ACC: Top prospects who need to step up
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Dallas JacksonClick Here to view this Link. is the National Columnist for Rivals.com. Email your comments or story ideas to DallasJ@Yahoo-Inc.comClick Here to view this Link. and follow him on TwitterClick Here to view this Link..
If fans of the University of Miami football program are frustrated with the
development of offensive tackle
Seantrel Henderson, each and every one
of them will need to line up behind coach Al Golden to express it.
The second-year head coach has not spared the feelings of the once-prized
recruit.
"He started two games for us and played 200 plays for us last year. That's like
a lost year," Golden said. "We're trying to improve on what he did last year."
Miami needs Henderson to become the player they expected him to be
when he arrived on campus. Henderson needs the same, and he headlines a list of
players in the ACC that are running the risk of being considered a bust.
Gary Ferman, who covers the Hurricanes for
CaneSport.com, said that
football has never appeared to be a priority for Henderson.
"The expectations for him were massive but he has never seemed to be all that
interested in football," Ferman said. "It almost seems as if he is playing
football because he is big, but his heart is not into it. He has so much raw
potential that he probably could flip a switch at any time here over the next
year or two and evolve as a first round draft choice. But time is running out on
him."
Henderson spent much of his senior season at St. Paul (Minn.) Cretin-Durham Hall
as the No. 1 player in the Rivals100 for the Class of 2010. He finished the
evaluation period as the No. 2 overall player, behind defensive end
By contrast, Powell was named to the All-SEC Freshman team as a true freshman
and has 13 starts under his belt for the Florida Gators.
Henderson did not sign on National Signing Day, instead waiting until late-March
to sign with USC. When the school was hit with sanctions, he was
released from his Letter of Intent and elected to sign with Miami that July.
The lofty ranking, as well as the circumstances surrounding Henderson's
recruitment and commitment, has added to fan frustration.
"Any time you have a situation like that where hopes are elevated and not met,
wrath of the fans becomes a normal part of the process," he said. "He has been a
big disappointment to the fans because this was a guy that you were supposed to
be able to build your offensive line around for three years and it just has not
happened."
The good news for Henderson and Miami is that there is still time to right the
ship.
As a 6-foot-8 athlete that has been compared to longtime NFL player and former
Hurricane Bryant McKinnie, Henderson has always had the talent. Ferman thinks
that this may be that season.
"I think a solid year could be redemption for him and certainly would be
important to the NFL people," he said. "Seantrel absolutely can turn it around
becausehe has so much athletic ability for a guy his size and so much raw
potential."
With just about a week left until the season kicks off, the clock is ticking on
Henderson and many others.
Below is a look at the other former top prospects who need to step up in the ACC. (Click player's name for a look at his prospect profile coming out of high school):
boston college
Player:
Dillon Quinn, defensive tackle. Ranked No. 102 overall in the
Rivals250 Class of 2009.
Buzz: Quinn was one the highest ranked
players in Boston College's 2009 signing class and has played sparingly
since arriving on campus. This year he is poised to be a starter and, as a
redshirt junior, he has two years to show that he is the NFL prospect many
thought him to be.
clemson
Player:
Brandon Ford, receiver/tight end. No. 46-ranked wide receiver in
Class of 2008.
Buzz: Ford's career so far has been a mixed bag,
but mostly bad. He has had 25 receptions and just four touchdowns through
373 snaps and just one start during his time at Clemson. A position change
to the 3-back position has him in line to start and possibly showcase his
skills this season.
duke
Player:
Kenny Anunike, defensive end. No. 34-ranked tight end in Class of
2008.
Buzz: Anunike arrived at Duke with a lot of hype and
plenty of expectations. Since then he has flashed greatness but proved to be
injury prone. As a junior last season, Anunike looked ready to live up the
hype and led the ACC in sacks and tackles for loss through four games, but a
season-ending injury (his third as a Blue Devil) cut his 2011 campaign
short. If he can stay healthy, he is poised to be an impact player.
florida state
Player:
James Wilder Jr., running back. Ranked No. 11 overall in the Rivals100
Class of 2011.
Buzz: It may be a bit hasty to put a true
sophomore in this spot, but as one of the most high profile recruits in the
country, Wilder was expected to make an instant impact. He was recruited
with the expectation that he would be the first Seminole since Warrick Dunn
to break the 1,000 yard barrier, and it's up to Wilder to make an impact
sooner rather than later.
georgia tech
Player:
B.J. Bostic, running back. Ranked No. 249 overall in Rivals250
Class of 2010.
Buzz: Bostic is in for a battle at Georgia Tech
if he wants to make an impact. He missed last season with a broken arm and
has been moved to the A-back position for Tech after being passed as the
feature back by a walk-on. He is now splitting time with Synjyn Days
- a former quarterback - to be that slot running back. While there are
plenty of carries to go around at Tech, how many go Bostic's way will be up
to him.
maryland
Player:
Devonte Campbell, tight end. Ranked No. 9 overall in Prep School
Top 50 Class of 2008.
Buzz: Campbell was a four-star player in
high school and earned four-stars when he went the prep school route, but
has done absolutely nothing to merit that consideration in his time as a
Terrapin. The word out of Maryland is that this year he looks to have hit
his stride and may be poised for a breakthrough season.
n.c. state
Player:
Brandon Barnes, running back. No. 33-ranked athlete in Class of
2008.
Buzz: The writing on the wall started early for Barnes, as
he was once a five-star player early in the recruiting process but ended the
2008 cycle outside of the Rivals250. He has not done much of anything at
N.C. State since his arrival and is now battling for playing time as a
fifth-year senior.
north carolina
Player:
Jheranie Boyd, wide receiver. Ranked No. 48 overall in Rivals100
Class of 2009.
Buzz: Boyd has toyed with Tar Heel fans during
his time on campus, amassing just 40 receptions and 12 touchdowns over three
years. He has a 221-yard game on his resume against LSU in 2010 but has been
invisible many other times. North Carolina is alarmingly thin at receiver
this year and Boyd could have a big year if he takes advantage of this
opportunity.
virginia
Player:
Tim Smith, wide receiver. No. 38-ranked wide receiver in Class of
2009.
Buzz: Smith missed his entire sophomore year with an ankle
injury and redshirted. He looked okay working back into shape last season
with a 33-catch season. This year, with the departure of Kris Burd, it could
be up to Smith to live up to the hype and fill the void.
virginia tech
Player:
Vinston Painter, offensive tackle. Ranked No. 126 overall in
Rivals250 Class of 2008.
Buzz: At 6-foot-6 and over 300 pounds,
Painter has always looked the part of a bookend tackle but he has not been
able to live up to appearances. Painter has bounced around as a back up at
tackle, then guard and back to tackle. This season he seems to have settled
in at right tackle but
Michael Via is ready to roll if he
struggles.
wake forest
Player:
Daniel Mack, safety. No. 38-ranked inside linebacker in Class of
2009.
Buzz: Mack was the highest rated player in Wake Forest's
2009 class and made his presence felt immediately. He made seven starts as a
redshirt freshman and played in all 12 games. Mack's playing time and impact
fell last season and he ended the year with 13 tackles. This year, he will
step into the starting free safety spot vacated by Josh Bush and the time is
now for a breakout season.
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