NCAA Football: Luke Kuechly Headlines Five Best Linebackers in the ACC

This was easily the most difficult set of position rankings I've had to do so far.

The linebacker position in the Atlantic Coastal Conference this year is as deep as I can remember.

Getting the list down to just five players, was tougher than I expected, but here goes my rankings.

Completed Rankings at All About Sports.

Running Backs | Quarterbacks  | Wide Receivers  | Offensive Line   | Tight Ends  | Defensive Line | Cornerbacks | Safeties | Special Teams | Team Predictions

1) Luke Kuechly, Boston College  

As we go through these position rankings, I'm finding a lot of BC players being sprinkled around. You can't sleep on the Eagles.

Luke Kuechly should be on any short list of the ACC's best linebackers. With Mark Herzlich out last season, freshman Kuechly was inserted and he was outstanding.

He had 158 tackles, was ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, and was named first-team All-ACC. Kuechly might not be the fastest or strongest linebacker in the ACC, but no one at his position sheds and avoids blockers better.

2) Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina

When you are the leading tackler on a team loaded with defensive stars like UNC's roster has, that's saying something.

Sturdivant has been that guy on the Heels' defense for two consecutive years. Sturdivant's strength is his versatility.

He is athletic enough to help on pass coverage and physical enough to be a solid run stopper.

He can also play the middle or outside linebacker position. NFL mock drafts have him going in the late first round or early in the second round.

3) Bruce Carter, North Carolina

North Carolina's Bruce Carter is an athletic freak. He's been timed at running a 4.39-second, 40-yard dash, and bench presses 440 lbs.

Some NFL scouts consider him to be a better prospect than his teammate Quan Sturdivant. He's a near certain first- or second-rounder. He led the nation with five blocked kicks last season.

Carter's biggest issue may be to not get lost on a defensive unit full of NFL prospects.

4) Alex Wujciak, Maryland

Alex Wujciak was the best player on a defense that struggled last season.

The Terrapins ranked 11th in defense in the ACC last year, but don't blame Wujciak.

In 2009, he was a first-team All-ACC player with 131 tackles. He is the unquestioned leader of the Terrapin defense. Wujciak is projected to be a third or fourth round NFL pick.

At 6'3', 245 lbs, he's a rangy player with a good nose for the ball even if he lacks blinding speed.

5) Mark Herzlich , Boston College

I'm going to go out on limb here and put Mark Herzlich fifth on this list.

I'm putting Herzlich ahead of some other linebackers I think have the potential to be very good, like Florida State's Nigel Bradham and Miami's Sean Spence.

Here is why.

In 2008, Mark Herzlich wasn't just the best linebacker in the ACC, he was the best defensive player in the conference. He was also a 2008 All-American and Butkus Award finalist.

Even if he's 80 percent of the player he was before his cancer diagnosis, he's still an All-ACC level player.

I wouldn't bet against him.