won't be easy.