Nov. 27, 2007

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A Wake Forest program that relies on patient red-shirting and fifth-year seniors has suddenly produced two consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference rookies of the year.

Running back Josh Adams is the latest freshman standout for the Demon Deacons, joining last year's winner, quarterback Riley Skinner, in a backfield that could have coach Jim Grobe's misdirection offense clicking for years to come.

Adams - also the league's overwhelming offensive rookie of the year - received 51 of a possible 71 votes in balloting conducted by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates was second with 12 votes, followed by Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5). North Carolina defensive lineman Marvin Austin and safety Deunta Williams joined Miami's Graig Cooper in receiving one vote apiece.

Williams was the defensive rookie of the year, receiving 48 votes. Teammate Charles Brown was voted first on nine ballots, followed by Virginia's Ras-I Dowling (5), Georgia Tech's Morgan Burnett (3), Austin (2) and N.C. State's Markus Kuhn (2).

Adams led all ACC freshmen in rushing, ranking third overall with an average of 80.6 yards per game behind all-conference running backs Tashard Choice of Georgia Tech and James Davis of Clemson.

The second-team All-ACC selection shared time in the backfield with fifth-year senior Micah Andrews and worked his way into the starting lineup, taking over after four games and starting the final eight. He set the school record for red-shirt freshmen with 887 yards rushing and had three 100-yard games and 10 touchdowns.

His best game was a 150-yard prime-time outing against Florida State on Oct. 11. He ran 83 yards down the right sideline for a momentum-shifting touchdown in helping the Demon Deacons run all over the Seminoles' defense, and added a scoring catch in the 24-21 victory.

Adams was a highly prized recruit from Cary, N.C., who Grobe considered playing as a first-year freshman last year when Wake Forest had depth issues at tailback during its run to the ACC title and FedEx Orange Bowl bid.

Instead, the coaches allowed Adams to red-shirt and now will have him in the backfield for three more seasons.

Voting results for the 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference rookies of the year, as voted on by 71 members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Josh Adams, RB, Wake Forest (51)
T.J. Yates, QB, North Carolina (12)
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech (5)
Marvin Austin, DE, North Carolina (1)
Graig Cooper, RB, Miami (1)
Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina (1)

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Josh Adams, RB, Wake Forest (52)
T.J. Yates, QB, North Carolina (12)
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech (5)
Graig Cooper, RB, Miami (2)

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina (48)
Charles Brown, CB, North Carolina (9)
Ras-I Dowling, DB, Virginia (5)
Morgan Burnett, DB, Georgia Tech (3)
Marvin Austin, DE, North Carolina (2)
Markus Kuhn, DE, N.C. State (2)
DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson (1)
Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina (1)