Clemson’s rise to the top of the college football pyramid was one of the most incredible runs we have seen over the last decade. Heading in to the 2017 season the focus will now shift to their ability to stay on top. The Tigers lost their star quarterback and best player in Deshaun Watson after the season. Now they will need to find an adequate replacement in order to maintain their position both within the ACC and at the national level. The good news for Tigers fans is that they may have already found a capable replacement in a rising young freshman. Here is a look at the most intriguing freshman on ACC teams heading in to the 2017 season.
QB: Hunter Johnson, Clemson
Head coach Dabo Swinney called Kelly Bryant his No. 1 quarterback heading in to the spring but the consensus is that could change at some point either during the season or before it starts. Johnson will continue to battle for the starting job as one of the most intriguing competitions of the summer. The 6’4’’ Johnson is a strong-armed quarterback that is considered ahead of his years in terms of polish and poise. There is no doubt that Johnson is capable of starting as a freshman this season but it will take a major vote of confidence for him to replace Bryant this early on. All eyes will be on Clemson to see how the quarterback situation plays out for the defending national champions.
RB: Cam Akers, Florida State
The five-star running back enrolled early at Florida State and garnered plenty of hype when he rushed for 87 yards in the spring game. Akers has an incredible blend of size and speed and it made him one of the most highly coveted running backs in the country coming out of high school. Now Akers is looking to start for the Seminoles from the outset, which means he will need to pass Jacques Patrick on the depth chart. Patrick had been Dalvin Cook’s backup at Florida State and it won’t be a surprise if he falls in to the same role behind Akers, who is another incredible talent.
QB: N’Kosi Perry, Miami
The Hurricanes need a starting quarterback after Brad Kaaya declared early for the NFL Draft. Perry will be in the mix as a potential replacement in his freshman season. The 6’4’’, 185-pound dual-threat quarterback has a chance to follow in Kaaya’s footsteps and start in his freshman season. Malik Rosier and Evan Shirreffs are standing in his way on the depth chart right now but Perry has the skills to beat out both of them in order to start for the Hurricanes this season.
OT: Cole Bentley, Louisville
The Cardinals need to improve the protection for their star quarterback Lamar Jackson. As you might recall, Jackson got pummeled in the Cardinals’ bowl game against the LSU Tigers. He simply had no time to make decisions.
That could mean a starting role for their freshman offensive tackle Bentley from the outset. Head coach Bobby Petrino has raved about Bentley’s progress throughout the spring while complimenting his natural strength and power. Bentley is a natural at the position and he has the sheer power to step in and play right away. Bentley could start at tackle right away as a freshman this season..
S: Devon Hunter, Virginia Tech
The 6’1’’, 205-pound safety has drawn comparisons to Kam Chancellor of the Seattle Seahawks based on his size, physicality and ability to dish out the big hits. That is certainly high praise for a young player coming out of high school and Hunter will have to prove that he deserves that type of hype. He will get the opportunity to prove his worth right away with defensive coordinator Bud Foster looking to play him as a freshman this season.
The Hokies look like a team on the rise after finishing the year strong and stunning Arkansas in their bowl game. As you might recall, they were trailing 24-0 at the half before scoring 35 unanswered points to win 35-24.
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