The ACC's 10 best players of the decade, so far...

Going into the 2009 season, who have been the best players in the ACC this decade, thus far? If a player played even just 1 season from 2000-now, I considered them. Player's like running back Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech and running back C.J Spiller  of Clemson could make the All-Decade ACC top-10 with a really good season in 2009. The ACC has had so many great players the last few years; this is my shot at the 10 best.

1) Chris Weinke, Florida State Seminoles, QB (1997-2000)

Other players had more gaudy stats, but Chris Weinke did two things that no other ACC player on this list. He won the Heisman trophy (2000), and he won a national championship (1999). He's had his #16 jersey retired at Florida State to give you an idea of how the Noles feel about him.

2) Phillip Rivers, North Carolina State, QB (2000-2003)

Where would have head coach Chuck Amato have been without Phillips Rivers? We know what happened after he left. Rivers had an unusual side arm delivery, but it worked to the tune of over 13,000 passing yards with over 70% accuracy during his career at NC State. He was named ACC athlete of the year in 2004, and was the 4th player picked in the 2004 draft. He is currently the starting quarterback for the San Diego Chargers.

3) Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, WR (2004-2006)

Calvin Johnson didn't have the benefit of having an elite quarterback while Georgia Tech, but he still set record after record at Georgia Tech. Starting with his famous "spider man" catch against NC State and his game winning TD against Clemson his freshman year, he went on to be a 3 time All-ACC player, 2 time All-American, and the Biletnikoff award winner in 2006. With the rare combination of mid 4.3 speed, and a 6'5 frame, Johnson was the 2nd player drafted in the 2007 draft by the Detroit Lions.

4) Julius Peppers, North Carolina Tar Heels, DE (1999-2001)

A true physical freak, Julius Pepper was dominant defensive end, and a key member of the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team that went to the final 4 in 2000. In 2001 Peppers won the Lombardi award given to the nation's best lineman. The Carolina Panthers selected him with 2nd pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. Peppers was one of the best pass rushers the ACC has ever seen.

5) E.J. Henderson, Maryland Terrapins, LB (1999-2002)

Ask me to name "the" Terrapin player of this decade and I'm giving you E.J. Henderson. Henderson was a tackling machine, who earned numerous collegiate awards. He was a 2 time ACC Defensive Player of the year in 2001 and 2002, a first team All-American in 2001 and 2002, and a Butkus award winner in 2002. He had incredible 175 tackles his senior season. Henderson became the best Terrapin defensive player since Randy White was playing defensive line there in the 70s.

6) Matt Ryan, Boston College Eagles, QB, (2004-2007)

Matt Ryan won 21 games his last 2 years at Boston College, and the Eagles won the ACC's Atlantic Division in 2007. Ryan was the winner of the Johnny Unitas award given to the nation's best senior quarterback. Regarded as a very smart quarterback, Ryan was known as "Matty Ice" in college. He had two TD drives in the under 3 minutes, at rowdy Lane Stadium against Virginia Tech to win that game. It was one the ACC's best comeback's victories of 2007.

7) Woodrow Dantzler, Clemson Tigers, QB (1998-2001)

Woody Dantzler was one the most exciting players in college football during his time at Clemson University. Capable of making plays with his feet as well as his arm, Dantzler was the first collegiate player to ever throw for more than 2000 yards and rush for more 1000 yards. He did this during the 2001 season. He was a 2 time Davey O'Brien award semi-finalist, and he was a first team All-ACC quarterback in 2001. He holds the Clemson record for most total yards in a game with an astonishing 517 yard game against NC State his senior season.

8) Aaron Curry, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, LB, (2005-2008)

A Butkus award winner and All-American his senior season, Curry was drafted in the 1st round with the number 4 pick by the Seattle Seahawks. Blessed with a skill set that allows him to cover tightends and running backs in the passing game, and stop tailbacks in the running game, Curry was one of the most talented linebackers the ACC saw this decade. He was part of a defensive foundation that has allowed Wake Forest to have one of its most successful runs of football ever.

9) Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, CB, (2005-2008)

I bet 10 years ago you'd have never thought 2 Wake Forest players would make any 10 best of the ACC at anything. Alphonso Smith is the first of two Deac players on this list. A true shutdown corner, Smith finished third in the nation with 7 interceptions his in 2008. In his first year at Wake Forest he made several Freshman All-American teams, and the All-ACC and All-American awards continued throughout his career. He holds the ACC career record for interceptions at 21.

10) D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia Cavaliers, OL, (2002-2005)

You'd be hard pressed to find a better ACC offensive lineman the last several years than when D'Brickashaw Ferguson was playing offensive tackle for the Virginia Cavaliers. He was a consensus All-American his senior year, and was selected with the 4th pick of the 1st round by the New York Jets in the 2006 NFL Draft. He holds the Cavalier's record for most consecutive starts by an offensive lineman at 49.