ESPN College Football

Summer, as we know it without college football games, ends here. Monday is game week. Our series looking back on the highlights of summer camp concludes now with Wake Forest:

• The Deacs still need to settle on a punter. Alex Kinal, a true freshman from Australia, has been alternating with Alex Wulfeck.
• Running back Josh Harris has been impressive this summer and looked good in the scrimmages, but he’s not the only talented back on the roster. Brandon Pendergrass has given Harris some good competition this month and both should help the Deacs’ offense.
• Linebacker Kyle Wilber didn’t practice as much as coach Jim Grobe would have liked because of a hamstring injury. Receiver Michael Campanaro has also missed some time with a hamstring injury.
• Defensively, it’s a veteran group with nine returning starters. This summer was spent trying to develop some depth and hoping that with everyone being a year older, the Deacs will be a year better. With four returning starters the offensive line should be better, but the jury is still out.
• Some standouts include receiver Danny Dembry, who had good scrimmages, and linebacker Justin Jackson, who tore his ACL in the season opener last year. The staff is always happy with noseguard Nikita Whitlock, and quarterback Tanner Price has looked more comfortable.

A look back at the ACC's weekend scrimmages, according to each team's practice reports:

BOSTON COLLEGE

The Eagles had their third scrimmage of summer camp on Sunday evening at Alumni Stadium.

Offensive highlights:

• Quarterback Chase Rettig completed 11 of 22 passes for 180 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
• Rettig’s touchdown was a 44-yard pass to wide receiver Alex Amidon. Amidon finished with three receptions for a scrimmage-high 91 yards.
• Tailback Rolandan Finch carried the ball 13 times for 44 yards while Andre Williams recorded seven rushes for 42 yards, including an 18-yard gain in the scrimmage’s opening series. Tahj Kimble rushed five times for 13 yards. Williams participation was cut short after seven carries because of an ankle injury.
• Receiver Colin Larmond, Jr. had three receptions for 48 yards, and sophomore Bobby Swigert caught three passes for 22 yards.

Defensive highlights:

• Linebacker Nick Clancy highlighted the team’s defensive effort, recording five tackles -- including four tackles for loss -- and one pass break-up.
• Linebacker Andre Lawrence also had five tackles while sophomore defensive back C.J. Jones recorded four. Junior end Max Holloway had two sacks and linebackers Luke Kuechly, Jake Sinkovec and Will Thompson all finished the scrimmage with three tackles apiece.

Special teams highlights:

• Sophomore kickers Nate Freese connected on a 52-yard field goal attempt. Freese also connected from 27 yards while his opening attempt of the scrimmage (from 39 yards) missed.

CLEMSON

The Tigers had a 75-play scrimmage on Saturday morning.

Offensive highlights:

• Quarterback Tajh Boyd completed 8-of-14 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown, a 19-yard pass to redshirt freshman tight end Sam Cooper. Boyd had one interception, his first of the August scrimmages in Memorial Stadium.
• Backup quarterback Cole Stoudt, who played against the first-team defense the entire day, was 4-of-12 for 57 yards. He threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Ford. It was the third straight scrimmage that Ford caught a touchdown pass.
• D.J. Howard was the top rusher in the scrimmage, carrying eight times for 53 yards, and Andre Ellington finished with 37 yards on four attempts. He did not play after the opening drive.
• Fifteen different players caught at least one pass and no one caught more than two. Dwayne Allen and DeAndre Hopkins both had two catches for 29 yards. Will Harrison had the longest catch of the day, a 31-yard reception from Tony McNeal.

Defensive highlights:

• The first-team defense allowed just one touchdown, and that came in an overtime simulation.
• Andre Branch had four tackles, including three tackles for loss, and a sack. Defensive end Mallicah Goodman added two sacks.
• Tig Willard and Kantrell Brown had interceptions, and Cortez Davis caused a fumble.

Special teams highlights:

• Sophomore kicker Chandler Catanzaro was 6-for-6 kicking field goals and extra points.

Notable:

• Sammy Watkins missed the scrimmage with a hip injury. He is expected to return to practice on Monday. Brandon Thompson and Mike Bellamy also missed the scrimmage with minor injuries and are expected to return on Monday. Running back Demont Buice missed the scrimmage with a foot injury. Starting offensive guard Antoine McClain missed the scrimmage because of a death in his family and Bryce McNeal was out with the flu.

DUKE

The Blue Devils held a 100-snap scrimmage on Friday night at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Offensive highlights:

• Running back Josh Snead carried the ball seven times for 45 yards with a 13-yard touchdown run and a 13-yard touchdown reception. Juwan Thompson led the team with 71 yards on five carries, including a 47-yard touchdown run. Junior Desmond Scott added 35 yards on five attempts.
• Sean Renfree completed 16-of-25 throws for 155 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. After making just one of his first five attempts, Renfree reeled off 11 consecutive completions, including the 13-yard touchdown toss to Snead and a 15-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wideout Brandon Braxton.
• Receiver Conner Vernon had three receptions for a scrimmage-best 51 yards with all three catches producing first downs.

Defensive highlights:

• Redshirt freshman defensive end Dezmond Johnson returned an interception 64 yards for a touchdown.
• Linebacker Kyler Brown recovered a fumble.

Special teams highlights:

• Redshirt senior kicker Will Snyderwine made three field goals covering 26, 37 and 47 yards.

GEORGIA TECH

Offensive highlights:

• The Yellow Jackets scored three touchdowns on rushing attempts by three different quarterbacks. Tevin Washington directed the first-team offense and his scoring play -- a 36-yard scamper after faking the pitch -- was one of the offensive highlights of the day. Redshirt freshman quarterback Synjyn Days also scored a touchdown on an eight-yard run and true freshman Vad Lee plunged in the end zone from the 1-yard line.

Defensive highlights:

• Sophomore Isaiah Johnson intercepted a Vad Lee pass. Senior outside linebacker Steven Sylvester forced and recovered fumbles. Linebacker Malcolm Munroe also had a fumble recovery and linebacker B.J. Machen recorded a sack.

Notable:

• Paul Johnson indicated that David Sims, a converted quarterback, has played himself into contention to start at B-Back.
• Sophomore B.J. Bostic is out for four weeks with an undisclosed injury.
• Saturday was Paul Johnson's birthday. Just before the team broke its final huddle of camp, the Yellow Jacket players sang "Happy Birthday" to the head coach.

WAKE FOREST

The Deacs held a 90-minute scrimmage on Friday morning at BB&T Field.

Offensive highlights:

• Joshua Harris scored on a 96-yard run and had 112 yards rushing on just nine carries.
• Quarterback Tanner Price completed 18 of 26 passes and threw one touchdown, hitting Danny Dembry on a 21-yard score.
• Wake Forest’s first offensive line did not allow a sack on Friday.

Defensive highlights:

• Three of the first four offensive possessions ended with punts after three plays. The offense managed just one first down on its first eight possessions.
• The defense did accumulate four sacks but none against the first team. Derricus Ellis had a pair of sacks and Zachary Allen and Kris Redding each contributed one sack.
• Linebacker Justin Jackson led all defenders with 10 tackles. Defensive backs Jason Green, A.J. Marshall and Duran Lowe all had six tackles apiece.

Special teams highlights:

• Jimmy Newman made all four of his field goal attempts during the scrimmage and three extra points. Freshman Chad Hedlund was successful on four PATs.

You are going to argue about this. How do I know? Because I'm still arguing with myself over it ...

1. Boston College: Luke Kuechly is one of the best in the country, but he’s not alone. The Eagles also have Kevin Pierre-Louis, who ranked second nationally among all freshmen in tackles per game last season with 7.15 -- ninth in the ACC. It won’t be easy to replace Mark Herzlich, on or off the field, but Steele Divitto played in 11 games last season, and Nick Clancy and Will Thompson both saw time on the second team.

2. Florida State: The Noles had to replace two starters, including Kendall Smith, the team’s second-leading tackler, last season, and Mister Alexander, but the upcoming talent could be even better. Nigel Bradham led the team with 98 tackles and five pass breakups last season, and Christian Jones, Jeff Luc, Telvin Smith and Vince Williams will also be competing for playing time.

3. Miami: Sean Spence, who has 30 career starts, should be one of the best in the country, and Ramon Buchanon, another senior, also returns. The Canes have five other linebackers with experience in Kelvin Cain, who started seven games, Jordan Futch, who had a great spring and will see the field, Tyrone Cornelius, Shayon Green and C.J. Holton.

4. North Carolina: Kevin Reddick, who led the Tar Heels with 74 tackles last season, returns for his third season as starter. Zach Brown is also a returning starter with game-changing capabilities, and there is plenty of depth with Dion Guy, Darius Lipford, Ebele Okakpu and Herman Davidson. Junior college transfer Fabby Desir could also have an impact.

5. NC State: Audie Cole and Terrell Manning have combined for 39 career starts, and Cole fared well this spring moving to the middle to replace Nate Irving. With the return of Sterling Lucas, Dwayne Maddox and Colby Jackson, there is plenty of experience, but not quite as much depth as some other programs.

6. Georgia Tech: The Jackets return both starters in Steven Sylvester and Julian Burnett. There is no shortage of depth with Jeremy Attaochu, Quayshawn Nealey, Brandon Watts, Albert Rocker, Malcolm Munroe and Daniel Drummond.

7. Clemson: This group has a lot of potential, especially if true freshmen Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony make an immediate impact. There’s no question they’ll be given a chance, but the Tigers already have a good group with Corico Hawkins, Quandon Christian and Jonathan Willard.

8. Virginia Tech: It seems like this rotation has been in flux for a while now. The Hokies’ leading tackler returns in Bruce Taylor, Barquell Rivers had 96 tackles as a starter in 2009 but was injured last season, and there are several young players adding to the competition. Chase Williams, Tariq Edwards, Telvion Clark and Jack Tyler are only a few. Whip linebacker Jeron Gouveia-Winslow will have to earn his spot back over Alonzo Tweedy, Dominique Patterson and Nick Dew.

9. Maryland: The Terps were hit hard here with the losses of Alex Wujciak (381 career tackles) and Adrian Moten (14.5 career sacks). Demetrius Hartsfield returns with 20 career starts, and there are four lettermen returning including Darin Drakeford, Isaiah Ross, David Mackall and Bradley Johnson.

10. Wake Forest: Kyle Wilber’s move to outside linebacker will give this position a boost, as he led the Deacs with 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks last season. His backup is Gelo Orange (22 tackles). The Deacs also have Tristan Dorty, Joey Ehrmann, Mike Olsen, Scott Betros, Riley Haynes and Justin Jackson.

11. Virginia: Starters LaRoy Reynolds and Ausar Walcott both return, but neither has started more than 11 career games. Junior Steve Greer has prior starting experience but played mainly as a reserve last season. Adam Taliaferro, Conner McCartin, Tucker Windle and LoVante Battle are also in the mix for playing time.

12. Duke: Kelby Brown is the lone returning starter, but he’s a promising young player who led the nation last season as a freshman in fumbles recovered. He missed spring ball while recovering from a knee injury, but is expected to start with Tyree Glover or Kevin Rojas.

Ahh, scrimmages. They're almost like real games, right? Nope. Still, something to hold us over.

Here's a look back at the weekend scrimmages for schools that provided scrimmage reports:

BOSTON COLLEGE

There's a running back other than Montel Harris capable of making some plays. True freshman Andre Williams led the running game with seven carries for 59 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown run.

Quarterback Dave Shinskie completed 9 of 14 pass attempts for 81 yards and a touchdown. Senior tight end Jordon McMichael led all receivers with four catches for 23 yards.

Defensively, true freshman linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis led the Eagles with five tackles. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Dillon Quinn made three sacks, which should be an encouraging sign to a line in need of some help.

Redshirt freshman kicker Nate Freese went 2-for-3, making from 24 and 44, but missing a 46-yarder off the left upright. Junior Ryan Quigley made from 33 and missed from 34.

CLEMSON

Quarterback Kyle Parker threw three touchdowns passes -- two to running back Andre Ellington -- in Clemson’s two-hour scrimmage in Death Valley on Saturday morning. It was the second scrimmage for the Tigers.

Parker completed 10-of-14 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns. He led the first-team offense to four touchdowns overall. Roderick McDowell led the rushers with 12 carries for 127 yards on the ground, including a 12-yard touchdown run and a 53-yard run early in the scrimmage.

Terrance Ashe led the receivers with five catches for 76 yards, including a 44-yard completion from Parker.

The defense was led by Brandon Maye, who had six tackles, including a tackle for loss and a diving backwards interception from his linebacker position.

GEORGIA TECH

Quarterback Joshua Nesbitt was the highlight of the Jackets' scrimmage. He opened the scrimmage with a 70-yard scoring drive and had a two-yard touchdown run and a six-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Hill. Defensively, true freshman Louis Young and sophomore linebacker Julian Burnett had interceptions.

VIRGINIA TECH

The kickers were the highlight of the second scrimmage, as the offense didn't score a touchdown. Part of that was because the coaching staff stopped drives inside the 20, because the staff hasn't installed its entire red-zone package. The staff is expected to make a decision on its backup quarterback situation soon.

Here are the Hokies' stats leaders from Saturday:

RUSHING
Darren Evans 12-60
David Wilson 6-33
Ryan Williams 4-18

PASSING
Logan Thomas 9-17-0-82
Tyrod Taylor 5-7-0-42
Ju-Ju Clayton 3-8-0-36

RECEIVING
Marcus Davis 2-15
Austin Fuller 2-20

FIELD GOALS
Chris Hazley made four: 29 yards, 43, 48 and 31

TACKLES
Derek DiNardo, 6

WAKE FOREST

The Deacs scrimmaged for 90 minutes on Saturday in the first of three scrimmages, and the quarterback race continues.

RUSHING
Josh Harris 5-76 and 1 TD
Skylar Jones 10-44
Patrick Thompson 7-29

PASSING
Tanner Price 8-13 for 82 yards
Patrick Thompson 3-10 for 61 yds and an INT
Ted Stachitas 5-of-8 for 95 yds and 1 TD
Skylar Jones 4-of-7 for 27 yds
Brendan Cross 2-of-3 for 16 yds

RECEIVING
Devon Brown 4-67
Marshall Williams 3-79

FIELD GOALS
Jimmy Newman made three, 27 yards, 38 and 25

TACKLES
Justin Jackson, 7

Freshman Joe LaBarbera intercepted Thompson late in the scrimmage and returned it 25 yards.

Raise your hand if you knew who Luke Kuechly was at this time last year? Exactly. Today we begin a series looking at potential impact players from each school that you've likely never heard of before, or newcomers with the potential to make an immediate contribution. We'll look at three players from each school -- they can be true freshmen, redshirt freshmen, transfers or just an otherwise unheralded player or newcomer who will be making an impact for the first time. Maybe, by the end of the 2010 season, one of them will develop into a nationally recognized talent like Kuechly.

We'll star with Wake Forest, where whomever starts at quarterback will also be a fresh face.

WR Terence Davis -- He redshirted in 2008 then tore his ACL in camp in 2009 and missed spring practices. He should be back for the start of August camp and could be in the rotation this fall. Davis, from Lilburn, Ga., by way of Brooklyn, N.Y., was a quarterback and defensive back for Brookwood High.

NT Nikita Whitlock -- The redshirt freshman from Wylie, Texas was a linebacker last year and moved to nose tackle this past spring where he impressed the coaches. He's a strong rusher who could help out the line.

LB Justin Jackson -- The redshirt freshman led the defense during the spring game with a team-high six tackles. He graduated from Richmond (N.C.) High school, where he made 123 tackles as a junior and added 191 as a senior with eight sacks and 18 tackles for loss.

There were some impressive performances throughout the ACC this spring by younger players who didn't get much pub, but could eventually make an impact in their program. Some names will be more familiar than others, and some players came out of nowhere this spring or had a fleeting moment to shine in the absence of veterans:

Boston college sophomore defensive end Max Holloway: He made six tackles, which included four sacks for a net loss of 24 yards in the Eagles' spring game.

Clemson freshman linebacker Quandon Christian: He was third on the depth chart entering the spring and first coming out. He had seven tackles in the Tigers' spring game.

Duke redshirt sophomore Kenny Anunike: With Duke in need of depth along the defensive line, Anunike moved from tight end to defensive end this spring and made nine tackles including two for loss in the spring game.

Florida State redshirt freshman defensive back Xavier Rhodes: He was named the top newcomer on defense this spring and had six tackles in the spring game.

Georgia Tech backup quarterback Tevin Washington: He ran for three touchdowns and threw for one touchdown in a game that ended at halftime because of severe weather.

Maryland redshirt freshman running back D.J. Adams: He rushed for a game-high 70 yards on 14 carries with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help the White team earn a 21-13 come-from-behind victory in the Terps' spring game. Adams also caught a pair of passes for 29 yards.

Miami backup quarterback Stephen Morris: A.J. Highsmith is the front-runner to be the No. 2 behind Jacory Harris, but in the spring game, Morris completed 12 of 21 passes for 209 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

North Carolina defensive end Michael McAdoo: He had four sacks and one interception in the White team’s 17-0 spring game win. The junior was in the rotation as a pass-rush specialist last year.

NC State freshman defensive end Daryl Cato-Bishop: He had 10 tackles for loss and five sacks in three scrimmages, helping a line that lost all four starters.

Virginia quarterback Ross Metheny: He connected on 6 of 10 passes, compiling 140 yards and completing a game-long 57-yard pass to wide receiver Ray Keys.

Virginia Tech offensive tackle Nick Becton: He filled in well this spring at left tackle for former three-year starter Ed Wang, despite just playing 46 snaps last year.

Wake Forest freshman linebacker Justin Jackson: He led the team with six tackles and added a tackle for loss in the spring game.