It has been a long offseason, but the 2017 college football season is now less than 10 days away. On August 31st, your Wake Forest Demon Deacons will kick off Dave Clawson’s fourth season with Wake Forest at 6:30 p.m. against the Presbyterian Blue Hose in front of the Deacon faithful at BB&T Field.

Our coverage will soon be shifting from season overviews to game (Presbyterian) specific material, but over the coming days we will have a few more overarching pieces. Today I looked at the reasons Wake Forest football fans should be optimistic about the upcoming season. I chatted with Mark Rogers of Mark Rogers TV to go over some of the top reasons.

Thanks as always to Mark for having me on his show to talk Wake Forest. Be sure to check out articles later this week where we discuss reasons to be concerned, the quarterback situation, and preview the schedule. For all things college football, be sure to follow Mark @MarkRogersTV and check out his YouTube channel.

What do you all think are the top reasons to be optimistic about this season?

Jordan Villamin has the ideal size (6-5, 222 lbs) and athleticism for the receiver position. When Villamin is at the top of his game, he is arguably one of the best receivers in the Pac-12. Villamin was impressive during his Freshman season in 2014 as he quickly established himself as one of QB Sean Mannion’s favorite targets. Villamin had 35 receptions, 578 yds. receiving, and 6 TD’s in 2014. Beaver Nation had high hopes for the talented receiver’s future from Fontana, CA.

In 2015 Villamin led the team in receiving yds. with 660 yds. In addition, Villamin scored 5 TD’s and had 43 receptions. Opposing Defensive coaches made it a priority to slow down Jordan. His numbers were impressive, especially during the 2015 season where there was instability at the QB position. Although the Offense struggled mightily in 2015 (the entire team struggled for that matter), Villamin was one of the few bright spots of the 2015 season. It was widely speculated that Villamin was just at the beginning of his super stardom.

Villamin was expected to put up huge numbers in 2016. Before the 2016 season, there were some people predicting that Villamin might declare for the draft after his Junior season. Villamin possesses the size and athleticism that NFL scouts drool over. In addition, Beavers had named Darrell Garretson starting QB, which meant that there was finally going to be stability in the passing game.

Even Jordan Villamin would tell you himself that the 2016 season was a disappointment. He ended the season with only 21 catches for 253 yds. and only 1TD. Villamin found himself out of the starting lineup in several games. In fairness to Jordan, the overall passing game was not successful at all in 2016, which contributed to his low numbers. Villamin admitted in an interview in the Oregonian in 2016 that the frustration of losing got to him, which made him complacent on the field. Additionally, Villamin also blamed himself for not doing a better job paying attention to the opposing defensive coverages, which often led him to be in the wrong spot to receive the football. Villamin did have an amazing performance against Arizona, where he had 6 catches for 124 yds., including a 53 yd. touchdown reception on the Beavs first drive of the game. Villamin looked like the star receiver that Beaver Nation had grown accustomed to. Although, Jordan only had 1 catch for 4 yds. against Oregon, he did amazing job blocking, which aided the running game in the teams 34-24 victory over the Ducks.

2017 should be a banner year for Jordan Villamin. Villamin and his teammates are more comfortable in their knowledge of the offense. For the first time in his OSU career, Jordan will have the same Offensive Coordinator (Kevin McGiven) for more than one season, which will contribute to his comfort level within the Offense. Also, the Beavers have named Jake Luton starting Quarterback, and he has looked good according to reports. Stability at the QB position will help Villamin’s numbers rise. Plus, Villamin will be aided by playing with a talented receiving core, and opposing defenses are likely to focus on stopping the talented Beaver running game, which should open things up in the passing game. The overall improvement of the Beaver Offense, will also likely boost Villamin’s level of play in 2017. Villamin is expected to be a huge part of the passing game with his impressive frame, athleticism, and his experience. Will Jordan Villamin live up to his remarkable talent level in the 2017 season? Stay tuned…

Yesterday was Fan Day on the Plains, giving the Auburn family a chance to meet the current and future stars of the football program at the Auburn indoor facility. When I was younger, meeting a coach or a player was one of the biggest thrills I could have, so Fan Day is always a fun time.

As for something a bit more serious, there’s already been a lot of talk about Auburn this year and the fact that the Tigers may be set up for some pretty good success. We usually like when Auburn’s underrated, but eventually you’ve got to find a way to live up to the expectations when they’re given.

Well, they’ve being given right now.

We’ll give you the skinny from that article — Mel picks Auburn, Washington, Ohio State, and Florida State to go to the playoff, with the Huskies coming out on top. It’s an interesting pick for sure.

For a little more analysis, broad strokes if you will, College Football News has given its short preview on Auburn and essentially says that the Tigers are the only team that compete with Alabama. Again, there are the expectations.

Something that should bode well in the meeting-expectations game is the fact that for the first time in a couple years, Auburn hasn’t endured a critical injury during the preseason (knock on wood), and the bumps it has encountered haven’t been anything to really fret over.

The little scrapes even provided an opportunity to give younger guys a bit of an extended look in scrimmages and practices, which only helps out with depth and the case for playing time.

If you check that link, they talk a good bit about Marlon Davidson’s injury and how it’s allowed Nick Coe more snaps in practice, but what about other defensive ends? Paul James III was the MVP of A-Day on defense, and he should end up having a good role this fall on the line.

And in case you were unsure, even in the NFL, everyone wants to be just like Auburn.

Final two weeks before kickoff, people. Buckle up! War Eagle.

We’re only 13 days away from the start of the 2017 season, and I can think of no better way to celebrate the occasion than by giving a shoutout to the 2000 Oklahoma Sooners and their 13-0 record.

In 1999, first-year head coach Bob Stoops led the Oklahoma Sooners to a bowl game for the first time since the 1994 season. There was plenty of reason for optimism in 2000, and Oklahoma fans were pumped about making appearances in the preseason polls for a change. The excitement was palpable, but I don’t think even the most loyal Oklahoma fans envisioned what was about to come next.

Bob Stoops led his Sooners to a 13-0 record and an BCS Championship in 2000, and the Sooners had more than their share of incredible moments along the way. Let’s take a look at the most memorable moments form that season, shall we?

The Texas Massacre

Oklahoma entered the Red River Shootout with a 4-0 record, but the Sooners really hadn’t faced a quality opponent up until that point. Because of that fact, many were skeptical as to whether or not No. 10 OU could hang with the No. 11 Texas Longhorns. Oklahoma didn’t just hang with UT that day — they hung 63 points on them.

Bob Stoops and Oklahoma experienced a run against Texas that we will unfortunately never see again (though one can wish, right?). The five-year streak fittingly began with a 63-14 blowout in which the Sooners allowed only 154 yards of total offense. Quentin Griffin led the way with six rushing touchdowns — a school record that still stands to this day. My favorite moment from this one has to be Rocky Calmus’ pick-six with his left arm in a cast.

Bob’s first big road win

On Oct. 14 of 2000, Bob Stoops would finally face his old mentor in Manhatton for an opportunity to claim his first big win on the road. On top of all that, Oklahoma was finally starting to gain some much-deserved national attention, having cracked the top 10 in both polls after its big win over Texas the previous week. Wagner Field was rocking that day, but OU was still able to jump out to a 38-14 by the middle of the third quarter. However, K-State was a team loaded with playmakers such as Aaron Lockett, Quincy Morgan and Terrance Newman, and they would not go away quietly. The Wildcats scored 17 unanswered points to make it a one-score game with about 10 minutes remaining, but the Sooners had the resolve to eventually suppress the late charge.

OU fans storm the field after beating No. 1 Nebraska

After two straight wins over top-10 teams, Oklahoma hosted the Nebraska Cornhuskers for one of the most heavily-hyped games in school history. The 11 a.m. kickoff didn’t deter Norman from being at its rowdiest, and the atmosphere was like nothing I had ever seen before or since. The night before the game, my dad said, “Jack, you’ve never been to a wild football game before”. I kind of shrugged it off, but I now know that he was trying to prepare me for what I was about to experience — stuff that a child probably shouldn’t be allowed to see and hear in person.

In spite of the raucous crowd, the Huskers jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. That lead, however, would diminish in the blink of an eye, as OU would score 24 unanswered points in the second quarter. Derrick Strait’s pick-six to begin the second half would serve as the icing on the cake, as Oklahoma would go on to win by a score of 31-14. Afterwords, Oklahoma fans (myself included) stormed the field en masse, something that hasn’t happened in Norman since.

Torrance Marshall stuns the Aggies

Texas A&M was out for revenge after the 51-6 shellacking from the previous season, and the Aggies were primed to ruin No. 1 Oklahoma’s perfect season. For a while, it looked like it would happen, as A&M would build a 24-10 advantage by the middle of the third quarter. After OU clawed back to make it 24-21, A&M wrecking ball Ja’Mar Toombs rumbled his way into the endzone, which is why a door at my parents’ house still doesn’t shut properly to this day. Luckily, OU clawed back again with Quentin Griffin TD run and a two-point conversion. What followed was one of the greatest plays in OU history.

Derrick Strait saves the season

The Cowboys limped into Bedlam with a record of 3-7, and Bob Simmons was on his way out in Stillwater. However, rivalry games have a tendency to defy expectations, and that’s just what happened that day. After OU had jumped out to a 12-0 lead, OSU freshman Tatum Bell raced to the endzone to make it a ballgame once again. With 3:20 left in the game, the Cowboys went for it on fourth down to for a chance to take the lead. Derrick Strait would be having none of that, as he knocked the ball out of Marcellus Rivers’ hands to turn the Cowboys over on downs.

The rematch with K-State

Oklahoma was able to escape Manhattan with big “W” earlier in the season, but they needed a bit of late-game magic to get it done. Needless to say, the Wildcats were out for blood on that cold (and I mean COLD) December night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. With a Big 12 Championship on the line, both teams were exceptionally physical from start to finish, and it made for a great game that is often overshadowed in OU lore by other great victories from that season.

OU would come out on top once again, this time by a score of 27-24. Trent Smith was the hero of the night, hauling in nine catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.

The icing on the cake

Despite carrying a No. 1 ranking and an unblemished record, Oklahoma entered the Orange Bowl as a double-digit underdog to No. 2 Florida State. The Seminoles were led by Heisman Trophy winner, but a certain Oklahoma linebacker didn’t think Chris Weinke deserved the award to begin with.

Marshall’s calling-out of Weinke set the tone for the Oklahoma defense, who held the best offense in college football to 301 total yards — 248 yards under its season average up to that point — and zero points.

Leading 6-0 late in the game, Rocky Calmus knocked the ball out of Weinke’s arms and into Roy Williams’ grasp to give OU the ball in the red zone. Two plays later, Quentin Griffin took it 10 yards into the end zone, and OU was sitting pretty. Florida State later scored a pair of points when the ball was snapped over punter Jeff Ferguson’s head, but it was all for nothing as OU would go on to win 13-2 and claim its seventh championship.

The Texas Longhorns remain in the mix with one of the nation’s top 2019 prospects, as Flower Mound Marcus outside linebacker Marcel Brooks names Tom Herman’s program in his top nine on Sunday.

Joining Texas as the programs still in contention for Brooks’ services are Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, TCU, Penn State, LSU and Florida State

Brooks holds 17 offers to date and his cut left programs including Baylor, Colorado, Houston, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M on the outside looking in.

A four-star target, Brooks camped with the Longhorns during summer and is expected to return to the Forty Acres at some point this fall. Considering the crop of heavy hitters in his top nine, Texas will face no shortage of competition for Brooks’ signature so every opportunity Herman and his staff have to get Brooks on campus is essential. He’s currently the only 2019 outside linebacker with a Texas offer.

To date, the ‘Horns hold three of Brooks’ Crystal Ball projections, with the other three going to TCU.

At 6’3, 200 pounds, Brooks is ranked as the nation’s No. 49 player, No. 5 outside linebacker and the No. 8 player in Texas, per 247Sports Composite.

MADISON—The hype is real for cornerback Nick Nelson.

During the first two weeks of fall camp, the transfer from Hawaii showcased his abilities against Wisconsin’s passing game. Whether it’s a pass break-up during team drills or an interception near the sidelines—such as the one he recorded on Aug. 12 during the last camp practice open to reporters—there have been recurring flashes of Nelson’s skill set that could lead to an all-conference season in his first year in the Big Ten.

“He just makes plays, he makes some astonishing plays,” redshirt sophomore linebacker Chris Orr said on Thursday. “I think he caught a one-handed pick in traffic on a dig, and that was one of the best interceptions I’ve seen in my career, so he’s going to make some splash plays.”

Nelson’s emergence as a potential lockdown cornerback in tandem with senior Derrick Tindal will be an intriguing storyline to watch in 2017 for a secondary losing key starters in cornerback Sojourn Shelton and free safety Leo Musso.

The production seen from Nelson as a Badger has been limited to non-game experience after transferring last season, but there is a lot to like about what the 5’11, 204-pound redshirt junior brings to the defense.

After the April 21 spring game, redshirt quarterback Alex Hornibrook gushed about Nelson, who he has had to face often in practices over the past two seasons.

“I played against him everyday last year when we were running our offense and he was on scout team because he couldn’t play. He would be jumping routes,” Hornibrook said. “I just thought it was because he knew what route they were running, but he’s still doing it right now and it’s not because what route they were running. It’s because of his anticipation and just his natural ball skills.

“He’s a great corner and I can’t wait to watch him play this fall.”

It’s not like Nelson came out of nowhere, though. He played in 23 games (21 starts) over two seasons at Hawaii. Against Wisconsin on Sept. 26, 2015, Nelson recorded nine tackles and a pass break-up. That season, he registered 53 tackles and 15 pass break-ups.

“Honestly, I think the ceiling is very, very high, because just you see him everyday he goes out there, just the confidence continues to rise and rise,” defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard said on Aug. 12. “He came in very good technically. He did a lot of things naturally that you got to spend a lot of time coaching, and in just over a year, you can just see how locked in he is everyday.”

“His mentality—he makes receivers play up to his level or he’s going to embarrass them,” Leonhard said. “That’s kind of his mentality, which is awesome for a corner. He works on the little subtleties of his game. It’s not just going in and putting in a day ever, which is fun. I’m excited to watch him play because he’s ready.”

When asked on Thursday about Leonhard’s comments, Nelson expressed that mentality once again.

“I feel like we got to raise the bar. We’re just competing,” he said. “I feel like I got to get them better, and they got to get me better, so we’re just competing.”

There is competition every practice between Wisconsin’s defensive backs and its wide receivers. Lining up across the line of scrimmage from them in fall camp, Nelson likes what he sees from wide receiver coach Ted Gilmore’s group.

“They mix it up,” Nelson said. “We watch film together. Say, I make a play on them, on this, I’ll be like, ‘You should have stacked me more,’ and that’s what’s helped us. And they’ve gotten way better, so it’s like every day you got to bring it.”

Another intriguing factor for Nelson could be on special teams. During practices open to the media, the cornerback fielded punts along with wide receivers Jazz Peavy, Kendric Pryor, Jack Dunn, Danny Davis, and Cade Green. Peavy, who missed some time in camp due to a left leg injury, returned 17 kicks in 2016 for under six yards per attempt. Nelson averaged 7.4 yards per punt return in 19 attempts in 2015 for Hawaii.

Leonhard knows a thing or two about this phase of the game as well. He still holds the UW record for most career punt return yards (1,347) and most career returns (105) from his All-American days in Madison. In the NFL, he averaged 9.2 yards per punt return on 108 attempts. Eleven of those went beyond 20 yards.

“Very natural catching the ball, which is always the first thing, obviously, and I think he could be special with the ball in his hands,” Leonhard said. “He’s got obviously a lot of skill, so looking forward to it. But I think the number one thing is you just see he’s got a lot of comfort in being back there and catching it, and I don’t think he’s going to panic when guys get close to him and I’m excited what he can do this season.”

There are other players competing for that spot, but Leonhard believes the team has options at punt returner, something he said the Badgers may not have had many of in recent years.

Knowing Nelson’s mindset of playing cornerback, what’s his mentality of being a punt returner?

“Catch the ball first,” Nelson said with a laugh. “Catch the ball first and just get to your block and get to your wall and make a play. That’s it.”

Nelson has not yet stepped foot on the Camp Randall Stadium turf for a game-time snap, but his potential for success is undeniable. After his performance in fall camp practices open to the media, he might just be the worst-kept secret on the Wisconsin roster.

“Nick a beast. People are going to be shocked this year,” Orr said. “There’s not going to be a drop off at all in the secondary. It’ll be nice. I’m excited about the season to see what he’s going to do. It’s going to be fun.”

Former Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley “Boom” Williams is having a rough entrance to the NFL.

After joining the Bengals as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft, Williams lasted just two preseason games before being waived on Sunday. It wasn’t a big surprise since he joined a backfield that includes Joe Mixon, Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Tra Carson and Cedric Peerman. All of those guys have gotten most of the running back snaps in training camp and the preseason thus far.

Williams gave up his final season of eligibility and entered this year’s draft as a true junior after three memorables year in Lexington. He finished his college career with 2,511 rushing yards, which ranks seventh on the school’s career rushing list. He had an explosive final season in leading the Cats with 1,170 rushing yards, making him just the ninth player in school history to surpass 1,000 yards in a season.

Williams finished with 3,314 career all-purpose yards, including 38 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns, and 511 kickoff return yards. He ranks 11th on the school’s all-time career rushing touchdowns with 18 and fourth in career 100-yard games with 11. Williams’ seven rushing touchdowns of at least 50 yards are the most for a Wildcat dating back to 1955.

Hopefully, this is just a minor setback for a major comeback with another NFL team.

The 2017 Final Cockdown is in its final stage as we preview the Gamecocks secondary! From the next two weeks we’ll preview the defensive backs that will make up the back-end of the Carolina defense.

Chris Lammons + Jamarcus King | MJ Webb | D.J. Smith | Steven Montac
Rashad Fenton | Jamyest Williams | Kaleb Chalmers | Tavyn Jackson | Keisean Nixon | Antoine Wilder + Chris Smith | Zay Brown + Javon Charleston | Jaylin Dickerson | Griffin Gentry | Hassan Belton

#3 Chris Lammons

Senior / 5’10” / 190 / Lauderhill, Fla. / Plantation

After starting every game last season, Chris Lammons will be expected to start in the secondary for the Gamecocks in every contest again this season. His play picked up last season in his first full year as a starter. Aside from his ejection against Tennessee, he proved reliable to at least stay on the field. He was one of only eight players on the Gamecocks to start every game last season.

He finished in the top ten in the SEC with three interceptions last season. He also improved on his tackling numbers, racking up 29 more than the season before. Lammons can play at any of the corner positions, outside or at nickel-back. On the two-deep he was listed as the starting nickel and the number one back-up at both corner slots. That will change after camp but Lammons likely will still be out there with the starters in Charlotte, either at nickel or on the outside.

2016 Stats: 13 starts, 53 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Nine punt returns for 71 yards.

Recruitment: Four-star; 14 offers including Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Ohio State. Visited Wisconsin and South Carolina. Committed to South Carolina on Feb. 5, 2014.

#7 Jamarcus King

Senior / 6’2” / 186 / Mobile, Ala. / Blount (Coffeyville CC in Kansas)

King arrived in Columbia as one of the top JUCO defensive backs in the 2016 class. He played in all 13 games for the Gamecocks, including 11 starts. His best performance came in the win against Tennessee when he picked off Josh Dobbs twice en-route to being named SEC defensive player of the week. He flashed potential last season but was held back due to his lack of strength. He broke his arm in the spring game but has had no issues with the injury in camp.

He probably has the best ball-skills of the unit but if he was unable to add strength in during the off-season then he will be unable to reach his full potential. He’ll play every game when healthy and likely start most contests on the outside for the Gamecocks secondary.

2016 Stats: 13 games, 11 starts. 56 tackles, nine pass break-ups, three interceptions and a forced fumble.

Recruitment: Four-star; 16 offers including Auburn, Nebraska, Tennessee and Utah. Visited Baylor, Florida and South Carolina. Committed to South Carolina on Dec. 16, 2015.

The college football season is among us. Oklahoma State kicks their season off on Aug. 31 against Tulsa. A lot of focus gets put on the season at hand. However, the Pokes have a few young stars that will headline the 2018 roster.

Sophomore running back Justice Hill is one of those young stars. When Mason Rudolph and James Washington run out of eligibility, the next wave of offensive stars will be called on.

Hill showed growth mentally and physically through spring practice and summer workouts, the O’Colly’s Marshall Scott said.

The next starting quarterback after Rudolph for Oklahoma State remains a mystery. Hill is one of the sure things that Mike Gundy and offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich have.

Rudolph is the only Cowboy listed among the favorites for the Heisman Trophy in 2017, according to Odds Shark. Hill would need a significant jump in his stat line to be considered for the award this year.

The expansion of Hill’s role in 2018 would be the biggest reason for a Heisman campaign. Hill eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark as a freshman and should be even better in 2017.

He’s a good change-of-pace from the high-powered Oklahoma State passing attack. Moreover, Hill is the clear-cut starter. With junior Jeff Carr and freshman Chuba Hubbard, among others, competing for the backup job, Hill will receive the heaviest workload.

With Hill in the spotlight, he’ll have the opportunity to establish himself as a dark horse candidate for the Heisman in 2018. Hill would need another 1,000 yard season with at least 10 touchdowns this season to show he’s a legitimate Heisman contender.

Other Big 12 players that could compete for the Heisman Trophy in 2018 include Texas quarterback Shane Buechele, West Virginia quarterback Will Grier, and Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray. Hill would be the best option for the Heisman among Big 12 running backs that are projected to return in 2018.