The 10 Best Defensive Players in the ACC for 2009

1) Mark Herzlich, SR, LB, Boston College Eagles

I know Herzlich is most likely not going to be able to play for Boston College this year. College football fans wish him a speedy recovery from the cancer he was diagnosed with in May. I want show respect for Herzlich, though, by placing him on this list. He is the ACC's best defensive player, and it isn't even close.

Herzlich is the reigning defensive player of the year in the ACC. 110 Tackles, 2.5 sacks and six interceptions were just some of the impressive stats Herzlich accumulated last year. I hope we see him on the football field soon.

2) Morgan Burnett, JR, S, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

With seven interceptions last season, Burnett tied several others for the most interceptions in the entire country. That's very impressive for a sophomore. Obviously he led the ACC interceptions as well.

He also was third in the ACC in passes defended, and was 13th in tackles in 2008. In Tech's young secondary last year, Burnett was the steadying force. With Herzlich out, Burnett might now be the favorite for 2009's ACC defensive player of the year.

3) Alex Wujciak, SR, LB, Maryland Terrapins

Alex Wujciak's 133 tackles last season were second in the ACC and 13th in the nation. One of the top linebackers in the country, Wujciak is the fifth-leading returning tackler in the nation. Sized at 6-3, 255 lbs, Wujciak is a relentless defensive player, who will have receivers and running backs heading in the opposite direction to get away from this beast.

4) Marvin Austin, JR, DT, North Carolina Tarheels

Marvin Austin was destined to be a great defensive player. He was ranked the No. 1 defensive tackle coming out of high school for the year 2007 and was named to the 2007 Freshman All-American Team. Six-foot-three, 305 lbs and blessed with agility and quickness rare for a man his size, Austin is set to anchor a Tar Heel defensive front four that might the best in the ACC.

5) Jason Worilds, JR, DE, Virginia Tech Hokies

The Hokies always have athletic, hardnosed players on defense, and Jason Worilds is no different. Worilds, named to the Second Team All-ACC Defense in 2008, is set to make the jump to elite player in 2009. Worilds is an extremely quick off the edges defensive end, who will give offensive linemen nightmares. Only a sophomore last season, Worilds had 18.5 tackles for loss to go along with eight sacks.

Defensive line coach for the Hokies, Charley Wiles stated last year that Worilds might be more athletic than former Virginia Tech star Darryl Tapp. That's high praise.

6) Ras-I Dowling, JR, CB, Virginia Cavaliers

The Cavaliers struggled to a 5-7 record last season, but don't blame Ras-I Dowling, who is arguably the ACC's best returning cornerback. He was second in the ACC in passes defended and also had three interceptions. Dowling was selected to the Second Team All-ACC defense last year as well. At 6-2, 200 lbs, Dowling has the perfect size to play cornerback. He is quickly gaining the reputation as a shutdown corner.

7) Quan Sturdivant, JR, LB, North Carolina Tarheels

Last season Quan Sturdivant didn't make the first or second team All-ACC Defense. He wasn't even amongst the top vote-getters for honorable mention All-ACC defense. That isn't going be the case this season.

His 122 tackles last year were third in the ACC, and he was first in the ACC in solo tackles with 87. Sturdivant also possesses great athletic ability, and has excellent sideline-to-sideline speed.

8) Daquan Bowers, SO, DE, Clemson Tigers

Daquan Bowers is going to be your breakout star on the defensive side of the football in the ACC in 2009. He was the No. 1 ranked defensive end coming out of the high school in 2008. During the 2008 season, he showed flashes of his athletic ability.

In Clemson's spring game, Bowers spent most of the afternoon in Clemson's backfield. Word out of Clemson at the moment is that Bower's may play any position along the defensive line just to make sure he stays on the field.

9) Derrick Morgan, JR, DE, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Morgan is the one returning defensive lineman for the Yellow Jackets, but he's a good one. He was the top-vote getter for the All-ACC defense not to make the first or second team. On a defensive line that put three players in the NFL draft, Morgan led the line with 51 tackles and four fumble recoveries. The only thing that might hurt Morgan this year is that, with Tech's totally revamped line, Derrick Morgan should expect to be double-teamed a lot this upcoming season.

10) Rickey Sapp, SR, DE, Clemson Tigers

Rickey Sapp is coming off an ACL injury from last season. If Sapp can be 100 percent healthy for the 2009 season, then Sapp and Bowers could help the Tigers form one the best defensive lines in the ACC. Sapp was another top five defensive end recruit for Clemson, when he graduated high school in 2006. He is projected to be a first day NFL draft choice in 2010.

Others to watch: Vince Oghobaase, SR, DT, Duke Blue Devils; Nate Irving, JR, LB, North Carolina State Wolfpack; Sean Spence, SO, LB, Miami Hurricanes