Best of the Best: Defense
From Harlon Jordan, ACC Blitz.
As impressive as some of the offensive players are in the ACC this year, I think it’s the defense that will ultimately steal the show. Top to bottom, every player on this list is worthy of an all-conference award in ANY division in college football.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
The SEC has nothing on their Rivals in 2010. Team after team is stacked on the line, and as you can see from the list, North Carolina is at the top. All three (well four because of a tie) of these guys are worthy of all the preseason hype.
1)Robert Quinn, North Carolina
2009 Stats: 52 TCK, 11 Sacks, 19 TFL
Quinn teamed up with teammate Marvin Austin (my #2) to anchor a Tar Heel defense that finished 10th nationally against the run and 6th in total defense, garnering him a First Team All-ACC selection. He led the ACC in tackles for loss with 19, was 2nd in sacks (11), and also added 12 QB hurries and 6 forced fumbles. Without a doubt one of the premiere linemen in country. I’m obviously not the only one that thinks so, as he is on the preseason list for Nagurski, Lombardi, Hendricks & Lott Trophy Awards.
2)Allen Bailey, Miami
2009 Stats: 34 TCK, 7 Sacks, 11 TFL
Bailey has superstar potential written all over him. His size alone is impressive, 6’4″ 288 lbs. But even more so is his ability to just flat out make plays. Whether it’s at defensive tackle or defensive end (which is projected to start at in 2010). He only started 10 of the Canes 13 games last year, but still managed to lead the team in sacks (7) and tackles for loss (11). His sack total was good for 4th in the league. He garnered First Team All-ACC and Honorable Mention All-America last year, and is expected to pull a repeat in 2010.
3)Marvin Austin, North Carolina
2009 Stats: 42 TCK, 4 Sacks, 6 TFL
As mentioned above, North Carolina is chalk full of talent on the line. Austin comes in a close second to teammate Quinn in my rankings. He was a Second team All-ACC selection last year, and is already on the preseason list for the Lombardi Award, Outland Award, Nagurski Trophy. In 2009, he finished the season with 42 tackles and 4 sacks, as well as 5 QB hurries and 3 pass breakups. He completes what should be a stellar d-line for the Heels.
3)Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson
2009 Stats: 43 TCK, 1 Sack, 6 TFL
I have Jenkins as a tie for #2 with Austin. He didn’t get quite the
exposure he deserved last 
season with Ricky Sapp there, but play after play he was involved some way or another, so much so many coaches around the league have been quoted as saying he has the greatest chance of a breakout season in regards to linemen. An impressive physical specimen, he possess’ the talent to develop into a Robert Quinn type of pass rusher. He did get an honorbale mention for All-ACC last year, and is already on the preseason awards list for the Nagurski Trophy, and the Outland Award.
LINEBACKERS
I never thought I’d see the day a kid who was a mere freshman the year before would top my list but here we are. Luke Kuechly had one of the best seasons for not just a linebacker but any defensive player period.
1)Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2009 Stats: 158 TCK – 12.2 PG, 13 TFL, 1 INT
Kuechly was the definition of ‘Fab Frosh’ in 2009. As a true freshman, he stepped up for the Eagles in a BIG way – finishing second in the nation (and leading the ACC) in tackles (158), and second in solo tackles (87). He also led the league in tackles per game with 12.2. He’s a ball-hawk and true play-maker at heart and can absolutely dominate a game (great example – 19 tackles against UNC). His breakout year earned him a First Team All-ACC selection, ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, National Defensive Rookie of the year, and First Team Freshman All-America.
2)Alex Wujciak, Maryland
2009 Stats: 131 TCK – 10.9 PG, 8.5 TFL, 2 INT
If not for Kuechly’s breakout year, Wujciak would be sitting at No.1. This guy has a nose for the action, and isn’t afraid to square up against anyone coming across or up the middle. He finished the 2009 season with 131 tackles (good for 2nd in the league), 8.5 tackles for loss and averaged nearly 11 tackles per game (8th nationally), earning him a First Team All-ACC selection. Also had 2 INT, one of which he returned for a TD. Coming into the 2010 season, he’s on the watch list for thr Nagurski, Lott, and Lombardi Awards. Wujciak is also the leading career tackler in the ACC with 264.
3)Bruce Carter, North Carolina
2009 Stats: 65 TCK – 5.0 PG, 7.5 TFL, 1 INT
Another defensive guy from the Tar Heels makes an appearance, this time it’s Carter. The kid is obviously a standout linebacker – finishing the 2009 season with 65 tackles, 7.5 of which were for a loss. Always seems to have a hand in the action. But it was his 2008 season that will forever stick out in my mind, in particular his 3 (yes – THREE) blocked punts versus Connecticut. It’s not often you find a guy of size with that type of speed and agility. His future is bright, and Sunday play should be on the horizon. He comes in the #1 rated senior outside linebacker by Mel Kiper, and is also on the watch list for the 2010 Nagurski, and Butkus Awards.
CORNERBACKS
I’ll go on a limb and say cornerbacks aren’t exactly a strong point in the league this year. Aside from Harris and Dowling, there just isn’t a strong pool of guys. Don’t get it twisted though, my No.3 guy, Kenny Okoro from Wake Forest, is the real deal. And he’s only a sophomore.
1)Brandon Harris, Miami
2009 Stats: 58 TCK, 6 TFL, 2 INT, 15 PBU, 17 PD
With Harris lining up on the outside in ’10, Cane fans can breathe easy. He is a true shutdown corner with a nose for ball location and the speed to keep up with just about anyone. He finished first in the ACC and second nationally in passes defended (1.31 per game), as well as passes broken-up (15), and finished third in passes defended with (17). He earned First Team All-ACC honors and a Third Team All-America selection.
2)Ras-l Dowling, Virginia
2009 Stats: 58 TCK, 2.5 TFL, 3 INT, 8 PBU, 11 PD
Dowling quietly had a standout on a not so standout team. He tallied 58 tackles, 3 interceptions and a total of 11 passes defended (good for seventh in the league). Despite Virginia’s record, Dowling was at least recognized for his efforts, earning a Second Team All-ACC selection. He enters the season with the most career passes defended among active players (36). The Cavs will need Dowling and his experience in a big way, especially with high caliber QB’s like Matt Berkley, Jacory Harris and Christian Ponder on the horizon.
3)Kenny Okoro, Wake Forest
2009 Stats: 38 TCK, .5 TFL, 3 INT, 11 PBU, 14 PD
For being such a youngster (freshman last year), Okoro plays like a seasoned vet. He tallied nearly 40 tackles, but more impressively had 14 passes defended to go along with 3 interceptions. He was an honorable mention on the All-ACC team, and received recognition with Sporting News naming them to their Freshman All-America team. His passes defended per game ratio of 1.17 was good for fifteenth nationally.
SAFETIES
The folks in Tiger Town must be smiling ear to ear. Senior safety DeAndre McDaniel is easily the best safety in the nation in 2010, and will only add to his resume for draft day. He’s partner in crime was another freshman sensation Rashard Hall. Sandwiched in between is yet another guy from the Tar Heels (might seem like over kill for the baby blue but their guys are legit).
1)DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson
2009 Stats: 98 TCK, 6.5 TFL, 8 INT
In his first as a safety, McDaniel straight blew up. His 8 interceptions ranked first in the ACC and third nationally, and he enters 2010 second among active ACC players with 11 career picks. He is not only a threat to shut down the pass, but also to stop people dead in their tracks, making a name for himself as one of the heaviest hitters in football (just ask Florida State QB Chrisitan Ponder). His nearly 100 tackles in 2009 put him at a career mark of 208, good for first among active defensive backs.
The decision to forgo the NFL for his senior season puts him in prime position to be a first rounder next year and earn himself another All-ACC and All-America selection.
2)Deunta Williams, North Carolina
2009 Stats: 47 TCK, 1.5 TFL, 6 INT
With the D-Line of the Tar Heels secure with Austin and Quinn, it’s up to the safeties to keep the back field in check. And Deunta Williams is the man for the job. A bigger guy with surprising speed, he can lay the wood, much like McDaniel. He racked 47 tackles to go along with 6 interceptions last year, good for second in the ACC and eighth nationally. He also finished fourth in the league in passes defended with 1.08 per game, earning him a First Team All-ACC selection, an Honorable Mention All-America and preseason listing for the Nagurski, Thorpe, and Lott Awards.
3)Rashard Hall, Clemson
2009 Stats: 55 TCK, 2.5 TFL, 6 INT
Few freshman have the type of season Hall had in 2009. Not even a starter coming in, he managed to tally up 55 tackles and finish second in the ACC and eighth nationally with 6 interceptions on his way to a Freshman All-America selection. Teamed with fellow All-American McDaniel, the Tigers have one of the more potent defensive backfields in the nation. Combined the two had 14 interceptions, which in itself is more than 81 teams had as a squad.
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