No. 3. Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech
2011 stats: Thomas started all 14 games and completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 3,013 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also had 153 carries for 469 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Previous ranking: No. 11
Making the case for Thomas: Thomas wasn’t on this list a year ago because he was a first-year starter who came to Blacksburg thinking he was going to be a tight end, and not even coach Frank Beamer knew what to expect of Thomas in 2011. Turns out quarterback is a pretty good fit for Thomas. His first season was a memorable one, as he set a school season record with 3,482 yards of total offense. He progressed with the season and was named the team’s most valuable offensive player of spring practices. At 6-foot-6 and 262 pounds, he’s difficult to bring down and has drawn physical comparisons to Cam Newton. Don’t be surprised to see him play like a Heisman contender this fall.
No. 4 Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
No. 5 Mike Glennon, QB, NC State
No. 7 (tie) Jonathan Cooper, OL, North Carolina; Oday Aboushi, OL, Virginia
No. 8 Joe Vellano, DL, Maryland
No. 10 Kyle Fuller, DB, Virginia Tech
No. 11 Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida State
No. 12 Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
No. 13 James Gayle, DE, Virginia Tech
No. 14 Bryn Renner, QB, North Carolina
No. 15 Conner Vernon, WR, Duke
No. 16 Giovani Bernard, RB, UNC
No. 17 Dalton Freeman, C, Clemson
No. 18 Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
No. 19 Lamarcus Joyner, S, Florida State
No. 20 Michael Campanaro, WR, Wake Forest
No. 21 Jeremiah Attaochu, LB, Georgia Tech
No. 22 Omoregie Uzzi, OG, Georgia Tech
No. 23 Bruce Taylor, LB, Virginia Tech
No. 25 Nikita Whitlock, NG, Wake Forest