Clemson completed its climb to the top with a national championship game win over Alabama last season when they relied just as heavily on their defense as they did on their offensive playmakers. The ACC has established itself as one of the premier conferences in college football over the past couple of seasons and it is in large part because of the following stars that it will stay that way in 2017. Here is a look at the ACC’s top returning players on defense.
DL: Christian Wilkins, Clemson Tigers
Wilkins lined up all over the field for the Tigers in 2016 including some time at the fullback position. His biggest strength is at the heart of the defensive line where he can use his 6’4’’, 310-pound frame to stuff the run and get after opposing quarterbacks in passing situations. Wilkins will have the opportunity to dominate at his position next season and it will be interesting to see if he can maintain his status as the top returning defensive player for 2017.
The Tigers defense was one of the main reasons they had such a solid run this season and with a guy like Wilkins back, they shouldn’t experience much of a drop-off. Their offense will need some time to rebuild as they will lose star quarterback DeShaun Watson to the 2017 NFL Draft but the defense should be able to maintain because of guys like Wilkins.
S: Derwin James, Florida State Seminoles
Florida State’s star safety will be hungry to get back in to action after missing all of last season with a knee injury and there is a good chance he ends up at the top of this list by the time the year is over. The rangy, athletic safety is a hard-hitter that can make big plays in space and make wide receivers think twice about going up to catch the football in front of him. The Seminoles are thrilled about James’ potential moving forward as he is back to 100-percent and primed for a big season as one of the leaders on this ACC defense.
DE: Bradley Chubb, NC State Wolfpack
Bradley’s brother Nick Chubb gets the majority of the attention as the star running back from Georgia but the defensive end from NC State could steal the spotlight with a monster season in 2017. Chubb is an athletic big man that can burn opposing tackles off the edge and get pressure on opposing quarterbacks in a hurry. With an elite combination of size, speed and burst Chubb is one of the top returning defensive lineman in college football.
The Wolfpack are starting to have the makings of a decent ACC team. With elite talent on both sides of the ball, they might be able to move into the middle of the pack in the ACC races and maybe even pull a big upset against one of the bigger programs.
DE: Harold Landry, Boston College Eagles
Speaking of defensive ends with bursts off the edge, Landry is definitely among them as the nation’s reigning sack leader. The 6’3’’, 250-pound end has excellent technique and was very consistent a year ago. Landry has all of the weapons to dominate off the edge and he will contend for the ACC’s sack crown once again in 2017.
It’s not often that the Eagles have elite talent at any level of either side of the ball but from time to time, they do have a special player. Landry is that and he will be a highly sought after community when the NFL scouts come around.
CB: Tarvarus, McFadden, Florida State Seminoles
McFadden tied for the national lead in 2016 with eight interceptions and while it will be difficult to match that total he will be a force on the Florida State defense once again. The odds are that opposing quarterbacks will attempt to stay away from McFadden’s side of the field because they know he will be looking to pick them off if they test him. The 6’2’’, 198-pound has the potential to be among the most dominant cornerbacks in college football next season and is easily among the ACC’s best defensive players returning for 2017.
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