Quarterback:
Tajh Boyd ~ Clemson (6’1″/225 lbs) ~ Junior from Hampton, Va.
On a total of four pre season watch lists the then sophomore set an conference record with 38 touchdowns last fall.
Running Backs:
Andre Ellington ~ Clemson (5’10″/205 lbs) Senior from Moncks Corner, S.C.
He had over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns last season even while suffering some injuries during the year.
Giovani Bernard ~ North Carolina (5’10″/205 lbs) Sophomore from Davie, Fla.
It had been since `97 that UNC didn’t have a 1K rusher, Bernard changed that last season, and in the new spread offense the Heels are putting in he should be just as good this season.
Wide Receivers:
Sammy Watkins ~ Clemson (6’1″/200 lbs) Sophomore from Forty Myers, Fla.
Many see the young man as the Player of the Year in the conference. With 85 catches for over 1,200 yards and a dozen touchdowns last season there is nothing to stop him from being better this year.
Conner Vernon ~ Duke (6’2″/195 lbs) Senior from Miami, Fla.
While being on a team that is not going anywhere the last year player could break all types of record, from most reception in the conference to all time receiver. If he keeps up the numbers that he has had in the last two season he should break both records.
Tight End:
Matt Furstenburgh ~ Maryland (6’4″/245 lbs) Senior from Flemington, N.J.
Averaging over 11 yards per catch last year showed what the then Junior could do on the field. If this season he can repeat his stats, and maybe add some touchdowns, he should be just fine to be on this squad.
Center:
Dalton Freeman ~ Clemson (6’3″/285 lbs) Senior from Pelion, S.C.
Was second on team with knockdowns, with 41, starting all 14 games that his squad played and being part of plenty All-ACC selections as well as an honorable mention All-American.
Guards:
Omoregie Uzzi ~ Georgia Tech (6’3″/300 lbs) Senior from Lithonia, Ga.
If there is one player that will be the corner stone of an offensive line it is going to be the senior. Last year the young man played well in the flex bone offense, and 2012 should be even better for him.
Jonathan Cooper ~ North Carolina (6’3″/295 lbs) Senior from Wilmington, N.C.
The last year player is as experienced as it gets when it comes to this squad, and while he is working with a new scheme in Chapel Hill he should be very good on probably the best line in the conference.
Tackles:
Oday Aboushi ~ Virginia (6’6″/310 lbs) Senior from Brooklyn, N.Y.
He is big and he is going to be a stud at the next level in years to come. For 2012 he is going to be a key player for his team’s line and he will be someone that the opponent’s defense will have to deal with on a weekly basis.
James Hurst ~ North Carolina (6’7″/300 lbs) Junior from Plainfield, Ind.
Hurst has played all but one game since he arrived in Chapel Hill, with a new scheme he will be key protecting his QB all season long.
Defensive Tackles:
Nikita Whitlock ~ Wake Forest (5’11″/260 lbs) Junior from Wylie, Tx
If you look at his size the last year player could be easily over looked, but being that he had 14 tackles for loss last season working hard and using his quickness to his advantage he could easily have another great year.
Joe Vellano ~ Maryland (6’1″/285 lbs) Senior from Rexford, N.Y.
On a team that was not too good the DT might have been the silver lining for his squad in 2011. Now, in his last year in college, there is no reason why he could not have another excellent campaign, shown by the fact that he was an second team All American selection by one magazine.
Defensive Ends:
Brandon Jenkins ~ Florida State (6’3″/265 lbs) Senior from Tallahassee, Fla.
Last season the then Junior was a crucial part of the defensive line for his squad. If he can have the same year in 2012 the DE could be a top contender for defensive player of the year in the conference.
James Gayle ~ Virginia Tech (6’4″/250 lbs) Junior from Hampton, Va.
Of players on the d line this season he could be the one with the best potential to grow as the year progresses. He has a knack for finding the opposing QB and will do so again in 2012.
Line Backers:
Kevin Reddick ~ North Carolina (6’3″/240 lbs) Senior from New Bern, N.C.
He is the most experienced defensive player on a team with a new scheme and was the second best tackler on a 2011 squad that left something left to be desired. He could be the difference between and so-so season or a good one in Chapel Hill.
Bruce Taylor ~ Virginia Tech (6’2″/253 lbs) Senior from Riceboro, Ga.
The talent to be one of the best at his position is all there for the last year player, the key is that he do not get hurt in the season as he has been during the off season.
Steve Greer ~ Virginia (6’2″/225 lbs) Senior from Solon, Ohio
Four games with double digit tackles and three more with nine makes this last year player one that could have a break out season in 2012.
Corner Backs:
David Amerson ~ N.C. State (6’3″/194 lbs) Junior from Greensboro, N.C.
Last season the young man led the nation with 13 picks, which is also a conference record. With an extra year of experience and the corner could be just as good, if not better in 2012.
Kyle Fuller ~ Virginia Tech (6’0″/181 lbs) Junior from Baltimore, Md.
He made the team for one reason over any other, he can play more positions on the defensive side than anyone else, and can play them all very well. Last year he was all over the field for his squad and did great anywhere, as well as on special teams.
Safeties:
Earl Wolff ~ N.C. State (6’0″/207 lbs) Senior from Raeford, N.C.
Matching up with Amerson the last year player should be a great asset in the secondary for his squad. Five games with double digit tackles and three picks in `11 shows what he could do this year.
Lamarcus Joyner ~ Florida State (5’8″/204 lbs) Junior from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
He can tackle (54 overall) and can play the pass well, having gotten four interceptions overall in 2011. He has the highest of ceilings and with his team set for a huge run he could shine as much as anyone on the defensive side of the ball.
Related articles