Editor’s note: Our annual Top 25 preview week continues with a look at the ACC’s best players.

This is being hailed as the Year of the Quarterback in the ACC and for good reason.

Nine of the 14 teams return starters at the position, including all seven in the Atlantic Division. Of that group, five received votes for preseason player of the year.

But as loaded as the quarterback class is, there’s plenty of other talent to go around in the league.
Here is our list of the ACC’s top 25 players heading into the 2022 season:

25. Grant Gibson, C, NC State

No longer overshadowed by the massive presence cast by left tackle Ickey Ekwonu, the No. 6 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, Grant Gibson finally has emerged as a top talent in his own right. He led the Wolfpack with 828 snaps last season without a single bad snap and has started 35 straight games at center while spending the past two seasons as an offensive captain. He is a cerebral leader who sets the tone for one of the best offensive lines in the ACC.

24. Will Mallory, TE, Miami

Will Mallory is the latest in a long line of talented pass-catching tight ends at Miami. The 6-5, 245-pound senior caught 30 passes for 347 years and 4 touchdowns last season and figures to be even more involved in the passing game this year with the emergence of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and the arrival of new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis.

23. Dax Hollifield, LB, Virginia Tech

New coach Brent Pry has stated his desire to re-establish the defensive mindset at Virginia Tech he learned as a grad assistant under Bud Foster, and Dax Hollifield is the kind of player who can help him in that pursuit. He’s a hard-working, old-school middle linebacker who decided to use his extra COVID-19 year to return for a 5th season and help Pry return the Hokies to prominence after leading the team with 92 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last year.

22. Caleb Chandler, OG, Louisville

The 6-foot-4, 297-pound redshirt senior chose to return to the Cardinals this season rather than entering the NFL draft and that’s good news for QB Malik Cunningham. Caleb Chandler’s size, strength and agility up front was a driving force in helping Louisville pile up 209.8 yards per game on the ground and 446.2 yards overall while averaging 31.6 points in 2021.

21. Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Even though Zay Flowers never entered the transfer portal this offseason, he reported that he received “multiple 6-figure offers” from companies offering NIL deals for him to move to another school. Unlike Jordan Addison, he decided not to take the money and run. Instead, the All-ACC speedster is back at BC, where he has recorded 122 receptions, 1,979 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career. His playmaking ability should be enhanced this year with quarterback Phil Jurkovek back at full strength.

20. Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson

Tyler Davis made an immediate impact with the Tigers by earning a starting position in his first game as a freshman and becoming a key piece to an ACC championship defense. He has battled injuries since but still has managed to pile up 95 tackles, 16.5 TFLs and 10 sacks in his three-year career and earn first-team All-ACC mention in 2021. His impact when he’s on the field is best illustrated by the fact that Clemson went 8-0 in games he started last season and 2-3 in the games he missed or saw limited action because of a torn biceps.

19. Habakkuk Baldonado, DE, Pittsburgh

A late-bloomer who was introduced to football in his native Italy and played only 1 year of high school ball in the United States, Habakkuk Baldanado was a key member of a Pitt defensive line that recorded 15 more sacks than anyone else in the ACC. The still-raw edge rusher picked up 9 of those sacks, to go along with 11.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery and is well on his way toward establishing himself as a first-round NFL draft pick.

18. Malik Cunningham, QB, Louisville

Malik Cunningham is frequently compared to former Cardinals Heisman Trophy winner and current Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson for obvious reasons. Even though he admits that “who wouldn’t want to be compared to Lamar Jackson,” Cunningham is quick to point out that he’s not at that level yet. He’s thinner and doesn’t have the same arm strength, but he is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback who passed for 2,941 yards and 19 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,031 yards and 20 scores last season.

17. Jammie Robinson, S, Florida State

Maybe it was only a coincidence, but the Seminoles’ late-season surge coincided with Jammie Robinson’s switch from the slot corner position to safety over the final 6 games. Regardless of where he lined up, the South Carolina transfer excelled in his first season in Tallahassee, leading the team in tackles with 85 and tying for the ACC lead with 4 interceptions to earn first-team All-ACC honors. For all his physical skills, his best asset might be his attacking mentality. “I just take the blueprint the coaches lay out and I just go in and attack every day,” he said.

16. Jordan McFadden, OT, Clemson

A 6-2. 310-pound tackle with a strong upper body and good balance, Jordan McFadden is the Tigers’ most experienced offensive lineman. The 5th-year senior played a team-leading 872 snaps in earning 2nd-team All-ACC recognition. He’s expected to be an anchor up again as Clemson attempts to rebound from a disappointing season in which it ranked dead last in the league in offensive efficiency.

15. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

The former North Carolina high school Player of the Year burst onto the scene in his 1st season as a starter by making 78 tackles, 12.0 for losses, with 6 sacks and 3 pass breakups. Long and lean at 6-3, 230, Trenton Simpson, the son of an Army Ranger. has been compared favorably to former Clemson linebacker and first-round NFL draft pick Isaiah Simmons. He stands a realistic chance of joining Simmons as a first selection, even though his numbers might not be as big this year after moving from the outside to the middle for new defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin.

14. Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Virginia

Big plays and spectacular catches were the trademark of Dontayvion Wicks’ breakout season, in which he broke Herman Moore’s 31-year-old school record for receiving yards in a season. The speedy junior, who missed all of 2020 with an injury, amassed 1,203 yards through the air on only 57 catches, giving him a 21.1-yard average that ranked 1st in the ACC and 5th in the nation. He earned back-to-back ACC Receiver of the Week awards, but the highlight of his season came during a win against Miami when he made a spectacular touchdown catch while lying on his back that earned selection as the top play of the day by ESPN “SportsCenter.”

13. Calijah Kancey, DT, Pittsburgh

Despite being undersized at 6-0, 280, Calijah Kancey still was a dominant force on a Panthers defensive line that led the ACC and ranked 3rd nationally with 54 sacks and 113 tackles for loss. He finished with 7 sacks and 13 tackles for loss and was especially effective against ACC competition by recording at least 1 tackle for loss in every game on the way to helping his team to its first league championship. After earning first-team All-ACC honors last season, he has been named as a preseason candidate for the Bednarik, Nagurski, Lombardi and Outland trophies.

12. Zion Nelson, OT, Miami

Zion Nelson is a 6-5, 316-pound redshirt junior projected by many as a first-round NFL draft pick. He graded out at 85.3 as a pass blocker last season, according to Pro Football Focus, the 2nd-highest mark recorded by the website for a Miami offensive tackle. Nelson is a key piece to the offense of new coordinator Josh Gattis. Although he currently is sidelined while recovering from offseason knee surgery, he is expected to be back in time for the Hurricanes’ season opener Sept. 3 against Bethune-Cookman.

11. Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville

How good was Kei’Trel Clark last season? So good that he tied for 2nd in the ACC with 9 pass breakups, led the league with an average of 1.33 passes defended per game and intercepted 3 passes despite missing the final 4 games of the regular season and the Cardinals’ bowl game with a torn left ACL. The 5-10, 177-pound junior, who transferred to Louisville after starting his college career at Liberty, seriously considered the NFL draft after last season but chose to return in an effort to enhance his prospects by proving that he has returned to full health.

10. AT Perry, WR, Wake Forest

A.T. Perry stepped into the void created by a season-ending injury to teammate Donavon Greene and emerged as the Deacons’ top receiver last season. A massive physical presence at 6-5, 206, he has the size to outjump defenders for 50-50 balls and the speed to beat them downfield for big plays. He teamed with quarterback Sam Hartman to record 71 catches for 1,293 yards and an average of 18.2 yards per reception, while scoring a school-record 15 touchdowns in leading Wake to a surprise Atlantic Division title.

9. Brennan Armstrong, QB, Virginia

One of the elite veteran quarterbacks in the ACC, Brennan Armstrong put up a gaudy set of numbers as a junior last season, completing 65.2% of his passes for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns despite battling through a painful rib injury. Armstrong has a strong, accurate arm that has helped him work around some questionable decision-making. As much as he already has accomplished, he is motivated to accomplish even more by the Cavaliers’ disappointing 0-4 closing finish to last season and the opportunity to play for new coach Tony Elliott, the offensive coordinator who helped lead Clemson to multiple ACC titles.

8. Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami

Tyler Van Dyke started last season as a reserve, but when he got his shot following an injury to starter D’Eriq King, he made the most of it. He finished the season throwing for 2,931 yards and 25 touchdowns in 9 games. He completed 62.3% of his passes and was intercepted only 6 times while leading the Hurricanes to wins in 5 of their final 6 games. New coach Mario Cristobal called it “a tremendous blessing” to have Van Dyke to build around in his first season in Coral Gables. “We recognized instantly … that Tyler Van Dyke in that quarterback room is very special.”

7. Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson

Clemson is famous for producing NFL-quality defensive linemen and Myles Murphy fits right into the mold. He is 1 of only 4 Tigers since 2000 to have recorded multiple seasons of at least 4 sacks and multiple forced fumbles, with the other 3 members of the group – Gaines Adams, Vic Beasley and Clelin Ferrell – were first-round draft picks. A dominant force with explosive quickness off the edge, the former top-5 national recruit has piled up 94 tackles, 26 for losses, 11.0 sacks and 5 forced fumbles over 25 games in his two seasons with the Tigers.

6. Drake Thomas, LB, NC State

One of 3 elite linebackers in the Wolfpack’s lineup, Drake Thomas’ play and leadership were among the major reasons why N.C. State ranked 2nd in the ACC in scoring defense last season. The 6-0, 230-pound junior led the team in tackles (100), tackles for loss (13.5) and interceptions (3) while also recording 6 sacks. With a combination of aggressiveness and passion, he is equally adept at dropping in coverage as he is at rushing the passer, and a leading candidate for ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

5. Sam Hartman, QB, Wake Forest

Sam Hartman has a tendency to get lost in the shuffle of talented returning passers in the ACC because he plays at Wake Forest and the slow-mesh RPO offense the Deacons run. But he’s more than just a system quarterback. What he lacks in arm strength, he makes up for with touch and accuracy, and he’s not afraid to pull the ball down and run. He enters his 4th season as a starter (and 5th season overall) with 9,266 passing yards, the 2nd most in school history and a Wake Forest record 72 career touchdowns to go along with an Atlantic Division championship.

4. Josh Downs, WR, UNC

Even though quarterback Sam Howell has moved on to the NFL, Josh Downs has the ability to make whoever ends up replacing him look good with his combination of sure hands, explosive speed and a knack for getting open even though opposing defenses know the ball is heading his way. The 5-10, 175-pound junior accounted for 40% of the Tar Heels’ passing output last season while setting program records with 101 catches and 1,335 yards. With an ACC-leading 754 of those yards coming after the catch, he has a proven ability to turn short passes into big gains. He’s also a valuable punt returner, ranking 3rd in the conference and 13th nationally at 9.8 yards per attempt.

3. Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse

It’s a shame Sean Tucker played for a team that attracted such little attention last year, because the Orange’s 5-7 record and last-place finish in the Atlantic Division sent his breakout 2021 performance flying below the national radar. His 1,496 rushing yards didn’t just lead the ACC, it broke a school record that stood for 42 years. Powerfully built at 5-10, 205-pounds, he also possesses the kind of speed that earned a spot as a sprinter on Syracuse’s track team – a combination that makes him difficult to catch and even more difficult to bring down. And according to coach Dino Babers, “he’s actually better than last year.”

2. Devin Leary, QB, NC State

The ACC’s preseason Player of the Year, Devin Leary is a veteran leader who has led the Wolfpack to a 12-3 record over his first 2 seasons as a starter. Known for having a big arm after setting multiple state prep records in New Jersey, he has developed into a confident leader and one of the most accurate passers in school history. He broke Philip Rivers’ school mark with 35 touchdowns and had only 5 interceptions in 2021 and his .599 completion percentage ranks 5th on the N.C. State career list. Beyond his stats is Leary’s knack for coming up big in the clutch, as he did by throwing a winning touchdown pass in double-overtime to beat Clemson and by leading a comeback that erased a 9-point deficit during the final 2 minutes to beat rival North Carolina.

1. Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

Bryan Bresee’s stats might not jump off the page like those of some others on this list, but that’s because he missed all but the first 4 games last season with a torn ACL. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound 3rd-year sophomore validated his selection as the nation’s consensus No. 1 recruit in the class by recording 48 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups, an interception, forced fumble and a safety in 586 career snaps after earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2020. Healthy again, he’s poised to be just as dominant this season.