Who are the ACC's top players at their position? I've put together my own pre-season All-ACC team. If I was forming an ACC All-Star team these are the guys I'd want on my squad.
Offense
QB Russel Wilson, Sophomore, North Carolina State Wolfpack
All-ACC QB as a freshman. He should be even better this year.
RB Jonathan Dwyer, Junior, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Dwyer is ACC's reigning offensive player of the year. He'll continue to thrive in Paul Johnson's triple option offense.
RB C.J. Spiller, Senior, Clemson Tigers
Spiller is now the feature back in the Tigers offense. He's the ACC's current career leader in rushing yards.
WR Owen Spencer, Junior, North Carolina State Wolfpack
Spencer averaged 22 yards a catch last year. At 6'3" he's got solid size for a wide receiver.
WR Jacoby Ford, Senior, Clemson TIgers
Ford caught 55 passes for 710 yards last year. He is one of the ACC's fastest players.
TE Greg Boone, Senior, Virginia Tech Hokies
He's the best pass catching TE in the ACC.
C Ryan McMahon, Junior, Florida State Seminoles
McMahon is the anchor of the ACC's best offensive line.
OG Rodney Hudson, Junior, Florida State Seminoles
Hudson is a potential All-American.
OG Sergio Render, Senior, Virginia Tech Hokies
Render was 2nd team All-ACC last year.
OT Andre Datko, Sophomore, Florida State Seminoles
Third Seminole offensive lineman to make this pre-season All-ACC list. Yes the Noles offensive line is that good. Datko was a freshman All-American.
OT Anthony Castonzo, Junior, Boston College Eagles
He is the leader of one of the better lines in the ACC.
Defense
DE Jason Worilds, Junior, Virginia Tech Hokies
Worilds had 62 tackles last year. He led the Hokies in sacks last year. He's turning into a fantastic pass rusher.
DE De'quan Bowers, Sophomore, Clemson Tigers
Bowers might be a bit of a stretch, but he is an athletic freak. He'll be one of the breakout stars of 2009.
DT Marvin Austin, Junior, North Carolina Tar Heels
Some say he's overrated. I don't think so. Austin is a very disruptive run-stopper in the middle. DT Vince Oghobaase, Senior, Duke Blue Devils
He'd probably be an All-American if he played at Florida or Oklahoma. He's the focus of every offensive line that plays Duke.
LB Alex Wujciak, Junior, Maryland Terrapins
Wujciak has over 130 tackles last year. He's a tackling machine.
LB Dekoda Watson, Senior, Florida State Seminoles
A future NFL'er, Watson is also the leader of the Noles defense.
LB Quan Sturdivant, Junior, North Carolina Tar Heels
Sturdivant helps make up the best defensive front seven in the ACC. He led the nation in solo tackles in 2008.
CB Ras-I Dowling, Junior, Virginia Cavaliers
Dowling was 2nd team All-ACC last year. He's the closest thing to a shutdown corner in the conference.
CB Kendric Burney, Junior, North Carolina Tar Heels
Burney had 78 tackles last year and three interceptions. He was also a 2nd team All-ACC player last year.
S Morgan Burnett, Junior, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Was tied for the nation lead in interceptions with seven. He's made just about every pre-season All-ACC and All-American list out there.
S Kam Chancellor, Senior, Virginia Tech Hokies
Athletically gifted, Chancellor had 52 tackles last year.
Specialists
K Matt Bosher, Junior, Miami Hurricanes
Bosher was 18-20 on kicks last year. He has a strong leg too, connecting on a 52 yarder.
P Travis Baltz, Junior, Maryland Terrapins
Baltz was an All-ACC punter last year averaging better than 41 yards a punt.
KR Torry Smith, Sophomore, Maryland Terrapins
Smith set an ACC record for kick return yardage this past season.