No. 13: Telvin Smith, LB, Florida State
Previous ranking: Not ranked
Making the case for Smith: Seven starters and three assistant coaches from Florida State’s 2012 defense left after the Seminoles wrapped up an ACC title and an Orange Bowl victory last year, but the rapid transition did little to disrupt the unit’s success. Smith was a major reason why.
After two years splitting reps at middle linebacker, the job was all Smith’s in 2013, and he didn’t disappoint. Florida State was the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense and third in total defense, and Smith was the unit’s unquestioned leader -- on and off the field.
For the season, Smith led FSU in tackles (90) and was second in tackles for loss (9.5). He finished with a career-high three interceptions and defended seven passes (third best on the team) while playing a crucial role in stopping the run up the middle. He scored two touchdowns on defense, had multiple tackles for loss against Pitt, Boston College and Duke, and he recorded double-digit tackles three times, including a game-high 15 (11 solo) in the BCS national championship win over Auburn. The success earned him second-team All-ACC honors.
No. 25 Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
No. 24 Jack Tyler, LB, Virginia Tech
No. 23 Tyler Boyd, WR, Pitt
No. 22 Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
No. 21 Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami
No. 20 Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB, Boston College
No. 19 Ryan Switzer, WR/PR, North Carolina
No. 18 Bryan Stork, C, Florida State
No. 17 Jeremiah Attaochu, DE, Georgia Tech
No. 16 Anthony Harris, S, Virginia
No. 15 Kelby Brown, LB, Duke
No. 14 Kareem Martin, DE, North Carolina
