(Video courtesy of the ACC Digital Network)

3 on the rise

  • WR DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson: The Clemson offense has not missed a beat despite the two-game suspension of WR Sammy Watkins, and that is in large part due to “Nuke” Hopkins. Hopkins has 19 catches for 224 yards and four touchdowns in Clemson’s first two games. He caught three touchdown passes this weekend against Ball State. At 6-1, 205 pounds, Hopkins has good size and fantastic speed. As a junior, Hopkins is eligible for the next NFL Draft, and scouts will undoubtedly keep an eye on him as the season progresses.
  • DT Joe Vellano, Maryland: Vellano (6-2, 285 pounds) turned a lot of heads last year with 94 tackles as a defensive tackle. However, he did not make a lot of plays behind the line with just 7.5 tackles for loss. Through two games this year, Vellano already has five tackles for loss and has helped lead a resurgence on defense for the Terrapins. Maryland ranked No. 111 last year against the run, allowing 219.8 yards per game. On Saturday, the Terrapins held Temple to 52 rushing yards on 39 carries.
  • WR Michael Campanaro, Wake Forest: With fellow WR Chris Givens gone to the NFL, one of the questions at Wake Forest was how Campanaro would fare as QB Tanner Price’s go-to receiver. Campanaro, a 5-11, 195-pound redshirt junior, has been fantastic in the first two games, catching 22 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown. He set a school record with 13 receptions in Saturday’s 28-27 win over North Carolina. Campanaro may not enter the 2013 draft, but he will be a name to watch out for in the 2014 NFL Draft.

3 who are falling

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  • QB Sean Renfree, Duke: Renfree had a miserable night in Duke’s 50-13 loss at Stanford. He had a decent completion percentage, connecting on 28 of 40 passes, but those 28 completions went for just 200 yards. Renfree could not throw the ball downfield and also threw two interceptions. The second was returned 71 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. On the following drive, Renfree was replaced by QB Anthony Boone, who led Duke on its only touchdown drive of the night.
  • RB Mike James, Miami : With RB Lamar Miller leaving early for the NFL, Mike James got his opportunity as the starter in his senior season. Coach Al Golden praised James for his leadership in the offseason, but so far on the field, he has not been spectacular. He has 23 carries for 91 yards, and his biggest gain of the season went for only 11 yards. If James does not pick it up, true freshman RB Duke Johnson will take more of James’ workload.
  • RT Morgan Moses, Virginia: Moses lost more than 20 pounds in the offseason and is currently listed at 6-6, 325 pounds. The weight loss made Moses quicker, but on Saturday, he let Penn State DE Deion Barnes get around him on the edge. Barnes sacked QB Phillip Sims and stripped him of the ball. The Nittany Lions recovered deep in Virginia territory. Moses, who is a junior, and his teammates along the offensive line need to pick it up. The Cavaliers rushed for just 32 yards on 25 carries Saturday.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from ACC bloggers Shawn Krest and Sean Bielawski, follow @CBSSportsACC.