Jalen Ramsey
Some of the ACC’s biggest names and best players from the 2014 season are playing on Sundays this fall, but the league still has a strong core of talent for 2015. The ACC boasts a solid overall group of quarterbacks and talent on defense with the return of Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey and Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller.
With the season right around the corner, Athlon Sports sought to answer this question: Who is the best player in the ACC this year?
In order to rank the top 15 players in the ACC for 2015, Athlon Sports sought the insight of several experts from the conference. The voting process was simple. Using criteria such as career performance so far, 2015 potential/projection, pro outlook, recruiting ranking, value to team or overall talent, each voter was asked to rank their top 15 players for 2015.
A point system was assigned, giving 15 points for a player with a No. 1 vote, 14 points for a No. 2 vote, 13 points for a No. 3 vote and so on.
Podcast: Complete 2015 ACC Preview and Predictions
The Voters
Chris Nee, (@CNee247), Noles247.com
Rich Cirminiello,(@RichCirminiello), CampusInsiders.com
Sam Werner, (@SWernerPG), Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
David Glenn, (@DavidGlennShow), ACCSports.com
Steven Lassan, (@AthlonSteven), AthlonSports.com
Adam Powell, (@ACCSports), ACCSports.com
David Teel, (@DavidTeelatDP), DailyPress.com
A.J. Black, (@BCHysteria), BCInterruption.com
Jon Kinne, (@JonRKinne), Athlon Contributor Network
David Fox, (@DavidFox615), AthlonSports.com
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James Henderson, (@PackPride), PackPride.com
John Cassillo, (@JohnCassillo), NunesMagician.com
Antwan Stanley, (@Antwanstaley), Athlon Contributor Network
Joe Giglio, (@Jwgiglio), NewsObserver.com
Ethan Moore, (@LvilleSprtsLive), LouisvilleSportslive.Net
Ariya Massoudi, (@AriyaMassoudi), FSView.com
Anson Whaley, (@AnsonWhaley), CardiacHill.com
Mitch Light, (@AthlonMitch), AthlonSports.com
J.P. Scott, (@TheJPScott), Athlon Contributor Network
Matt Carter, (@TheWolfPacker), The Wolfpacker
Mark Ross, (@AthlonMarkR), AthlonSports.com
Ranking the ACC's Best Players for 2015 (Experts Poll)
| Player | Team | Total Points |
1 | Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State (7 first-place votes) | 281 | |
2 | Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson (6) | 278 | |
3 | James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh (7) | 276 | |
4 | Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech | 242 | |
5 | Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh (1) | 227 | |
6 | Justin Thomas, QB, Georgia Tech | 152 | |
7 | Jeremy Cash, S, Duke | 122 | |
8 | Quin Blanding, S, Virginia | 109 | |
9 | Dadi Nicolas, DE, Virginia Tech | 105 | |
10 | Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State | 103 | |
11 | Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami | 77 | |
12T | Marquise Williams, QB, North Carolina | 69 | |
12T | Mike Williams, WR, Clemson | 69 | |
14 | Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson | 44 | |
15 | Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State | 39 | |
16 | Artavis Scott, WR, Clemson | 35 | |
17T | Jacoby Brissett, QB, NC State | 29 | |
17T | Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State | 29 | |
19 | Landon Turner, OG, North Carolina | 28 | |
20 | Everett Golson, QB, Florida State | 26 | |
21 | Terrance Smith, LB, Florida State | 23 | |
22T | Luther Maddy, DT, Virginia Tech | 22 | |
22T | Devonte Fields, DE/LB, Louisville | 22 | |
24 | Sheldon Rankins, DL, Louisville | 20 | |
25 | James Burgess, LB, Louisville | 19 | |
26 | Keith Kelsey, LB, Louisville | 14 | |
27 | Nate Andrews, DB, Florida State | 12 | |
28 | Jon Hilliman, RB, Boston College | 10 | |
29T | Adam Bisnowaty, OT, Pittsburgh | 6 | |
29T | Ryan Switzer, WR, North Carolina | 6 | |
29T | Mario Pender, RB, Florida State | 6 | |
32 | Ken Ekanem, DE, Virginia Tech | 5 | |
33T | Matt Skura, C, Duke | 3 | |
33T | Adam Gotsis, DT, Georgia Tech | 3 | |
35T | Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech | 2 | |
35T | Brandon Chubb, LB, Wake Forest | 2 | |
35T | Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson | 2 | |
38T | Reggie Northrup, LB, Florida State | 1 | |
38T | Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson | 1 | |
38T | Matt Dayes, RB, NC State | 1 |
* Four players received first-place votes. Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey and Pittsburgh running back James Conner received the most first-place votes (seven). Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson received six, while Pittsburgh receiver Tyler Boyd received one.
* Four of the top 12 players in this poll were quarterbacks. According to the voting panel, Watson is No. 1, followed by Georgia Tech’s Justin Thomas, Miami’s Brad Kaaya and North Carolina’s Marquise Williams.
Related: ACC Coaches Talk Anonymously About Their League Opponents for 2015
* Seven different teams were represented in the top 10.
* Despite the uncertainty surrounding his status for 2015, Florida State running back Dalvin Cook ranked No. 10 in this expert poll.
* Florida State (nine) had the most players voted for in this expert poll. Clemson was second with six, followed by Virginia Tech (five) and Louisville (four).
