Sixteen players from ACC schools were named Wednesday to the 2012 National Football Foundation Hampshire Society for their academic achievement.
The society is in its sixth year, and it honors those from all divisions of college football who maintained a minimum 3.2 GPA throughout their college careers.
Here's the list of ACC honorees:
DB Hampton Hughes (BC)
P Dawson Zimmerman (Clemson)
S Matt Daniels (Duke)
TE Cooper Helfet (Duke)
K Will Snyderwine (Duke)
CB Johnny Williams (Duke)
OT Zebrie Sanders (FSU)
RB Roddy Jones (Georgia Tech)
TE John Calhoun (Miami)
QB Spencer Whipple (Miami)
OT Mikel Overgaard (NC State)
K Robert Randolph (Virginia)
LS Collin Carroll (Virginia Tech)
WR Danny Coale (Virginia Tech)
TE Chris Drager (Virginia Tech)
OG Michael Hoag (Wake Forest)
The society is in its sixth year, and it honors those from all divisions of college football who maintained a minimum 3.2 GPA throughout their college careers.
Here's the list of ACC honorees:
DB Hampton Hughes (BC)
P Dawson Zimmerman (Clemson)
S Matt Daniels (Duke)
TE Cooper Helfet (Duke)
K Will Snyderwine (Duke)
CB Johnny Williams (Duke)
OT Zebrie Sanders (FSU)
RB Roddy Jones (Georgia Tech)
TE John Calhoun (Miami)
QB Spencer Whipple (Miami)
OT Mikel Overgaard (NC State)
K Robert Randolph (Virginia)
LS Collin Carroll (Virginia Tech)
WR Danny Coale (Virginia Tech)
TE Chris Drager (Virginia Tech)
OG Michael Hoag (Wake Forest)
You can add Virginia Tech offensive tackle Andrew Lanier (Jacksonville Jaguars) to the undrafted FA list. (H/T to reader "M.")
- The Raleigh News & Observer's J.P. Giglio takes an early crack at predicting how the ACC will unfold in 2012.
- The Charlotte Observer's Luke DeCock says there are still plenty of loose ends in UNC's mess despite an NCAA verdict.
- The Orlando Sentinel's Coley Harvey looks at five things learned about FSU this spring.
- Drew Rosenhaus says it's too early to say whether several Miami players left school for the NFL too early, Jorge Milian writes in the Palm Beach Post.
- The Virginian-Pilot's Andy Bitter recaps the spring performances of Virginia Tech's quarterbacks.
Maryland linebacker Lukas Foreman is suspended from the team for one year due to violation of the school's student-athlete code of conduct, the school announced Wednesday.
"Being a University of Maryland student-athlete carries a tremendous honor and responsibility," athletic director Kevin Anderson said in a release. "As much as we appreciate the effort this young man gave to the program this season, he was unable to live up to that responsibility. We're certainly disappointed, but hope that he will use this as a learning experience."
A 6-foot-3, 205-pound Naples, Fla., native, Foreman redshirted during his freshman season last fall, when he was a defensive back. He moved to linebacker before spring practice this season.
"Being a University of Maryland student-athlete carries a tremendous honor and responsibility," athletic director Kevin Anderson said in a release. "As much as we appreciate the effort this young man gave to the program this season, he was unable to live up to that responsibility. We're certainly disappointed, but hope that he will use this as a learning experience."
A 6-foot-3, 205-pound Naples, Fla., native, Foreman redshirted during his freshman season last fall, when he was a defensive back. He moved to linebacker before spring practice this season.
Spring football is all wrapped up, so there's no better time than now to take a peak ahead to what awaits us in the fall.
"College Football Live" released its preseason Top 25 poll for 2012, and three ACC schools make the cut: No. 7 Florida State, No. 18 Clemson and No. 19 Virginia Tech.
Kirk Herbstreit and our team of analysts will be focusing on the strengths and weakness of each top-20 team on the show every day at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Both Heather Dinich and I had votes in this poll. In the interest of avoiding a list of 50 bullet points here and straining your dear eyes, you can check out my ballot at my other place of residence, the Notre Dame blog. Dinich's, meanwhile, is listed below. As you can see, we were in agreement on which ACC teams should be ranked entering the season.
1. USC
2. Alabama
3. LSU
4. Oregon
5. Georgia
6. Oklahoma
7. Florida State
8. Michigan State
9. Kansas State
10. South Carolina
11. Arkansas
12. West Virginia
13. Stanford
14. Michigan
15. TCU
16. Ohio State
17. Nebraska
18. Wisconsin
19. Oklahoma State
20. Texas
21. Clemson
22. Virginia Tech
23. Florida
24. Boise State
25. Notre Dame
"College Football Live" released its preseason Top 25 poll for 2012, and three ACC schools make the cut: No. 7 Florida State, No. 18 Clemson and No. 19 Virginia Tech.
Kirk Herbstreit and our team of analysts will be focusing on the strengths and weakness of each top-20 team on the show every day at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Both Heather Dinich and I had votes in this poll. In the interest of avoiding a list of 50 bullet points here and straining your dear eyes, you can check out my ballot at my other place of residence, the Notre Dame blog. Dinich's, meanwhile, is listed below. As you can see, we were in agreement on which ACC teams should be ranked entering the season.
1. USC
2. Alabama
3. LSU
4. Oregon
5. Georgia
6. Oklahoma
7. Florida State
8. Michigan State
9. Kansas State
10. South Carolina
11. Arkansas
12. West Virginia
13. Stanford
14. Michigan
15. TCU
16. Ohio State
17. Nebraska
18. Wisconsin
19. Oklahoma State
20. Texas
21. Clemson
22. Virginia Tech
23. Florida
24. Boise State
25. Notre Dame
They have been playing without him for so long now, the instinct is to say the loss doesn’t hurt as much. Then again, before Tuesday’s news that Montel Harris has been dismissed from the Boston College football team for repeated violations of team rules, there had always been the hope that at some point the school’s all-time rushing leader would return to the lineup.
“There’s a lot of aspects to it that’s disappointing,” Frank Spaziani said in a phone interview Tuesday. “It’s disappointing.”
The head coach wouldn’t discuss the violations, and when asked how it affects the team, he pointed to the fact the Eagles have already been playing without the 2011 ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
“Once again, he hasn’t been there for a while,” he said. “So we go with the running backs we have.”
That means Rolandan “Deuce” Finch, Andre Williams and Tahj Kimble will be expected to carry the load as they did for most of the Eagles’ disappointing 4-8 season in 2011.
Harris missed the first three games of the season after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his injured left knee in training camp. The 5-foot-10, 207-pound running back from Jacksonville, Fla., returned to action against UMass and became the Eagles’ career rushing leader (3,735 yards) in the next game, against Wake Forest.
But the running back reinjured the knee in that game, and ultimately missed the rest of the season. He received a medical hardship waiver for a fifth year of eligibility, and BC’s all-time leader in rushing yards, carries (786) and 100-yard games (22) was expected to make a run at the ACC’s all-time rushing record (held by NC State’s Ted Brown, with 4,602) with a healthy senior season.
After participating in the first workout of spring practice, however, Harris complained of soreness in the knee and was shut down for the rest of the spring session.
Spaziani acknowledged that the Eagles never knew what to expect from Harris during his extended battle with knee problems.
“That’s been precarious at best,” he said of Harris’ recovery. “We thought he was gonna be all right three weeks after the first surgery. Nothing has ever changed on that.
“It was always a very delicate situation and hopefully it’ll resolve itself.”
The Eagles had been hoping for a while that they would get a healthy Harris back. Then came Tuesday’s announcement.
“We’re disappointed but we went through the whole spring [without him],” Spaziani said. “He hasn’t been out there for a while now.”
Asked how the loss has affected the team, Spaziani said: “The team hasn’t been out there, so I’m not sure what their reactions are. ... Their reactions are they move on.
“He hasn’t been out there,” he said. “Ever since he was first injured he’s been in and out. So I don’t have any doubt that they will [move on]. They don’t have a choice. He only played two games last year, right?”
Harris has an effervescent, upbeat personality and a work ethic that Spaziani called “exemplary,” and would’ve been expected to provide leadership for the still-young Eagles in 2012.
Spaziani is fond of saying you can’t just create fifth-year seniors; it takes five years to make one. Assuming his knee would’ve allowed him to get back on the field, Harris would have been a valuable one.
“You can’t have enough, but there’s guys [on the roster] that have had some experience, have been in games and understand what it takes,” Spaziani said when asked about the loss of leadership. “It’s like pitching, you can never stockpile enough experience.”
The coach cited offensive tackles John Wetzel and Emmett Cleary, tight end Chris Pantale, wide receivers Colin Larmond Jr., Bobby Swigert and Alex Amidon and quarterback Chase Rettig as examples of players who’ve been on the field enough to know what it takes to succeed. The first four will be seniors in 2012, while the last three will be juniors.
BC opens the 2012 season Sept. 1 at home against Miami, but the most accomplished running back in school history won’t be taking the field in Alumni Stadium in the maroon and gold.
“I think they’ll remember all the exciting things that he did,” the coach said when asked how he thinks Eagles fans will remember Harris. “What he did was spectacular in a lot of ways. He’s a great player.”
But will the disappointing end take away from what he did at BC at all?
“From your accomplishments?” Spaziani asked, rhetorically. “I don’t think anything can take away from what you accomplished, can it?”
Jack McCluskey is an editor for ESPN.com and a frequent contributor to ESPNBoston.com. Follow him on Twitter @jack_mccluskey.
“There’s a lot of aspects to it that’s disappointing,” Frank Spaziani said in a phone interview Tuesday. “It’s disappointing.”
The head coach wouldn’t discuss the violations, and when asked how it affects the team, he pointed to the fact the Eagles have already been playing without the 2011 ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
“Once again, he hasn’t been there for a while,” he said. “So we go with the running backs we have.”
That means Rolandan “Deuce” Finch, Andre Williams and Tahj Kimble will be expected to carry the load as they did for most of the Eagles’ disappointing 4-8 season in 2011.
Harris missed the first three games of the season after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his injured left knee in training camp. The 5-foot-10, 207-pound running back from Jacksonville, Fla., returned to action against UMass and became the Eagles’ career rushing leader (3,735 yards) in the next game, against Wake Forest.
But the running back reinjured the knee in that game, and ultimately missed the rest of the season. He received a medical hardship waiver for a fifth year of eligibility, and BC’s all-time leader in rushing yards, carries (786) and 100-yard games (22) was expected to make a run at the ACC’s all-time rushing record (held by NC State’s Ted Brown, with 4,602) with a healthy senior season.
After participating in the first workout of spring practice, however, Harris complained of soreness in the knee and was shut down for the rest of the spring session.
Spaziani acknowledged that the Eagles never knew what to expect from Harris during his extended battle with knee problems.
“That’s been precarious at best,” he said of Harris’ recovery. “We thought he was gonna be all right three weeks after the first surgery. Nothing has ever changed on that.
“It was always a very delicate situation and hopefully it’ll resolve itself.”
The Eagles had been hoping for a while that they would get a healthy Harris back. Then came Tuesday’s announcement.
“We’re disappointed but we went through the whole spring [without him],” Spaziani said. “He hasn’t been out there for a while now.”
Asked how the loss has affected the team, Spaziani said: “The team hasn’t been out there, so I’m not sure what their reactions are. ... Their reactions are they move on.
“He hasn’t been out there,” he said. “Ever since he was first injured he’s been in and out. So I don’t have any doubt that they will [move on]. They don’t have a choice. He only played two games last year, right?”
Harris has an effervescent, upbeat personality and a work ethic that Spaziani called “exemplary,” and would’ve been expected to provide leadership for the still-young Eagles in 2012.
Spaziani is fond of saying you can’t just create fifth-year seniors; it takes five years to make one. Assuming his knee would’ve allowed him to get back on the field, Harris would have been a valuable one.
“You can’t have enough, but there’s guys [on the roster] that have had some experience, have been in games and understand what it takes,” Spaziani said when asked about the loss of leadership. “It’s like pitching, you can never stockpile enough experience.”
The coach cited offensive tackles John Wetzel and Emmett Cleary, tight end Chris Pantale, wide receivers Colin Larmond Jr., Bobby Swigert and Alex Amidon and quarterback Chase Rettig as examples of players who’ve been on the field enough to know what it takes to succeed. The first four will be seniors in 2012, while the last three will be juniors.
BC opens the 2012 season Sept. 1 at home against Miami, but the most accomplished running back in school history won’t be taking the field in Alumni Stadium in the maroon and gold.
“I think they’ll remember all the exciting things that he did,” the coach said when asked how he thinks Eagles fans will remember Harris. “What he did was spectacular in a lot of ways. He’s a great player.”
But will the disappointing end take away from what he did at BC at all?
“From your accomplishments?” Spaziani asked, rhetorically. “I don’t think anything can take away from what you accomplished, can it?”
Jack McCluskey is an editor for ESPN.com and a frequent contributor to ESPNBoston.com. Follow him on Twitter @jack_mccluskey.
Our series continues today with the Hurricanes, who are replacing a just-drafted running back and face a lack of depth on their offensive line.
For a complete recap of the series, click here.
Miami: RG Brandon Linder
2011 stats: Linder started all 12 games as a sophomore at right guard and earned ACC offensive lineman of the week honors after playing center, guard, tackle and tight end in the Hurricanes' 35-10 win over Wake Forest on Nov. 12.
What he means to the Hurricanes: Miami's offensive line trouble this spring has been well-documented, with coach Al Golden having to defend signs the program posted on campus looking for walk-on additions to the unit. Three starters from the end of last season are gone, including the entire left side. Linder looks like the only sure thing for the unit coming out of spring. Jon Feliciano is the only other returning starter, but he moved from right tackle to left guard, and he may not even start there, as he exits spring in a tight battle with Jermaine Johnson for the No. 1 spot. That leaves Linder as the lone holdover, and his presence on the line will provide a strong sense of stability for a unit that paved the way for Lamar Miller to rush for 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Miller was just drafted by the Dolphins in the fourth round. The Canes currently have 13 offensive linemen on the roster as they exit spring, and will have one more come fall once guard recruit Daniel Isidora arrives.
For a complete recap of the series, click here.
Miami: RG Brandon Linder
2011 stats: Linder started all 12 games as a sophomore at right guard and earned ACC offensive lineman of the week honors after playing center, guard, tackle and tight end in the Hurricanes' 35-10 win over Wake Forest on Nov. 12.
What he means to the Hurricanes: Miami's offensive line trouble this spring has been well-documented, with coach Al Golden having to defend signs the program posted on campus looking for walk-on additions to the unit. Three starters from the end of last season are gone, including the entire left side. Linder looks like the only sure thing for the unit coming out of spring. Jon Feliciano is the only other returning starter, but he moved from right tackle to left guard, and he may not even start there, as he exits spring in a tight battle with Jermaine Johnson for the No. 1 spot. That leaves Linder as the lone holdover, and his presence on the line will provide a strong sense of stability for a unit that paved the way for Lamar Miller to rush for 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Miller was just drafted by the Dolphins in the fourth round. The Canes currently have 13 offensive linemen on the roster as they exit spring, and will have one more come fall once guard recruit Daniel Isidora arrives.
As mentioned in lunch links, Clemson announced the signings of undrafted lineman Landon Walker (Cincinnati Bengals) and punter Dawson Zimmerman (Atlanta Falcons). And a couple of generous readers have passed along a few more signings from ACC schools.
Virginia Tech guard Blake DeChristopher signed with the Cardinals, and Hokies defensive back Cris Hill signed with the Bills.
Big thanks to Matt from Alexandria, Va., Ben in Blacksburg, Va., and Lynn in Blacksburg, Va., for the head's up.
The updated, working list is below. Feel free to pass along any oversights.
BOSTON COLLEGE
CB Donnie Fletcher: New York Jets
CLEMSON
DE Kourtnei Brown: San Francisco 49ers
FB Chad Diehl: Baltimore Ravens
OL Antoine McClain: Baltimore Ravens
DT Rennie Moore: Houston Texans
OT Landon Walker: Cincinnati Bengals
P Dawson Zimmerman: Atlanta Falcons
DUKE
S Matt Daniels: St. Louis Rams
FSU
WR Bert Reed: Cleveland Browns
S Terrence Parks: Kansas City Chiefs
P Shawn Powell: Buffalo Bills
MARYLAND
CB Cameron Chism: Indianapolis Colts
RB Davin Meggett: Houston Texans
MIAMI
WR LaRon Byrd: Arizona Cardinals
OL Joel Figueroa: Miami Dolphins (rookie camp tryout)
TE Chase Ford: Philadelphia Eagles
DL Marcus Forston: New England Patriots
LB Jordan Futch: Tampa Bay Bucaneers
G Harland Gunn: Dallas Cowboys
QB Jacory Harris: Miami Dolphins (rookie camp tryout)
C Tyler Horn: Atlanta Falcons
S JoJo Nicolas: New York Giants
DL Adewale Ojomo: New York Giants
DT Micanor Regis: Atlanta Falcons
UNC
CB Charles Brown: Baltimore Ravens
C Cam Holland: Kansas City Chiefs
WR Dwight Jones: Houston Texans
S Matt Merletti: Indianapolis Colts
DT Tydreke Powell: Minnesota Vikings
NC STATE
TE George Bryan: Dallas Cowboys
FB Taylor Gentry: Kansas City Chiefs
VIRGINIA
CB Chase Minnifield: Washington Redskins
OG Austin Pasztor: Minnesota Vikings
S Rodney McLeod: St. Louis Rams
DT Matt Conrath: St. Louis Rams
VIRGINIA TECH
WR Jarrett Boykin: Jacksonville Jaguars
OT Jaymes Brooks: Green Bay Packers
G Blake DeChristopher: Arizona Cardinals
CB Cris Hill: Buffalo Bills
S Eddie Whitley: Dallas Cowboys
WAKE FOREST
TE Cameron Ford: Green Bay Packers
S Cyhl Quarles: Baltimore Ravens
Virginia Tech guard Blake DeChristopher signed with the Cardinals, and Hokies defensive back Cris Hill signed with the Bills.
Big thanks to Matt from Alexandria, Va., Ben in Blacksburg, Va., and Lynn in Blacksburg, Va., for the head's up.
The updated, working list is below. Feel free to pass along any oversights.
BOSTON COLLEGE
CB Donnie Fletcher: New York Jets
CLEMSON
DE Kourtnei Brown: San Francisco 49ers
FB Chad Diehl: Baltimore Ravens
OL Antoine McClain: Baltimore Ravens
DT Rennie Moore: Houston Texans
OT Landon Walker: Cincinnati Bengals
P Dawson Zimmerman: Atlanta Falcons
DUKE
S Matt Daniels: St. Louis Rams
FSU
WR Bert Reed: Cleveland Browns
S Terrence Parks: Kansas City Chiefs
P Shawn Powell: Buffalo Bills
MARYLAND
CB Cameron Chism: Indianapolis Colts
RB Davin Meggett: Houston Texans
MIAMI
WR LaRon Byrd: Arizona Cardinals
OL Joel Figueroa: Miami Dolphins (rookie camp tryout)
TE Chase Ford: Philadelphia Eagles
DL Marcus Forston: New England Patriots
LB Jordan Futch: Tampa Bay Bucaneers
G Harland Gunn: Dallas Cowboys
QB Jacory Harris: Miami Dolphins (rookie camp tryout)
C Tyler Horn: Atlanta Falcons
S JoJo Nicolas: New York Giants
DL Adewale Ojomo: New York Giants
DT Micanor Regis: Atlanta Falcons
UNC
CB Charles Brown: Baltimore Ravens
C Cam Holland: Kansas City Chiefs
WR Dwight Jones: Houston Texans
S Matt Merletti: Indianapolis Colts
DT Tydreke Powell: Minnesota Vikings
NC STATE
TE George Bryan: Dallas Cowboys
FB Taylor Gentry: Kansas City Chiefs
VIRGINIA
CB Chase Minnifield: Washington Redskins
OG Austin Pasztor: Minnesota Vikings
S Rodney McLeod: St. Louis Rams
DT Matt Conrath: St. Louis Rams
VIRGINIA TECH
WR Jarrett Boykin: Jacksonville Jaguars
OT Jaymes Brooks: Green Bay Packers
G Blake DeChristopher: Arizona Cardinals
CB Cris Hill: Buffalo Bills
S Eddie Whitley: Dallas Cowboys
WAKE FOREST
TE Cameron Ford: Green Bay Packers
S Cyhl Quarles: Baltimore Ravens
Mel Kiper Jr. discusses the top prospects for the 2013 NFL draft.
Frank Spaziani has said repeatedly this spring that a football team can never have enough running backs.
Never will that be more evident for the Boston College coach than now, as Eagles all-time leading rusher Montel Harris has been dismissed from the team for repeated violation of team rules. It is hard to replace a guy like Harris, who missed most of last season and almost all of this spring with a knee injury. His credentials:
Now BC is forced to move on without Harris, as it will turn to the trio of Andre Williams, Tahj Kimble and Rolandan Finch for more production.
Finch and Williams, entering their redshirt junior and junior seasons, respectively, are the elder statesmen of the group. Finch has carried the ball 185 times in his career for 839 yards and four touchdowns, with almost all of that production coming last season. With Williams and Kimble both missing most of the spring game with injuries, Finch rushed 27 times for 196 yards. The knock on him, however, has been ball security.
Williams has 978 career yards and six touchdowns on 219 carries. Kimble, entering his redshirt sophomore season, made strides this spring after 156 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries last season.
The responsibility for picking up the ground game is now on the shoulders of those three with one of the school's all-time greats officially out of the picture.
Never will that be more evident for the Boston College coach than now, as Eagles all-time leading rusher Montel Harris has been dismissed from the team for repeated violation of team rules. It is hard to replace a guy like Harris, who missed most of last season and almost all of this spring with a knee injury. His credentials:
- The ACC's leading rusher in 2010 and its preseason player of the year last season
- BC's all-time leader in rushing yards (3,735), carries (786) and 100-yard games (22), and third in school history in touchdowns (27)
- The conference's active leader in rushing yards and carries
- Within striking distance of the ACC career rushing yards record (NC State's Ted Brown — 4,602 yards from 1975-78)
Now BC is forced to move on without Harris, as it will turn to the trio of Andre Williams, Tahj Kimble and Rolandan Finch for more production.
Finch and Williams, entering their redshirt junior and junior seasons, respectively, are the elder statesmen of the group. Finch has carried the ball 185 times in his career for 839 yards and four touchdowns, with almost all of that production coming last season. With Williams and Kimble both missing most of the spring game with injuries, Finch rushed 27 times for 196 yards. The knock on him, however, has been ball security.
Williams has 978 career yards and six touchdowns on 219 carries. Kimble, entering his redshirt sophomore season, made strides this spring after 156 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries last season.
The responsibility for picking up the ground game is now on the shoulders of those three with one of the school's all-time greats officially out of the picture.
For those counting, that's one playoff win for a fire extinguisher since 2001 ... and none for the Knicks.
- RecruitingNation looks at the top uncommitted DBs, many of whom have ACC schools high on their lists. Craig Haubert adds a video looking at the top safeties from the class of 2012.
- Add two more names to Monday's list of signed undrafted free agents: Clemson lineman Landon Walker (Cincinnati Bengals) and punter Dawson Zimmerman (Atlanta Falcons).
- BC's Oct. 6 game against Army will be a noon kickoff.
- UNC director of football video ops Christopher Luke was named the best in the biz last week.
- The gang at AthlonSports.com has a pair of ACC schools among their 10 challengers to the SEC's throne.
Terps raise more than $14K for Lift for Life
May, 1, 2012
May 1
10:30
AM ET
By
Matt Fortuna | ESPN.com
Maryland players spent 45 minutes Saturday flipping tires, pushing prowlers and performing other strenuous drills as part of the team's annual "Lift for Life" efforts to raise money for rare diseases.
The Terrapins have raised more than $14,000 this year to help fight cystic fibrosis, an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems of roughly 30,000 Americans. They raised roughly $9,000 last year.
"We're just trying to do whatever ever we can to give back," offensive lineman Justin Gilbert said. "There are a lot more people less fortunate than we are."
The money is donated to the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which has raised close to $100 million for cystic fibrosis research. Esiason's son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with the disease as a 2-year-old in 1993.
Other schools such as Boston College, NC State, Ohio State and Penn State hold similar events every year as part of Uplifting Athletes. The schools have raised more than $1 million since 2003.
The Terrapins have raised more than $14,000 this year to help fight cystic fibrosis, an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive systems of roughly 30,000 Americans. They raised roughly $9,000 last year.
"We're just trying to do whatever ever we can to give back," offensive lineman Justin Gilbert said. "There are a lot more people less fortunate than we are."
The money is donated to the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which has raised close to $100 million for cystic fibrosis research. Esiason's son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with the disease as a 2-year-old in 1993.
Other schools such as Boston College, NC State, Ohio State and Penn State hold similar events every year as part of Uplifting Athletes. The schools have raised more than $1 million since 2003.
David Cutcliffe knows a thing or two about NFL quarterbacks.
The Duke head coach's relationship with Peyton Manning -- and the four-time MVP's recovery from neck surgeries -- has been well-documented. And when looking at his current signal caller, Sean Renfree, Cutcliffe sees pro possibilities for the multi-year starter with a strong senior season.
"Well, the one thing they're going to look at is that ratio of touchdown passes to interceptions, which is just a production number. That's why it carries such weight in that quarterback rating. And it's about production," Cutcliffe said. "So I think he's got to handle that. He's got to handle pressure. He's got to do the things that at times have been a problem for us. Is he a pro prospect? Definitely. I think he will get drafted. To what level depends upon this year.
"But good gosh, what a worker, what a great mind. He's got a tremendous arm. He's very, very accurate, and he's -- you just can't believe the work he's putting in right now on his own. He is a very dedicated youngster, and I'm excited about his summer and what he plans to do this summer."
Renfree enters 2012 with two years of starting experience under his belt, having completed better than 65 percent of his passes for 6,352 yards with 31 touchdowns and 30 picks.
The Blue Devils have not had a player drafted since 2004, when the Giants took tackle Drew Strojny in the seventh round. They have not had a quarterback drafted since 1989, when the Packers selected Anthony Dilweg in the third round. (The Giants took Dave Brown in the 1992 supplemental draft.)
Manning was a regular in Durham, N.C., last fall as he readied for his 2012 return with Cutcliffe, his quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator nearly two decades ago at Tennessee. And Cutcliffe thinks the presence of an NFL great rubbed off on his current signal caller.
"Yes. No. 1, having all this Peyton film available to him to study," Cutcliffe said. "I put Peyton through thousands of drills, and we've got all of that on tape, and he looks at Peyton's movements, his footwork, his habits. That's a huge resource, even with Peyton gone. During Peyton's time here, Peyton was good enough to share with those guys, to talk to them about habits just playing quarterback. He was great with [Duke offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach] Kurt Roper. Peyton spent time with him.
"It's immeasurable, but it's continued because of the resource. And now Sean has really studied it and sees some of the things that you try to tell him would make a difference, and now he can see it because I have all of this drill tape of Peyton right here, which is just an unbelievable resource for a young quarterback."
The Duke head coach's relationship with Peyton Manning -- and the four-time MVP's recovery from neck surgeries -- has been well-documented. And when looking at his current signal caller, Sean Renfree, Cutcliffe sees pro possibilities for the multi-year starter with a strong senior season.
"Well, the one thing they're going to look at is that ratio of touchdown passes to interceptions, which is just a production number. That's why it carries such weight in that quarterback rating. And it's about production," Cutcliffe said. "So I think he's got to handle that. He's got to handle pressure. He's got to do the things that at times have been a problem for us. Is he a pro prospect? Definitely. I think he will get drafted. To what level depends upon this year.
"But good gosh, what a worker, what a great mind. He's got a tremendous arm. He's very, very accurate, and he's -- you just can't believe the work he's putting in right now on his own. He is a very dedicated youngster, and I'm excited about his summer and what he plans to do this summer."
Renfree enters 2012 with two years of starting experience under his belt, having completed better than 65 percent of his passes for 6,352 yards with 31 touchdowns and 30 picks.
The Blue Devils have not had a player drafted since 2004, when the Giants took tackle Drew Strojny in the seventh round. They have not had a quarterback drafted since 1989, when the Packers selected Anthony Dilweg in the third round. (The Giants took Dave Brown in the 1992 supplemental draft.)
Manning was a regular in Durham, N.C., last fall as he readied for his 2012 return with Cutcliffe, his quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator nearly two decades ago at Tennessee. And Cutcliffe thinks the presence of an NFL great rubbed off on his current signal caller.
"Yes. No. 1, having all this Peyton film available to him to study," Cutcliffe said. "I put Peyton through thousands of drills, and we've got all of that on tape, and he looks at Peyton's movements, his footwork, his habits. That's a huge resource, even with Peyton gone. During Peyton's time here, Peyton was good enough to share with those guys, to talk to them about habits just playing quarterback. He was great with [Duke offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach] Kurt Roper. Peyton spent time with him.
"It's immeasurable, but it's continued because of the resource. And now Sean has really studied it and sees some of the things that you try to tell him would make a difference, and now he can see it because I have all of this drill tape of Peyton right here, which is just an unbelievable resource for a young quarterback."
Our series continues today with the Terrapins, who are looking to rebound from a rocky 2-10 season in Year 1 of the Randy Edsall era.
For a complete recap of the series, click here.
Maryland: LB Kenny Tate
2011 stats: One of four team captains last season, Tate's campaign was cut short after just four games because of season-ending knee surgery. He recorded 35 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
What he means to the Terrapins: Say what you want about the offense, which has just one quarterback with any experience and was outplayed in Maryland's spring game, but the Terps' recovery will start on the other side of the ball. Maryland finished 108th nationally in total defense last season, and it was 111th against the run. New coordinator Brian Stewart's 3-4 system should help fix that, and a healthy Tate could ease the transition. Tate sat out this spring but was granted a medical hardship waiver and will be back for a fifth season this fall. He played safety for three years before 2011, and his 2010 campaign (100 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three picks) earned him All-ACC honors as a junior. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder moved to linebacker last season and has 21 total starts at Maryland, notching 197 tackles, seven picks and five forced fumbles in 40 career games. Linebacker and captain Demetrius Hartsfield led the charge in the spring game for the defense -- which was also missing All-ACC end Joe Vellano (foot) -- and the health of the unit could play a big role in Maryland's climb out of the cellar of the ACC.
For a complete recap of the series, click here.
Maryland: LB Kenny Tate
2011 stats: One of four team captains last season, Tate's campaign was cut short after just four games because of season-ending knee surgery. He recorded 35 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble.
What he means to the Terrapins: Say what you want about the offense, which has just one quarterback with any experience and was outplayed in Maryland's spring game, but the Terps' recovery will start on the other side of the ball. Maryland finished 108th nationally in total defense last season, and it was 111th against the run. New coordinator Brian Stewart's 3-4 system should help fix that, and a healthy Tate could ease the transition. Tate sat out this spring but was granted a medical hardship waiver and will be back for a fifth season this fall. He played safety for three years before 2011, and his 2010 campaign (100 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three picks) earned him All-ACC honors as a junior. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder moved to linebacker last season and has 21 total starts at Maryland, notching 197 tackles, seven picks and five forced fumbles in 40 career games. Linebacker and captain Demetrius Hartsfield led the charge in the spring game for the defense -- which was also missing All-ACC end Joe Vellano (foot) -- and the health of the unit could play a big role in Maryland's climb out of the cellar of the ACC.
List of ACC undrafted free agent signings
April, 30, 2012
Apr 30
3:30
PM ET
By
Matt Fortuna | ESPN.com
Thirty-one players from ACC schools were drafted this past weekend, but many more signed free-agent deals with NFL teams in the aftermath of the draft.
The following is a list of ACC players, by school, who have signed undrafted free agent deals with NFL teams. It was compiled largely from NFL.com, along with official releases from NFL teams and ACC schools. Georgia Tech is the only ACC school currently without an undrafted free-agent signing.
By all means, feel free to let me know if I have overlooked anyone.
BOSTON COLLEGE
CB Donnie Fletcher - New York Jets
CLEMSON
DE Kourtnel Brown - San Francisco 49ers
FB Chad Diehl - Baltimore Ravens
OL Antoine McClain - Baltimore Ravens
DT Rennie Moore - Houston Texans
DUKE
S Matt Daniels - St. Louis Rams
FSU
WR Bert Reed - Cleveland Browns
S Terrence Parks - Kansas City Chiefs
P Shawn Powell - Buffalo Bills
MARYLAND
CB Cameron Chism - Indianapolis Colts
RB Davin Meggett - Houston Texans
MIAMI
WR LaRon Byrd - Arizona Cardinals
TE Chase Ford - Philadelphia Eagles
DL Marcus Forston - New England Patriots
LB Jordan Futch - Tampa Bay Bucaneers
G Harland Gunn - Dallas Cowboys
C Tyler Horn - Atlanta Falcons
S JoJo Nicolas - New York Giants
DL Adewale Ojomo - New York Giants
DT Micanor Regis - Atlanta Falcons
UNC
CB Charles Brown - Baltimore Ravens
C Cam Holland - Kansas City Chiefs
WR Dwight Jones - Houston Texans
S Matt Merletti - Indianapolis Colts
DT Tydreke Powell - Minnesota Vikings
NC STATE
TE George Bryan - Dallas Cowboys
FB Taylor Gentry - Kansas City Chiefs
VIRGINIA
CB Chase Minnifield – Washington Redskins
OG Austin Pasztor - Minnesota Vikings
S Rodney McLeod – St. Louis Rams
DT Matt Conrath – St. Louis Rams
VIRGINIA TECH
WR Jarrett Boykin - Jacksonville Jaguars
OT Jaymes Brooks - Green Bay Packers
S Eddie Whitley - Dallas Cowboys
WAKE FOREST
TE Cameron Ford - Green Bay Packers
S Chyl Quarles - Baltimore Ravens
The Hurricanes also announced that quarterback Jacory Harris and offensive lineman Joel Figueroa have both been invited to rookie camp tryouts with the Miami Dolphins.
The following is a list of ACC players, by school, who have signed undrafted free agent deals with NFL teams. It was compiled largely from NFL.com, along with official releases from NFL teams and ACC schools. Georgia Tech is the only ACC school currently without an undrafted free-agent signing.
By all means, feel free to let me know if I have overlooked anyone.
BOSTON COLLEGE
CB Donnie Fletcher - New York Jets
CLEMSON
DE Kourtnel Brown - San Francisco 49ers
FB Chad Diehl - Baltimore Ravens
OL Antoine McClain - Baltimore Ravens
DT Rennie Moore - Houston Texans
DUKE
S Matt Daniels - St. Louis Rams
FSU
WR Bert Reed - Cleveland Browns
S Terrence Parks - Kansas City Chiefs
P Shawn Powell - Buffalo Bills
MARYLAND
CB Cameron Chism - Indianapolis Colts
RB Davin Meggett - Houston Texans
MIAMI
WR LaRon Byrd - Arizona Cardinals
TE Chase Ford - Philadelphia Eagles
DL Marcus Forston - New England Patriots
LB Jordan Futch - Tampa Bay Bucaneers
G Harland Gunn - Dallas Cowboys
C Tyler Horn - Atlanta Falcons
S JoJo Nicolas - New York Giants
DL Adewale Ojomo - New York Giants
DT Micanor Regis - Atlanta Falcons
UNC
CB Charles Brown - Baltimore Ravens
C Cam Holland - Kansas City Chiefs
WR Dwight Jones - Houston Texans
S Matt Merletti - Indianapolis Colts
DT Tydreke Powell - Minnesota Vikings
NC STATE
TE George Bryan - Dallas Cowboys
FB Taylor Gentry - Kansas City Chiefs
VIRGINIA
CB Chase Minnifield – Washington Redskins
OG Austin Pasztor - Minnesota Vikings
S Rodney McLeod – St. Louis Rams
DT Matt Conrath – St. Louis Rams
VIRGINIA TECH
WR Jarrett Boykin - Jacksonville Jaguars
OT Jaymes Brooks - Green Bay Packers
S Eddie Whitley - Dallas Cowboys
WAKE FOREST
TE Cameron Ford - Green Bay Packers
S Chyl Quarles - Baltimore Ravens
The Hurricanes also announced that quarterback Jacory Harris and offensive lineman Joel Figueroa have both been invited to rookie camp tryouts with the Miami Dolphins.
Todd McShay examines three players who could be gems and looks ahead to top prospects for the 2013 NFL draft.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
