Category Archives: Conference Honors

ACC Football Top 25 Players of 2012: #1, Tajh Boyd

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Without Question, Tajh Boyd Was the Top Player in the ACC During the 2012 Season

Without Question, Tajh Boyd Was the Top Player in the ACC During the 2012 Season

As part of our 2012 season review, we’re counting down the top 25 players in the ACC this season, from no. 25 to no. 1. Obviously these lists are always completely subjective — and thus completely bulletproof, obviously — so feel free to weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments, too.

No. 1, Tajh Boyd, QB/Clemson (Preseason Rank: 1)

Sure, there’s debate around it, but the opinion around here was that Boyd was the league’s best player last season as well. And yet, despite the accolades and performance accompanying the 2011 season, Boyd still felt the need to improve during the offseason. The result? A quarterback that was dead-set on being a more accurate, more athletic passer — and pulled it off. That Heisman hype mostly alluded the junior all season is nothing short of puzzling. Boyd manged to increase his accuracy by 7.5-percent overall, throwing for 70 more yards this year on 72 less passes (and one less game). He threw for the same amount of touchdowns (38) as he did last year — again in one less game — and with a new, more mobile frame, tacked on 10 more rushing scores. And in a season of fantastic performances (seven games throwing for 300 yards or more, and another seven throwing three or more TDs), maybe none stands out more than Boyd’s efforts in teh team’s bowl game against LSU. Faced with a 24-13 deficit heading into the fourth quarter of the Chick-fil-a Bowl, Boyd put the team on his back and led them to a resounding come-from-behind win; the peak of his illustrious career to this point. Best of all, the quarterback has elected to come back for his senior season, setting up the Tigers for what should be a very special 2013 season.

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ACC Football Top 25 Players of 2012: #2, Giovani Bernard

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Giovani Bernard Was One of the Country's Most Exciting Players Week-In and Week-Out

Giovani Bernard Was One of the Country’s Most Exciting Players Week-In and Week-Out

As part of our 2012 season review, we’re counting down the top 25 players in the ACC this season, from no. 25 to no. 1. Obviously these lists are always completely subjective — and thus completely bulletproof, obviously — so feel free to weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments, too.

No. 2, Giovani Bernard, RB/North Carolina (Preseason Rank: 6)

Giovani Bernard was not the conference’s leader in all-purpose yards. He missed out on that honor by about 80 to Miami‘s Duke Johnson. But considering he played in two less games than Johnson, and yet still managed 1,981 yards (198.1 per game), I’d say Bernard’s still pretty pleased with his accomplishment.

Slated to be among the ACC’s best running backs — if not the outright best — in 2012, it’s no surprise that the UNC sophomore was able to perform well. And while his two- (nearly three-) week hiatus due to injury may have glossed over his success early on this past season, his presence was realized by everyone by the time his record-setting performance (23 carries, 262 rushing yards) against Virginia Tech wrapped up on October 6. Bernard was a one-man wrecking crew from the get-go though; the problem was his team was playing too well to keep him on the field. In three of his first four contests, he averaged 10 or more yards per carry (including 35 per carry on just two touches against Idaho). And in a season full of bright spots (four games of 140 or more yards rushing, six games of two or more scores from scrimmage), perhaps none sticks out more than the effort he put together against NC State: 304 all-purpose yards (182 of which were in the fourth quarter) and three score, plus this game-winning punt return for a touchdown that was among the best things I saw in college football last year.

Next year, he’s headed to the NFL, but that won’t allow us to forget what a truly impressive 2012 Bernard put together.

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ACC Football Top 25 Players of 2012: #3, DeAndre Hopkins

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Clemson's DeAndre Hopkins Was Among the ACC's Biggest Surprises During a Record-Setting 2012

Clemson’s DeAndre Hopkins Was Among the ACC’s Biggest Surprises During a Record-Setting 2012

As part of our 2012 season review, we’re counting down the top 25 players in the ACC this season, from no. 25 to no. 1. Obviously these lists are always completely subjective — and thus completely bulletproof, obviously — so feel free to weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments, too.

No. 3, DeAndre Hopkins, WR/Clemson (Preseason Rank: NR)

This season was supposed to all about a Clemson receiver differentiating himself from the rest of the nation’s wideouts. But who knew that receiver would be Hopkins, rather than his highly-touted counterpart, Sammy Watkins? From game one though, Hopkins showed himself up to the task of being the Tigers’ top option. First against Auburn, 13 catches and one touchdown, then six catches for three touchdowns versus Ball State — whether Watkins was in the lineup or not, DeAndre Hopkins was a force from game-to-game, scoring at least one touchdown in all but one contest. The junior set Clemson records for touchdown catches in a season (18, in just 13 games) and receiving yards in a season (1,405), while turning himself into one of the nation’s most talked-about offense weapons and now a potential first-round NFL Draft pick. Yes, unfortunately, ‘Nuk will forgo his senior season and a sure-fire shot at a National Championship and potential Heisman Trophy buzz, in exchange for the pros. Where he’s selected is still up in the air, but wherever it may be, they’re inheriting a smart receiver who still has plenty more growth ahead of him.

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ACC Football Top 25 Players of 2012: #4, Bjoern Werner

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FSU Defensive End Bjoern Werner Thrived in the Limelight This Season, and Now Heads to the NFL

FSU Defensive End Bjoern Werner Thrived in the Limelight This Season, and Now Heads to the NFL

As part of our 2012 season review, we’re counting down the top 25 players in the ACC this season, from no. 25 to no. 1. Obviously these lists are always completely subjective — and thus completely bulletproof, obviously — so feel free to weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments, too.

No. 4, Bjoern Werner, DE/Florida State(Preseason Rank: NR)

Werner’s junior season was everything FSU could’ve hoped for and more. Thrust into the forefront after Brandon Jenkins‘s season-ending injury in the first week, Werner quickly embraced his role as the team’s premiere pass-rusher. And by the end of the year, he was arguably the ACC’s best pass-rusher as well. His 13 sacks were a conference-high, and tied for second in the country, while his 18 tackles-for-loss were second in the ACC. From game one this year, Werner was a force of nature and among the country’s real game-changing presences on the defensive line. What stands out just as much as the gaudy sack numbers, however, are the amount of pass deflections he managed. No one will make a comparison to the Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt just yet, but Werner did manage to defend seven passes in 2012. As he prepares for a sure early selection in the NFL Draft this April, it’s likely that pro scouts are all eying that unique skill set as well and looking to employ him similarly to Watts.

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ACC Football Top 25 Players of 2012: #5, Ryan Nassib

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Syracuse's Ryan Nassib Left His Place in the Record Books During a Sterling Four-Year Career

Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib Left His Place in the Record Books During a Sterling Four-Year Career

As part of our 2012 season review, we’re counting down the top 25 players in the ACC this season, from no. 25 to no. 1. Obviously these lists are always completely subjective — and thus completely bulletproof, obviously — so feel free to weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments, too.

No. 5, Ryan Nassib, QB/Syracuse (Preseason Rank: NR)

Okay, I’m a homer. This happens from time to time. But can anyone really doubt the importance or success of Ryan Nassib’s senior season? When we look back at former head coach Doug Marrone’s four-year tenure at Syracuse, it’s likely that beyond the recaptured success of the program, Nassib’s name will be the first thing to come to mind. After playing minimally as a freshman, his three full seasons as starting quarterback were a clinic on how to develop talent over the course of a player’s college career. While at times, he’s made questionable decisions (what college QB hasn’t?) and he still has that pesky issue of not putting any touch on the ball, Nassib grew into a leadership role, and was the unquestioned focal point of the team by the time his final game (fittingly, against West Virginia) wrapped up. As for lasting legacy, the passer leaves Syracuse after throwing for nearly 9,200 yards (3,749 this season) and 70 TDs (26 in 2012). He earned two bowl victories for a team that hadn’t won a postseason game since 2001. And again, he was the face of a program revival, winning 21 games over a three-year stretch (following a five-year stretch where the won just 13 total).

Next year, Syracuse will be hard-pressed to replace him, but he’ll be on to bigger and better things in the NFL. The aforementioned issue with taking a little off the ball is the only knock most scouts will bring up, but based on the guy’s smarts and the Buffalo Bills’ need for a passer, there’s even a chance that Nassib becomes a top-10 selection at the NFL Draft.

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ACC Football Top 25 Players of 2012: #6, Cornellius “Tank” Carradine

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Tank Carradine Takes His Chance to Start and Runs With It, Tallying Huge Sack Numbers

Tank Carradine Takes His Chance to Start and Runs With It, Tallying Huge Sack Numbers

As part of our 2012 season review, we’re counting down the top 25 players in the ACC this season, from no. 25 to no. 1. Obviously these lists are always completely subjective — and thus completely bulletproof, obviously — so feel free to weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments, too.

No. 6, Cornellius “Tank” Carradine, DE/Florida State (Preseason Rank: NR)

Senior Tank Carradine wasn’t supposed to be a starter this season. That was Brandon Jenkins‘s job. Or it was until he was injured in the Seminoles’ first game, ending his year far too soon. As a result, Carradine, long considered the “best backup defensive end in the country” finally got his chance to show his stuff in a major role, while also benefiting from playing opposite superstar Bjoern Werner. In 11 games (10 starting), the senior wreaked absolute havoc at the line, tallying 80 tackles (high for a D-lineman) along with 11 sacks. It made it virtually impossible to stop the FSU pass-rush with Werner and Carradine coming at teams from both sides, and with two different styles of pursuit. While Werner was utilizing his speed to get to the backfield, Carradine was all about pure force. Though he’s still only projected to be a third-round pick at the Draft (some scouts are concerned about his durability after he was injured in his own season as a starter), there’s a lot of potential for the 6’5″ end to grow his skillset even further at the next level. If there’s a run on D-linemen, he could jump to the second round and serve as a great steal for some lucky team.

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ACC Football Top 25 Players of 2012: #7, EJ Manuel

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EJ Manuel Led Florida State to the Orange Bowl During His Standout Senior Season

EJ Manuel Led Florida State to the Orange Bowl During His Standout Senior Season

As part of our 2012 season review, we’re counting down the top 25 players in the ACC this season, from no. 25 to no. 1. Obviously these lists are always completely subjective — and thus completely bulletproof, obviously — so feel free to weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments, too.

No. 7, EJ Manuel, QB/Florida State (Preseason Rank: 8)

A few weeks into 2012, EJ Manuel was on a short list of Heisman frontrunners and the leader of a national title contender. And then that dreaded NC State game happened. and suddenly all the old criticisms about the FSU senior — inconsistent, unable to close out big games, inaccurate — came rushing back. The Seminoles only lost two games this year, but the Manuel they saw in those games (2 TD passes, 4 INTs) was vastly different than the one they saw in the 12 games they won (21 TD passes, 6 INTs). But it’s the latter version that truly made the difference in 2012 between underwhelming ‘Noles teams of the past and this year’s team that did exactly what they were supposed to: win the Orange Bowl. In spite of any previous issues, Manuel still finished his time at Florida State with a perfect 4-0 bowl record (if you include a long relief effort freshman year), beat rivals Florida and Miami twice apiece, and holds the school’s career record for passing yards (7,736). The jury may still be out on where exactly the quarterback falls in this Spring’s NFL Draft, but his place in FSU history has been firmly assured.

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