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Returning ACC Wide Receivers Look Solid
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com

While the Hokies lost their top five receivers off the 2007 team, other programs are bringing back plenty of experienced talent in the ACC. If the conference can get more consistent quarterback and offensive line play, the talent is there for some receivers to put up some big numbers in 2008.

Here is a look at the top returning receiver for each team heading into the 2008 season.

Matt Ryan made a lot of Boston College receivers happy last season. Although tailback Andre Callender was the team's leading receiver, the wideouts got plenty of action as well. Last year it wasn't clear how talented the group was as a whole, with a great player like Ryan throwing them the ball. We should have a better indication this year. Rich Gunnell, who plays a lot of slot receiver, should be BC's primary target this season.

It makes sense that the receivers with the best quarterbacks catch the most passes. Clemson's Aaron Kelly is the ACC's leading returning receiver with 88 grabs, and he was one of two receivers to have over 1,000 yards receiving last year. Kelly has developed from an athlete playing wide receiver to a complete wide receiver. It also helps that he has Cullen Harper, probably the top quarterback in the conference, throwing him the ball.

If Duke has anything good offensively, they do have a solid passing game. Although they lost leading receiver Jomar Wright, they return big play receiver Eron Riley, who averaged over 20 yards per catch last year. Riley needs to touch the ball early and often for the Blue Devils to have a decent offense.

Florida State returns leading receiver Preston Parker, though he is suspended for the first two games of the season. They lost second leading receiver De'Cody Fagg, but the 'Noles will still be fine at wideout this year. They don't quite have the talent there that they used to, but they still have some good players. They'll also have a senior quarterback in Drew Weatherford throwing them the ball.

Georgia Tech's leading returning receiver, Greg Smith, has been moved to "B-back", according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. That's how it's going to be under new coach Paul Johnson. Either way, the Yellow Jacket receivers aren't going to be scaring many defensive backs this year, unless they become dominant blockers.

Maryland has one of the ACC's best receivers in Darrius Heyward-Bey. His only drawback is that he doesn't have a good quarterback throwing him the ball. If either Chris Turner or Jordan Steffy can step up and have a good season, Heyward-Bey could have a breakout year.

If you want proof that Miami's talent level has dropped off quite a bit, you don't need to look anywhere but the wide receiver position. The 'Canes had two senior receivers this past year, and neither player was drafted. Nobody caught more than 31 passes for Miami last year, and it's unlikely that any of their wideouts would have made Tech's 2-deep in 2007.

The 'Canes have a solid player returning in Sam Shields. He looks like he has the potential to be a good one, but you could have said the same thing about Lance Leggett, who ended his career with 15 catches as a senior in 2007. The 'Canes need help everywhere, wide receiver being perhaps the worst position on the team.

UNC wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is arguably the best wideout in the ACC. He's got the size of a Josh Morgan type receiver. He set a UNC record with 74 catches last year, and that was with a freshman quarterback, T.J. Yates, throwing him the ball. Yates should be a lot better in 2008, so Nicks has the potential to have an even bigger year.

NC State isn't scary at wide receiver. In fact, their leading returning receiver is tailback Jamelle Eugene, who might be the third string tailback this coming season. Of course, it doesn't help the Wolfpack wideouts that they don't have a good quarterback throwing them the ball. Quarterback is still an issue heading into 2008 as well.

Virginia's biggest problem offensively last season was the lack of good wide receivers. This year they'll return Kevin Ogletree, who caught 52 passes in 2006. He tore his ACL and did not play in 2007. He should be able to help out their passing game quite a bit. Still, Ogletree is more of a possession receiver, and is not the big play threat that the Hoos need right now.

The Hokies lost their top four wide receivers, as well as Branden Ore, who was fifth on the team in receiving. Their top returning receiver is tight end Sam Wheeler, who tore his ACL in November of 2007 and may not be 100% to start 2008. That leaves Greg Boone, who is 100% healthy, as Tech's top receiving threat. The Hokies' returning wide receivers have combined for five career receptions. The Hokie running game better be good in 2008.

Wake Forest lost a major receiver in Kenneth Moore, who led the ACC with 98 receptions last year. However, the Demon Deacons generally don't have a true dominant wide receiver. Moore wasn't a wideout in the true sense of the word. He'd line up in the backfield, in the slot, essentially everywhere. He was Wake Forest's Percy Harvin. Wide receiver Chip Brinkman and tailback Josh Adams have a chance to be major factors in the passing game in 2008.

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