<
>

ACC's Top 25 player countdown: No. 7

No. 7. Russell Wilson, QB, NC State

2009 numbers: He completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 3,027 yards, a league-high 31 touchdowns (fourth nationally) and 11 interceptions. He averaged 252.2 passing yards per game. He ranked 15th nationally in passing efficiency with a 147.77 rating, and ranked second in the ACC with 273.9 yards of total offense per game.

Most recent ranking: No. 3

Making the case for Wilson: The best argument for Wilson as one of the ACC’s top quarterbacks came in the season finale against UNC’s defense, which is supposed to be one of the best in the country. Wilson completed 20 of 27 pass attempts for 259 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. It doesn’t get much better than that. Still need more? He rushed for 91 yards in the win over Pitt -- the highest rushing total for a Wolfpack QB since 1976. He has been responsible for 56 touchdowns in his career, the third most in school history. He's already one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in school history, and in just two seasons, he's on a faster pace than Philip Rivers was. Oh, and he can play professional baseball, too.

No. 8 Joshua Nesbitt, QB, Georgia Tech

No. 9 Rodney Hudson, LG, Florida State

No. 10 Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College

No. 11 Allen Bailey, DE, Miami

No. 12 (tie) S Deunta Williams, CB Kendric Burney, UNC

No. 13 Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina

No. 14 Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

No. 15 Brandon Harris, CB, Miami

No. 16 Jacory Harris, QB, Miami

No. 17 Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech

No. 18 Donovan Varner, WR, Duke

No. 19 Alex Wujciak, LB, Maryland

No. 20 Montel Harris, RB, Boston College

No. 21 Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

No. 22 Greg Reid, CB, Florida State

No. 23 Anthony Allen, RB, Georgia Tech

No. 24 Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia

No. 25 Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College