ESPN College Football

Out with the old, in with the new. The ACC has lost a lot of talent from 2011, including arguably the best player in the conference in former Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly. There are still a lot of names for fans to be excited about, though, as we get closer to summer camp. Which players in the conference will emerge as the best? Well, based on past performances and their bubbling potential, here’s the first guess. As part of “College Football Live’s” 100 Days Till Kickoff countdown, here’s a look at the top 10 players in the ACC:

1. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson: He broke all of the ACC’s single-season pass receiving records, finishing the 2011 season with 82 catches for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was one of the most exciting, explosive players in the country as a true freshman. Watkins averaged 25 yards on 33 kickoff returns, including an 89-yard touchdown against Maryland.

2. David Amerson, CB, NC State: He led the FBS with 13 interceptions -- six more than any other player. It was the most in the FBS since 1968 and tied as the second-best total in FBS history. He broke the ACC’s single-season interception record in the upset of No. 7-ranked Clemson. He also broke the school’s 73-year-old single-season interception record of nine.

3. Giovani Bernard, RB, UNC: He was the leading freshman rusher in the nation. His total of 1,253 rushing yards was the third best by a freshman in ACC history. He also had 13 touchdowns on 239 carries, and was third in the ACC with 96.4 rushing yards per game. He had 45 catches for 362 yards and a touchdown.

4. Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech: Thomas set a school record for rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback with 11, and he broke the school's single-season total offense record set by Tyrod Taylor in 2010. His 234 completions, 391 attempts and 3,013 yards passing all rank second in school history for a single season.

5. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson: He completed 298 of 499 pass attempts 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 also had 218 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He had 4,046 total yards and was responsible for a school-record 38 touchdowns.

6. Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech: Fuller played at nickel back/whip linebacker and corner. He had an interception in the Sugar Bowl against Michigan, and eight tackles against Clemson in the ACC title game. He finished 2011 with 14.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also had two interceptions, nine passes defended, five quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

7. Joe Vellano, DT, Maryland: Vellano led the FBS in tackles by a defensive lineman with 7.8 per game. He finished third on the team with 94 tackles, had 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. His jaw-dropping 20 tackles against Georgia Tech was unforgettable.

8. Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State: He was second in the ACC with eight sacks for a loss of 62 yards, and had 12 tackles for a loss of 79 yards. He finished with 41 tackles, one pass breakup and five quarterback hurries. He was the team defensive MVP of the nation’s No. 4-ranked defense, and he was still disruptive despite facing double teams throughout the entire season.

9. Bruce Taylor, LB, Virginia Tech: He only played in eight games in 2011 before a season-ending injury, but Taylor still had 53 tackles, seven TFLs and five sacks. He led Tech in tackles in 2010 with 91 and in TFLs (15.5) and was second in quarterback sacks (6.0). He also had four pass breakups and eight quarterback hurries.

10. Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State: Despite missing four games with injuries, Greene led FSU in receiving with 38 catches, 596 receiving yards, and seven touchdown catches as a true freshman. He averaged 15.7 yards a catch and 14.7 yards on three runs from scrimmage.

2011 overall record: 11-3
2011 conference record: 7-1 (1st, Coastal)
Returning starters: Offense: 3; defense: 9; kicker/punter: 1

Top returners
QB Logan Thomas, WR Marcus Davis, C Andrew Miller, DE James Gayle, DE J.R. Collins, DT Derrick Hopkins, DT Antoine Hopkins, ILB Bruce Taylor, ILB Tariq Edwards, OLB Jeron Gouveia-Winslow, CB Kyle Fuller, S Antone Exum

Key losses
WR Danny Coale, WR Jarrett Boykin, TE Chris Drager, LT Andrew Lanier, RT Blake DeChristopher, RG Jaymes Brooks, LG Greg Nosal, RB David Wilson, CB Jayron Hosley, FS Eddie Whitley

2011 statistical leaders (* returners)
Rushing: David Wilson (1,709 yards)
Passing: Logan Thomas* (3,013 yards)
Receiving: Danny Coale (904 yards)
Tackles: Antone Exum* (89)
Sacks: James Gayle* (7)
Interceptions: Jayron Hosley (3)

Spring answers

1. Logan Thomas: The ACC is loaded with talented quarterbacks in 2012, and Thomas is among the top returners. He accounted for 30 total touchdowns last season and threw for more than 3,000 yards. He is the unquestioned leader and centerpiece of the Hokies' offense, and a strong season could result in a handshake from Roger Goodell at Radio City next April.

2. Defensive line: This unit has the potential to be the best in the conference, as it will play eight or nine men on a regular basis and be the foundation for a defense among the best in the ACC. This group led the conference in sacks a year ago and has looked every bit as capable this spring of doing that again in 2012.

3. Security: The Hokies were faced with a similar position last season, only the exact opposite: Loads of offensive talent came back and the defense had some uncertainties. Virginia Tech still reached the ACC title game and a BCS bowl, extending its nation-best streak of 10 or more wins to an eighth straight season. Entering his 26th season and first as the longest-tenured FBS coach, Frank Beamer has an established track record and knows how to get the most out of his pieces. The hard part right now is finding them on offense.

Fall questions

1. Who will replace David Wilson? Wilson is off with the Giants, a first-round draft pick following a campaign in which he ran for more yards than any running back in Virginia Tech history. Michael Holmes figures to be the No. 1 back entering preseason camp, with J.C. Coleman pushing him for time. The Hokies welcome three new backs this fall, along with Tony Gregory, who missed spring while recovering from knee surgery.

2. Who will protect the newcomer? Holmes or any of his fellow backfield mates won't have the chance to accomplish anything replicating Wilson's production if they don't get the chance. The Hokies return just one starting offensive lineman from last season and will have to adjust quickly if the offense wants to resemble last year's.

3. Secondary help. Second-team all-ACC corner Kyle Fuller is back, along with leading tackle Antone Exum. Sophomore Detrick Bonner has moved from cornerback to free safety, sophomore Kyshoen Jarrett is now at safety and Exum is now at corner. Secondary coach Torrian Gray likes to build versatility, but he will have his hands full trying to replace Eddie Whitley (graduation) and cornerback Jayron Hosley (draft).

Rangers!

• The crew at AthlonSports.com ranks the ACC's running backs going into this season.
• N.C. State's Rashard Smith is swapping positions again, Chip Alexander writes in the Raleigh News & Observer.
• The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Ken Sugiura breaks down Georgia Tech's offensive line.
• Virginia Tech's Bruce Taylor is hoping to stay healthy heading into his final year, Mark Giannotto writes in the Washington Post.
• Virginia's fullback position is in flux, Michael Phillips writes in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Early in the regular season, Virginia Tech’s defense had already lost starting outside linebacker Jeron Gouveia-Winslow and starting defensive tackle Antoine Hopkins to season-ending knee injuries. Starting defensive end James Gayle had missed a couple of games, along with starting cornerback Jayron Hosley.

Just when it seemed it couldn’t get much worse, Virginia Tech lost linebacker Bruce Taylor – arguably the leader of the defense and the unit’s best player - to a season-ending mid-foot sprain. In a span of four games, the Hokies had lost three starters.

“That’s when you said, ‘Man, enough is enough,’” defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. “We haven’t had as many injuries on the defensive side in, I don’t know, forever, the 25 years I’ve been here.”

And yet in spite of it all, with two true freshmen in the two-deep at defensive tackle, Virginia Tech enters the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Michigan with one of the nation’s top defenses. And the Hokies are going to need it. Those who have paid close attention to Virginia Tech’s defense under Foster would probably agree that this has been one of the best coaching jobs of his career. Not only did the Hokies make dramatic improvements from 2010, but they also did it with a young, inexperienced lineup forced into action because of injuries. Now they have to maintain that success against one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Denard Robinson.

“The most recent guy we’ve probably faced like him was Pat White a few years ago at West Virginia,” Foster said. “I think he’s very similar to that guy. He’s a game-breaker. He’s a big-time athlete. He can beat you running the ball, he can beat you throwing the football. He’s just a dynamic football player, a dynamic athlete. And then he’s got some good skill guys around him to take the pressure off of him.

“He makes people miss in the hole. He jukes him and he’s off for a 40-yard touchdown. Those are things he does … and they’re using him the right way – quarterback sweeps, quarterback powers, quarterback zone play, quarterback draws. They’re doing everything. They’ve adapted to what they have and he’s done it very, very well.”

Then again, so is Foster’s defense.

Last year, Virginia Tech’s defense finished No. 52 in the country in total defense, allowing 361.5 yards per game. This year, the Hokies are No. 13 in total defense, allowing almost 50 fewer yards per game. Last year they were No. 26 in scoring defense. This year they’re No. 8, holding opponents to 17.2 points per game. After putting the No. 64 rushing defense on the field in 2010, the Hokies improved to No. 17 this year, allowing just 107.8 yards per game.

“There’s no question it was a heck of a job,” coach Frank Beamer said. “I think the people we lost, and then the people replacing them – you’ve got two true freshmen defensive tackles – that’s not the place you want a true freshman in there. You want some experience in there. And then I think (cornerback) Kyle Fuller had a tremendous year, but him being able to move around and play some different positions and come through, that made a difference. I think the guys we lost, who we lost, and then to play as well as we have defensively, the championship game was a tough game for us, but up until that point, we really played some fantastic football for what we’ve been through and the injuries we had on our defense.”

For almost the entire Wake Forest game Oct. 15, the Hokies were playing without four opening-day starters, including Hosley (hamstring), and Gayle (ankle), in addition to Hopkins and Gouveia-Winslow.

By the third quarter against Boston College a week later, Virginia Tech was missing those four, plus Taylor and Gouveia-Winslow’s backup, Alonzo Tweedy, who sprained his ankle. Two true freshmen — Luther Maddy and Corey Marshall — have taken over one of the defensive tackle positions on the two-deep. Two redshirt sophomores — Tariq Edwards and Telvion Clark — are holding down a linebacker spot.

“It all goes back to our players and our coaches,” Foster said. “We were a young group, and I’m proud of them. We had an expectation, we talked about how we wanted to get back and play the kind of defense we’re used to around here. We started that back in January. I’m proud of our kids that they stepped up and bought into that and knew that’s what we needed to get back to. I still think we’ve got a lot of room to grow, which is exciting, but then to have the injuries on top of that, and some key players, and to have some young guys step up at various times, it’s been fun to watch.”

NEW ORLEANS -- If ever a coach had earned the right to be stubborn about his system, it'd be Bud Foster.

He has coordinated Virginia Tech's defense for the past 16 seasons, and the unit has finished in the top 12 nationally on 10 occasions (the Hokies currently rank 13th in total defense). He has had 34 players drafted in the NFL, 45 different players score touchdowns and at least one player earn All-America honors in all 16 seasons.

The pillars of Foster's defenses -- speed, athleticism, pressure, opportunistic play -- have become synonymous with Virginia Tech's program.

Foster could enter rooms with "My Way" blaring in the background if he wanted to. But he doesn't.

His success isn't tied to stubbornness. He has adapted over time, while maintaining an attacking foundation.

"It's changed a lot but it hasn't changed a lot," Foster said Friday. "We were more of an eight-man front group in the mid-1990s through probably the mid-2000s. You were seeing a lot more two-back offenses at that time. ... We've just tweaked things year in and year out. We're always trying to make it a little better."

Michigan made more than a few tweaks in its offense this year, as coordinator Al Borges integrated some of his pro-style elements while maintaining a spread framework. The results were predictably choppy, but Michigan still scored more points (410) than it did in 2010, when the offense set several team and individual records.

Although Foster has led the Virginia Tech defense since 1995 and Borges had led the Michigan offense only since January, both have benefited from being flexible.

"He's like we have been offensively," Borges said of Foster. "Their defense is ever-evolving."

The next step in the evolution takes place Tuesday night at the Allstate Sugar Bowl, as Virginia Tech's defense and Michigan's offense square off in a fascinating matchup.

Both units faced some obstacles to reach this point. A look at Virginia Tech's defensive depth chart shows seven sophomores and a freshman in the starting lineup. The Hokies were hit particularly hard by injuries this season, losing starters Antoine Hopkins, Jeron Gouveia-Winslow and Bruce Taylor as well as key reserves like Kwamaine Battle.

Despite the losses and the abundance of youth, Virginia Tech maintained its standards on defense, ranking in the top 20 nationally in scoring defense (17.2 ppg), total defense (313.9), pass-efficiency defense (111.8), rushing defense (107.8 ypg) and sacks (2.92 spg).

"[Foster] has enough flexibility," Borges said. "He's been there a long time. That system, although he's got some young players, that system that he has ... they know it. ... You're not teaching every little tiny thing, and you can start dealing more with nuance and things like that. Bud's at that point because he's been there so long."

Borges inherited a more seasoned offense and benefited from a lack of major injuries. His challenge was blending what he had done for decades with personnel suited to a vastly different scheme, particularly junior quarterback Denard Robinson.

"You can see they've done a great job adapting to their talent," Foster said. "But then, there's nothing real fancy about them, either. They're going to line up and hit you in the mouth and be physical."

Virginia Tech must not only contain Robinson on Tuesday night but be wary of Michigan's power game, which features sophomore running back Fitzgerald Toussaint and a big offensive line led by All-America center David Molk.

While the Hokies boast good size at defensive tackle, they're giving up a few pounds elsewhere. Sophomore defensive end J.R. Collins checks in at 240, while outside linebacker Alonzo Tweedy weighs just 189 pounds.

"We obviously have to get off on the football and be physical," Foster said. "That's what [Michigan] is going to do."

Virginia Tech has faced mobile quarterbacks in the past -- former West Virginia star Pat White among them -- and practiced against one the past few seasons in Tyrod Taylor. But linebacker Jack Fuller said Robinson gives the Hokies a look they haven't seen this season.

The closest comparison, according to Tyler, is Clemson's Tajh Boyd, who torched the Hokies in the ACC title game (240 pass yards, 3 TDs).

"But [Boyd's] not much of a scrambler," Fuller said. "He's quick and he can run the ball, but they look for Denard to run the ball. They have set plays for him and that's part of their offense, getting him to run the ball and getting that extra blocker."

Michigan also must adjust to some different elements from Virginia Tech, which doesn't shy away from press coverage and has the athletes to do so.

"It is a challenge," Robinson said. "They have some unique defenses and great athletes."

Added Toussaint: "They are very athletic at every position and play every play with maximum effort."

Virginia Tech's defense and Michigan's offense both should be improved in 2012, as only a handful of players depart each unit.

Both groups will look to use Tuesday night's game as a springboard.

"This is a big step for all of us," Toussaint said.

Here are the final injury reports for tonight's game:

NORTH CAROLINA

Out

Casey Barth, PK Thigh
T.J. Leifheit, OT Ankle
Matt Merletti, FS Knee
Norkeithus Otis, LB Thigh
Devon Ramsay, FB Knee
Reggie Wilkins, WR Ankle

VIRGINIA TECH

Out for the Season

Kwamaine Battle (knee)
Jeron Gouveia-Winslow (foot)
Antoine Hopkins (knee)
Dyrell Roberts (arm)
E.L. Smiling (wrist)
Bruce Taylor (foot)

Out

David Wang (foot)

Doubtful

Scott Demler (back)
Alonzo Tweedy (ankle)

Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster already has a reputation as one of best in the business.

This season, though, he might have officially outdone himself.

If there is one assistant in the ACC this year who would be worthy of an assistant coach of the year title, it would be Virginia Tech's Foster. Not only have the Hokies improved tremendously from a year ago, but they have managed to do it with one of the most injury-laden defenses in the conference. In a span of four games, the Hokies lost three starters:

• Starting inside linebacker Bruce Taylor was done for the season because of a mid-foot sprain.
• Starting outside linebacker Jeron Gouveia-Winslow also suffered a season-ending foot sprain.
• Starting defensive tackle Antoine Hopkins suffered a torn ACL.

For almost the entire Wake Forest game, the Hokies were playing without four opening-day starters, including cornerback Jayron Hosley (hamstring), and defensive end James Gayle (ankle), in addition to Hopkins and Gouveia-Winslow.

By the third quarter against Boston College, Virginia Tech was missing those four, plus Taylor and Gouveia-Winslow's backup, Alonzo Tweedy, who sprained his ankle. Two true freshmen -- Luther Maddy and Corey Marshall -- have taken over one of the defensive tackle positions on the two-deep. Two redshirt sophomores -- Tariq Edwards and Telvion Clark -- are manning a linebacker spot.

And yet here they are, heading into the North Carolina game tonight with the nation's No. 8 scoring defense, No. 7 pass efficiency defense, No. 11 total defense, No. 13 rushing defense, and being No. 5 in sacks.

It's a Hokie miracle.

"You lose Bruce Taylor, your leading tackler, and two whip guys," said coach Frank Beamer. "Not one, but two, I think they've probably handled it as well as you possibly could. The players keep playing hard and make some plays. But I do think probably Bud and his guys have done a tremendous job there. There is no question about it."

It’s not easy being perfect. That’s why I’m not. One itsy bitsy teeny flaw in last week’s picks left me at 4-1, the lone erroneous pick against NC State. C’mon, five straight? Who outside Raleigh saw that one coming? Then again, it wouldn’t be a week in the ACC if there wasn’t at least one upset, right? Get ready for another one …

Georgia Tech 21, Virginia Tech 17: The Hokies are so well-coached that they won’t make the same turnover mistakes Clemson made against the Yellow Jackets, but the difference in this game will be the injuries to Virginia Tech’s defense. The veterans like Bruce Taylor who are sidelined are the ones who have seen this offense before, but too many rookies will be learning the ropes on the fly. The Jackets will sustain drives and keep Virginia Tech off the field just long enough to win.

NC State 24, Boston College 21 (OT): NC State hasn’t run the ball very well to begin with this season, and the Eagles will make it even more difficult and force quarterback Mike Glennon to win the game, which he will. As long as the Pack gives him time to throw, Glennon will get NC State one step closer to a bowl game.

Clemson 42, Wake Forest 21: The atmosphere at Death Valley combined with Clemson’s sheer talent will be too much for the Deacs to overcome. Clemson will be playing its final home game of the season, the crowd will be relentless, and the Tigers can clinch the Atlantic Division with a win. Wake Forest will play better than it did against North Carolina, but it will still be overmatched.

Florida State 31, Miami 28: That’s right, FSU by a field goal. The fact that it’s in Tallahassee was only a small factor in the decision. The main reason was because Florida State has played better more consistently in recent weeks, and the defense has been unstoppable. Miami quarterback Jacory Harris has played exceptionally well lately, but FSU quarterback EJ Manuel will have the edge against Miami’s secondary.

Notre Dame 38, Maryland 10: Turnovers will make this game ugly. Regardless of how coach Randy Edsall plans to use quarterbacks C.J. Brown and Danny O'Brien, the Terps won’t be able to get past a scoring defense that has held opponents to just 20.89 points per game. Nor will Maryland’s defense be able to stop one of the nation’s top receivers in Michael Floyd.

Virginia 28, Duke 24: This is going to be another heartbreaker for the Blue Devils. The Hoos’ three-game losing streak to Duke will end, thanks to Virginia’s improved defense. The pass efficiency defense is No. 20 in the country, and running backs Perry Jones and Kevin Parks will continue to get their yards and set up the pass for Michael Rocco.

Georgia Tech

Questionable:

Tyler Morgan, LS

Out for the season:

Fred Holton, S

Jimmie Kitchen, DL

Lance Richardson, S

Virginia Tech

Out for the Season

Kwamaine Battle (knee)

Jeron Gouveia-Winslow (foot)

Antoine Hopkins (knee)

Dyrell Roberts (arm)

E.L. Smiling (wrist)

Bruce Taylor (foot)

Out

Mark Shuman (knee/ankle)

Alonzo Tweedy (ankle)

David Wang (foot)

Probable

Cody Journell (quad)

Here are the latest injury reports from the schools that reported them:

BOSTON COLLEGE

Out
WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee)
DB CJ Jones (knee)
DT Connor Wujciak (shoulder)
TB Montel Harris (knee)
DT Kaleb Ramsey (foot)
DT Dillon Quinn (shoulder)
OG Nate Richman (back)
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (leg)
DE Dan Williams (leg)

Doubtful
DT Conor O’Neal (illness)

Questionable
WR Bobby Swigert (shoulder)

CLEMSON

Out
Joe Gore, DE, Knee
Spencer Benton, PK, shoulder
Tony Steward, LB, Knee

Questionable
Andre Ellington, RB, ankle
Note: D.J. Howard will start at running back.

DUKE

Probable
WR Brandon Braxton (head)
S Matt Daniels (leg)
OG Dave Harding (leg)
QB Sean Renfree (leg)

Questionable
DE Justin Foxx (leg)

Doubtful
CB Johnny Williams (leg)

Out
S Lee Butler (leg)
QB Brandon Connette

Out for season
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
DE Kenny Anunike (leg)

FLORIDA STATE

Out
Andrew Datko (shoulder)
David Spurlock (knee)
Henry Orelus (head)
Moses McCray (knee)
Darious Cummings (hand)
Willie Haulstead (head)
Josh Gehres (knee)

Doubtful
Rashad Greene (ankle)

Out for season
Jacobbi McDaniel (ankle)
Chris Thompson (back)

GEORGIA TECH

Out
Jay Finch, C
Tyler Morgan, LS

Out for season
Fred Holton, S
Jimmie Kitchen, DL
Lance Richardson, S

MARYLAND

Out for season
WR Tyrek Cheeseboro
OL Andrew Gonnella
DB Avery Graham
LB Garrett Lederman
DB Matt Robinson
DL Isaiah Ross
TE Dave Stinebaugh
LB Kenny Tate

Out
WR Kevin Dorsey
OL Justin Gilbert
DB Jeremiah Johnson;

Doubtful
DL Justin Anderson

Questionable WR/PR Tony Logan
DL Andre Monroe

Probable
OL Max Garcia

NORTH CAROLINA

Out
Casey Barth, PK Thigh
Sean Fitzpatrick, TE Concussion
Kiaro Holts, OT Wrist
Matt Merletti, FS Knee
Devon Ramsay, FB Knee
Reggie Wilkins, WR Ankle

Questionable
Curtis Byrd, RB Knee
T.J. Leifheit, OT Ankle

Probable
Cam Holland, OC Back
Dwight Jones, WR Thigh
Kevin Reddick, LB Chest

NC STATE

Out for season
Jarvis Byrd, CB - knee
Mustafa Greene, HB - foot
Sterling Lucas, LB - knee

Out
Brandon Pittman, LB - leg
Taylor Gentry, FB - foot
Jake Kahut, DE - knee
Jeff Rieskamp, DE - shoulder
Thomas Teal, DT - foot

VIRGINIA TECH

Out for season
Kwamaine Battle (knee)
Jeron Gouveia-Winslow (foot)
Antoine Hopkins (knee)
Dyrell Roberts (arm)
E.L. Smiling (wrist)
Bruce Taylor (foot)

Out
Mark Shuman (knee/ankle)
Alonzo Tweedy (ankle)

Linebacker Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech's leading tackler the past two seasons, will miss the remainder of this season after sustaining a foot injury in the Hokies' victory against Boston College.

Taylor suffered a Lisfranc sprain and will have surgery later this week, the school said.

The members of the National College Football Awards Association unveiled their preseason watch lists over a 13-day period concluding with the Walter Camp Award's list today. Fifteen of the association's 21 awards selected a preseason watch list, and I've compiled your ACC candidates here:

WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

• Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
• Jayron Hosley, DB, Virginia Tech
• Brandon Jenkins, DT, Florida State
• Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

JIM THORPE AWARD

• Ray-Ray Armstrong, Miami
• Donnie Fletcher, Boston College
• Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
• Chase Minnifield, Virginia
• Greg Reid, Florida State
• Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
• Kenny Tate, Maryland

ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD

• Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
• Jaymes Brooks, G, Virginia Tech
• Audie Cole, LB, NC State
• Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina
• Quinton Coples, OT, Florida State
• Blake DeChristopher, OT, Virginia Tech
• Marcus Forston, DT, Miami
• Dalton Freeman, C, Clemson
• Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
• Cam Johnson, DT, Virginia
• Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
• Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina
• Tydreke Powell, DT, North Carolina
• Sean Spence, LB, Miami
• Bruce Taylor, LB, Virginia Tech
• Joe Vellano, DT, Maryland
• Brandon Washington, G, Miami

RIMINGTON TROPHY

• Dalton Freeman, Clemson
• Cam Holland, North Carolina
• Tyler Horn, Miami
• Brian Moore, Duke

BUTKUS AWARD

• Nigel Bradham, Florida State
• Zach Brown, North Carolina
• Ramon Buchanan, Miami
• Audie Cole, NC State
• Luke Kuechly, Boston College
• Kevin Reddick, North Carolina
• Sean Spence, Miami
• Kenny Tate, Maryland
• Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech

DOAK WALKER AWARD

• Andre Ellington, Clemson
• Montel Harris, Boston College
• Davin Meggett, Maryland
• Lamar Miller, Miami
• David Wilson, Virginia Tech

BEDNARIK AWARD

• Ray-Ray Armstrong, S, Miami
• Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
• Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
• Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston College
• Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
• Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
• Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
• Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
• Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina
• Kevin Reddick, LB, North Carolina
• Greg Reid, CB, Florida State
• Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
• Sean Spence, LB, Miami
• Kenny Tate, LB, Maryland
• Bruce Taylor, LB, Virginia Tech

BILETNIKOFF AWARD

• Travis Benjamin, Miami
• Jarrett Boykin, Virginia Tech
• Kris Burd, Virginia
• Chris Givens, Wake Forest
• DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson
• Dwight Jones, North Carolina
• Bobby Swigert, Boston College
• Donovan Varner, Duke
• Conner Vernon, Duke

LOU GROZA AWARD

• Casey Barth, North Carolina
• Nate Freese, Boston College
• Dustin Hopkins, Florida State
• Will Snyderwine, Duke

RAY GUY AWARD

• Dawson Zimmerman, Clemson

MACKEY AWARD

• Dwayne Allen, Clemson
• George Bryan, NC State
• Cooper Helfet, Duke
• Chris Pantale, Boston College
• Colter Phillips, Virginia

MAXWELL AWARD

• Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
• Mike Glennon, QB, NC State
• Montel Harris, RB, Boston College
• EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
• Danny O'Brien, QB, Maryland
• David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY

• Ray-Ray Armstrong, S, Miami
• Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
• Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
• Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
• Marcus Forston, DT, Miami
• Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
• Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
• Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
• Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
• Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina
• Tydreke Powell, DT, North Carolina
• Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
• Sean Spence, OLB, Miami
• Kenny Tate, LB, Maryland
• Bruce Taylor, LB, Virginia Tech

OUTLAND TROPHY

• Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
• Blake DeChristopher, OT, Virginia Tech
• Marcus Forston, DT, Miami
• Dalton Freeman, C, Clemson
• Tydreke Powell, DT, North Carolina
• Omoregie Uzzi, OG, Georgia Tech
• Brandon Washington, OG, Miami

DAVEY O'BRIEN

• EJ Manuel, Florida State
• Danny O'Brien, Maryland
• Sean Renfree, Duke

The Rimington Trophy watch list was released today, but I wanted to catch you up on two more that were released this week, the Jim Thorpe Award and the Rotary Lombardi Award.

Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, and linebackers who set up no father than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. The Thorpe Award is given to the nation's top defensive back.

Here are your ACC reps for both:

JIM THORPE AWARD

• Ray-Ray Armstrong, Miami
• Donnie Fletcher, Boston College
• Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
• Chase Minnifield, Virginia
• Greg Reid, Florida State
• Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
• Kenny Tate, Maryland

ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD

• Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
• Jaymes Brooks, G, Virginia Tech
• Audie Cole, LB, NC State
• Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina
• Quinton Coples, OT, Florida State
• Blake DeChristopher, OT, Virginia Tech
• Marcus Forston, DT, Miami
• Dalton Freeman, C, Clemson
• Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
• Cam Johnson, DT, Virginia
• Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
• Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina
• Tydreke Powell, DT, North Carolina
• Sean Spence, LB, Miami
• Bruce Taylor, LB, Virginia Tech
• Joe Vellano, DT, Maryland
• Brandon Washington, G, Miami

As promised earlier this morning, here's your one-stop shopping for the watch lists that have been announced. I will do another one early next week:

BEDNARIK AWARD (Presented to the nation's most outstanding defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club)
Ray-Ray Armstrong, S, Miami
Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston College
Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina
Kevin Reddick, LB, North Carolina
Greg Reid, CB, Florida State
Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Sean Spence, LB, Miami
Kenny Tate, LB, Maryland
Bruce Taylor, LB, Virginia Tech

BILETNIKOFF AWARD (Presented to the nation's most outstanding wide receiver by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation)

Travis Benjamin, Miami
Jarrett Boykin, Virginia Tech
Kris Burd, Virginia
Chris Givens, Wake Forest
DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson
Dwight Jones, North Carolina
Bobby Swigert, Boston College
Donovan Varner, Duke
Conner Vernon, Duke

LOU GROZA AWARD (Presented to the nation's most outstanding place-kicker by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission)
Casey Barth, North Carolina
Nate Freese, Boston College
Dustin Hopkins, Florida State
Will Snyderwine, Duke

RAY GUY AWARD (Presented to the nation's most outstanding punter by the Augusta [Ga.] Sports Council)
Dawson Zimmerman, Clemson

MACKEY AWARD (Presented to the nation's most outstanding tight end by the Nassau Co. Sports Commission)
Dwayne Allen, Clemson
George Bryan, NC State
Cooper Helfet, Duke
Chris Pantale, Boston College
Colter Phillips, Virginia

MAXWELL AWARD (Presented to the nation's most outstanding all-around player by the Maxwell Football Club)
Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
Mike Glennon, QB, NC State
Montel Harris, RB, Boston College
EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
Danny O'Brien, QB, Maryland
David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY (Presented to the nation's most outstanding defensive player by the Charlotte Touchdown Club)
Ray-Ray Armstrong, S, Miami
Nigel Bradham, LB, Florida State
Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Marcus Forston, DT, Miami
Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech
Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina
Tydreke Powell, DT, North Carolina
Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
Sean Spence, OLB, Miami
Kenny Tate, LB, Maryland
Bruce Taylor, LB, Virginia Tech

OUTLAND TROPHY (Presented to the nation's most outstanding interior lineman by the FWAA)
Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State
Blake DeChristopher, OT, Virginia Tech
Marcus Forston, DT, Miami
Dalton Freeman, C, Clemson
Tydreke Powell, DT, North Carolina
Omoregie Uzzi, OG, Georgia Tech
Brandon Washington, OG, Miami

ESPN's Mel Kiper recently listed his top five juniors and seniors by position, and the ACC got some love. You'll notice two trends here: a) The same schools keep popping up and b) Lotta linemen. North Carolina could be scary good. (I said that last year, too ... )

Check it out:

SENIORS
No. 3 RB, Montel Harris, Boston College
No. 3 FB, Taylor Gentry, NC State
No. 4 FB, Devon Ramsay, North Carolina
No. 2 TE, George Bryan, NC State
No. 4 OT, Andrew Datko, Florida State
No. 1. DE, Quinton Coples, North Carolina
No. 2 DE, Andre Branch, Clemson
No. 2 DT, Tydreke Powell, North Carolina
No. 4 DT, Brandon Thompson, Clemson
No. 3 OLB, Zach Brown, North Carolina
No. 5 OLB, Sean Spence, Miami
No. 5 CB, Donnie Fletcher, Boston College
No. 2 S, Kenny Tate, Maryland (has moved to linebacker this season)
No. 5 P, Ryan Quigley, Boston College

JUNIORS
No. 5 RB, Andre Ellington, Clemson
No. 4 FB, Lonnie Pryor, Florida State
No. 1 TE, Dwayne Allen, Clemson
No. 3 OG, Brandon Washington, Miami
No. 1 DE, Donte Paige-Moss, North Carolina
No. 2 DE, Brandon Jenkins, Florida State
No. 2 DT, Marcus Forston, Miami
No. 2 ILB, Luke Kuechly, Boston College
No. 5 ILB, Bruce Taylor, Virginia Tech
No. 5 OLB, Terrell Manning, NC State
No. 3 CB, Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
No. 1 S, Ray-Ray Armstrong, Miami
No. 5 S, Vaughn Telemaque, Miami
No. 1 K Dustin Hopkins, Florida State