12. Tie: S Deunta Williams and CB Kendric Burney, UNC
2009 numbers for Williams:Finished second in the ACC in interceptions with six and fourth in the league with 14 passes defended. He had 114 return yards. He had eight pass breakups, one fumble recovery and 47 tackles.
2009 numbers for Burney: He returned five interceptions for a school-record 200 yards, including two for touchdowns. He ranked fifth on the team with 52 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss.
Most recent ranking: Not ranked.
Making the case for Williams and Burney:It was too difficult to rank one ahead of the other and impossible to leave one off the list. It’s not just their ability to disrupt the passing lanes, it’s what they do with it after the catch. Burney has nine career interceptions and his 347 return yards are the second-highest in ACC history. Williams’ 12 interceptions ranks third all-time at UNC, and he has started every game in his career. Both players are game-changers and have been invaluable to the Heels' defense.
No. 13 Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina
No. 14 Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
No. 15 Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
No. 16Jacory Harris, QB, Miami
No. 17Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech
No. 18 Donovan Varner, WR, Duke
No. 19Alex Wujciak, LB, Maryland
No. 20Montel Harris, RB, Boston College
No. 21Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
No. 22 Greg Reid, CB, Florida State
No. 23 Anthony Allen, RB, Georgia Tech
No. 24Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
No. 25Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College
