No. 1. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
2009 numbers: He ranked first in the ACC and 15th in the country in tackles for loss with 19 and was second in the league and 16th in the nation with 11 sacks. He ranked second in the ACC and fourth in the country with six forced fumbles. He had 52 tackles and three pass breakups.
Most recent ranking: Not ranked.
Making the case for Quinn: He finished second in last year’s ACC Defensive Player of the Year voting. If he continues to improve, there’s no reason he shouldn’t finish first this year. The staff will have to be creative with him this year, because opponents will know who he is and look for the most favorable matchups, getting backs to chip him and tight ends to help block him. It’s a similar situation to what Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan faced last year. The good news? Marvin Austin will help draw some of the attention.
No. 2 DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson
No. 3 Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
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
