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ACC Football: Each team’s impact player if EA NCAA Football was still around

By Justin Dottavio

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 10: Lamar Jackson of the Louisville Cardinals poses for a photo after being named the 82nd Heisman Memorial Trophy Award winner during the 2016 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on December 10, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 10: Lamar Jackson of the Louisville Cardinals poses for a photo after being named the 82nd Heisman Memorial Trophy Award winner during the 2016 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on December 10, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles sacks quarterback Greg Ward Jr. #1 of the Houston Cougars in the third quarter during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles sacks quarterback Greg Ward Jr. #1 of the Houston Cougars in the third quarter during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Florida State Seminoles

2006 impact player: Ernie Sims, LOLB #34, 96 overall
Today: S Derwin James, QB Deondre Francois

Sims was a bowling ball of a LB that played 8 seasons in the NFL and earned his 96 overall. Florida State was loaded in 2006 but struggled until Jimbo Fisher became head coach in the twilight of Bobby Bowden’s career.

The Seminoles had an off year for them, finishing 10-3. Redshirt sophomore Deondre Francois was under constant pressure and showed he’s a tough guy even running a quarterback Eagles-style QB sweep at times. He threw for over 3,000 yards, adding 20 passing TDs and another seven rushing scores.

Related Story: Florida State Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

The defense wasn’t quite the same in 2016 without all-world safety Derwin James. James will take over Jabril Peppers’ role around the country as the jack-of-all-trades player teams have to game-plan around. James had 91 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2015. If you watched any of the FSU spring game he was on fire making plays all over the field.

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