If you look at the national headlines or scroll through your Twitter feed, you will probably come across Virginia’s Brennan Armstrong, Pitt signal caller Kenny Pickett, or maybe Syracuse running back Sean Tucker.
What has gone under-the-radar this year are some of the top defensive performers in the conference. Yes, the ACC has featured more offense this year, but there is plenty of NFL talent on the other side of the ball that has simply not been talked about enough.
Let’s look at some of these names:
EDGE Cody Roscoe, Syracuse
Roscoe has been an absolute menace to opposing offensive lines. He leads the conference with nine sacks and is second with 26 quarterback pressures. As a run stopper, Roscoe has been relatively average, but his pass rushing presence has been dominant game after game.
LB Noah Taylor, Virginia
What Taylor has done has certainly been swept under the rug because of the unit’s poor play overall. Individually, he has four sacks, and just one missed tackle compared to 26 run stops, a feat no other ACC linebacker can come close to. In past years, Taylor has been able to drop back and play coverage almost like a nickel. He has mildly struggled in that respect this season, but has overall been an elite player.
CB Jermaine Waller, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a known factory of defensive backs, and Waller is simply the next great one. I’m not even here to talk about his four interceptions, but moreso the fact that he hangs with the conference’s best receivers week after week. In an average game, Waller will allow around two receptions for 37 yards. I will overlook his QB rating against, simply because preventing targets is also a skill. Waller is almost a lock for All-ACC at this point.
DL DeWayne Carter, Duke
Every year, somebody has to lead the ACC in total quarterback pressures. But for someone to do it from the interior, it means your performance has been special. Not only is Carter an immaculate force as a pass rusher, but he is a punishing hitter as well. His three forced fumbles is tied for the conference lead, and he does this all while having 0 penalties against him all season.
LB Drake Thomas, NC State
Thomas has had no problem taking on a prominent role in the Wolfpack defense after a season-ending injury to Payton Wilson. He has contributed heavily in every facet of the game. He has been targeted among the most in the conference, but is only responsible for 74 yards. Behind Taylor, he has been the second most efficient run stopper in the conference. Plus, on the occasional blitz, Thomas can make his way into the backfield on an efficient basis.
CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami
Stevenson transferred over from Georgia with high expectations and has certainly lived up to the hype. He has been targeted the 7th most in the conference but has allowed the 33rd most yards. This is largely because of his great ball skills and sound coverage technique. Stevenson is also a punishing hitter, yet a sure tackler.
S Jammie Robinson, Florida State
Robinson has been a dominant all around safety. He has covered mostly the slot but has the ability to drop back into a more conventional free safety role. In Robinson’s worst game this season, he was responsible for two receptions for 33 yards. But his best asset is his open field tackling ability. Robinson has missed just one tackle all year, a stat in which he stands alone among ACC safeties with his volume of snaps.
