The deadline for underclassmen to enter the NFL draft has passed.
So here is a quick look at who is going and who is staying in the ACC.
Leaving early
David Amerson, cornerback, NC State
Giovani Bernard, running back, North Carolina
DeAndre Hopkins, receiver, Clemson
Xavier Rhodes, cornerback, Florida State
Menelik Watson, offensive tackle, Florida State
Bjoern Werner, defensive end, Florida State
Sticking around
Jeremiah Attaochu, linebacker, Georgia Tech
Tajh Boyd, quarterback, Clemson
Antone Exum, cornerback, Virginia Tech
Christian Jones, linebacker, Florida State
Lamarcus Joyner, safety, Florida State
James Gayle, defensive end, Virginia Tech
Seantrel Henderson, offensive tackle, Miami
Brandon Linder, offensive guard, Miami
Curtis Porter, defensive line, Miami
Logan Thomas, quarterback, Virginia Tech
Of the underclassmen declaring early, Werner is the only one rated among the top 32 prospects by Scouts Inc. But Mel Kiper lists Bernard as the top junior running back available
; Hopkins as the No. 3 junior receiver; Amerson as the No. 4 junior cornerback and Rhodes as the No. 5 junior cornerback. Watson is the only player not rated at the Top 5 at his position.
As for the group of players staying, it certainly is an impressive bunch. You have the ACC Player of the Year in Boyd; an All-ACC first-team selection in Joyner; and second-team All-ACC picks in Gayle, Exum and Jones. Interestingly enough, Kiper has Exum rated higher than Amerson and Rhodes -- two players that declared for the draft.
