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ACC Football: Top 10 players heading into spring games

By Jerran Anderson

Nov 12, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Christian Wilkins (42) celebrates after a tackle during the second half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Christian Wilkins (42) celebrates after a tackle during the second half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (90) during the first half of the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (90) during the first half of the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

ACC Football took home the National Championship, its second in the past four years. Here’s a look at the top returning talent this spring.

The 2016 ACC football season saw the Clemson Tigers take home the National Championship this year. The Tigers could very well repeat this year as champions. But they’ll have their work cut out for them replacing quarterback Deshaun Watson and others.

Head coach Dabo Swinney will look to reload as other teams look to unseat the Tigers for the ACC Championship in 2017. The Tigers have dominated the Atlantic Division the past two seasons and look to accomplish a three-peat this year. But the Florida State Seminoles lurk in their shadow. Quarterback Deondre Francois is ready to break out even more in 2017.

The Coastal Division, on the other hand, is once again a wide open race. Duke and Virginia are the only teams who return their signal-callers in 2017. Both teams had a combined record of 6-18 last season.

The top three teams in the Coastal will all have work to do replacing some top quarterbacks in the ACC. Virginia Tech quarterback Jerod Evans, Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya and North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky both left early for the NFL Draft. Virginia Tech and Miami still have strong defenses returning, so it will be interesting to see if their offenses can keep pace.

Entering spring camps, here’s a look at the top 10 ACC players heading into spring games.

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