No. 4. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
2009 numbers: He led the ACC and ranked third in the country in total offense with 321.8 yards per game, despite suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in the ninth game. He completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,717 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His pass efficiency rating of 147.71 would have ranked him among the top 20 in the nation if he had played one more game.
Most recent ranking: No. 22
Making the case for Ponder: He threw five touchdown passes against eventual ACC champ Georgia Tech, and he had four games of at least 300 passing yards. Ponder knows the offense almost as well as Jimbo Fisher, and he’s also got the ability to run if he needs to. More importantly, he’s one of 11 players on the Seminoles’ Unity Council, which holds players accountable. He’s a team captain, a potential Heisman candidate, and an outstanding student.
No. 5 Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
No. 6 Quan Sturdivant, LB, UNC
No. 7 Russell Wilson, QB, NC State
No. 8 Joshua Nesbitt, QB, Georgia Tech
No. 9 Rodney Hudson, LG, Florida State
No. 10 Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
No. 11 Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
No. 12 (tie) S Deunta Williams, CB Kendric Burney, UNC
No. 13 Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina
No. 14 Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
No. 15 Brandon Harris, CB, Miami
No. 16 Jacory Harris, QB, Miami
No. 17 Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech
No. 18 Donovan Varner, WR, Duke
No. 19 Alex Wujciak, LB, Maryland
No. 20 Montel Harris, RB, Boston College
No. 21 Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
No. 22 Greg Reid, CB, Florida State
No. 23 Anthony Allen, RB, Georgia Tech
No. 24 Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia
No. 25 Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College
