ACC notes

Charlotte’s Vince Jacobs faced a logjam at tight end at North Carolina with young, promising players such as Richard Quinn and Zack Pianalto ahead of him.

Coach Butch Davis moved Jacobs, a Vance High graduate, to defensive end late in spring practice.

“We were very encouraged by what he did,” Davis said. “He showed some athleticism, he showed some burst and some quickness, and it will be very interesting to monitor his growth and development during training camp.”

- Virginia Tech’s quarterback position remains unsettled.

Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor rotated in a two-quarterback system at the end of last season as the Hokies captured the ACC title. Neither moved ahead during spring practice.

“What we’re going to do with them has yet to be determined,” said coach Frank Beamer. “We’re going to carry that battle over into the fall. But we feel good about that (position).”

- The loss of guard Chris DeGeare to academic ineligibility means offensive line will be Wake Forest’s chief concern heading into the fall.

Wake Forest already was trying to overcome the loss of Steve Justice, Matthew Brim and Louis Frazier, who exhausted their eligibility in 2007.

“We’ve got some kids that don’t have experience,” said Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe. “They’ve got enough ability, but they don’t have experience.”

- Clemson’s DaQuan Bowers, one of the top-rated defensive end prospects in the nation, enrolled in January and played well enough during spring practice to get into the rotation for the fall.

“He’s going to play,” said Clemson coach Tommy Bowden. “How much and how productive he is, is going to depend on how he continues to improve and his mental approach.

- Defensive end Chris Long and offensive guard Branden Albert could give Virginia two first-round NFL draft picks for the second time ever Saturday.

In 1997, James Farrior (eighth) and Jon Harris (25th) were first-round picks.

“It’s fun to watch and exciting to be part of,” said Virginia coach Al Groh. “Obviously program-wise, I guess it gives us confirmation, it makes us feel good that we’ve done our part in helping a player realize his aspirations.”
- Ken Tysiac