Sorry for the wait, Tigers ...
No. 2. DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson
2009 numbers: The first-team FWAA All-American had eight interceptions for 128 yards and 102 tackles. The interception total was tied for third in the nation and he was the only player in college football last year with at least eight interceptions and at least 100 tackles. He was the first player in Clemson history to do both in the same season. He also had two sacks and a total of five tackles for loss.
Most recent ranking: Not ranked.
Making the case for McDaniel: He made invaluable contributions to Clemson’s nationally-ranked secondary last year after making the move from linebacker. Against Boston College, he recorded a sack and an interception -- the first Clemson player in 12 years to do both in a game. He was at his best against some of the best competition, totaling four interceptions against top-15 teams in Georgia Tech, TCU and Miami. McDaniel was a big reason why the Tigers were able to beat four of the top-five quarterbacks in the ACC in Christian Ponder, Jacory Harris, Russell Wilson and Riley Skinner. He has played in every game over the past three years and has started 20 straight games. He was the MVP of the Clemson defense, which ranked in the top 25 in scoring defense, total defense and pass defense.
No. 3 Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech
No. 4 Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
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