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No Big Names Among ACC's Returning Receivers
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com

The last two weeks we've looked at the top returning quarterbacks and running backs in the ACC. Now it's time to look at the most productive receivers who are returning for the 2007 season. The ACC lacks firepower on offense, and as far as big time receiving threats, they may be worse in 2007 than they were in 2008.

Here are the top 10 returning receivers, based on total receptions in 2006.

That's a pretty big group of no-names, although there is some talent there. Leading returning receiver Kevin Ogletree tore his ACL in spring practice and could miss the entire 2007 season. At the very least, he won't be nearly as effective as he was in 2006. The fourth-leading returning receiver, Anthony Hill, is a tight end.

It's conceivable that the average fan hasn't heard of any of the players listed above. Let's take a look at each player from top to bottom.

Kevin Ogletree is UVA's top receiver, and many Tech fans have probably heard of him because he starts for the rival team. But he's still not a household name to most ACC fans, and he won't be this year either after tearing his ACL in the spring. He played on a team that did not go to a bowl game last season, and that will have an effect on name recognition.

Kevin Challenger is a very good receiver for Boston College. However, how many past Boston College receivers do you remember? Not many. The Eagles have been primarily a running team in the past, so running backs L.V. Whitworth and Andre Callender are more well-known than Challenger, even though they aren't as impressive statistically.

Darrius Heyward-Bey had a great year for Maryland as a freshman. However, he still won't be recognized by many fans because he was just a freshman last season. The Terps had a good year, as did Heywary-Bey, and if he matches those numbers in 2007 then he'll start to get some recognition.

Anthony Hill caught a lot of passes last year, but he's a tight end. Not only is he a tight end, but he played for one of the worst teams in the ACC last year. He's not going to get a lot of attention, even though he's 6-6, 265 and a legit NFL prospect.

Jomar Wright and Raphael Chestnut play for Duke. Most fans of ACC schools probably couldn't name more than one or two players on Duke's team, so Wright and Chestnut aren't going to get a lot of attention. Same for Hakeem Nicks and Brooks Foster of UNC. UNC isn't exactly a football powerhouse, so they don't get a lot of recognition, even though Nicks has good potential..

James Johnson of Georgia Tech was overshadowed by Calvin Johnson last year, despite JJ's seven touchdown receptions. Johnson has a chance to have a breakout year this season as the main receiver in the Yellow Jackets' passing attack.

De'Cody Fagg is probably the most recognizable receiver on the list above because he plays for Florida State and is on television every week. However, he might be overshadowed by one of his own teammates who did not make the list of top returning receivers. Greg Carr of Florida State had 12 touchdown receptions last year. He's the big play guy on SportsCenter that people recognize, but he is not among the top returning receivers in the ACC when it comes to receptions.

Notice that there aren't any Virginia Tech players on that list. The Hokies' leading receiver last season was David Clowney, who caught 34 passes. He is now with the Green Bay Packers. Other passes were spread amongst other Tech receivers: Josh Morgan (33 catches), Eddie Royal (31), Justin Harper (21), Branden Ore (18), Josh Hyman (16) and Sam Wheeler (13).

Don't expect any Tech receivers to lead the ACC in any receiver categories next year either. Only twice since 1980 has a Tech receiver caught more than 40 passes in a season. Ernest Wilford had 51 in 2002 and 55 in 2004. Sidney Snell caught 43 passes in 1979, and again in 1980.

However, if Eddie Royal can accomplish that feat in 2007, he has a chance to break Ernest Wilford's career receiving record. Wilford caught 126 passes in his career. Royal has 86 receptions entering the 2007 season. If he catches 40 passes, he'll tie Wilford. If he matches his last season total of 31, he'll finish with 117 for his career, which would be third on Tech's all-time list. Antonio Freeman (1991-94) is currently second with 121 catches.

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