Southern Sports Edition
Miami Hurricanes 2026 Preview
By: Joseph Stuckey
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Miami Hurricanes are looking to build on their momentum from last season’s success. They made it all the way to the National Championship game but fell short to the Indiana Hoosiers.
This season, they are reloaded and are looking to bring home the trophy.
To start with, there is a new quarterback for the Hurricanes as Carson Beck has graduated out and is now with the Arizona Cardinals. If I may add, Beck looked very promising in the Hall of Fame game against the Panthers.
Darian Mensah has been the story of the offseason in college football, and his saga of leaving the Blue Devils of Duke and coming to Miami has certainly been interesting to follow.
He led the Blue Devils to the ACC title last season and originally committed to come back, but in the end transferred to Miami.
Mario Cristobal is the head coach of the Hurricanes and is entering his 5th season, and during his tenure has brought them back into the national spotlight. Currently, according to 247sports, the Hurricanes have the #2-ranked recruiting class for the 2027 cycle, headlined by 5 five-star recruits.
On a local note, former Benedictine Cadet standout Herbert Scroggins III is set to make a real impact on the defensive line this season for the Hurricanes.
As the Hurricanes look to return to the National Championship game, they will start week 1 in conference play as they will take one of the longest trips in college football this season from Miami, FL to California and take on the Stanford Cardinal.
Next, they will welcome the Rattlers of FAMU to Hard Rock Stadium before traveling to Deac Town to take on Wake Forest, which is coached by Jake Dickert, coming off a 9-4 record.
Then the Hurricanes will come back home to host Central Michigan before heading to Death Valley and taking on Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers in what will be a key early-season matchup.
The Pitt Panthers will then make a trip to South Beach before the Hurricanes head to Chapel Hill to take on Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels in what could potentially be a must-win game for Coach Belichick.
Next, a trip to South Bend is in store for the Canes in what will be one of the top matchups in college football this season.
To end the season, Miami will host 3 ACC games that will have a lot of ACC Championship and CFP implications on the line
The Duke Blue Devils will head to Hard Rock Stadium in what will be a very interesting game for the Dariah Mensah saga.
After that, both Virginia Tech and Boston College will make trips to South Beach.
This is a very manageable schedule for the Hurricanes, and there is a strong possibility they will go 12-0; however, I see them closer to the 10-win mark.
There are some tough road games: at Wake Forest, at Clemson, and at Notre Dame, it would be very east for them to drop a couple of these tough road games.
Now, with that being said, I think Miami has one of the best chances to make the CFP, and if they do what they are supposed to do this season, they will find themselves right in the playoff mix at the end of the season.
Wanting More
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The University of Georgia rolls into the 2026 football season with high hopes.
What we have all realized is that in the Kirby Smart era, every year has high hopes! So, what makes this team special?
First is experience. The Dawgs won the SEC again last year and they did it with the second youngest team in the league. Now they return 14 starters from last year’s 12-2 outfit.
Add in a few portal pieces that were starters and this team is loaded with talent and experience. Kirby Smart’s mantra of building from within will show results this year. All that youth is a year older and bigger, stronger and faster.
Second is the schedule. While there are toughies at Alabama and at Ole Miss. They get Oklahoma at home and Florida in Atlanta. Throw in no Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee or LSU on the schedule and it is manageable.
Next and probably the most important is the system. Georgia builds from within. Kirby is the Saban of here and now. This staff, team and fan base are an ALL IN bunch of rabid DAWGS.
Georgia went 12-2 last year and lost 2 games by a total of 8 points. Ask anyone associated with this bunch of Dawgs and they will say that isn’t good enough. Such are the expectations now in Athens Georgia and throughout the Bulldog Nation. This edition of the Dawgs is hungry.
There are questions. Where did the receivers go? What the hell happened to the pass rush? Legitimate concerns that need to be addressed. Let’s take a quick look at the 2026 team.
On offense it all starts with Gunner Stockton. Back for his second year as a starter. Gunner is a leader and a player. He is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country. If Gunner has a great 2026 then the Dawgs will also. Enough said.
The running game will be one of the best in the nation. Returning are Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens who accounted for some 1500 yards last year. Add in 3rd year Dwight “peanut” Phillips with his 4.28 40 and lets GO! This will open everything else up for what should be a dynamic offense.
The receivers will be a question mark. The plug and play transfer Isiah Canion will definitely be a go to.
Add in returners London Humphreys and Sacovie White-Helton along with youngsters Talyn Taylor, C. J. Wiley and others and while untested, there is talent. I wouldn’t be surprised to see UGA wide receivers mixed in on the outside and slot with some of the tight ends.
Speaking of tight ends, the tight end room at Georgia is arguably the best in college football. Lawson Luckie, Elyiss Williams, and Ethan Barbour are outstanding. Add in depth and new arrival Kaiden Prothro and Mike Bobo has the opportunity to ruin some defenses this fall.
None of the above will work without a solid offensive line and Georgia has that. Returning starters Drew Bobo, Earnest Green III, and Dontrell Glover are All SEC caliber players. Add in Jah Jackson, Juan Gaston, and exciting freshman Zykie Helton and others and the line should be one of the best in the conference.
Defensively the Dawgs will be good. Whether they can be elite will hinge on two things. First is consistency. As mentioned, in the two games Georgia lost in 2025 they gave up a combined 63 points. They lost those games by a total of 8 points.
Next is an answer to the first. It comes down to a pass rush. If Georgia has 35 sacks in 2026 then you can count them in. If they repeat 2025 and have 20 sacks then you can count them out.
The pieces of the puzzle are all there. Elijah Griffin, KJ Bolton and Ellis Robinson IV are All-Americans and potential first round NFL draft picks.
On the front seven Justin Williams Gabe Harris, Quentavius Johnson, Raylen Wilson, Chris Cole, and Xzavier McLeod, all return.
In the secondary Khalil Barnes, Rasean Dinkins, and Demello Jones are back. There is depth and quality waiting to get on the field behind them.
The kicking will once again be handled by Peyton Woodring and the new punter Drew Miller has big shoes to fill!
After two years of SEC Championships it’s amazing that for Kirby and the Dawgs, that isn’t good enough. The 2026 Bulldogs know where they stand. They want it all.
New Gator Era
By: Joseph Stuckey
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Swamp in Gainesville is buzzing as the Billy Napier era ends and the Jon Sumerall era has begun.
Coach Sumerall comes to the Gators from Tulane, where he was head coach for 2 years; prior to that, he was head coach at Troy for 2 years. He has a record of 43-12 and led Tulane to a CFP berth last season.
The Gators have also been hot on the recruiting trail this summer, and according to 24/7Sports, they are number 11 in the country and number 6 in the SEC; their class is currently headlined by 5-star O-Lineman Maxwell Hiller.
But the focus is starting to turn to their 2026 campaign as the Gators look to turn this recharged energy into wins on the field.
To start, the Gators are moving forward Lagway-less; their quarterback of the future is now a Baylor Bear. So, at the quarterback position, the Gators will look to either Tramell Jones Jr., who was a 3-star recruit for the Gators in the 2025 class, or Aaron Philo, who many Georgia Tech fans thought would replace Haynes King in Atlanta.
The new Offensive Coordinator for the Gators also came from Georgia Tech, as Buster Faulkner will be calling plays, and if I had to bet who was going to start game number 1 against Florida Atlantic, it would be Philo.
It’s also worth noting from a local perspective that former Portal Panther and Redshirt Sophomore Amir Jackson has a lot of signs pointing his way towards being an impact player this season at Tight End.
According to ESPN, the Gators have the 7th toughest strength of schedule in the country; as a side note, 14 of the top 15 are all SEC teams.
To start off the season, the Gators will host Zach Kittley’s Florida Atlantic Owls and their high-octane offense. He is currently the youngest coach at the FBS level at age 34. I am putting the Gators on upset watch for this game.
Next, they will host FCS opponent Campbell University Camels before a trip to The Plains of Auburn for their first SEC matchup of the season.
Then they will get deep into SEC play as they will host Ole Miss, who is fresh off a trip to the CFP. This will be followed by a trip to take on Eli Drinkwitz’s Missouri Tigers squad in Columbia, Missouri.
Then Shane Beamer’s squad will come to town in what will probably be a must-win game for both squads.
This will be followed by a trip to Austin, Texas to take on the Longhorns.
Next is what is slated to be a “neutral site” game against the Georgia Bulldogs at The Benz in Atlanta.
Following that game, the Sooners of Oklahoma will visit The Swamp, also fresh off a CFP appearance.
The Gators will then travel to Lexington, Kentucky for what will most likely be another must-win game for both squads. Then, for the final home game of the season, they will host the Vanderbilt Commodores.
Then, for rivalry weekend, they will travel up the road to Tallahassee to take on the Seminoles.
With a first-year head coach, there is always a big unknown, and anything can happen.
The Gators return a lot of talent and have good coaches in place, so I set the ceiling at 9 wins and the floor at 6-6, which would put the Gators headed to a bowl game in the first season under Coach Sumerall.
Jason Bishop Show August 6 2026
The Kiffin Effect
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
If you are looking for the team that could shake up college football in 2026, look no further than the Bayou Bengals of LSU.
The Tigers did not just hire a new football coach this offseason. They made one of the biggest moves in college football by bringing Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge.
At LSU, the expectation is never just to have a winning season. The expectation is to compete for SEC championships and national championships.
Based on what Kiffin has already accomplished this offseason, I believe the Tigers are built to do exactly that.
Kiffin has won everywhere he has coached. He turned Florida Atlantic into a winner, made Ole Miss a legitimate College Football Playoff contender, and now takes over one of the most talent rich programs in America.
This is the first time in his career that he has inherited a roster and resources capable of competing for a national title from day one.
The biggest reason for the excitement is the transfer portal. LSU landed what many believe is the top transfer class in the country, and almost every addition fills a major need.
After finishing 7-6 last season, the Tigers needed a complete makeover on offense, and Kiffin delivered.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt could be the key to everything. If he stays healthy after recovering from a foot injury, he is an ideal fit for Kiffin’s offense.
He also has plenty of weapons around him. Receivers Jayce Brown, Tre Brown, Jackson Harris, Winston Watkins, and Eugene Wilson III give LSU one of the deepest and fastest receiving groups in college football.
Just as important is the rebuilt offensive line. Colorado transfer Jordan Seaton may prove to be the most valuable addition on the roster.
LSU struggled to protect it’s quarterback and establish a running game last season.
Seaton and several experienced transfers should completely change that. If the Tigers can simply become a respectable rushing team, Kiffin’s offense has the potential to become one of the best in the nation.
The defense should be every bit as impressive.
One of Kiffin’s smartest decisions was keeping defensive coordinator Blake Baker in Baton Rouge. Baker already had LSU playing solid defense despite the offense often putting the unit in difficult situations.
Now he has even more talent to work with. The addition of edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen strengthens the defensive front, while linebacker.
Whit Weeks returns as the emotional leader of the defense. When Weeks was sidelined by injury last year, LSU simply was not the same football team. His return gives the Tigers one of the best linebackers in the SEC leading an already talented group.
Even with all the excitement, the schedule will certainly test LSU. Clemson, Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Ole Miss are all capable of making life difficult. But championship teams do not shy away from challenging schedules.
Several of LSU’s biggest conference games will be played in Death Valley, where few opponents enjoy success.
There may be a few growing pains early with so many new faces learning a new system, but I do not expect them to last very long. Kiffin has consistently built explosive offenses throughout his coaching career, and now he has the roster to match his creativity.
Everything appears to be in place. LSU has upgraded the quarterback position, rebuilt the offensive line, added explosive playmakers, strengthened the defense, and hired one of the brightest offensive minds in college football.
I believe the Tigers will not only return to the College Football Playoff this season, but they will be right in the middle of the SEC championship race from start to finish.
If they stay healthy, do not be surprised if LSU is playing for the national championship when the season comes to an end.
Rocky Top
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In the words of the late great Voice of the Vols John Ward, “You can sense the intensity as they await the arrival of the Tennessee Team here in Neyland Stadium.” There’s a very similar feeling to those archived words around the Orange and White as we inch closer to a September 5th kickoff.
Sixth year Head Coach Josh Heupel has several questions to answer, but there’s also much to be excited about.
The most pressing question around the Vols entering the ’26 campaign is at quarterback. After the departure of the one-year stopgap of Joey Aguilar, Tennessee will be deciding between a pair of young guns to take the snaps.
True freshman Faizon Brandon was a top five overall prospect nationally out of high school where he completed 72 percent of his career passes and racked up over 6,300 yards passing.
The competitor is redshirt freshman George McIntyre. The 6-6, 208 local Tennessee native made two appearances in his redshirt season last year with just nine pass attempts after being a consensus four-star prospect out of high school.
Josh Heupel has said that he would like to name a starter earlier in camp, but “the job won’t be won or lost on day one.
One of the big stories coming out of Knoxville in the pre-season is the NCAA handing down a two-game suspension to middle linebacker Arion Carter.
Carter had declared for the NFL Draft after the 2025 season, and while going through the draft process discovered he needed a medical procedure. Taking that into account, Carter removed his name from the NFL Draft just before the deadline to do so and come back to Tennessee for his senior year.
During the Draft process, Carter had a flight paid for by an NFL club (with the grand total under $500 which he paid back) which violated the NCAA rules (yes, those still exist).
While the September 5th opener against Furman doesn’t necessarily have anything change because of the absence of Carter, it could loom large for week 2 when Tennessee heads to Bobby Dodd Stadium to take on Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Around whoever takes the snaps for the “Power T” are tons of weapons. DeSean Bishop rushed for over 1,000 yards a year ago to become the third straight Tennessee starting running back to eclipse the 1K threshold.
Braylon Stanley, Mike Matthews, Radarious Jackson lead the receiver room along with a litany of young talent waiting in the wings.
On the offensive side the biggest improvement needs to be on the offensive line. A much re-tooled unit looks to take a huge step forward with the addition of Sam Pendleton coming in from Notre Dame, Wendell Moe transferring from Arizona, and Ory Williams from LSU.
The Tennessee defense is one of the more intriguing I think in the SEC. The talent is there, but the intriguing aspect is the leader of the defense with Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles being named DC in the offseason by Josh Heupel.
Knowles has been heralded as one of the top defensive minds in college football, especially after winning the 2024 National Championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The schedule is do-able for this Tennessee squad. The Vols don’t play Georgia this season and get Alabama, LSU, Texas and Auburn all at the friendly confines of Neyland Stadium, so while the SEC Media selected Tennessee to finish 8th in the league, there’s a path for the Vols to make some noise and there’s a quiet buzz around Knoxville.
So, to finish the quote from the Legendary Voice of the Vols John Ward, “wherever you listen throughout the world, ITS FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!”
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2026 Preview
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The college football season is almost here. We’re going to take a look at Georgia Tech and see how the season will go.
I’ll get a big coaching move out of the way first. Five-time NFL All-Pro WR DeAndre Hopkins has joined the coaching staff as assistant wide receivers coach.
“DeAndre is one of the greatest receivers of all-time, but his value to our program goes far beyond the that,” Key said. “He has an exceptional knowledge of what we’re doing on offense due his long relationship with (offensive coordinator) George Godsey and strong familiarity with the ACC, but most importantly, he’s a leader of men that I’m very excited for our players to be around, on and off the field.”
The Yellow Jackets went 9-4 last season, starting 8-0. They were ranked as high as #7 before they finished the season 1-4. They ended the season ranked #22.
They lost a lot of starters from that team like Haynes King, Jamal Haynes, Malik Rutherford, Keylan Rutledge, Omar Daniels, Clayton Powell-Lee, Ahmari Harvey and Rodney Shelley.
King was one of the best quarterbacks to play for Tech. His backup, Aaron Philo hit the transfer portal to follow offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner to Florida. He’s being replaced by Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza.
Mendoza was the backup to his brother, Heisman Trophy winner and top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza. He played sparingly last season, so we really don’t know much about him. He was a part of a national championship program so he does know what it takes to win.
They have lost almost all of the receivers from 2025. Eric Rivers, Malik Rutherford, Dean Patterson, Isiah Canion, Bailey Stockton and Zion Taylor are all gone. Jordan Allen is the only returning receiver from last season’s team to have caught a pass.
The Yellow Jackets brought in Elon transfer Isiah Fuhrmann and Cal transfer Jaiven Plummer from the portal but Georgia Tech is going to need internal improvement from guys like Debron Gatling, Evan Haynes, Rahkeem Smith, Dalen Penson and the four true freshmen.
Fuhrmann caught 46 passes for 907 yards and 9 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2025. That was at the FCS level, so we will see if he can do the same in the FBS.
Starting safeties Omar Daniels and Clayton Powell-Lee played the majority of snaps last season but they have graduated. Tae Harris, who played more than 200 snaps last season and Fenix Felton, who played more than 80 snaps over the course of the last two games are back. Colorado transfer Savion Riley played in four games last season before missing the rest of the season due to injuries.
Here is the schedule:
9/3 vs Colorado
9/12 vs #17 Tennessee
9/19 vs Mercer
9/26 @ Stanford
10/10 vs Duke
10/17 @ Virginia Tech
10/24 vs Boston College
10/31 @ Pitt
11/7 vs Louisville
11/14 @ #25 Clemson
11/21 vs Wake Forest
11/28 @ #5 Georgia
They only have games against three ranked opponents. I believe they’ll lose to Tennessee and UGA. Clemson has not been an elite program in a few years so they definitely have a chance to beat them.
The games I think they should win against Colorado, Mercer, Stanford, Duke, Boston College and Wake Forest.
I’m picking Tech to win seven games. This is based on many of the key positions being unknowns since they have transferred in from other programs. We don’t know how the team chemistry will be or if they will play to their potential.
Top Receiver Transfers To Camden County Wildcats
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The excitement surrounding Camden County football has continued to build throughout the offseason, and the Wildcats may have just added another major piece to the puzzle.
Sophomore wide receiver Ayden “Pocket” Robinson has officially transferred from Sumter County High School to Camden County, giving first-year head coach Tucker Pruitt another explosive weapon as he begins his first season in Kingsland.
According to Sumter County head coach Will Rogers, Robinson’s transfer is the result of a bona fide family move, as a member of Robinson’s family accepted an employment opportunity in the Brunswick area.
Regardless of how he arrived, there’s little question that Robinson immediately upgrades an already intriguing Camden County offense.
Standing 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Robinson is an impressive physical presence for a player who will only be a sophomore this fall.
Last season as a freshman at Sumter County, he wasted little time showing why many believe he has a bright future.
In 10 varsity games, Robinson hauled in 27 receptions for 356 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 13.2 yards per catch. He also contributed on special teams, finishing with 379 all-purpose yards during his freshman campaign.
Those numbers are impressive on their own, but they become even more intriguing when considering Robinson was producing against varsity competition as a ninth grader.
His combination of size, athleticism, and ability to find the end zone gives Camden County another legitimate playmaker on the outside.
And perhaps the most exciting part for Wildcat fans is who he’ll be lining up alongside.
Robinson joins a receiving corps already headlined by Sean Green, one of Georgia’s top receiving prospects and a Florida State commitment.
Green has developed into one of the most dangerous receivers in the state with his ability to stretch the field, make contested catches, and create explosive plays after the catch.
Now, opposing defenses will have to account for both Green and Robinson. That challenge becomes even greater when you factor in another major offseason addition.
Transfer quarterback Xavier Collins arrives in Kingsland after throwing for more than 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns last season at Columbia High School in Florida.
Collins gives Camden County an experienced signal caller with the arm strength and confidence to distribute the football all over the field.
On paper, it’s a combination that should fit perfectly into Tucker Pruitt’s offensive philosophy.
Since taking over the Wildcats program, Pruitt has emphasized playing fast, physical football while creating opportunities for his athletes to make plays in space.
His offenses have consistently featured balance, but they’ve never been afraid to attack defenses vertically when the opportunity presents itself.
With Collins delivering the football and Green and Robinson stretching defenses on the perimeter, Camden County suddenly possesses the kind of offensive firepower that can force opposing defensive coordinators into difficult decisions.
Double-team Green, and Robinson could find himself in favorable one-on-one matchups. Roll coverage toward Robinson, and Green becomes even more dangerous. Play too many defensive backs, and Pruitt’s offense can attack with the running game. That’s the kind of balance every coach hopes to build.
Of course, Robinson is still just a sophomore, and expectations should remain realistic. There will undoubtedly be an adjustment period as he learns a new offense, develops chemistry with Collins, and settles into a new school. But his potential is undeniable.
When you combine Robinson’s arrival with Collins at quarterback, Green’s star power at wide receiver, and Pruitt’s reputation for developing productive offenses, it’s easy to understand why optimism continues to grow around Camden County football.
The Wildcats have undergone significant changes since last season, but each new addition appears to move the program one step closer to becoming a serious contender once again.
If Robinson develops the way many expect, Camden County may have landed one of the biggest impact transfers in South Georgia, and one that could help shape the future of the Wildcats’ offense for years to come.
Next Step For Jacksonville Jaguars?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
There’s always a sense of optimism when NFL training camps open, but this year feels different in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars officially opened training camp Wednesday at the Miller Electric Center, and for the first time in a long time, they’re doing so with the weight of expectations instead of hope.
After winning 13 games, capturing the AFC South title, and reaching the playoffs in Liam Coen’s first season as head coach, this franchise is no longer viewed as an up-and-coming team.
The Jaguars have officially entered the conversation as one of the AFC’s contenders. That’s both exciting and challenging.
Training camp is about preparing for a new season, but it’s also about answering questions. Jacksonville has plenty of them.
The biggest concern entering camp is along the offensive line. Starting left tackle Cole Van Lanen begins camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he continues recovering from a knee injury.
While the Jaguars remain optimistic he’ll return before the regular season, his absence puts the spotlight on rookie Emmanuel Pregnon and the rest of the offensive line depth.
Protecting Trevor Lawrence has to remain priority number one if this team wants to build on last year’s success.
Another storyline worth watching is the return of Travis Hunter. The dynamic two-way star is fully healthy after an LCL injury limited him to just seven games during his rookie season.
Jacksonville plans to use Hunter primarily at cornerback, but don’t expect him to stay off the offensive side of the ball for long. His unique ability to impact games in multiple ways gives Coen another weapon to deploy, and if Hunter stays healthy, he could become one of the NFL’s most exciting players.
The running back position is another battle that could shape the season. With Travis Etienne Jr. no longer in Jacksonville, second-year back Bhayshul Tuten appears to have the inside track, but nothing has been decided.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. and LeQuint Allen Jr. will also have opportunities to earn significant playing time, making this one of the most competitive position battles in camp.
Offensively, I’m also intrigued by what Coen plans to do with the tight ends. Second-round draft pick Nate Boerkircher and fifth-round selection Tanner Koziol fit perfectly into Coen’s vision of using more two- and three-tight end formations.
If those heavy personnel packages develop the way the coaching staff hopes, Jacksonville could become one of the more physical offenses in the AFC while creating favorable matchups for Trevor Lawrence in the passing game.
There are other interesting storylines as well. Could veteran receiver Zay Jones find his way back to Jacksonville? Is rookie Emmanuel Pregnon ready for meaningful snaps if needed? How quickly will the secondary come together after adding veteran cornerback Corey Ballentine? Those questions will begin to be answered over the next several weeks.
I don’t believe the Jaguars are going to sneak up on anyone this year. Every opponent knows Jacksonville is a legitimate playoff team, and that makes repeating as division champions much more difficult.
That said, I believe this team is better than it was a year ago.
Trevor Lawrence has another season under Liam Coen’s offense. Brian Thomas Jr. has emerged as one of the league’s premier young receivers.
The defense continues to mature, and if Hunter stays healthy, he adds another playmaker capable of changing games.
The biggest question remains depth. Can the offensive line withstand injuries? Will the young running backs produce consistently? Can the defense avoid the injury bug that has derailed so many promising seasons?
If those answers are yes, I think Jacksonville has every opportunity to win the AFC South again.
My prediction is another division title with an 11-6 or 12-5 record. It may not match last year’s 13 victories, but the schedule is tougher, expectations are higher, and every team on the Jaguars’ schedule will have them circled.
One thing is certain: the days of simply hoping the Jaguars are competitive are over. This franchise has entered a new era where success is expected, and that’s exactly where Jaguars fans have wanted this team to be for years.
All-Time ACC Greats
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We’re going to make a second part to the best ACC football players of all time.
We left off at Lamar Jackson (Louisville).
Maryland: The Terps were a founding member of the ACC in 1953. They joined the Big Ten in 2014.
Randy White (1972-74), the defensive tackle won the Outland Trophy (1974), Lombardi Award (1974), ACC Player of the Year (1974), First-team All-American (1973), Unanimous All-American (1974) and 2x First-team All-ACC (1973-74). He was also named the Liberty Bowl MVP in 1974 even though they lost to Tennessee.
Miami: They have so many great players like Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Jim Kelly, Edgerrin James, Vinny Testaverde and Clinton Portis.
These legends played when UM was an independent (1942-1990) or in the Big East (1991-2003).
Warren Sapp (1991-94) is the best Hurricane of all time. He won the Lombardi Award (1994), Bill Willis Trophy (1994), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (1994), Big East Defensive Player of the Year (1994) and Unanimous All-American (1994).
As a junior in 1994, he had 84 tackles and led the Hurricanes in sacks with 10.5. He also finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting that year.
North Carolina: Julius Peppers (1998-2001) is currently ranked second all-time in UNC history with 30.5 sacks. He has 53 tackles for loss, 167 tackles, five interceptions, two fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles, 13 passes deflected, and 42 quarterback pressures (hurries) and returned two interceptions and one fumble recovery for touchdowns.
He won the Lombardi Trophy (2001), Chuck Bednarik Award (2001), Bill Willis Trophy (2001), Unanimous All-American (2001), Second-team All-American (2000) and 2x First-team All-ACC (2000-01).
NC State: Philip Rivers (2000-03) broke almost every NC State and ACC passing record.
Rivers completed a conference record 1,147 passes on 1,710 attempts, with 95 touchdowns.
He finished his Wolfpack career with 13,484 passing yards, 13th all-time among Division I quarterbacks (he finished in second place at the end of his collegiate career).
He was the NCAA passer rating leader and completion percentage leader (2003), ACC Athlete of the Year (2004), ACC Player of the Year (2003), ACC Rookie of the Year (2000) and First-team All-ACC (2003).
Pitt: Tony Dorsett (1973-76) led the Panthers to win the national championship as a senior. He won the Heisman Trophy (1976), Maxwell Award (1976), Walter Camp Award (1976), Unanimous All-American (1973-76) and 3x First-team All-American.
Dorsett finished his college career with 6,082 total rushing yards, then the NCAA rushing record. That would stand as the record until it was surpassed by Ricky Williams in 1998.
Stanford: Christian McCaffrey (2013-16) has the most career all-purpose yards (6,987) and the most all-purpose yards in a season (3,864) in 2015.
He won the Paul Hornung Award (2015), Jet Award (2015), AP College Football Player of the Year (2015), Consensus All-American (2015) and Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year (2015).
SMU: Eric Dickerson (1979-1982) was a Unanimous All-American (1982), Second-team all-American (1981) and 2x Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year (1981-82).
Syracuse: Donovan McNabb (1994-98) was 3x Big East Offensive Player of the Year (1996-98), 4x First-team All-Big East (1995-98) and Big East Rookie of the Year (1995).
Virginia: Chris Long (2004-07) won the Ted Hendricks Award (207), Dudley Award (2007), ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2007) and Unanimous All-American (2007).
Virginia Tech: Bruce Smith (1981-84) won the Outland Trophy (1984), Consensus All-American (1984) and First-team All-American (1983).
Wake Forest: Brian Piccolo (1961-64) was the ACC Player of the Year (1964) and Second-team All-American (1964).
He led the nation in rushing and scoring in 1964. He’s most known for the movie about his life, Brian’s Song (1971).
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