No 3. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
2009 numbers: He rushed for a school-record 1,655 yards, setting an ACC freshman mark, and he scored 22 touchdowns, including 21 rushing, breaking ACC season records in both categories. The 21 rushing touchdowns tied an NCAA record for a freshman.
Most recent ranking: Not ranked.
Making the case for Williams: He was the first freshman in ACC history to lead the league in both rushing and scoring. He was the only freshman in the nation to be ranked in the top five nationally in both rushing and scoring. His 10 100-yard rushing performances set a school season record and tied the ACC record. And the coaches don’t believe he has reached his peak yet. His personality is as electric as his running style, and he gave a struggling offense a much-needed boost last year.
No. 4 Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
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
