On The Offensive

CLEMSON -- With stars like C.J. Spiller and Georgia Tech's Demaryius Thomas departed, and the conference littered with quarterback questions and first-round defensive talents, the ACC could be headed toward a scoring decline in 2010.

After tabbing Clemson's Spiller as the top offensive talent in the ACC last summer, The Post and Courier again ranks the conference's 20 most valuable offensive players:

1. Christian Ponder, QB, Sr., FSU

Ponder was having an outstanding season last fall before traveling to Clemson. Through his first eight games, Florida State's Ponder completed 69 percent of his passes for 2,453 yards and 13 touchdowns against three interceptions. His ninth opponent was Clemson. Tigers safety DeAndre McDaniel separated Ponder's shoulder when returning Ponder's fourth interception of the game. This spring, Ponder threw the ball very well, alleviating concern about his shoulder. Ponder has an excellent blend of accuracy, smarts and athleticism.

2. Russell Wilson, QB, Jr., N.C. State

A fourth-round pick of the Colorado Rockies, Wilson said after signing a pro baseball contract last month he would likely return to the Wolfpack. Wilson has thrown 48 touchdowns against 12 interceptions during his first two years as a starter.

3. Ryan Williams, RB, So., Va. Tech

After running for 1,655 yards (5.6 ypc) and 21 touchdowns as a freshman, Williams has become one of the more valuable commodities in the ACC. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper

rates the draft-eligible sophomore as his 15th overall prospect for the 2011 NFL draft. Darren Evans also returns to the Hokies' backfield, giving Va. Tech a dynamic 1-2 punch.

4. Josh Nesbitt, QB, Sr., Georgia Tech

Nesbitt is difficult to bring down and surprisingly elusive. The option QB no longer has Thomas to lob jump balls toward, but he's mastered Paul Johnson's offense, rushing for 1,037 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

5. Anthony Castonzo, T, Sr., Boston College

This 6-7, 295-pound giant earned first-team All-ACC honors from a year ago, and is projected as a first-round pick in 2011. He gives the Eagles an excellent building block on an offensive line that returns nine of its top 10 lettermen.

6. Tyrod Taylor, QB, Sr., Virginia Tech

As a sophomore, Taylor made great strikes as a passer, completing 56 percent of his passes with a 13-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Taylor gained 770 yards and five scores as a runner last year, and is now a true dual threat at quarterback.

7. Jacory Harris, QB, Jr. Miami

Some were promoting Harris as a Heisman candidate after lifting Miami to wins against Oklahoma, Georgia Tech and Florida State in the first month of last season. Even with a second-half regression (11 of his 17 INTs came in Miami's final seven games), Harris still completed 60 percent of his passes for 24 touchdowns and became the seventh Hurricane to top 3,000 yards passing (3,352).

8. Rodney Hudson, G, Sr. Florida State

The relentless Hudson earned multiple All-American honors despite several injuries last season. He was voted by the ACC's coaches as the conference's best blocker.

9. Montel Harris, RB, Jr., Boston College

Harris earned second-team honors last fall, compiling 1,457 yards for the Eagles. Behind one of the best lines in the conference, the shifty back could be on the verge of a monster campaign.

10. Dwayne Allen, TE, So. Clemson

With the departures of Jacoby Ford, Spiller and Michael Palmer, Allen could very well become the No. 1 target in the Tigers' passing game. Allen has early-round NFL talent and the ability to break every Clemson tight end pass-catching record.

11. Anthony Allen, RB, Sr., Georgia Tech

Allen averaged an ACC-best 9.7 yards per carry as an A-back in the Georgia Tech flexbone offense last year. He's being called upon to replace Jonathan Dwyer as a B-back this fall, which will require more between-the-tackles running. Allen looked up to the task in the spring game, rushing for 91 yards on 15 carries.

12. Leonard Hankerson, WR, Sr. Miami

The 6-3, 215-pounder led a deep receiving corps in catches (45) receiving yards (801) and yards per catch (17.8).

13. George Bryan, TE, Jr., N.C. State

The 6-5, 270-pound Bryan (40 catches, 422 yards, six TDs) figures to battle Allen as ACC's top tight end.

14. Donovan Varner, WR, Jr., Duke

The ACC's leading receiver of a year ago (1,047 yards) will miss Thaddeus Lewis. Varner showed he could play against the athletic secondaries of Virginia and Miami last season, topping 100 yards in both games.

15. Orlando Franklin, T, Sr., Miami

Named to the Outland watch list, the massive Franklin (6-7, 318) replaces Jason Fox at left tackle.

16. Chris Hairston, T, Sr., Clemson

The steady Hairston was a major reason why Clemson ranked in the top 25 nationally in scoring offense last season.

17. Sean Bedford, C, Sr., Georgia Tech

As a first-team All-ACC performer a year ago, Bedford is a key cog in the Yellow Jackets offense.

18. Da'Rel Scott, RB, Jr., Maryland

Scott is hoping to return to his 2008 form when he rushed for 1,133 yards at 5.4 yards per carry.

19. Owen Spencer, WR, Sr., N.C. State

The 6-3, 185-pounder is a true home-run threat with an NCAA-best 25.5 yards per catch average last year.

20. Torrey Smith, WR, Jr., Maryland

Finished fourth in the ACC in receiving (834 yards) and is also an excellent kick returner.

NR: Kyle Parker, QB, So., Clemson

If not for his selection in the first round of the baseball draft, talk would focus on the football ceiling of this freshman All-American. Parker would rank in the top 10 if not for his uncertain football future.

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com, check out the Clemson blog at postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks and follow him on Twitter (@travis_sawchik).