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.

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."

Sadly, spring football season is over, leaving us almost five months until we all get to see live football again. Unfortunately for Virginia Tech fans, it will feel like even longer than that after the way this weekend went in Blacksburg.

Here are the recaps of the last round of ACC spring games.

GEORGIA TECH
The Yellow Jackets' defense dominated the line of scrimmage Friday, recording sacks on three straight plays at one point in the White team's 31-7 win over the Gold. This, of course, was due in large part to four offensive linemen missing the contest because of injuries.

"Tonight was a little hard to tell because we wanted to stay fairly vanilla, and we couldn't do much with our injury situation on the offensive line," coach Paul Johnson said. "We were down to 10 guys. We had guys playing guard who have been playing guard two days."

Better than 18,000 showed up for Georgia Tech's first Friday night spring game, which Synjyn Days managed to play in despite hurting his left wrist two days earlier. He ran 15 times for 79 yards and a score but was ineffective passing the ball, going 5-for-15 for 71 yards. He fumbled twice, with one being returned for a touchdown.

Vad Lee completed 9 of 17 throws for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Returning starter Tevin Washington went 4-of-6 for 46 yards and carried it 14 times for 67 yards and a score.

"I think all three bring something to the table," Johnson said. "It's really a matter of who can improve most [by the opener]. The guys behind Tevin both bring different things."

MARYLAND
The Terrapins' defense dominated in a 67-53 win over the offense Saturday, recording 13 sacks and allowing only two touchdowns. (To be fair, it was a one-hand touch rule on the quarterbacks.)

Still, the defense had to like what it was able to do without players such as Joe Vellano and Kenny Tate, especially in its first public test in coordinator Brian Stewart's 3-4 scheme. Ranked last in the ACC a year ago, the defense sacked C.J. Brown nine times. Brown, the only quarterback with any experience, was 17-for-33 for 199 yards and a pick, and his line likely didn't benefit from the eased defensive rules.

"The guys had a lot of fun out there today, and they had the chance to go out there and play the game again with their teammates," coach Randy Edsall said. "Overall I thought we’ve had a really good spring. I thought the guys have done a really good job since January, getting started doing all the things we need to do to be better come August."

Maryland also announced that its 2012 captains will be Brown and Kevin Dorsey on offense and Vellano and Demetrius Hartsfield on defense. Hartsfield had 12 tackles, two for loss and a sack Saturday. Vellano was a captain last season as well.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE
David Amerson picked up right where he left off in the fall, intercepting Mike Glennon in the second quarter Saturday of the Black team's 32-7 win over the White team. More importantly, the crowd of 24,797 at Carter-Finley Stadium helped raise more than $26,000 for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

The Black team consisted of the first-team defense and second-team offense, with the White team fielding the opposite.

"These guys are coming out here and getting after it," Amerson said. "Defense, we're all about winning. We're competitive and we're out here to compete. We don't like to lose."

Glennon went 12-of-20 for 154 yards and a pick, and the offense struggled throughout much of the day. The Wolfpack defense recorded three interceptions, one coming from safety Earl Wolff, who returned a pick off Brian Taylor 46 yards for a score. Safety Isaac Swindell added a sack for the Black team.

"I thought we were competitive," coach Tom O'Brien said. "We didn't do as good of a job protecting the quarterback today as we did a week ago."

VIRGINIA TECH
Inclement weather forced the Hokies to cancel their annual Maroon-White game.

"There was more bad weather behind this one, and we looked at every situation -- whether we could get in a couple of quarters and it didn't look good for that, or reschedule for [Sunday], and it didn't look good for that, or reschedule for Monday, and it didn't look good for that," coach Frank Beamer said. "So in the end, we had to cancel it."

Roughly 4,000 fans had to be cleared from the stadium as thunderstorms and lightning hit the area. Players were warming up for the 4 p.m. kick before the field emptied, and the game was canceled more than an hour later. Beamer said he was most disappointed for his end-of-roster guys who didn't get one last opportunity to showcase themselves before preseason practice.

Logan Thomas and Luther Maddy were named the Hokies' spring offensive and defensive MVPs, respectively. The program's website lists all of its spring award winners.

With national signing day quickly approaching, we’re going to take a look at the recruiting needs of each school in the ACC, starting with the Atlantic Division. These needs are based on current rosters and anticipated departures in the near future. Here’s a look at who has what holes to fill in the 2012 class:

BOSTON COLLEGE

Linemen: The depth here continues to be a priority on both sides. The decision of defensive end Max Holloway to declare early for the NFL draft was an unexpected loss, and tackle Dillon Quinn will be a senior. Offensively, the Eagles will have to replace two veterans and leaders in center Mark Spinney and guard Nate Richman.

Linebackers: All-American Luke Kuechly’s decision to leave early for the NFL draft was expected, but the staff is looking for about two or three more linebackers in this class.

Receivers: This was a young group to begin with, as Alex Amidon and Bobby Swigert were both true sophomores, but the staff could use one or two more in this class.

CLEMSON

Linemen: The Tigers will lose three starters on the defensive line and three more on the offensive line from the 2011 ACC championship team. Center Dalton Freeman is a returning starter, but he will be a senior. Six players on the final two-deep depth chart on the offensive line were either seniors or graduate students in 2011, and four on the defensive line two-deep must be replaced.

Running back: Andre Ellington is entering his senior year, and while Mike Bellamy is back in school and in the good graces of coach Dabo Swinney, the future of the position is uncertain. Rod McDowell played well in the bowl game, and D.J. Howard has been a backup.

Defensive backs: The Tigers could start three seniors in the secondary in 2012: Xavier Brewer, Rashard Hall and Jonathan Meeks.

Kickers: The Tigers will lose punter Dawson Zimmerman, opening up an opportunity for a true freshman to play immediately.

FLORIDA STATE

Pick and choose: The Noles have built up enough depth that they can now be selective. Instead of building a class heavy on offensive linemen, Florida State can now pick and choose the best at each position. The Noles need at least one running back, one or two quarterbacks, a few offensive tackles, a linebacker to help replace Nigel Bradham and a safety or two.

Kickers: The Noles have big shoes to fill with the graduation of punter Shawn Powell, and kicker Dustin Hopkins is entering his final season.

MARYLAND

Running back: This is a position where a true freshman could see some playing time this year. Justus Pickett returns, along with Brandon Ross, who redshirted last year.

Quarterback: The Terps ended the 2011 season with only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster in Danny O’Brien and C.J. Brown. Both will be juniors and nobody is behind them.

Cornerback. Maryland has to replace Trenton Hughes and Cameron Chism at cornerback, leaving Dexter McDougle the only one with any significant playing time.

NC STATE

Defensive line: The staff already has about six linemen committed and ends were a particular focus. Half of the linemen in the two-deep depth chart for the Belk Bowl were either juniors or seniors.

Secondary: This should be a strength for NC State in 2012, but the staff needs to prepare for the future here. Cornerback C.J. Wilson will be a senior, along with safeties Earl Wolff and Brandan Bishop.

Quarterback: Mike Glennon is already listed as a graduate student, and his backup, Tyler Brosius, redshirted this past season. The position is thin and the future uncertain behind Glennon.

WAKE FOREST

Offensive line: The Deacs will lose four starters up front, but coach Jim Grobe has only played one true freshman there in 11 years. He has several redshirt freshmen and sophomores who are expected to fill in, but the staff wants to continue to build the depth at the position.

Tight end: Wake Forest will graduate its top two tight ends and will turn to two redshirt sophomores in Neil Basford and Johnny Garcia who have yet to catch a pass. It’s possible this could be a spot where an exceptional freshman could see playing time.

Defensive backs: The Deacs have to replace starting free safety Josh Bush and starting strong safety Cyhl Quarles. Cornerback Kenny Okoro will be a redshirt senior.

NC State entered Saturday's game against rival North Carolina ranked second nationally with 16 interceptions.

The Wolfpack ended the weekend leading the nation with 19.

Earl Wolff, David Amerson and Darryl Cato-Bishop all picked off passes in the 13-0 win against the Heels. The 19 interceptions are the most since 19 in 1998. For Amerson, it was his ninth interception of the season and moved him into a tie for second-place in ACC history in that category, tying 2010 national leader Jayron Hosley of Virginia Tech. Amerson is just two shy of tying the single-season league mark set by UNC’s Dre Bly in 1996.

This past weekend, Amerson broke the school record for most interceptions in a season, set by Art Rooney in both 1937 and 1938.

Heading into Saturday's game at Boston College, the turnover margin will be one of the most glaring differences between the teams. The Eagles are tied for No. 106 in the country, and NC State is No. 10.

Your top safeties ...

1. Ray-Ray Armstrong, Miami: He was a second-team all-conference selection last year, despite starting only four games. He was third on the team with 79 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, and had three interceptions, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

2. Eddie Whitely, Virginia Tech: He had 80 tackles and two interceptions last year at free safety. He also broke up six passes and forced two fumbles. He’s a smart player who can line up anywhere in the secondary.

3. Earl Wolff, NC State: He led the team in tackles last year with 95, including 4.5 TFLs and two sacks. He had one interception, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.

4. Nick Moody, Florida State: In his first year starting at free safety, Moody ranked third on the team with 79 tackles, including four tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. He finished the season with one interception, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

5. Vaughn Telemaque, Miami: He was one of seven Canes to start all 13 games last year and finished fourth on the team with 59 tackles. He tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.

6. Matt Daniels, Duke: He is Duke’s leading returning tackler with 93 hits. He ranked sixth in the ACC in tackles last year and fourth in career tackles in the ACC among returnees with 198. He forced a team-high three fumbles last year and has six over the past two seasons. He had seven pass breakups last year.

7. Rodney McLeod, Virginia: He has been a two-year starter at strong safety and enters his final season with 133 career tackles. Last year he had 54 tackles and two interceptions.

8. Rashard Hall, Clemson: In two years he has had eight interceptions and five bass breakups in 27 games. He has nine career takeaways. He had 62 tackles and two interceptions last year.

9. Jim Noel, Boston College: He was second on the team with four interceptions and had 36 tackles (27 solo). He earned his first start at Florida State and made a career-high 10 tackles with a pass breakup and two interceptions, one of which he returned 43 yards for a touchdown.

10. Cyhl Quarles, Wake Forest: He finished second on the team with 71 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and he also had one interception and one fumble recovery.

Moving on to the safeties …

1. Miami: Vaughn Telemaque and Ray-Ray Armstrong return, but JoJo Nicolas moved to corner. Even though Armstrong wasn’t a starter last year, he still ranked third on the team with 79 tackles and tied for the team lead with three interceptions.

2. Florida State: The Seminoles return both starters in Nick Moody and Terrance Parks. Moody had 79 tackles last season and Parks had 44 and six deflections. The group was strengthened with the addition of Lamarcus Joyner, who moved from cornerback and proved this spring he’s capable of being a safety.

3. NC State: The Wolfpack has two of the best in Earl Wolff, the team’s leading tackler last season with 95, and Brandan Bishop, who had 56 tackles and a team-high four interceptions. Dontae Johnson (22 tackles), also returns.

4. Virginia Tech: Eddie Whitley is the lone returning starter, but he should be one of the best in the ACC. Antone Exum, who was the No. 2 free safety last season, moved to rover this spring. He played in every game last season and had five starts when Tech went to its nickel defense.

5. Virginia: The Cavaliers return veteran starters in Rodney McLeod and Corey Mosley, who have combined for 41 career starts. Mosley had 52 tackles and two interceptions last season, and McLeod had 54 tackles and four pass breakups. Safety Dom Joseph (34 tackles) also returns.

6. Duke: The Blue Devils return both starters in Matt Daniels and Lee Butler. Daniels, a senior, has started 25 career games and is one of the top returning tacklers in the ACC. Butler had 58 tackles and nine passes defended last season.

7. Boston College: The Eagles return juniors Jim Noel, who had four interceptions in eight starts, and Okechukwu Okoroha, who started the final six games last fall. Noel, Okoroha, and Dominick LeGrande combined for 90 tackles last season.

8. Wake Forest: Both starters return in Daniel Mack and Cyhl Quarles. Mack had 45 tackles and two interceptions last season. Duran Lowe (30 tackles) could unseat Quarles, who is Wake’s leading returning tackler with 71 hits. Redshirt freshman Desmond Cooper is also competing for playing time.

9. Clemson: Rashard Hall has 19 career starts and made 62 tackles and two interceptions last season. Safety Jonathan Meeks (28 tackles, one start) also returns, along with Carlton Lewis.

10. Maryland: Just as Kenny Tate’s move to linebacker bumped the Terps up in the ranking in that category, his departure from safety drops them a few notches as they now don’t have any returning starters there. They do, however, have experience. Eric Franklin played in 11 games, with 23 tackles and three interceptions (tied for second on the team). Matt Robinson played in all 13 games and posted 29 tackles and forced a pair of fumbles. The Terps have plenty of depth with Austin Walker, Titus Till, Anthony Green and Desmond Haynes.

11. North Carolina: Matt Merletti had five starts and Jonathan Smith, who lettered in 2008 and 2009 but missed all of last season, are the projected starters. They will be pushed by junior Gene Robinson (four starts, 30 tackles, one interception) for playing time.

12. Georgia Tech: The Jackets had to replace both of their safeties in Mario Edwards and Jerrard Tarrant. Safety Fred Holton (11 tackles) and Isaiah Johnson (46 tackles, one interception) are the two most likely front-runners to start this fall.

2010 overall record: 9-4

2010 conference record: 5-3

Returning starters

Offense: 6, defense: 8, punter/kicker: 0

Top returners

OT R.J. Mattes, TE George Bryan, LB Audie Cole, S Brandan Bishop, S Earl Wolff, LB Terrell Manning, RB Mustafa Greene, C Camden Wentz, DT J.R. Sweezy

Key losses

QB Russell Wilson, OT Jake Vermiglio, WR Jarvis Williams, WR Owen Spencer, LB Nate Irving, PK Josh Czajkowski

2010 statistical leaders (* returners)

Rushing: Greene* (597 yards)

Passing: Wilson (3,563 yds)

Receiving: Spencer (912 yds)

Tackles: Irving, Cole* (97)

Sacks: Irving (6.5)

Interceptions: Bishop (4)

Spring answers

1. Life goes on without Nate Irving. The Pack graduated its top playmaker on defense, but Cole adjusted well this spring to his new role in the middle and Terrell Manning shouldn’t be forgotten after his 75 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season.

2. The situation at running back has improved. At this time a year ago, NC State didn’t have one running back on the roster with starting experience and had to move Dean Haynes over from defense. Now, Greene is the returning leading rusher and a promising young talent when he’s healthy. The staff is also confident in Anthony Creecy, James Washington and Brandon Barnes, who missed all of 2010 with an injury.

3. The secondary is older and wiser. NC State returns all four starters, and four other defensive backs who got significant experience last season will help the depth. So will the return of Jarvis Byrd, who tore his ACL last season, and Rashard Smith, who also redshirted last season after a knee injury.

Fall questions

1. Is Mike Glennon as good as advertised? O’Brien has heaped praise on his new starter this offseason, comparing him to former Boston College standout Matt Ryan. Glennon has a similar build and throwing motion, and is comparable with intangibles such as his attention to detail, his work ethic and leadership, but is he really as good as Ryan? And, more importantly, can he stay healthy long enough to prove it?

2. Will special teams survive its makeover? The new punter, placekicker and snappers are all in the incoming class. It’s an underrated concern for the Wolfpack, which graduated 38 career starts with placekicker Josh Czajkowski.

3. Will the senior wide receivers rise to the occasion? With a first-year starting quarterback, receivers Jay Smith (10 catches), Steven Howard (12 catches) and T.J. Graham (25 catches) will have to step up to the level of their departed teammates (Spencer, Williams, and Darrell Davis). Aside from special teams, it was the one position group O’Brien said wouldn’t be settled until at least summer camp.

NC State held its annual awards dinner on Tuesday evening since most of last year’s seniors were in town for Wednesday's pro day workouts.

Quarterback Russell Wilson was named the recipient of the 2010 football squad’s Governor’s Award, given to the member of the Wolfpack football team who is the most valuable player based on ability, contribution, leadership and intangibles. Wilson, who was also named the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Back and earned a Captain’s Award, did not attend the event, as he is in spring training in Arizona.

The Governor’s Award is the only honor that is voted on by the entire team. The other awards are decided by the coaching staff.

Here were some of the other awards that were presented at the dinner, according to a press release:

CAREY BREWBAKER AWARD -- Most Valuable Defensive Lineman

Natanu Mageo -- Force from his defensive tackle spot who was called a "blue-collar" player by the coaching staff.

MOST VALUABLE DEFENSIVE BACK

Earl Wolff -- Third-leading tackler on the team.

MOST VALUABLE LINEBACKER

Nate Irving -- Tied as leading tackler on team, led Pack with 20.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks

JIM RITCHER AWARD -- Most Valuable Offensive Lineman (includes tight end)

Jake Vermiglio -- Honorable mention All-ACC performer who didn’t allow a sack until the last game of the season.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Taylor Gentry -- Won the award for the second time; he led the team in special-teams tackles (28), knockdowns (17) and snaps (271).

MOST VALUABLE OFFENSIVE BACK

Russell Wilson -- Led the ACC in passing yards per game and total offense per game and tied for seventh nationally in points responsible for.

MIKE HARDY AWARD -- Player who demonstrates a winning attitude and plays above his capabilities.

Jarvis Williams -- Finished his career ranked fifth in school history in career receptions.

BO REIN AWARD -- Player who makes a vital contribution in an unsung role

George Bryan (TE) -- Earned first-team All-ACC honors for the second straight season.

BOB WARREN AWARD -- Integrity and Sportsmanship

David Akinniyi (DT) -- Quiet player who led by example and earned a starting role in his one season with the Pack

AL MICHAELS AWARD -- Player who puts team before self

Audie Cole (LB) -- Tied for the team lead in tackles with 97.

KEN McNEILL IRON WOLF AWARD – Greatest comeback from injury

Nate Irving (LB) -- Missed the 2009 season after suffering multiple injuries in a horrific car crash and went on to earn All-ACC honors.

EARLE EDWARDS AWARD -- Letterman with highest GPA

David Akinniyi (DE) -- Posted a 3.816 GPA as a business major.

GARY ROWE AWARD -- Most season receptions

Owen Spencer -- Pulled down 60 catches in 2010 to lead the team, he was a second-team All-ACC performer

CAPTAINS AWARDS

Russell Wilson, Jarvis Williams, Nate Irving -- Voted on by their teammates prior to the season.

OFFENSIVE SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Daniel Imhoff (QB)

DEFENSIVE SCOUT TEAM PLAYER -- Zach Powell (DB)

There were numerous players throughout the ACC who made quantum leaps in their careers this past season, transitioning from the supporting cast to a starring role. Some came off the bench, others finally realized their potential. In no particular order, here’s a look at the league’s 10 most-improved players in 2010:

Dontrelle Inman, WR, Virginia: He went from eight receptions in 2009 to 51 in 2010. Inman ranked No. 6 in the ACC in yards per game (67.9) and No. 10 in receptions per game (4.2). He led the team with 815 receiving yards and had the 13th-best receiving output in ACC history with 239 receiving yards at Duke.

Antwine Perez, S, Maryland: The career backup and former USC transfer finally had the breakout season many had been waiting for. He had a team-high 11 passes defended (three interceptions/eight pass breakups). He was fifth on the team with 74 tackles, including seven TFLs, and he had three fumble recoveries.

Julian Burnett, LB, GT: He began the season on the bench, undersized for a typical 3-4 defense, but ended up leading Tech in tackles (89). He had 42 solo tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Quinton Coples, DE, UNC: He went from backup defensive end to first-team All-ACC defensive tackle. He had 15.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and was fourth on the team in tackles with 59.

Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson: He wasn’t even an honorable mention all-conference selection a year ago, let alone on anyone’s NFL draft board. After a breakout season in 2010, he was a first-team unanimous All-American, the Bronko Nagurski Award winner and the No. 1 projected NFL draft pick by several experts. He improved from three sacks to 15.5 and 11 TFLs to 26.

Earl Wolff, S, NC State: After starting just four games in 2009 as a redshirt freshman, Wolff was one of the team’s top defenders, leading the Pack in tackles with 95, including two sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He also had one interception, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Brandon Jenkins, DE, FSU: Following a 2009 season in which he played as a true freshman, Jenkins was named the team’s most-improved defensive lineman following spring drills last year and he continued it into the fall. He had 21.5 TFLs, 13.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. He also had two pass breakups and four quarterback hurries.

Jim Noel, S, Boston College: The true sophomore earned his first start against Florida State and finished with four interceptions and one pass breakup. He had 10 tackles in his starting debut against the Noles and had two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown.

Virginia Tech kicker Chris Hazley: He joined the program as a walk-on in 2007 and his patience and practice finally paid off. He earned a scholarship this past preseason and all-conference honors this postseason. He set a school record for consecutive field goals made in a season with 21. He made 21 of 22 field goals.

Cooper Helfet, TE, Duke: The junior college transfer enrolled at Duke last January and was a backup on the depth chart entering the fall. He caught 34 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns. He started for the first time against Georgia Tech and had six receptions for 92 yards. He also caught seven passes for 122 yards against Virginia.

NOW it's bowl season in the ACC ...

• The suspensions are starting to add up for Georgia Tech.
• Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen will consider broadcasting and hasn't ruled out coaching again.
• Clemson senior safety DeAndre McDaniel and his teammates are looking to end the season with a winning record.
• NC State sophomore safety Earl Wolff is a little wiser this year and it's paying off for the Pack.
• Miami kicked it off Mexican style. Nobody, though, is allowed to cross the border.
• The Canes have an interim head coach, no starting quarterback, and strict rules not to cross the border.
• FSU quarterback Christian Ponder returned to practice at the Noles' first on-site practice for the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
• Virginia Tech isn't done yet. The Hokies would like to make that winning streak a dozen and set the school record for victories.
• It's been a long struggle back from injury for Virginia Tech linebacker Barquell Rivers.
• NC State quarterback Russell Wilson has some decisions to make.

A few quick hits to update you on summer camp in Raleigh:

• There's still no word on who will start at running back for the Wolfpack when it opens the season against Western Carolina. Curtis Underwood and James Washington are the frontrunners, but coach Tom O'Brien isn't ready to say yet who's got the edge. Nor will he reveal if either one of them are injured.
• Linebacker Nate Irving has adjusted well to his move to the middle, but he was held out of the first two scrimmages just for precautionary reasons.
• Keep an eye on Terrell Manning at weakside linebacker. He has a lot of potential and showed flashes of it last season in limited playing time. He started against Duke and Florida State, and had eight tackles and forced a fumble against the Seminoles.
• The secondary hasn't gotten any older this summer. The starting lineup could consist of three sophomores and a junior walk-on, if O'Brien goes with corners C.J. Wilson, Jordan Monk and safeties Brandan Bishop and Earl Wolff.

Here are the ACC's top five performers for Week 12:

UNC’s defense -- It’s impossible to single out one player in such an impressive group effort. Cam Thomas and Kendric Burney each had defensive touchdowns in the Tar Heels’ 31-13 win over Boston College on Saturday. Deunta Williams had three interceptions, returning one 39 yards to the BC 6-inch line with 4:42 left in the game. Boston College finished with six turnovers.

FSU freshman Greg Reid -- His 48-yard punt return set up the game-winning touchdown with 32 seconds remaining and kept Florida State’s streak of 28 straight bowl games alive in a 29-26 win over Maryland. Reid returned three punts for 88 yards and now has 350 yards on 19 returns going into next week's game at rival Florida.

Miami quarterback Jacory Harris -- It wasn’t a flawless performance, but it was gritty, and led the Hurricanes to a 34-16 come-from-behind win over Duke on Saturday. Harris, who played through pain in his thumb, threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns. It was his third 300-yard game in the past four games. Duke was outscored 21-0 in the fourth quarter.

Virginia Tech running back Ryan Williams -- Mark this guy down as a future Heisman candidate. He rushed for 120 yards and four touchdowns against a beleaguered NC State defense, sending the Hokies’ seniors out with a 38-10 win over the Wolfpack. Williams broke the school's single-season record for rushing yards with his third straight 100-yard rushing game. He also had one of the more impressive plays of the day, dragging NC State safety Earl Wolff about 12 yards into the end zone.

Clemson’s seniors -- On its final home game in Memorial Stadium, this group left its legacy. Linebacker Kavell Conner finished with a career-high 15 tackles. Receiver Jacoby Ford had a career-high 211 all-purpose yards. C.J. Spiller set the ACC single-season record for all-purpose yards. And together they led the Tigers to a 34-21 win over Virginia and their first-ever appearance in the ACC title game.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

You know the drill. Keep an eye on …

1. Interceptions in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor showed significant progress in the passing game last weekend against Duke, and didn't throw any interceptions in the process, but the Eagles have picked off five passes this year. Both teams have a knack for interceptions. Virginia Tech, in fact, has registered more interceptions (182) since the start of the 2000 season than any program in the country. Oklahoma (174) is second, and BC (173) is third during that time span.

2. Miami running back Javarris James moving up the charts. He’s coming off a career-best 150 yards rushing against Oklahoma and needs just 13 yards to pass Frank Gore for seventh place all-time on Miami’s rushing list and 37 more yards to become just the seventh player in school history to amass 2,000 career rushing yards. With 19 more carries, James (456 career attempts) will pass his cousin Edgerrin (474) to move into sole possession of third place on the school’s all-time rushing attempts list.

3. Maryland’s offensive line. It will make a significant difference if left tackle Bruce Campbell is able to play against Wake Forest’s sturdy defensive line after injuring his MCL against Clemson last week. Campbell has missed practice time this week, but hasn’t been declared “out” for this game. Paul Pinegar has been taking the reps at left tackle, though.

4. Upset alerts. It’s an odd weekend in the ACC, where even the most heavily favored teams -- like, say, No. 5-ranked Virginia Tech -- could lose and it wouldn’t exactly be a shock. So far the home teams have had the advantages, and that works in Florida State’s favor against No. 22 Georgia Tech. Can NC State hold off a feisty Duke team, though, that just played four quarters of competitive football against the Hokies?

5. Another record-setting weekend for Skinner. Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner needs just 81 passing yards to become the school's all-time leader. Skinner has thrown for 1,004 yards over his past three games and has thrown at least one touchdown pass in six straight games, dating back to last season.

6. Virginia’s passing defense against Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell. He threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns against Ohio State last weekend, and the Hoosiers are averaging 233.2 passing yards per game. The Cavaliers pass defense, though, is No. 8 in the country, holding opponents to 156.5 yards per game.

7. Running quarterbacks who are starting to throw. Tyrod Taylor earned his first-ever 300-yard passing game last weekend at Duke, the first time a Hokie quarterback has met that mark since Sean Glennon in 2006. Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt is coming off a career-high 266 passing yards against Mississippi State. Was it just a passing fancy, or can they keep it up?

8. NC State’s new secondary lineup. Tom O’Brien said this week he’s swapping potential for experience at both safety positions, as senior Clem Johnson will replace freshman Brandan Bishop, and senior Bobby Floyd will take over for redshirt freshman Earl Wolff. That’s a smart move against accomplished Duke passer Thaddeus Lewis.

9. Carolina’s quarterback of the future. UNC coach Butch Davis told the Raleigh News & Observer he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing true freshman Bryn Renner, who was expected to redshirt this season. Renner hasn’t taken a snap yet, but if he’s going to burn his redshirt, Georgia Southern would probably be a good time to do it.

10. Florida State’s will to win. If the Seminoles are going to turn this season around, now is the time. A win at home would stop a two-game losing skid and give them some positive momentum heading into the bye week. Georgia Tech will require their full attention and focus, though, and that’s something that might have been tough to gather amidst the controversy surrounding the program this week.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

There are five divisional matchups this week, and ESPN’s College GameDay crew is heading to Chestnut Hill. Me? I’ll be in Miami watching the Canes. Here’s what this week’s schedule looks like:

Virginia (0-3) at North Carolina (3-1) (RAYCOM, noon ET)

The series: UNC leads, 57-52-4.

Last time: Virginia won, 16-13, in overtime in 2008.

At stake: The snowball effect. Virginia needs to halt its losing streak now, and North Carolina needs to prevent one from starting, as both teams are competing for leverage in the Coastal Division standings. UNC has dropped three straight and nine of the last 11 to the Wahoos.

Of note: This is the second straight week an opponent has had more than one week to prepare for the Tar Heels. Butch Davis and Al Groh have been on opposite sidelines as assistant coaches in the NFL. Davis was an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys from 1989-94 and Groh was an assistant with the New York Giants from 1989-91. As NFC East opponents, the two teams met twice each year. Davis is now 1-2 against Groh as a head coach.

Clemson (2-2) at Maryland (1-3) (ESPNU noon ET)

The series: Clemson leads 30-25-2.

Last time: Maryland won, 20-17, in 2008.

At stake: The Atlantic Division lead. If the Tigers win, they will be 2-0 against division opponents, and that’s exactly where they should be heading into the bye week. Let’s face it: With the way Maryland has been playing, there’s no reason for Clemson fans not to expect a win in College Park. The Tigers’ defense is better. Their special teams are better. The question is how much better Maryland can be offensively if it doesn’t turn the ball over.

Of note: The Terps are coming off their top defensive performance of the season, surrendering a season-best 249 yards of total offense to Rutgers. C.J. Spiller needs just 64 all-purpose running yards to become the ACC’s career leader.

No. 6 Virginia Tech (3-1) at Duke (2-2) (ESPN360.com noon ET)

The series: Virginia Tech leads, 9-7-0.

Last time: Virginia Tech won, 14-3, in 2008.

At stake: Duke’s confidence. This game isn’t about Virginia Tech, it’s about how Duke competes in the Coastal Division. Win or lose, the Blue Devils need a respectable performance and positives they can build on heading into another tough game at NC State. Tech has won the last four contests in the series by a combined score of 138-17. The Blue Devils need to at least assert themselves on Saturday and walk off the field knowing they left everything on it.

Of note: Senior cornerback Stephan Virgil, a native of Rocky Mount, N.C., has fared well in three games in his home state. In 2007, he blocked a punt at Duke. Last year against ECU in Charlotte, he scooped up a dropped lateral and returned the fumble 30 yards for a touchdown. He later picked up a blocked conversion kick and returned it 90 yards for a two-point PAT return. At UNC last year, he sealed the 20-17 win with a pick with just over a minute left.

Florida State (2-2) at Boston College (3-1) (ABC/ESPN, 3:30 p.m. ET)

The series: FSU leads, 4-3-0.

Last time: Boston College won, 27-17, in 2008.

At stake: Florida State’s direction this season. Which way are the Noles going to go, down or up? How will they respond to the loss to South Florida? BC proved it can overcome some of its deficiencies by playing smart, disciplined football and isn’t going to back down with College GameDay in the house to honor Mark Herzlich. If FSU loses for the third time this season, things could come unraveled in Tallahassee. And considering the way both teams played last week, anything is possible.

Of note: FSU defensive back Greg Reid ranks 18th nationally in punt returns averaging 15.7 per return. He also has averaged 25.8 yards on 10 kickoff returns and has returned an interception for a score. BC quarterback Dave Shinskie became the first Eagles quarterback to throw three touchdown passes in a single game since Matt Ryan did it against Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 28, 2007.

NC State (3-1) at Wake Forest (2-2) (ESPNU, 3:30 p.m. ET)

The series: NC State leads, 61-35-6.

Last time: NC State won, 21-17, in 2008.

At stake: The unofficial "state title," Wake’s chances at staying live in the Atlantic Division race and NC State’s three-game winning streak. Last year marked the first time NC State had defeated all four in-state FBS schools in the same season since 1986. The Pack is looking to lay claim again to the best program in the state, but the Atlantic Division standings are what count in November. The Demon Deacons are already behind with their overtime loss to Boston College, but could still be a factor in the division race by winning this game. NC State is looking to sustain its momentum from a big win over Pitt and earn its first conference win. The Pack has lost five of the past six games played in Winston-Salem.

Of note: Wake Forest leads the ACC in total offense with 412.2 yards per game. NC State leads the ACC in total defense, allowing just 201.2 yards per game. The Wake game could end up being the first game that the Pack comes out with the same starting secondary as the week before. Keep an eye on redshirt freshman safety Earl Wolff, who has started the last three games boundary safety spot and is second on the team with 26 tackles.

No. 8 Oklahoma (2-1) at No. 17 Miami (2-1) (ABC, 8 p.m. ET)

The series: Tied at 3-3-0.

Last time: Oklahoma won, 51-13, in 2007.

At stake: Miami’s status as a top-20 team. The Hurricanes dropped to No. 17 after their loss to Virginia Tech, and this is another game that will help the them gauge where they are against elite competition. It would be Miami’s third win over a ranked opponent this season. Oklahoma is ranked No. 8, and with or without Sam Bradford, this offense is rolling.

Of note: Keep an eye on Miami receiver LaRon Byrd and linebacker Colin McCarthy. McCarthy is coming off a career-high 13 tackles at Virginia Tech and has a team-high 25 tackles (nine solo, 16 assisted). After being held without a catch in the season-opener at No. 18 Florida State, Byrd has a team-high nine catches for 141 yards.

No. 25 Georgia Tech (3-1) at Mississippi State (2-2) (CSS, 7:30 p.m. ET)

The series: Georgia Tech leads, 3-0-0.

Last time: Georgia Tech won, 38-7, in 2008.

At stake: The ACC’s record vs. the SEC. So far, it’s 0-2 with losses to Alabama and South Carolina. Mississippi State looks like a completely different team than the one that lost 38-7 to Tech last season. The Bulldogs have already beaten Vanderbilt on the road, and nearly knocked off LSU Saturday in Starkville. Anytime the ACC can get a win over the SEC, the conference will take it.

Of note: After turning the ball over five times in the first two games of the season, Georgia Tech hasn’t lost the ball once in the past two games. The Yellow Jackets haven’t lost a fumble since the season opener. But, they’ve been fortunate. Tech fumbled five times over the last two games but recovered all of them. Georgia Tech only had one game without a turnover last year -- yep, Mississippi State.