Top Players In The ACC, 26-50
39. Michael Campanaro – WR – Wake Forest
Nov 3, 2012; Winston Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Michael Campanaro (3) dives in for a touchdown while Boston College Eagles defensive back Jim Noel (23) defends during the first quarter at BB
Michael Campanaro’s highlight reel won’t exactly wow the casual ACC football fan, but as far as production is concerned, he is one of the conference’s finest receivers.
In just ten games last year, Campanaro caught 79 passes (almost double the next highest total) for 763 yards and six touchdowns. He currently has a 21-game streak with at least one reception and needs just 55 catches to break Wake Forest’s all-time record for career receptions (216).
40. Jack Tyler – LB – Virginia Tech
On a defense full of highly-touted defensive players, Jack Tyler is one that not many outside of Blacksburg recognize. The former walk-on makes up for his lack of flash with hustle and a high football IQ. Tyler totaled 119 tackles last season, good enough for third in the ACC. After coming off his first All-conference selection, Tyler has the experience and enough talent around him to be a very disruptive player for the Hokies.
41. Jake McGee – TE – Virginia
If you didn’t know any better, you would swear former Virginia star Heath Miller was lining up at tight end and wearing #83 for the Cavaliers last season.
Jake McGee is one of the ACC’s most complete tight end. He excels in the passing game possessing good leaping ability, sure hands and adequate route running. He is equally effective in the run game as a blocker, although he must become better at the point of attack, especially against the elite edge rushers in the conference.
42. Brandon Linder – G – Miami
Brandon Linder said thanks, but no thanks to the NFL last winter, opting to stay in Coral Gables for one more season. And despite a knee injury that held him out for the majority of the spring, Linder still figures to be one of the best interior linemen in the ACC. The honorable mention guard started all 12 games for the Hurricanes last year, while surrendering only 1.5 sacks.
43. Isaiah Johnson – S – Georgia Tech
While Jeremiah Attaochu and Jabari Hunt-Days patrol the front seven for the Yellow Jackets, safety Isaiah Johnson is the leader of the back four. Johnson needs to try to increase his interceptions, recording just one last season. But the third-year starter has always had the knack for always being around the ball. The past two seasons, Johnson has finished second on the team in tackles (78) and first (87), a rare feat for a safety.
44. Demetrious Nicholson – CB – Virginia
Like Isaiah Johnson, Virginia corner Demetrious Nicholson needs to get his hands on the ball more (no interceptions in 2012), but you can attribute that to quarterbacks throwing away from him. As the best talent of the Virginia secondary, his receiver rarely targeted, a testament to the respect other offenses paid Nicholson. However, he did manage to break up 15 passes last season, fifth in the ACC.
45. Bryan Stork – C – Florida State
Bryan Stork came into last season as the only Seminole lineman with more than one career start. Now he is the undisputed leader of a Florida State offensive line that returns all five starters. Stork anchors FSU’s dominate ground game that racked up over 2,800 yards last season. The senior is the leading candidate for the 2013 Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top center.
46. Jerome Smith – RB – Syracuse
Jerome Smith isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder and plow through would-be tacklers, but also has deceptive speed and wiggle for a man weighing 220 lbs. The power back became just the 11th running back in Syracuse history last season, finishing with 1,171. He did all this while splitting carries with talented backup Prince-Tyson Gulley.
47. Jason Hendricks – S – Pittsburgh
Jason Hendricks spearheads a Pitt secondary that will be one of the best in the ACC next year. The senior has as much talent as any of the other safety on this list. He recorded 90 tackles last year, including 17 in their bowl game against Ole Miss. Hendricks also incepted six passes which would have led the ACC in 2012.
48. Bryan Underwood – WR – North Carolina State
Oct 27, 2012; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Bryan Underwood (80) catches a touchdown pass as North Carolina Tar Heels safety Tre Boston (10) defends in the third quarter. The Tar Heels defeated the Wolfpack 43-35 at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Standing at just 5’9, Bryan Underwood is one of the shortest receivers on this list. But what he lacks in height he makes up for in efficiency. As a sophomore, Underwood scored a touchdown (10 total) for every 4.4 passes he caught (44 total). The diminutive receiver also set a school record by catching a touchdown pass in eight straight games, including the game-winner versus Florida State with :16 left.
49. Anthony Chickillo – DE – Miami
Anthony Chickillo has had flashes of brilliance over his first two seasons at Miami. 2013 should be the year where he takes the step from good to dominant. The high energy defensive end already has nine sacks and 13 tackles for loss to his credit. He will be another key component to a much-improved Miami defense.
50. Nikita Whitlock – NT – Wake Forest
Nikita Whitlock broke the mold for your prototypical nose tackle. List (generously) at 5’11 and 250 lbs., Whitlock has been a force in the middle of the Wake Forest defense. Rather than overpowering his opponents, Whitlock depends on quick feet and awesome technique. While his stats wouldn’t necessarily reflect his production (73 tackles, 9.5 sacks for his career), the senior knows how to reek havoc and mess up a play before it has a chance to begin.
BEST OF THE REST
Nick O’Leary – TE – Florida State
Phillip Dorsett – WR – Miami
Russell Bodine – C – North Carolina
Steele Divitto – LB – Boston College
Stephone Anthony – LB – Clemson
Quintin Payton – WR – North Carolina State
Josue Matias – OG – Florida State
Kevin Pierre-Louis – LB – Boston College
David Sims – RB – Georgia Tech
Deon Long – WR – Maryland