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Author: Johnathan Micklos

  • 2023 SIS Preseason ACC All-Conference Team

    2023 SIS Preseason ACC All-Conference Team

    As we approach the beginning of the 2023 college football season, we want to highlight some of the top players in each conference by announcing our SIS Preseason All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our selections.

    You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced here.

    Offense

    Position Name School
    QB Drake Maye North Carolina
    RB Trey Benson Florida State
    WR Jamari Thrash Louisville
    WR Ali Jennings Virginia Tech
    TE Oronde Gadsden II Syracuse
    FLEX Jaylin Lane Virginia Tech
    OT Jeremiah Byers Florida State
    OT Graham Barton Duke
    OG Dylan McMahon North Carolina State
    OG Christopher Bleich Syracuse
    OC Matt Lee Miami

    Heisman hopeful Drake Maye leads the ACC after leading the country in Total Points. Trey Benson took over the starting job in Week 7 and didn’t look back putting up the same amount of Total Points over those seven games as the second-best ACC running back did over the entire season. Oronde Gadsden II was the best receiving tight end in the country last season.

    All three receivers are new to the conference transferring in from Georgia State, Old Dominion, and Middle Tennessee State. Louisville’s Jamari Thrash was fourth nationally in yards per target. Virginia Tech’s Ali Jennings finished fourth nationally in Total Points per target. Jaylin Lane was first team All-CUSA last season finishing sixth nationally in YAC.

    At UTEP last year Jeremiah Byers had the second lowest Blown Block% in the nation among offensive tackles. Matt Lee was tied for the lowest Blown Block% amongst centers in the country last season, playing for Central Florida.

    Duke’s Graham Barton was fifth among ACC offensive tackles in Total Points. Dylan McMahon and Christopher Bleich were tied for second in lowest Run Blown Block% by a guard in the ACC (minimum 500 snaps).

    Defense

    Position Name School
    DT Braden Fiske Florida State
    DT DeWayne Carter Duke
    EDGE Jared Verse Florida State
    EDGE Jasheen Davis Wake Forest
    LB Cedric Gray North Carolina
    LB Barrett Carter Clemson
    CB Aydan White North Carolina State
    CB Derrick Canteen Virginia Tech
    S Chelen Garnes Wake Forest
    S RJ Mickens Clemson
    FLEX Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Clemson

    Florida State’s dip into the transfer portal paid dividends last season with Jared Verse leading the ACC in Pressure% among defensive lineman. This year they went back to the portal for Western Michigan defensive tackle Braden Fiske, who led all MAC interior lineman in Total Points.

    Duke’s DeWayne Carter led the ACC defensive tackles in Total Points last season. Jasheen Davis from Wake Forest was second among ACC edges in hurries with 26. Cedric Gray was the lone bright spot on North Carolina’s defense finishing second nationally in tackles with 151.

    Clemson has a trio of defenders led by Barrett Carter. Carter’s greatest value came against the pass where he was third nationally in Pass Defense Total Points among linebackers. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. made his impact against the run where he was seventh nationally in Total Points per play. RJ Mickens was fifth amongst ACC safeties against the pass.

    North Carolina State’s Aydan White was an easy selection as he was second nationally in Total Points. Derrick Canteen was an honorable mention for the Sun Belt last season. He finished second among Sun Belt cornerbacks in Pass Defense Total Points. Chelen Garnes was valuable against the run, finishing fourth in Total Points.

    Specialists

    Position Name School
    K Ben Sauls Pittsburgh
    P Ben Kiernan North Carolina
    Returner Trebor Pena Syracuse

    Ben Sauls had an outstanding season converting all 47 extra points and connecting on 20-of-24 field goals. Ben Kiernan had a strong season for North Carolina finishing top five in the ACC for punt yards average, net yards average, and punts inside the 20. Trebor Pena was a dual threat return man averaging 23.3 yards on kickoffs and 8.6 on punts.

    Honorable Mention

    Position Name School
    WR Johnny Wilson Florida State
    OG William Barnes North Carolina
    CB Nate Wiggins Clemson
    Returner M.J. Devonshire Pittsburgh

    Florida State’s Johnny Wilson is one of the top returning ACC WRs. Wilson was fourth nationally in ADoC. Williams Barnes was not called for a holding penalty last season. Opponents only completed 39.3% of passes against Nate Wiggins.

  • 2023 SIS Preseason AAC All-Conference Team

    2023 SIS Preseason AAC All-Conference Team

    As we approach the beginning of the 2023 college football season, we want to highlight some of the top players in each conference by announcing our SIS Preseason All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our selections.

    You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced here.

    Offense

    Position Name School
    QB Frank Harris UTSA
    RB Blake Watson Memphis
    WR Luke McCaffrey Rice
    WR Joshua Cephus UTSA
    TE Oscar Cardenas UTSA
    FLEX De’Corian Clark UTSA
    OT Rashad Green Tulane
    OT Marcus Bryant SMU
    OG Gabe Blair North Texas
    OG Prince Pines Tulane
    OC Sincere Haynesworth Tulane

    Frank Harris of UTSA has not played a game as a member of the AAC yet, but he was an easy choice at quarterback. Harris finished fifth nationally in Total Points and looks primed for another repeat as fellow first teamers Joshua Cephus, De’Corian Clark, and Oscar Cardenas returned too.

    Blake Watson takes the top spot at running back, transferring to Memphis after spending five seasons at Old Dominion. After spending three years attempting to be a quarterback, Luke McCaffrey found his calling at receiver.

    Tulane has the best offensive line in the conference with Sincere Haynesworth, Rashad Green, and Prince Pines finishing top five in Total Points for AAC offensive lineman. Gabe Blair had the third lowest Blown Block% in the country amongst guards. Marcus Bryant is the top returning left tackle in the conference.

    Defense

    Position Name School
    DT Patrick Jenkins Tulane
    DT Nick Booker-Brown UTSA
    EDGE Jaylon Allen Memphis
    EDGE Jacob Busic Navy
    LB Myron Morrison Rice
    LB Colin Ramos Navy
    CB Jarius Monroe Tulane
    CB Jalen McMurray Temple
    S Jonathan McGill SMU
    S Julius Wood ECU
    FLEX Jahari Rogers SMU

    Patrick Jenkins and Jarius Monroe represent the Green Wave on defense. Jenkins was a force on the interior while Monroe led the team with three interceptions and 11 passes defensed.

    Jacob Busic and Colin Ramos will lead the way for Navy’s defense. Busic led all edges in the AAC in Pass Rushing Total Points while Ramos was second amongst all AAC linebackers in Run Defense Total Points.

    North Carolina State transfer defensive tackle Nick Booker-Brown made an immediate impact with the Roadrunners. Memphis’ Jaylon Allen proved stingy against the run with 10 tackles for loss last season. Myron Morrison was sixth in Total Points per snap amongst all linebackers. 

    Jalen McMurray is Temple’s lone representative having finished fourth in total points for AAC cornerbacks. East Carolina’s lone representative Julius Wood was a force against the run finishing third amongst AAC safeties in Run Defense Total Points.

    SMU is represented by Stanford transfer Jonathan McGill and cornerback Jahari Rogers. Rogers was the sixth best corner in the country against the pass on a per snap basis.

    Specialists

    Position Name School
    K Collin Rogers SMU
    P Lucas Dean UTSA
    Returner Key’Shawn Smith SMU

    Collin Rogers was perfect under 49 yards last season going 56-56 on extra points and 16-16 on field goals. Lucas Dean is the sixth and final Roadrunner on the team averaging 45.0 yards a boot last season Mustang Key’Shawn Smith, who was All-ACC last season for Miami, edges out Lawrence Keys III at the returner spot.

  • NFL Draft AnalySIS: Arizona Cardinals

    NFL Draft AnalySIS: Arizona Cardinals

    Leading up to the NFL Draft, SIS will be publishing team previews for those with Top 10 picks in the draft. Each preview will look at the players who most make sense for that team at that selection based on stats and scouting factors and will include quotes from that player’s scouting report.

    You can find more than 300 scouting reports and much more team analysis at our NFL Draft website.

    The State of the Cardinals:

    The 2022 season was an abject failure for the Arizona Cardinals. Attempting to build off the excitement from 2021’s playoff appearance, they fell flat on their face finishing 4-13 and earning the third overall pick. General Manager Steve Keim and Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury signed extensions that would keep them through 2027 but neither made it to 2023. In Week 14 Kyler Murray tore his ACL putting his status for the start of the 2023 season in jeopardy.

    The Cardinals offense had their struggles but the defense is what really let them down, finishing near the bottom in most defensive efficiency rankings. This team needs an infusion of talent at all three levels immediately. The Cardinals are reported to be shopping the pick, but if they make the decision to stand pat here are four prospects they could be targeting.

    # 3 Overall

    Will Anderson Jr. – Edge – Alabama

    Anderson has impressed from his first game at Alabama to his last as a deadly pass rusher and strong run defender, and he has everything it takes to be a top-end EDGE at the next level.

    Anderson Jr. is the top prospect in the draft and would fill a glaring need as the Cardinals’ Edge group finished 29th in positional Total Points*.

    Total Points is our all-encompassing player value stat, which measures everything a player does on his field.

    Jalen Carter – Defensive Tackle – Georgia

    There are almost no flaws in Carter’s on-field play and with an increased effort and professionalism combined with his ability to force teams to change gameplans, he can put himself in the NFL DPOY discussion every year.

    Replacing J.J. Watt is a tall order but Carter has the on-field ability to become an impact player on a defensive line that is lacking impact talent.

    Devon Witherspoon – Cornerback – Illinois

    Witherspoon has the press-man coverage and ball skills to be a solid starter in any NFL defense, but he will need to improve his open-field tackling and off-man ability to hit his ceiling as a true No. 1, shutdown corner.

    Witherspoon has the highest ceiling of any cornerback and would elevate a group that finished last in positional Total Points.

    Tyree Wilson – Edge – Texas Tech

    Wilson is a long, strong power rusher who can rush the quarterback and defend the run, but a lack of speed and agility may be traits that hold him back early in his career.

    The Cardinals have shown interest in Wilson due to his game-wrecking ability off the edge, and as we noted before, that’s a huge area of need.

    To learn more about the Cardinals and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

  • 2023 NFL Draft AnalySIS: Chicago Bears

    2023 NFL Draft AnalySIS: Chicago Bears

    Leading up to the NFL Draft, SIS will be publishing team previews for those with Top 10 picks in the draft. Each preview will look at the players who most make sense for that team at that selection based on stats and scouting factors and will include quotes from that player’s scouting report.

    You can find more than 300 scouting reports and much more team analysis at our NFL Draft website.

    The State of the Bears:

    The Bears rebuild is in full force, as they finished with their lowest winning percentage since 1969. Since hiring general manager Ryan Poles, the team has been aggressive in acquiring draft capital and surrounding Justin Fields with talent. This led them to deal the first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for the 9th and 61st pick in 2023 as well as Carolina’s 2024 first, 2025 second, and wide receiver D.J. Moore.

    The Bears are still in the talent acquisition phase of the rebuild with multiple positions they can address. Offensive tackle, defensive tackle, edge, and cornerback are their four biggest areas of concern. Here are a handful of players the Bears could be targeting.

    #9 Overall

    Devon Witherspoon – CB – Illinois

    Witherspoon has the press-man coverage and ball skills to be a solid starter in any NFL defense, but he will need to improve his open-field tackling and off-man ability to hit his ceiling as a true No. 1, shutdown corner.

    Witherspoon would provide an upgrade to a cornerback room that ranked 27th in positional Total Points last season*.

    Total Points is our all-encompassing player value stat, which measures everything a player does on his field.

    Peter Skoronski – OT – Northwestern

    Skoronski may not have the standard measurements for an NFL left tackle, but his athleticism, strength, and technique show a high-floor offensive line prospect who should be a quality starter early in his career.

    The Bears are serious about getting Fields protection and native son Skoronski would cement their offensive line with his ability to play either tackle or guard.

    Paris Johnson Jr. – OT – Ohio State

    Johnson is an incredible athlete for his size with the footwork and recover ability to win his fair share of battles. As long as he gets a little stronger and can improve his anchor, he’ll be a big-time force at LT moving forward.

    Fields could prefer the team drafting his old college teammate, who may be the best pure left tackle prospect in the draft.

    Tyree Wilson – Edge – Texas Tech

    Wilson is a long, strong power rusher who can rush the quarterback and defend the run, but a lack of speed and agility may be traits that hold him back early in his career.

    Wilson can step into a starting role immediately for a Bears edge rushing group, who was the worst in the NFL according to positional Total Points.

    Jalen Carter – DT – Georgia

    There are almost no flaws in Carter’s on-field play and with an increased effort and professionalism combined with his ability to force teams to change gameplans, he can put himself in the NFL DPOY discussion every year.

    If Carter were to slide due to off-the-field concerns, the Bears would have a hard time passing up a talent they were considering taking No. 1 overall due to his game-breaking ability.

    To learn more about the Bears and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

  • 2022 SIS ACC All-Conference Teams

    2022 SIS ACC All-Conference Teams

    It’s finally time to release our SIS All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our team of selections for 2022, plus a few honorable mentions.

    You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced here.

    These picks are meant to honor this season’s best-of-the-best in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

    Offense

    Position Name School
    QB Drake Maye North Carolina
    RB Trey Benson Florida State
    WR Tyler Hudson Louisville
    WR Josh Downs North Carolina
    TE Oronde Gadsden II Syracuse
    FLEX Zay Flowers Boston College
    OT Dakota Davis Syracuse
    OT Jordan McFadden Clemson
    OG Ed Montilus North Carolina
    OG Christopher Bleich Syracuse
    OC Bryan Hudson Louisville

    North Carolina’s Drake Maye is the leader of the offensive group and for good reason. He finished 10th in Heisman voting and was voted as our 2nd-Team All-American quarterback. Maye finished with 5,019 total yards and 45 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. Teammate Josh Downs caught 11 of those touchdowns. Downs came in as an honorable mention for our All-American team.

    Florida State’s Trey Benson didn’t start the season as a starter but once given the reins had an excellent season finishing with 1,326 total yards and 10 touchdowns.

    Syracuse right tackle Dakota Davis leads the offensive line group in Total Points. North Carolina’s Ed Montilus led the conference in Pass Blocking Total Points for guards.

    Defense

    Position Name School
    DT DeWayne Carter Duke
    DT Tyler Davis Clemson
    EDGE Yasir Abdullah Louisville
    EDGE KJ Henry Clemson
    LB Cedric Gray North Carolina
    LB Drake Thomas NC State
    CB Aydan White NC State
    CB Anthony Johnson Virginia
    S Darius Joiner Duke
    S Tanner Ingle NC State
    FLEX Barrett Carter Clemson

    Cedric Gray and Tanner Ingle both made our All-American teams. Gray finished 2nd in the country with 141 total tackles. Yasir Abdullah is the leader of the edge group with a conference leading 9.5 sacks. Aydan White is the most intriguing player as he led all ACC defenders in Total Points.

    Specialists

    Position Name School
    K Christopher Dunn NC State
    P Ben Kiernan North Carolina
    Returner Key’Shawn Smith Miami

    Lou Groza Award winner and SIS 1st-Team All-American Christopher Dunn had an excellent season as he missed only one kick. Ben Kiernan led the conference averaging 46.6 yards per punt. Key’Shawn Smith led all kick returners averaging 30.5 yards per kick (minimum 10 returns). 

    Honorable Mentions

    Name School
    Israel Abanikanda Pittsburgh
    A.T. Perry Wake Forest
    Matthew Bergeron Syracuse
    D’Mitri Emmanuel Florida State

    Israel Abanikanda had a prolific season rushing for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns highlighted by his 320 yards and six touchdowns against Virginia Tech. 

    Total Points, stats, and ranks as of 02/06/2023