Ranking the Five Best Safeties in the ACC

Our ACC positions rankings are into the homestretch. We finish our defensive rankings with a look at the five best safeties in the ACC. Typically safeties are some of the best tacklers on a defense. They have to be; behind those safeties is the endzone.    

Completed Rankings at All About Sports

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1) DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson

DeAndre McDaniel has good size at 6-1 210 lbs. He has sure hands. McDaniel had eight interceptions last season. Throw in the 98 tackles the McDaniel had and you arguably have the most complete safety in the country. McDaniel played linebacker last season illustrating his versatility. He is projected as a 1st round NFL draft choice.

2) Deunta Williams, North Carolina

What a shock another North Carolina defensive player made the list. It appears at the moment Williams will escape the agent\players troubles that may befall some of his defensive mates (Marvin Austin). We'll follow those developments. Williams was a first team All-ACC player in 2009 with six interceptions and 47 tackles. Williams is another nice sized safety. He's 6-2 210 lbs, and NFL scouts see him as a 2nd round pick.

3) Rashard Hall, Clemson

In his RS-Freshman year Rashard Hall made quite an impression. He totaled 55 tackles with six interceptions. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has even called Hall Professor Hall for his willingness to ask questions and study film. Hall made several freshman All-American teams. Hall and DeAndre McDaniel form the best pair of safeties in the ACC.  

4) Wes Davis, Boston College  

I bet you thought Boston College only had linebackers this season. Wes Davis is a good safety for the Eagles. Davis had 46 tackles and led Boston College with three interceptions. Davis is 6-1 and 221 lbs and is the clear leader of the BC secondary. A good tackler with solid football instincts Davis has impressed NFL scouts enough to be a projected 6th-7th round draft choice. If Davis has a weakness it's that he doesn't have quite the speed of the other safeties on this list. He hopes to use his senior year to improve his stock.

5) Davon Morgan, Virginia Tech  

It's a little surprising that a Bud Foster coached defensive player is considered underrated. I think that's what Davon Morgan is. Part of the problem for Morgan is that he hasn't been able to play a complete season in either of the last two years. He appeared in all 13 games last year but started only the final four. Despite that he still had 47 tackles with 21 solo tackles. If he can get through an entire season, he could have a huge year.