No. 4. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State

2009 numbers: He led the ACC and ranked third in the country in total offense with 321.8 yards per game, despite suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in the ninth game. He completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,717 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His pass efficiency rating of 147.71 would have ranked him among the top 20 in the nation if he had played one more game.

Most recent ranking: No. 22

Making the case for Ponder: He threw five touchdown passes against eventual ACC champ Georgia Tech, and he had four games of at least 300 passing yards. Ponder knows the offense almost as well as Jimbo Fisher, and he’s also got the ability to run if he needs to. More importantly, he’s one of 11 players on the Seminoles’ Unity Council, which holds players accountable. He’s a team captain, a potential Heisman candidate, and an outstanding student.

No. 5 Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

No. 6 Quan Sturdivant, LB, UNC

No. 7 Russell Wilson, QB, NC State

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