No. 9. Kenny Tate, LB, Maryland
2010 stats: He started all 13 games at free safety last year and led the Terps in solo tackles (58) and was second in tackles (100). He had at least six tackles in all but one game and ranked seventh in the ACC with 7.7 per game. He was the second-leading tackler in the ACC among defensive backs. He tied for third in the ACC in solo tackles (4.6 pg) and led the ACC with four forced fumbles, the most by a Terp since Milton Harris had four in 2005. His 0.31 forced fumbles per-game ranked tied for 15th in the FBS.
Previous ranking: No. 14.
Making the case for Tate: He posted some ridiculous numbers as a safety, and he should flourish even more in his new hybrid linebacker/safety position. He has an impressive combination of size and speed. He ranks first on the team among returnees in career tackles (162) and interceptions (5), and he’s also one of the top tacklers in the conference. He became the first Maryland defensive back to reach 100 tackles since Tony Jackson (101) in 2000.
No. 10 David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech
No. 11 Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina
No. 12 Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
No. 13 Brandon Washington, OL, Miami
No. 14 Danny O'Brien, QB, Maryland
No. 15 Sean Renfree, QB, Duke
No. 16 Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
No. 17 Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia
No. 18 Greg Reid, CB, Florida State
No. 19 Ray-Ray Armstrong, S, Miami
No. 20 Lamar Miller, RB, Miami
No. 21 Conner Vernon, WR, Duke
No. 22 Jarrett Boykin, WR, Virginia Tech
No. 23 Omoregie Uzzi, OG, Georgia Tech
No. 24 Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
No. 25 EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
