The greatest player from every ACC football team
By Austin Lloyd
![ATLANTA - OCTOBER 7: Calvin Johnson #21 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets runs during the game against the Maryland Terrapins October 7, 2006 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) ATLANTA - OCTOBER 7: Calvin Johnson #21 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets runs during the game against the Maryland Terrapins October 7, 2006 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a5730755cd3cfae5509b51639f6beb695eba6376307afe6a07206a941dc6dc52.jpg)
Virginia Tech Hokies: Bruce Smith, DE
During the Buffalo Bills’ four consecutive trips to the Super Bowl (all of which ended in despair), one of the most explosive talents was defensive end Bruce Smith, who just so happens to have hailed from Virginia Tech.
Smith is perhaps still the greatest “sacker,” if you will, to ever live, setting a record that still stands with his consistent ability to slam a helpless QB into the turf, as pictured above. As one can see, not even all-time players like Joe Montana were safe from Smith’s wrath.
Over the course of his NFL career, he amassed eleven Pro Bowl selections, along with 10 All-Pro selections, which undoubtedly makes him one of the most dangerous specimens to never hoist up a Lombardi Trophy.
At VA Tech, Smith had already cemented himself as a deadly force before hearing his name called in the 1985 NFL Draft. Upon being declared a first-team All-American twice and winning the Outland Trophy, he was selected with the first overall pick.