NC State has the ninth-best odds of winning the ACC football title this season, according to Bovada. Not surprisingly, five of the eight teams given better odds reside in the Coastal Division. Clemson and Florida State run one-two, and of course both teams are in the Atlantic Division.

Unless! (*checks ACC’s website*) … darn it.

Bovada also has odds for each division title, with the Wolfpack ending up exactly where you guessed:

NCAA Football 2016 Season – Odds to win the ACC Atlantic Division

Clemson 10/11

Florida State 5/4

Louisville 6/1

NC State 14/1

Boston College 40/1

Syracuse 50/1

Wake Forest 50/1

As usual, the Florida State-Clemson game lines up as the de facto Atlantic title game. That one is in Tallahassee this year.

NCAA Football 2016 Season – Odds to win the ACC Coastal Division

Miami 3/2

Pittsburgh 3/1

Virginia Tech 3/1

North Carolina 17/4

Georgia Tech 10/1

Duke 20/1

Virginia 40/1

You’d think that at some point fans, media, and oddsmakers would get to a “you’re gonna have to prove it to me” point with Miami, but no, apparently not. The Hurricanes probably still have, top to bottom, the best talent in this division, but yeah so what, man. They’ve still yet to ever win this division, and I’m not sure Mark Richt is capable of getting them over the hump in his first season, though I would welcome this development because Miami is not UNC.

NCAA Football 2016 Season – Odds to win the ACC Championship

Clemson 3/2

Florida State 9/4

Miami 9/1

Louisville 10/1

North Carolina 10/1

Pittsburgh 14/1

Virginia Tech 14/1

Georgia Tech 16/1

NC State 20/1

Duke 40/1

Syracuse 75/1

Virginia 75/1

Wake Forest 75/1

Boston College 100/1

Sorry, Boston College.

Dexter Wideman

RS Freshman
Defensive Tackle
6”3’ / 280 lbs.
Saluda, SC

Recruitment

Widely considered a four-star prospect and one of the best prep-school recruits in the country for the class of 2014. After signing with South Carolina in 2014, Wideman attended and played for Camden Military Academy during the Fall of 2014. He enrolled at USC in January of 2015.

A former Florida St. commit and LSU prospect, Wideman was initially scheduled to play college ball in Tallahassee, before he changed his mind in February of 2014. There was never much doubt where he’d enroll after that, as South Carolina was really the only school he was interested in.

College Career

Wideman redshirted his first season on campus with the Gamecocks in 2015, but does have two years of spring practices under his belt as experience.

2016 Outlook

Before redshirting his first season in 2015, some media professionals around the state viewed the Saluda native as integral piece to the Gamecocks D in 2015.

While it may take more time for the younger Wideman to get used to a different scheme than last year’s defense, he’s yet another piece of the defensive line puzzle looking to create pressure on opposing offenses.

Head Coach Will Muschamp has made the d-line a priority since his arrival, and it’s safe to assume he’ll be looking to implement as many able bodies as possible. Especially those as sought after and regarded as Wideman.

The third time is the charm.

After Gary Patterson and TCU missed out of their first two Baylor-decommit targets, they struck big on their third try, hauling in a great player and filling a need on defense. Brandon Bowen, a 6,5″, 227 pound weak side defensive end, who also played wide receiver for Byron Nelson, has committed to sign with the Frogs. The four star recruit held 19 offers prior to signing with Baylor, including Oregon, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Texas. Rated as the #12 WDE in the country, Bowen runs a 4.63 40 and possesses the skill set prized by Coach Patterson on the defensive line. He joins class of 2016 signees Mat Boesen, Ross Blacklock, Isaiah Chambers, and Gary Overshown II, as well as incumbents James McFarland, Josh Carraway, and Tipa Galeai.

Bowen is the 11th recruit to be released from his NLI by BU, and the third to be heavily pursued by TCU. The Frogs came down to the final two for wide receiver Devin Duverney and running back Kameron Martin, but the players chose Texas and Auburn respectively. Though it was disappointing at the time, having a slot open for a player the caliber of Bowen is a huge win, and with his combination of speed and power, he could develop into a special player on the defensive line.

Bowen is the seventh four star recruit to sign with the Frogs for the 2016 season, and the second highest ever – coming in at no. 63 overall. He was heavily recruited by Curtis Luper, who played a major role in keeping the star close to home.

#TCU lands a huge addition to the 2016 class. #GoFrogs https://t.co/pU78LhPwwg

— Jeremy Clark (@JClarkHFB) July 6, 2016

A strong defense just got stronger, and the line should be as good as any in the conference. Expected to report to campus as early as Monday, Bowen will be ready for fall camp and to immediately compete for snaps. Welcome to the Frog Fam, Brandon!

Former Texas Longhorns offensive coordinator Greg Davis, who now holds the same position with the Iowa Hawkeyes, isn’t exactly known for bombastic statements, but he certainly dropped one recently with his statement about his current quarterback, senior CJ Beathard.

“I think he has a chance to be the best I’ve ever coached,” Davis said on a local radio station. “He’s got a wonderful feel for the game. We give him a lot of flexibility. He’s fixing to get a lot more flexibility because we feel like he’s ready to handle that and do a lot more at the line of scrimmage.”

While claiming that Beathard could be the best quarterback Davis has coached in his four years in Iowa City is one thing, claiming that Beathard could be better than Vince Young and Colt McCoy?

That seems like something veering on the blasphemous considering that Young was ranked the best college football player of the BCS era by Athlon Sports in 2014 and McCoy was the winningest quarterback in college football history at the end of his tenure in Austin.

And that’s the shortest summation possible to acknowledge the incredible careers that both players had in burnt orange.

Let’s at least call it some outsized hyperbole. That seems about as charitable as possible.

To be sure, Beathard is a fine player who had a good 2015 season in the improbable run to the Rose Bowl for Iowa, having dealt with numerous injuries throughout the year. But his passer rating sat at No. 40 nationally and he struggled against ranked teams, throwing four touchdowns and four interceptions in those four games.

In that Rose Bowl appearance, he didn’t exactly have a positive impact on the proceedings in the blowout at the hands of Stanford, in sharp contrast to the two consecutive transcendent performances by Young.

We can’t speculate on what Davis might be smoking up in the cornfields of flyover country, but he should probably just diagram some new variations on his favored horizontal passes and dial down the rhetoric before a horde of Longhorns fans descend on him with pitchforks and righteous indignation.

For University of Miami Strength and Conditioning coach Gus Felder, this off-season, the message is simple:

“You don’t have a testimony until you have a test, and we want to test them now.”

While to the Miami football players this daily message may seem simple, Felder’s mantra remains a focal point of this new staff’s off-season program. Head Coach Mark Richt has developed the idea, and new coach Gus Felder is hammering in the point to Miami’s players.

There will be no quitting in 2016.

“This game is 90% mental and 10% physical,” said Felder in an interview in late June. “Your body is going to follow your mind, and one thing that we don’t want to do, is we don’t want to quit anything that we start, in life.”

The issue Felder and Miami’s staff is attempting to fix, has been a source of complaints from Miami’s fan base under the Al Golden era. Whether it was in 2013 or 2014, Miami seemed to check out mentally after losses to FSU, and stumbled to the season’s finish line. The gap between contender and pretender was made evident by Mark Richt early on in his regime. Richt hired Gus Felder to Miami’s staff shortly after he was hired to help stop any signs of apathy.

When Felder was first hired as Miami’s strength and conditioning coach, many former players and fans were outraged. They were not infuriated over the hire; however, but rather over the removal of previous strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey.

Former players insisted Swasey was not the reason for Miami’s past failures, and while he had a good track record at the University, Richt felt wholesale changes for the majority of the staff were necessary.

Despite the discord between former players and Miami’s strength and conditioning program, after Swasey was fired, Felder made his presence known from the day he set foot on campus.

Every day on the practice field, Felder wears his passion around his neck. Felder wears a silver weight necklace, to show his athletes where his dedication lies; as a coach not a trainer.

“I dislike using the term trainer, no, I’m a strength coach,” Felder said. “The hardest, and most touching, and most loving coaches you are gonna get is with us in the weight room.”

With over seven months of training, Felder has made it Miami’s goal to improve on a daily basis. Each player sets their individual goals, and the staff works with the players to improve every practice. Whether it’s through charts or documents, Miami’s new strength and conditioning staff document everything so that the players can reach their maximum potential and thrive. The Hurricanes have shown a new attitude in strength and conditioning this off-season, and are working towards new goals.

Felder has made it clear he will push players beyond their limits every day in the weight room, and although Miami has struggled down this stretch under previous regimes, he is pushing the Hurricanes forward.

“I don’t like bringing up last year, I don’t bring up anything in the past. We can’t walk into our future looking backwards,” Felder emphatically stated.

The Texas Longhorns roster now belongs almost entirely to Charlie Strong, and it’s loaded with talent. For just one example, look at rising sophomore wide receiver John Burt, who has been named one of college football’s fastest 16 players by NFL.com.

The list, compiled by Chase Goodbread, is part of a “16 for ’16” series and coincides with the U.S. Olympic Team Track and Field Trials starting later this week.

Here’s what Goodbread had to say about Burt:

Burt qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 110-meter hurdles event earlier this month, one of only two freshmen to do so. He ran a 14.32 there, but had a 13.91 time to finish as the runner-up in the Big 12 meet. In the fall, Burt showed plenty of promise as a young wide receiver for the Longhorns, starting every game and leading the team in receiving yards (457) and yards per catch (16.3).

With three years of eligibility remaining, Burt still has plenty of time to sharpen his game and become even more dangerous. The 6’3, 189-pound player from Tallahassee was ranked as the No. 19 wide receiver in the nation according to Rivals and also made the Big 12 commissioner’s honor roll last fall. His 457 yards in 2015 was good for sixth all-time among Longhorn freshmen.

Other names of note on the 16 for 16 list include Baylor receiver KD Cannon and Cal running back Khalfani Muhammad.

Wednesday afternoon got slightly less boring with some recruiting news. Unfortunately, the news wasn’t good for the Virginia Tech. Tyjuan Garbutt, a 4* DE from Fredericksburg, VA, announced his decommitment from Virginia Tech.

VT is still my leader!! pic.twitter.com/mLHejnxnv2

— 4️⃣ (@tyjuangarbutt4) July 6, 2016

Interestingly, Garbutt – who committed to the Hokies back in February – still views VT as his top choice. So if there remains a strong desire to be in Blacksburg, why did Garbutt decommit? There could be multiple possibilities. He may have gotten cold feet. He may have people whispering in his ear to go play ball somewhere else, whether that be coaches, friends, or even family. The 2017 DE did commit during the Fuente era, so the coaching change had likely little to nothing to do with this decision.

Either way, it’s still a bad look for the Hokies. Garbutt was probably Fuente’s top catch for the 2017 recruiting cycle, and the Hokies really could use extra depth in the defensive trenches, particularly in Foster’s attacking scheme. If Fuente can keep the Hokies atop of Garbutt’s list until his decision, then great, no harm done. But if he can’t, a lot of people are going to be asking questions about the new regime before Fuente has a real chance to prove himself.

The SEC Media Days circus will start next week, and the conference officially announced the list of attendees from each team, with LSU sending Leonard Fournette for the second consecutive year (naturally) along with senior offensive lineman Ethan Pocic and senior cornerback Tre’Davious White.

No, Brandon Harris is not on the list — in fact, Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly, Tennessee’s Josh Dobbs and Trevor Knight of Texas A&M are the only QBs in attendance. Not sure I blame the coaches.

Coverage will begin at 11:30 a.m. (CST) on Monday on the SEC Network, and will run through Thursday, with LSU’s turn at the podium on that final day. Full schedule of coverage available here.

Trenton Andrew Tanking (b. Nov. 19, 1994) is a former walk-on linebacker who has been a major factor on multiple special teams units during the last two seasons. He also spent all of last season listed as a backup linebacker.

He will continue to provide special teams support in 2016 while competing for more playing time at linebacker.

Tanking, who started for the White team in two spring games before sitting out this spring with an undisclosed injury, played in all 13 games in 2014 as a backup linebacker and special teams standout after a redshirt season.

He recorded nine tackles and was fifth on the team with seven special teams tackles. All came on kickoff coverage.

He also carded a career-high two tackles — both coming behind the line of scrimmage — against Oklahoma State.

In 2015, Tanking saw time in eight contests, totaling seven special teams tackles. He had five stops on kickoff coverage and two on punts. Tanking tied his career high with two tackles against both West Virginia and in the 2016 AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Arkansas, and also had tackles against South Dakota, UTSA and Iowa State.

Tanking played under former Kansas State linebacker Brooks Barta at Holton High School. He was named the Kansas 4A Defensive Player of the Year, and to The Topeka Capital-Journal and VarsityKansas.com Top 11 teams.

He led the Wildcats to a 2012 Kansas Class 4A state championship, and was named a first-team All-Kansas Class 4A performer at linebacker as a senior by VarsityKansas.com and the Capital-Journal.

Tanking was chosen to play in the 2013 Kansas Shrine Bowl; named an all-league performer at linebacker as a sophomore, junior and senior; and was an honorable mention All-Kansas 4A pick at linebacker in 2010 and 2011.

A three-time all-county selection at linebacker, Tanking helped Holton to earn three consecutive league titles.

He also was a three-year letterman for the Wildcats basketball team, and an all-league and all-county pick at guard as a junior. He earned a 4.0 GPA, graduated summa cum laude and also was a FBLA Regional Champion.

Rock solid! @elflein65, the two-time all-B1G OL for the Buckeyes, was named today to the Rimington Trophy watch list pic.twitter.com/yjqIqlP3MW

— Jerry Emig (@BuckeyeNotes) July 6, 2016

On the heels of Ohio State having J.T. Barrett, Tyquan Lewis, and Raekwon McMillan named to preseason award watch lists yesterday, Pat Elflein was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list earlier today. The Rimington Award, named for former Nebraska center Dave Rimington, is given annually to the best center in college football. The Rimington Award has been given out since 2000, with Ohio State’s LeCharles Bentley being the only Buckeye to take home the award in the past, winning it in 2001. The finalists for the Rimington Award will be announced on December 5th, with the winner being determined by the Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News, and Football Writers Association of America All-American teams being used to determine the winner.

Elflein will be making his first start at center for Ohio State on September 3rd when the Buckeyes open up their 2016 season at Ohio Stadium against Bowling Green. This will mark Elflein’s third season as a starter for the Buckeyes, as he has started 29 games at guard in the previous two seasons for Ohio State. Not only has Elflein already been named a captain for Ohio State’s 2016 season, but he is also a two-time “Iron Buckeye” award winner, which is awarded to six players bi-annually for unquestioned physical training dedication, determination, discipline, toughness, and leadership. The Pickerington native has already been a part of a couple of Ohio State’s best offensive lines in terms of yards per carry average, and hopes to again help the Buckeyes find success on the ground this year.

“I thought we would have a lot of success as a team while I was there. The coaches supported my NCAA and Olympic aspirations and have done everything possible to allow me to reach my goals.”

– Ohio State wrestler Kyle Snyder via Ross Bishoff, The Ohio State University Alumni Association

Kyle Snyder is just 20 years old but he has already accomplished more than most will in a lifetime. Not only is Snyder already a two-time NCAA champion, helping the Buckeyes win the team title in 2015 before winning an individual title in 2016, but he also took home the 2015 heavyweight world title. At just 19 years old, Snyder became the youngest U.S. wrestler ever to win a World Championship. Next month Snyder will be looking to add to his list of achievements in Rio de Janeiro. Snyder became the first active Buckeye wrestler to make an Olympic wrestler team, as he’ll compete at 97 kg (213 lbs).

It has taken plenty of hard work for Snyder to get to where he is today, and it started when he first stepped onto a wrestler mat at five years old. On New Years’ Day 2013, head coach Tom Ryan got a phone call from Snyder, who was in the middle of his junior year at the time. Snyder announced to Ryan his intention to attend Ohio State. At the time Snyder could see that Ohio State was building something as a program, and Snyder has only helped to make the Buckeye wrestling program one of the best in the country. Whether Snyder medals or not in Rio, what he has done during his time with Ohio State has helped immensely in recruiting. Hopefully next month the red, white, and blue can get a little boost from the scarlet and gray.

“I understand everything I’ve been through is going to be worth it when I get that contract. Everything I’ve been through: going overseas and spending time dealing with injuries and setbacks, everything will be worth it. My eyes are still set on that goal and my hope is still in God to get there.”

– Former Ohio State center Dallas Lauderdale via Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

While last week former Buckeyes Evan Turner and Mike Conley signed big money NBA contracts, another former Buckeye is just hoping to sign any NBA contract. Dallas Lauderdale was a three-year starter while at Ohio State, and in 2010 was an all-Big Ten defensive team selection, but he hasn’t been able to make it onto a NBA roster yet. Injuries have been a big reason why Lauderdale hasn’t yet been able to achieve his NBA dreams. In November 2014, Lauderdale had surgery to repair a ruptured posterior tibial tendon, and hasn’t been to play much since then. Lauderdale says there is still interest from NBA teams, but now it comes down to when he is recovered from his injury and able to get back out onto the court.

Even though Lauderdale hasn’t been able to make an impact on the NBA court yet, he certainly has been making an impact on the court for kids in Ohio. Last year Lauderdale started Direction Up, which is a noncompetitive camp, that is designed to uplift as well as teach. So far the camp has been a success, with the most recent installment at Solon High School, Lauderdale’s alma mater, showing a growth of 50 percent. The teaching and uplifting comes naturally to Lauderdale, as he is the product of three generations of preachers. With the success of the camp so far, Lauderdale will hold one-day camp at the TAD Sports facility in Granville on July 23rd. Even if he doesn’t ever realize his NBA dream, Lauderdale can at least know he is doing something important that is having a positive impact.

“The joke when people say they want a job is that they would walk (to it). That’s how I felt about this job. It was opportunity to come home to be a part of a great program, to work for Kevin, who has been successful everywhere he’s been. To have this opportunity is very special to me.”

– New Ohio State women’s basketball assistant coach Carrie Banks via Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State women’s basketball coach Kevin McGuff had an open spot on his staff when assistant coach Joy Cheeks left for Vanderbilt in May. Yesterday McGuff found Cheeks’ replacement, hiring Delaware, Ohio native Carrie Banks. According to McGuff, Banks’ primary area of focus on the court will be with the forwards. Even though she was just hired, Banks is wasting little time trying to make an impact, as she is already out on the road recruiting for the Buckeyes. After losing in the Sweet 16 to Tennessee, expectations are high for the Buckeyes heading into this season, and so far McGuff is pleased with what he has seen from his team this summer.

After playing college basketball at Detroit Mercy, followed by two years playing professionally in Portugal before returning to the United States to join the coaching ranks. Banks not only coached AAU basketball in Ohio, but also was the women’s junior varsity basketball coach at Dublin Jerome from 2004-06 before heading back to her alma mater to become an assistant coach. After leaving Detroit Mercy, Banks was an assistant at South Florida, and spent the last three seasons at Northwestern. While Banks is glad she has been able to travel to the places that she has during her playing and coaching career, she is happy that she can come home and be closer to family.

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