No. 6. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson

2011 stats: He threw for 3,828 yards, 33 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over 14 starts. He completed 59.7 percent of his passes and had a 141.2 pass efficiency rating. He had 218 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He had 4,046 total yards and was responsible for a school-record 38 touchdowns.

Previous ranking: No. 6

Making the case for Boyd: He had an outstanding record-setting season in his first year as a starter and played his way into the Heisman conversation after Clemson’s 8-0 start. He led the team to the ACC championship with his strong arm and leadership qualities. His career 43 touchdowns are the most among active ACC players, and he finished last year first in school history in passing efficiency. He has a 10-4 career record as a starter, and was named the MVP of last year’s ACC championship game.

• No. 7 (tie) Jonathan Cooper, OL, North Carolina; Oday Aboushi, OL, Virginia
• No. 8 Joe Vellano, DL, Maryland
• No. 9 EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
• No. 10 Kyle Fuller, DB, Virginia Tech
• No. 11 Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
• No. 12 Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
• No. 13 James Gayle, DE, Virginia Tech
• No. 14 Bryn Renner, QB, North Carolina
• No. 15 Conner Vernon, WR, Duke
• No. 16 Giovani Bernard, RB, UNC
• No. 17 Dalton Freeman, C, Clemson
• No. 18 Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
• No. 19 Lamarcus Joyner, S, Florida State
• No. 20 Michael Campanaro, WR, Wake Forest
• No. 21 Jeremiah Attaochu, LB, Georgia Tech
• No. 22 Omoregie Uzzi, OG, Georgia Tech
• No. 23 Bruce Taylor, LB, Virginia Tech
• No. 24 Bud Noel, DB, Wake Forest
• No. 25 Nikita Whitlock, NG, Wake Forest