ESPN College Football

2011 overall record: 8-5

2011 conference record: 4-4 (4th, Atlantic)

Returning starters

Offense: 7; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners

LT R.J. Mattes, LG Duran Christophe, RG Zach Allen, C Camden Wentz, QB Mike Glennon, RB James Washington, WR Tobais Palmer, DE Brian Slay, DE Art Norman, DE Darryl Cato-Bishop, CB C.J. Wilson, CB David Amerson, S Brandan Bishop, S Earl Wolff

Key losses

WR T.J. Graham, WR Jay Smith, TE George Bryan, RT Mikel Overgaard, DT Markus Kuhn, LB Terrell Manning, LB Audie Cole, LB D.J. Green

2011 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: James Washington* (897 yards)
Passing: Mike Glennon* (3,054 yards)
Receiving: T.J. Graham (757 yards)
Tackles: Audie Cole (108)
Sacks: Audie Cole/Terrell Manning/Art Norman*/Darryl Cato-Bishop* (5.5)
Interceptions: David Amerson* (13)

Spring answers

1. Good luck passing against these DBs. All four starters are back, headed by the record-setting David Amerson, whose 13 picks last season were the most in ACC history. Amerson added another in the spring game. Playing keep-away won't be so easy for opposing quarterbacks, who also have to worry about corner C.J. Wilson, who has returned all three of his career picks for scores.

2. Mike Glennon ready to improve. It wasn't always easy playing in the shadow of Russell Wilson, but Glennon had a strong finish to the 2011 season and had the benefit (or is it horror?) of facing his own secondary this spring. Look for him to build off his 3,000-yard debut season.

3. Glennon's targets should be fine. Despite the loss of T.J. Graham, the Wolfpack figure to be OK at wide receiver. Tobais Palmer had five touchdowns last season and should lead a group that, like Glennon, had its work cut out for it this spring going up against a talented secondary.

Fall questions

1. How will the LBs fare? Graduations, early draft departures and suspensions have hurt the unit. Dontae Johnson is the only returner with extensive playing time, but that came at free safety, a position he left behind this spring. Fifth-year senior Sterling Lucas figures to enter camp as the starter in the middle.

2. How will Rodman Noel transition? The athletic Noel has moved from safety to outside linebacker, and a strong jump from him could provide a big boost to the young unit. Look for him to be used all over the field in a hybrid-like role for the Wolfpack.

3. Can Mustafa Greene emerge? Legal problems and injuries have hurt the running back, who would be returning to play behind an experienced offensive line if he can work his way back into playing time. Greene totaled 869 yards and six touchdowns during his true freshman campaign of 2010.

2011 overall record: 8-5
2011 conference record: 5-3 (T-2nd, Coastal)
Returning starters: Offense: 7; defense: 4; kicker/punter: 0

Top returners
WR Tim Smith, LT Oday Aboushi, RT Morgan Moses, RG Luke Bowanko, TE Colter Phillips, QB Michael Rocco, RB Perry Jones, DE Jake Snyder, OLB LaRoy Reynolds, MLB Steve Greer, CB Demetrious Nicholson

Key losses
WR Kris Burd, G Austin Pasztor, C Anthony Mihota, FB Max Milien, DT Matt Conrath, DT Nick Jenkins, DE Cam Johnson, OLB Aaron Taliferro, CB Chase Minnifield, SS Rodney McLeod, FS Corey Mosley

Spring answers

1. Ground game should be fine. Three starters are back on the offensive line, and Perry Jones, Kevin Parks and Clifton Richardson will all be lining up in the backfield again following a campaign that saw the trio combine for 1,990 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns.

2. Rocco steps up. Michael Rocco beat out three competitors to win the starting quarterback job in 2011. The process has been a whole lot easier this spring, and the junior will look to build off a strong debut season that featured a 60 percent completion rate. Returning starter Tim Smith will likely be Rocco's top target following the departure of Kris Burd.

3. Jake McGee ready to fill tight end role. A converted quarterback, McGee stood out in the spring game, hauling in a pair of passes for 81 yards. He has said that he wants to be the next Heath Miller. Boosting a unit that combined for just 20 catches last season would be a nice start.

Fall questions

1. What to do with Phillip Sims? The former Alabama quarterback announced his transfer to Virginia after the spring season. It remains to be seen whether he will even be eligible for the 2012 season. If he is, however, he could make things interesting if Rocco underperforms this fall.

2. Where will the secondary help come from? Demetrious Nicholson returns at corner after a strong freshman campaign, but the unit loses more than 90 career starts from the other three starters, led by corner Chase Minnifield. Virginia's offense threw for more than 400 yards in the spring game against the re-tooling secondary, which has a long way to go after spring.

3. Can the line get enough pressure to help the secondary? Cam Johnson and two other starters are gone from last year. The Cavaliers gave up 81 points over their final two games of 2011 and lose seven starters. Junior end Jake Snyder is the only returning starter up front.

2011 overall record: 11-3
2011 conference record: 7-1 (1st, Coastal)
Returning starters: Offense: 3; defense: 9; kicker/punter: 1

Top returners
QB Logan Thomas, WR Marcus Davis, C Andrew Miller, DE James Gayle, DE J.R. Collins, DT Derrick Hopkins, DT Antoine Hopkins, ILB Bruce Taylor, ILB Tariq Edwards, OLB Jeron Gouveia-Winslow, CB Kyle Fuller, S Antone Exum

Key losses
WR Danny Coale, WR Jarrett Boykin, TE Chris Drager, LT Andrew Lanier, RT Blake DeChristopher, RG Jaymes Brooks, LG Greg Nosal, RB David Wilson, CB Jayron Hosley, FS Eddie Whitley

2011 statistical leaders (* returners)
Rushing: David Wilson (1,709 yards)
Passing: Logan Thomas* (3,013 yards)
Receiving: Danny Coale (904 yards)
Tackles: Antone Exum* (89)
Sacks: James Gayle* (7)
Interceptions: Jayron Hosley (3)

Spring answers

1. Logan Thomas: The ACC is loaded with talented quarterbacks in 2012, and Thomas is among the top returners. He accounted for 30 total touchdowns last season and threw for more than 3,000 yards. He is the unquestioned leader and centerpiece of the Hokies' offense, and a strong season could result in a handshake from Roger Goodell at Radio City next April.

2. Defensive line: This unit has the potential to be the best in the conference, as it will play eight or nine men on a regular basis and be the foundation for a defense among the best in the ACC. This group led the conference in sacks a year ago and has looked every bit as capable this spring of doing that again in 2012.

3. Security: The Hokies were faced with a similar position last season, only the exact opposite: Loads of offensive talent came back and the defense had some uncertainties. Virginia Tech still reached the ACC title game and a BCS bowl, extending its nation-best streak of 10 or more wins to an eighth straight season. Entering his 26th season and first as the longest-tenured FBS coach, Frank Beamer has an established track record and knows how to get the most out of his pieces. The hard part right now is finding them on offense.

Fall questions

1. Who will replace David Wilson? Wilson is off with the Giants, a first-round draft pick following a campaign in which he ran for more yards than any running back in Virginia Tech history. Michael Holmes figures to be the No. 1 back entering preseason camp, with J.C. Coleman pushing him for time. The Hokies welcome three new backs this fall, along with Tony Gregory, who missed spring while recovering from knee surgery.

2. Who will protect the newcomer? Holmes or any of his fellow backfield mates won't have the chance to accomplish anything replicating Wilson's production if they don't get the chance. The Hokies return just one starting offensive lineman from last season and will have to adjust quickly if the offense wants to resemble last year's.

3. Secondary help. Second-team all-ACC corner Kyle Fuller is back, along with leading tackle Antone Exum. Sophomore Detrick Bonner has moved from cornerback to free safety, sophomore Kyshoen Jarrett is now at safety and Exum is now at corner. Secondary coach Torrian Gray likes to build versatility, but he will have his hands full trying to replace Eddie Whitley (graduation) and cornerback Jayron Hosley (draft).

2011 overall record: 6-7

2011 conference record: 5-3 (T-2nd, Atlantic)

Returning starters

Offense: 3; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners

QB Tanner Price, WR Michael Campanaro, C Garrick Williams, DE Zach Thompson, NG Nikita Whitlock, OLB Joey Ehrmann, ILB Scott Betros, ILB Riley Haynes, CB Merrill Noel, FS Kenny Okoro

Key losses

WR Chris Givens, T Dennis Godfrey, T Doug Weaver, G Joe Looney, G Michael Hoag, TE Cameron Ford, RB Brandon Pendergrass, DE Tristan Dorty, DE Kyle Wilber, SS Cyhl Quarles, FS Josh Bush

2011 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Brandon Pendergrass (823 yards)

Passing: Tanner Price* (3,017 yards)

Receiving: Chris Givens (1,330 yards)

Tackles: Cyhl Quarles (101)

Sacks: Kyle Wilber/Nikita Whitlock* (3.5)

Interceptions: Josh Bush (6)

Spring answers

1. Tanner Price: As a sophomore last season, Price threw for more than 3,000 yards to go with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. Coach Jim Grobe has challenged Price to improve on his accuracy, especially on underneath passes, and if the quarterback can build off last season's 60-percent completion rate, the Demon Deacons should be just fine under center.

2. Skill players: Michael Campanaro is sliding into the go-to target shoes left behind by Chris Givens, shifting the focus to who will be the Deacs' No. 2 receiver. Josh Harris has been healthy all spring and should add a boost to a backfield that returns Orville Reynolds and DeAndre Martin. Deep? Not exactly. But Wake knows what it has in its skill-position players, and has enough weapons around Price for the quarterback to make a jump in his junior year. This spring has helped ease some concerns.

3. Front seven: The Deacs return a majority of their front-seven, including second-team All-ACC nose guard Nikita Whitlock. Grobe has praised the overall speed and depth of the defense as a whole, and he expects the team to be better on that side of the ball. Look for more pressure this season in new outside linebacker coach Derrick Jackson's first year on staff.

Fall questions

1. Offensive line: There's no sugar-coating this one: If Wake wants to repeat its surprising 2011 season -- one that saw it come within a field goal of playing for the ACC title -- it needs to find some answers up front. The line is replacing four starters. Grobe said coming out of spring that he feels comfortable about three spots at the moment, but the Deacs will need more than that if they want to get the most out of their skill players.

2. New staff: Grobe has had little turnover in his 11 years at Wake Forest, but he hired three new assistants this offseason -- Jackson, Jonathan Himebauch (offensive line) and Tim Duffie (secondary). The fresh blood, Grobe said, led to much more energy this spring, but the biggest tests will obviously come in-season.

3. Secondary. Speaking of Duffie, he'll have his work cut out for him in Year 1. Both safeties are gone, including Josh Bush, now with the Jets. Experience at cornerback will help ease the transition for the secondary, but building depth at safety could be an issue.

Seven players from the ACC are in position to defend the conference's Lott IMPACT Trophy, which went to Boston College's Luke Kuechly last season.

Forty-two players were named Monday to the initial Watch List for the award measuring personal character among the nation's top defensive players. Eighteen linebackers, 13 defensive backs and 11 defensive linemen make up the list, with the ACC having players from each group on it.

CB David Amerson, NC State
CB Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
LB Steve Greer, Virginia
DE Brandon Jenkins, FSU
LB Kevin Reddick, UNC
DT Joe Vellano, Maryland
DE Bjoern Werner, FSU

Jenkins was a nominee last season as well. The trophy is presented Dec. 9 at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif.

North Carolina State recently received a bit more strenuous of a spring workout than normal recently.

To improve team-building and test mental endurance, Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien enlisted the help of The Program, a leadership training regimen led by CEO and founder Eric Kapitulik.

Wolfpack players were put through calisthenics and carried various objects the night of April 23, all with the intent of performing as one. Other challenges awaited at 4 a.m. the next day in the pool, including an exercise in which players jumped in the deep end together and switched sweatshirts with each other while on command.

The players would perform the exercises again and again to improve their collective time.

O'Brien first used The Program two years ago, before a 9-4 campaign for NC State. Kapitulik, like O'Brien, graduated from the Naval Academy, and the coach gave The Program plenty of credit for the success of the 2010 season before inviting Kapitulik back this spring.

"I think it worked very well for us two years ago, so we brought him back and did it Monday night," O'Brien said. "We were on the field at 8 o'clock Monday night. Got off the field a little after 11:30, and were in the pool 4:30 the next morning. He brings basically himself, who is special operations, two other fellow Marine officers, a captain and a major that were special operations, a former NFL player, and they run the team through various drills and various team building exercises. I think it's a great experience for the team. I think they really enjoy it, especially once it's over."

A lacrosse player for Navy, Kapitulik was in a helicopter crash during a routine training regimen in 1999. Seven Marines were killed, and Kapitulik started a scholarship fund in honor of the fallen Marines.

He has continued living an intense life, climbing Mount Everest and four others and participating in marathons and a triathlon.

"I think that the biggest thing our players take from this is for each man to realize that the guy on his left and the guy on his right is more important than he is," O'Brien said. "To realize that to be successful as individuals, they have to help their teammates be successful."

When the test was over in Raleigh, Kapitulik awarded a silver shirt with The Program's logo on it -- the Spartan shield with the Greek letter lambda inside -- to redshirt senior safety Earl Wolff, the individual who represented being a great teammate the most.

"We have a lot of individuals on our team, but everything we did [during The Program] was together," Wolff said. "If everybody did it right and one person did it wrong, everybody had to do it all over. I think by the time it was over, everybody knew that it's not about them, it's about the team."

Big sports weekend, eh?

• Our Mitch Sherman has a great look at how new eligibility standards will impact future recruits.
• SI.com's Andy Staples has four ACC schools in his post-spring top 25.
• The Daily Press' David Teel says Phillip Sims' transfer from Alabama to Virginia raises many questions.
• Miami-Notre Dame student tickets are now available.
• Add another undrafted ACC rookie: Georgia Tech WR Tyler Melton, who tells the Atlanta-Journal Constitution's Ken Sugiura that he has a tryout at the Falcons' rookie minicamp.

Our series continues today with the Hokies, who return just one full-time starter from a strong offensive line in 2011.

For a complete recap of the series, click here.

Virginia Tech: C Andrew Miller

2011 stats: Miller started all 14 games as a junior last season, playing more than 900 snaps, including every single one in nine games.

What he means to the Hokies: The Hokies' line last season paved the way for David Wilson to notch the most single-season rushing yards in school history. It returns just one full-time starter from that line. As The Virginian-Pilot's Andy Bitter notes, Miller accounts for all 14 starts that Virginia Tech returns up front this season, whereas last year that number was 164. The offense is expected to undergo growing pains -- as is any that is forced to replace that much of its foundation -- but it does return a potential NFL quarterback in Logan Thomas, along with what is expected to be one of the top defenses in the country. If the Hokies want to continue their reign near the top of the conference, they will need key people to step up on offense, which starts with the line. Having a returning man in the middle who also happens to be a senior is an invaluable commodity, as Miller can hold the line together and help bring along the new starters.

It's been stated before in this space and it'll be stated again: There's nothing like seeing the disparity among mock drafts roughly a year before said drafts take place.

So it goes with 2013, which may have an ACC player at the center of debate, depending on the 2012 season.

CBSSports.com's Rob Rang has Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel as the No. 2 overall pick in his early mock, a position I have to think even the most optimistic of Seminoles fans are surprised to see. Manuel was 30th on NFL.com's Bucky Brooks' list of 30-best prospects. Brooks' colleague, Chad Reuter, has Manuel as the No. 3 quarterback. But the FSU signal-caller was not featured in most of the mocks we looked at last week.

Rang, who gives the Bills the No. 2 pick next year, writes:

Considering the gains the Bills made on the defensive side of the ball over the offseason, some expect them to make the playoffs in 2013. Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't universally regarded by scouts as a starting-caliber NFL quarterback. Should Fitzpatrick and the Bills' offense fail to match the new Buffalo defense, an immediate change is possible. Manuel has the physical tools to excite a scouting staff and has flashed superstar ability in a spread offense at FSU similar to the one Buffalo uses.

There has been a lot of discussion as to whether Manuel is the guy who can help bring FSU back into the national-title conversation this season. Coach Jimbo Fisher was presented with a question on an ACC teleconference nearly two weeks ago about whether Manuel would need to have a player of the year-type campaign for the offense to take off the way everyone around the program would like it to.

"No, I don't think so," Fisher said. "I think he has the ability to do that. The key is we play well around him. We first of all take care of our needs up front, and we get better up front and allow us to function. I think we have to find the receiver who is a guy that's going to go catch 70 balls, and the back that's going to be able to tote it and make the plays at the end and so forth, and the tight end create things. I think he will.

"When I looked at his numbers at the end, he didn't play perfect, but he did pretty good with the situations we had around him. And I don't necessarily think that's true, especially with the capabilities we have. I think we'll be able to run the football much better. Make more plays out there, and play great defense and special teams. I think he can, but I don't think he has to."

How Manuel's offensive teammates play will go a long way toward settling the debate around him.

Our series continues today with the Cavaliers, who are looking for answers in their defensive backfield after an 8-5 season in 2011.

For a complete recap of the series, click here.

Virginia: CB Demetrious Nicholson

2011 stats: Nicholson notched two picks, two tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, a forced fumble and 60 total tackles as a true freshman.

What he means to the Cavaliers: This is a secondary re-tooling, and coach Mike London said entering the spring that he would keep a close eye on both the defensive backs and wide receivers, looking to see which side would come out on the winning end of downfield throws. Nicholson, who played nearly every snap in his first year in 2011, ended up being named the most distinguished freshman this spring, but that hardly justifies his importance. With Chase Minnifield gone, Nicholson will probably be responsible for covering the opposition's No. 1 receiver this season, and he will have to be the leader of a group facing some questions given its lack of experience. Sophomores Brandon Phelps and Drequan Hoskey could start opposite him after seeing action mostly on special teams last season. Another option is converted running back Brendan Morgan. Regardless, the onus is on a true sophomore to lead this group in 2012, and after a strong debut season, he looks capable of filling the role.

This week, colleague Ryan McGee examined head coaches entering their second years, the headliner being Maryland's Randy Edsall.

Edsall was hardly the first coach to endure a tumultuous debut season, McGee says, but since the Terrapins' record was the worst, he got the first look here, grading out with an F for 2011.

Problem No. 1 will be reconnecting with his fan base, a job that Ralph Friedgen struggled with even when wins were plentiful. Problem No. 2 will be replacing the talent pool that emptied out via graduation and the mass exit of transfers.

What could solve all those issues at once is to concentrate recruiting efforts around landing players from the Maryland area. Edsall did that, signing five of the state's top 18-rated players. In all, the Terps landed 11 Maryland/D.C. products. Along with five from Pennsylvania and one from Virginia, that's 17 out of a class of 24 that are considered local.

Miami's Al Golden is facing a much different challenge. McGee graded his 6-6 debut season as a B-, with offensive inconsistency and, of course, the previously unforeseen Nevin Shapiro scandal hitting the program before Golden could even get started.

Quarterback Stephen Morris returns, though he's on the mend, and Memphis transfer Ryan Williams got all the spring reps. Golden has expressed concern about his receiver and defensive back corps, but he's anxious to get his eighth-ranked recruiting class in this summer to replace the 30 players he's lost during the last year.

Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins was arrested early Friday and charged with possession of a controlled substance and simple possession of marijuana, both misdemeanors.

After being arrested and taken to the Clemson City Jail, Watkins was released on a $1,620 personal recognizance bond.

"I made a mistake last night and I am truly sorry for my actions," Watkins said in a news release. "I let the team down, the coaches down and this university down. I will learn from this. I will accept any discipline coach [Dabo] Swinney and the university issues."

Discipline is likely on the way, though whether Watkins misses a game (or games) remains to be seen.

"I am aware of the arrest last night," Swinney said in a release. "I am mad and hurt by the poor decision that Sammy Watkins made. He is a good young man who has been a model student, citizen, player and teammate. This is a reminder that good people make poor decisions. But, there are consequences for your actions ... and there will be in this case.

"I am in the process of gathering the facts and discipline will be determined when I have completed that process."

It goes without saying what Watkins means to Clemson. He was the ACC's Rookie of the Year and, as we have stated in this space before, is primed to be the conference's next big national star.

A suspension would definitely hurt the Tigers offensively, especially if it were to come in Week 1 against Auburn. The spotlight may grow a little larger on DeAndre Hopkins, whom Swinney labeled the team's spring MVP. Having 1,604 career receiving yards and nine touchdowns under his belt doesn't hurt, either.

Virginia Tech added to its recruiting hot streak Thursday, gaining a pledge from three-star athlete Deon Newsome (Hampton, Va.), son of former Hokies linebacker Myron Newsome, according to The Virginian-Pilot.

The Hokies now have 11 commitments for the class of 2013, including 10 from the state of Virginia.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Newsome chose Virginia Tech over Virginia. He earned all-state recognition as a junior return man while also playing on both sides of the ball.

Myron Newsome was a Hokies linebacker from 1995-96, earning second-team all-Big East accolades as a senior. He now serves as an assistant at Hampton, but his path did not exactly make his son's college choice a layup.

From The Virginian-Pilot's Andy Bitter:

"I think his dad let him make his mind up," Hampton coach Mike Smith said. "He really didn't get in the mix too much. But I think he had those bloodlines in him. And he really liked his visit to Tech academically for what he wanted to do -- construction engineering or something. He really liked what he saw there."

Smith told Bitter that he expects Deon Newsome to play quarterback and strong safety his senior season.

Cassidy Hubbarth and the college football bloggers go around the country to look at the challenges facing coaches heading into their second season.