With so many underclassmen making the leap to the NFL, it is that much more important for teams to return top seniors that can bring experience, knowledge and talent to the table in order to help bridge the gap with the introduction of younger players. The fact that players can turn pro following their junior year has led to seniors getting tabbed as less talented if they decide to stick around at the college level for their final year of eligibility but that certainly isn’t the case when it comes to the following group of players. Here is a look at the top four seniors in the ACC heading in to the 2016 season.
LB: Devonte Fields, Louisville Cardinals
Louisville gave Fields a second chance to succeed at the college level and he has rewarded them with an elite defender that can do it all for them from the linebacker position. In 2015, Fields tied for the third-most tackles for loss in the FBS with 22.5 along with 11 sacks. What is in store for an encore? Fields is primed for another big year as he builds on his technique after making the switch from defensive end to outside linebacker. The Cardinals will return eight starters on the defensive side of the football and they will have the opportunity to be one of the best in the ACC with Fields leading the way as the star pass rusher off the edge.
DE: DeMarcus Walker, Florida State Seminoles
DeMarcus Walker is one of the few starters still on the Seminoles’ roster from their 29-game win streak (between 2012-14) will look to continue his steady development with a chance to make a major impact at defensive end in his senior season. Walker is coming off his best season after registering 58 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss with four forced fumbles a year ago and his all-around ability makes him the most valuable member of Florida State’s front-seven heading in to the 2016 season. There aren’t many areas where Florida State is an elite team over some of the others in the ACC as North Carolina’s offense is just as good – if not stronger – and the same can be said for Clemson. Even the Miami Hurricanes might be in the mix this year if Mark Richt gets them on track. However, the Seminoles defense is one area where they are still a cut above and having guys like Walker is the reason why.
WR: Mike Williams, Clemson Tigers
Williams suffered a neck injury when his second catch of the year resulted in him colliding with the goal post and suffering a neck injury that sidelined him for his junior season. He spent the spring in a limited role but he is expected to be back at full strength in time for the fall. By all accounts, he appears poised to put up big numbers in his senior season. Williams averaged 18.1 yards per catch as a sophomore with 15 catches of 25 yards or more. However, a lot has changed in a year. Now he’ll be playing with a quarterback who is among the best in the country – and possibly even a Heisman Trophy candidate – and he’ll be the top target on the offense. Clemson is going to put up incredible numbers offensively and if Williams can revert back to his pre-injury form, he should compile some of the best numbers of any receiver in the country.
CB: Des Lawrence, North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina’s secondary is in excellent shape with three key returnees including at cornerback where Lawrence and M.J. Stewart both finished in the top five in the ACC in passes defensed last season. Lawrence has improved with every passing year and he was excellent in his junior season when he registered 59 tackles and two interceptions. Lawrence has the potential to be even better in his senior year and he and Stewart should make up one of the better cornerback tandems in the ACC this season. North Carolina is looking to prove that they’re with the big boys this season and the area that has to step up is the defense. Lawrence is one of the leaders in that realm and has to impress if they’re to challenge for an ACC title.
