Three-Point Stance: Observations from UA Game, ACC review, playoff picks

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s thought-provoking Three-Point Stance is here with some odds and ends from day two of Under Armour practice, a look at some awards for the ACC from the Early Signing Period and predictions on tonight’s playoff games.

MORE FROM THE UA ALL-AMERICA GAME: Players discuss early signing period | Five surprises on opening day Where five unsigned players might land | Day One takeaways

It was a cold and rainy second practice at Under Armour so takeaways weren’t easy but here are some of my thoughts

Penn State running back commitment Ricky Slade will be a big part of his team’s offense. He’s been running effectively off tackle and up the gut and his receiving skills are excellent. He should touch the ball at least 15 times if his team wants to move the chains.

The quarterback play wasn’t much better on day two, but that can be attributed to the rain and wind. Nebraska signee Adrian Martinez was still the best passer on the day, Jacob Sirmon, a Washington signee, improved the most from day one to day two and Joey Gatewood (Auburn) was solid but ran more than he passed. Florida signee Emory Jones continued to struggle sailing the ball and UCLA commitment Dorian Thompson-Robinson was all over the map with his accuracy again. Stanford signee Jack West probably had the worst day in the rain.

Two of the best catches of the day were by big receivers. Penn State commitment Justin Shorter made a great catch down the sidelines on a ball thrown over the wrong shoulder and Justyn Ross made the catch of the day, a one-handed TD grab falling backwards.

Tennessee signee Alontae Taylor may struggle here and there catching the football, but he has been getting consistently open through the first two practices.

Quindarious Monday had a good day at defensive back as the Auburn signee had two interceptions that I saw. Asante Samuel, a Florida State signee, was also very solid for his team.

As they were on Monday, the Team Highlight defenders were impressive, led Monday by Trey Dean. The Florida signee has been the most physical and aggressive defensive back on either team. One disappointment has been Texas safety signee BJ Foster who came into the week pushing for a fifth star but has been a step late and beaten in solo coverage too often.

The first non five-star at the event I could be pushing for is offensive tackle Nick Petit-Frere, who has been excellent. He has looked really good in his battles with Jordan Davis, who was a guy on the five-star cusp as well. His frame is excellent, his footwork is awesome and I love the way he uses his hands. Delone Scaife would be up there as well if he were a little longer and taller, because he’s been excellent as well.

Florida State signee A.J. Lytton has been very solid every time I’ve watched him on long passes. He’s a long strider and can make up ground, gets his head around at the right now and hasn’t been outrun. He doesn’t make flashy plays, he’s just very solid.

Defensive end Jayson Oweh, who could end up at Penn State, reminds me a lot of Shane Simmons from a few years ago who also ended up at Penn State.

Speaking of Penn State, P.J. Mustipher was very impressive on the inside for the second day in a row. He’s a much better prospect out of high school than his brother Sam was. Sam is now the center for Notre Dame.

Virginia Tech commitment Cameron Goode may be sawed off and needs to shed some pounds, but he’s quick and aggressive. He has blown up a few run plays and has done well in pass rush one-on-ones. He’ll be a plugger for the Hokies.

I’ve done the Big Ten and SEC so now it’s time for the Early Signing Period Awards for the ACC. Here goes…

Biggest Get: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson – The best player in the country has to be the best get, right?

Biggest Loss: Jamaree Salyer – Clemson had a great chance here despite the Georgia ties and losing him was a blow that was softened by ...

Biggest Surprise: Jackson Carman, Clemson – No one saw this one coming and it shows just how well the Clemson machine is recruiting nationally.

Future Star: Lorenzo Lingard, Miami – I’m picking yet another running back for this spot (Zamir White for Georgia was my SEC pick) which is dangerous because it’s such a crapshoot at the position, but Lingard could bring the swagger back to the position beyond what Mark Walton and others in recent years have done.

Highest Ceiling: KJ Henry, Clemson – He’s still filling out, he’s getting better every time we see him and I’m suddenly unsure whether it will be Henry or fellow Clemson defensive end signee Xavier Thomas who will have the better career. What a problem to have.

Immediate Impact: Mark Pope, Miami – The ‘Canes need playmakers on offense and Pope’s ability to separate and run after the catch should make him a popular target early and often in Miami.

Project To Watch: Robert Cooper, Florida State – He’s carrying some bad weight, there is no doubt about that, but if Cooper can play closer to 315 pounds, he can become a dominant player with his quick feet and power.

Cross Country Steal: Jaiden Woodbey, Florida State – Talk about a huge commitment for Willie Taggart, landing Woodbey from the opposite coast was massive. It’s hard to find a better one in any conference.

Tackling Machine: Payton Wilson, NC State – Wilson is always in the right place at the right time it seems and should put up big numbers for the Wolfpack.

Surprising Team: Virginia Tech – The Hokies are No. 16 in the country and No. 3 in the ACC ahead of Florida State and some others. That’s better than usual and something to be excited about.

Must Keep: Patrick Surtain – Florida State and Miami have a chance to keep him away from LSU or possibly Alabama, and he’s a must get for the ACC, he’s that talented.

Do-or-Die January: Florida State. The ‘Noles are No. 44 in the nation with a lot of work to do over the next few weeks to finish anywhere close to their normal top-10 range.

Quick prediction time for you on the two playoff games tonight. Many of you will read this when the games are over so have fun laughing at me…

Oklahoma 34 Georgia 17 – The Sooners offense is too potent and the defense shows up and stops the run for the most part.

Clemson 24 Alabama 21 – The defensive line of Clemson dominates and stuffs the run and Kelly Bryant does enough to lead the team to victory.

So congrats to Georgia and Alabama on their sure victories now that I have jinxed OU and Clemson.