12. Tie: S Deunta Williams and CB Kendric Burney, UNC

2009 numbers for Williams:Finished second in the ACC in interceptions with six and fourth in the league with 14 passes defended. He had 114 return yards. He had eight pass breakups, one fumble recovery and 47 tackles.

2009 numbers for Burney: He returned five interceptions for a school-record 200 yards, including two for touchdowns. He ranked fifth on the team with 52 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss.

Most recent ranking: Not ranked.

Making the case for Williams and Burney:It was too difficult to rank one ahead of the other and impossible to leave one off the list. It’s not just their ability to disrupt the passing lanes, it’s what they do with it after the catch. Burney has nine career interceptions and his 347 return yards are the second-highest in ACC history. Williams’ 12 interceptions ranks third all-time at UNC, and he has started every game in his career. Both players are game-changers and have been invaluable to the Heels' defense.

No. 13 Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina

No. 14 Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

No. 15 Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

No. 16Jacory Harris, QB, Miami

No. 17Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech

No. 18 Donovan Varner, WR, Duke

No. 19Alex Wujciak, LB, Maryland

No. 20Montel Harris, RB, Boston College

No. 21Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

No. 22 Greg Reid, CB, Florida State

No. 23 Anthony Allen, RB, Georgia Tech

No. 24Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

No. 25Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College