Ranking the ACC's Top 25 Players for 2011

By Braden Gall (@AthlonBraden) and Steven Lassan (@AthlonSteven)

Athlon Sports continues its countdown to the upcoming season with a look at the top 25 players for 2011 in the ACC.

Several factors worked into the criteria for developing the 25 players: 

Previous production was weighed, but a heavy emphasis was placed on what we expect will happen in 2011.

In addition to just how good we think a player is, we weighed what impact he will have on his team’s success?

Positional importance – although running backs always produce the stats, we gave linemen a bump in our rankings to show how valuable they are to the team.

Pro potential – how highly-regarded is the player by NFL Draft standards?

1. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College (JR)
2010 stats: 183 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 3 INT, 2 FF
After leading the nation with over 14 stops per game, Kuechly finished as the runner-up for the Butkus Award (college football’s best linebacker). He set the Boston College single-season tackles record with 183 last fall and enters the season eighth all-time in school history (341 total tackles in only two seasons). The ACC Rookie of the Year in 2009 is a two-time All-ACC pick and was a AP All-American in 2010. The Eagles finished No. 1 in the ACC in total defense and rushing defense last year.

Why he’s ranked 1st: Kuechly has posted 22 consecutive games with at least 10 stops and there is no reason to believe the nation’s leading tackler will slow down anytime soon. He is a preseason All-American and will lead a solid linebacking corps that also returns Kevin Pierre-Paul on the weakside. Kuechly should once again be the heart and soul of one of the ACC’s top defensive units and is the preseason favorite to win the Butkus.

2.Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina (SR)
2010 stats: 59 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 10 sacks, 2 FF, 12 QB hurries
Coples played a bit out of position in 2010, as he was shifted inside to man the interior of the defensive line. However, he still managed to post solid numbers (10 sacks) from a position that normally does not see that type of production in getting after the quarterback. He also finished strong down the stretch with sacks in five of his last six games. He was a first-team defensive tackle All-ACC selection last year

Why he’s ranked 2nd: With a shift to end this fall and loads of returning talent around him on the defensive line, there is no reason Coples won’t be wreaking havoc in opponent’s backfields once again. Coples is an Athlon Sports preseason first-team All-American and should be able to focus on pressuring the quarterback alongside end Donte Paige-Moss and tackle Tydreke Powell. Expect for an increase in production with the move to the outside.

3. Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech (JR)
2010 stats: 39 tackles, 9 INT, 8 PBU
Hosley led the nation in interceptions last fall with nine (returned for 110 yards) – including a breakout performance against NC State with three picks off All-ACC signal caller Russell Wilson. The nine interceptions tied a single-season school record. He also contributed in a big way as a dynamic punt return man: 19 attempts, 239 yards, 1 TD. An AP first-team All-American and easy first-team All-ACC pick, Hokie fans won’t have to worry about passes thrown to Hosley’s side of the field.

Why he’s ranked 3rd: An Athlon Sports preseason All-American, Hosley is poised to work his way into the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He helped Virginia Tech lead the nation in turnover margin a year ago, and with the questionable quarterback play in the conference, Hosley could easily repeat his stellar 2010 season. Additionally, his ability to tilt the field in the punt return game will be invaluable to a Frank Beamer squad that is always dangerous on special teams.

4. Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State (JR)
2010 stats: 63 tackles, 21.5 TFL, 13.5 sacks, 2 FF
After registering only 12 tackles in 2009, Jenkins was one of the driving forces behind Florida State’s defensive improvement last year. The Seminoles generated 25 sacks in 2010, but tied for the national lead with 48 last season. Coordinator Mark Stoops deserves credit for the turnaround, but Jenkins’ emergence was also key. He ranked second in the ACC with 13.5 sacks – which ranked No. 5 for most in a single season at Florida State – and earned first-team All-ACC honors for his 2010 performance. 

Why he’s ranked 4th: Even though he will have more attention coming his way after a stellar sophomore season, expect Jenkins to contend for the NCAA lead in sacks and should finish with All-America honors. The junior will also anchor one of the nation’s top defensive lines and is on many NFL radars as a potential early entrant into the draft next year. 

5.Kenny Tate, LB, Maryland (SR)
2010 stats: 100 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3 INT (TD), 3.5 sacks, 4 FF
Entering his senior season, Tate is facing a change in roles as he transitions from free safety to the “Star” position – a hybrid linebacker/safety spot. He led the Terps in solo tackles a year ago (58) and was second in total stops (100) – becoming the first defensive back to reach 100 tackles since Tony Jackson in 2000. He led the ACC in forced fumbles per game, while leading a secondary that ranked No. 9 nationally in efficiency defense.

Why he’s ranked 5th: A consensus 2010 All-ACC selection, Tate is on many preseason award watch lists including the Butkus, Lott, Nagurski and Bednarik honors. An Athlon Sports preseason first-team All-ACC pick at linebacker, the tackling machine will help lead the Terps defense in Randy Edsall’s first season. Edsall consistently had excellent linebackers at UConn and the big-play Tate will continue that tradition in 2011.

6.Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia (SR)
2010 stats: 48 tackles, 6 INT
An All-ACC first-team selection in 2010, Minnifield finished second in the conference and fifth in the nation with six interceptions last fall. Those included two big picks in the upset win over then No. 22 Miami. He led a Wahoos pass defense that allowed less than 200 yards per game, finishing 25th nationally and third in the ACC. Also used as a punt returner, Minnifield produced all over the field for the revamped UVa 3-4 scheme.

Why he’s ranked 6th: In year two of the 3-4 defensive gameplan, all Cavalier defenders should be more comfortable in their roles. A third-team All-American preseason pick by Athlon (first-team All-ACC), Minnifield will lead a secondary that returns loads of talent, including both starting safeties. Minnifield – who battled an ankle injury the final third of the season – should be in for big things in 2011.

7.Brandon Washington, OG, Miami (JR)
Washington led one of the best Miami offensive lines in recent memory last season. The only returning first-team All-ACC offensive lineman, Washington helped the Canes lead the ACC in total offense (421.3 ypg). He was a two-time ACC offensive lineman of the week last fall and helped improve the Miami rushing attack from 70th nationally in 2009 to 30th last year.

Why he’s ranked 7th: With three other returning starters alongside Washington, this Miami offensive line has a chance to produce the best rushing attack in Coral Gables since the early 2000s. The Athlon Sports preseason second-team All-American, and first-team All-ACC performer anchors what will undoubtedly be the strength of the 2011 Miami offense.

8. Sean Spence, LB, Miami (SR)
2010 stats: 110 tackles, 16 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 6 PBU
After a solid freshman season in which he earned 2008 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, and disappointing sophomore campaign, Spence bounced back with a stellar third year in Miami. He claimed the team MVP trophy and garnered second-team All-ACC honors.

Why he’s ranked 8th: Fans caught a glimpse of why Spence was so highly touted coming out of high school as a freshman, before his sophomore slump in 2009. But he bounced back and helped lead the nation’s No. 3 pass defense a year ago. A preseason first-team All-ACC pick just missed Athlon Sports All-American honors. Spence has bulked up to 224 pounds and the ferocious hitter will be the leader of the Canes defense in 2011.

9. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State (SO)
2010 stats: 58 tackles, 4 INTs, 12 PBU
Rhodes had a lot of pressure on his shoulders last season, entering the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman cornerback. Although Rhodes was thrown into the fire, he responded with a terrific year. Rhodes was named the ACC’s Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned Freshman All-American honors last season.

Why he’s ranked 9th: Rhodes is the first of two Florida State cornerbacks to make this list.  Greg Reid checks in at No. 11 and should give the Seminoles one of the top cornerback combinations in the nation. Rhodes is one of the rising stars in college football and with another year under his belt, should challenge for a spot on the first-team All-ACC at the end of 2011. Jayron Hosley is clearly the conference’s best corner, but Rhodes may not be far behind following this season.

10. Tydreke Powell, DT, North Carolina (SR)
2010 stats: 47 tackles, 2.5 sacks
The overall numbers may be modest, but Powell is on the cusp of breaking through as one of the ACC’s top linemen. He collected 42 tackles in his first two years in Chapel Hill, but made 47 stops in 13 starts last year. Powell is regarded as one of the conference’s top run-stuffing tackles and also forced one fumble last year.

Why he’s ranked 10th: Don’t let the stats deceive you. Powell is one of the conference’s top linemen and should have another steady season. The Tar Heels own one of the best defensive lines in the nation, and the combination of Powell and end Quinton Coples will be dangerous for opposing offenses. Look for Powell to make the Tar Heels run defense stingy once again, while earning first-team All-ACC honors. 

11. Greg Reid, CB, Florida State (JR)
2010 stats: 65 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 INTs, 14 PBU, 17 PBU, 3 FF
Although Reid had a bad performance against Oklahoma in Florida State’s second game of last season, he bounced back to claim honorable mention All-ACC honors. Reid went into the offseason with momentum on his side, earning Defensive MVP honors of the Chick-fil-A Bowl. His two forced fumbles in the bowl was a key factor in Florida State’s victory. Reid’s contributions to Florida State aren’t limited to defense, as he is one of the top return men in the ACC. Reid averaged 10.1 yards on 31 returns, including one for a touchdown against Samford. His 742 kickoff return yards last year were a single-season record at Florida State.

Why he’s ranked 11th: Reid has shown improvement throughout both years in Tallahassee, but falls behind teammate Xavier Rhodes in terms of cover ability. Reid tied with Virginia Tech’s Jayron Hosley for the ACC lead with 17 passes defended last season. Despite a slight frame at 5-foot-8, the junior is a physical corner that is not afraid of contact. With Reid and Xavier Rhodes, Florida State will boast one of the nation's top cornerback combinations.