ACC Players To Watch In 2013

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 4, 2013

ACC Players To Watch In 2013

QB Tajh Boyd

Boyd has thrived in his two seasons as Clemson's starter, throwing for a combined 7,724 yards and 69 touchdowns. He also rushed for 10 touchdowns in 2012 -- more than all but four ACC players. The reigning conference Player of the Year will have to continue his production without top target DeAndre Hopkins, who declared early for the NFL draft.

RB Duke Johnson

With Mike James now out of the picture, Johnson figures to be the primary workhorse for Miami's rushing attack. Johnson averaged 6.8 yards per carry as a true freshman, and he gained 947 yards on the ground. He'll also likely figure more prominently into the Hurricanes' passing game -- where he caught 27 balls for 221 yards last season -- and continue to serve as a lethal kick returner on special teams.

S Lamarcus Joyner

Joyner delighted Seminoles' fans with his decision to return to Tallahassee for his senior year. Though he's only 5-foot-8, Joyner has made 27 consecutive starts for Florida State, and he recorded 51 tackles, an interception and six passes defended last season.

WR Stefon Diggs

A second-team All-ACC selection in 2012, Diggs was a do-it-all threat as a freshman. He caught 54 passes for 848 yards and six touchdowns, returned two kickoffs for scores (including an 103-yarder against Virginia) and even threw a touchdown pass. His 172.4 all-purpose yards-per-game average trailed only North Carolina's Giovani Bernard's mark in the conference last year.

LB Christian Jones

On a team full of defensive standouts -- several of whom should be top selections in this year's NFL draft -- Jones led Florida State in tackles in 2012. The standout linebacker returns for his senior year after racking up 95 tackles and seven tackles for loss last season. Jones improved tremendously following his transition from the strongside to the weakside; he jumped from 18 tackles in his first six games to 77 in his final nine contests.

QB Bryn Renner

An efficient passer, Renner has completed two-thirds of his attempts over two seasons as the starter at North Carolina. His yards-per-attempt average isn't on par with Clemson's Boyd, but Renner threw just seven interceptions in 2012. Renner's 6,442 yards and 54 touchdowns over the past two years rank him among the top quarterbacks to watch in the ACC in 2013.

WR Sammy Watkins

No longer a complement to DeAndre Hopkins, Watkins will have the chance to shine with Boyd in 2013. Watkins was sensational as a freshman, catching 82 balls for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns, but his numbers dropped to 57 receptions, 708 yards and three scores as a sophomore last year. Expect to see Watkins' production amp back up now that he's the clear No. 1 receiver for the Tigers.

LB Jeremiah Attaochu

Attaochu is the ACC's leader among returning players in sacks, as he tallied 10 during the 2012 campaign. He peaked late last season with eight over a five-game span in November and early December, and he likely will emerge as Georgia Tech's pass-rushing leader under new defensive coordinator Ted Roof.

DE James Gayle

Virginia Tech's top returning pass rusher has been named second-team All-ACC for each of the past two seasons after recording 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss over that time. After submitting paperwork to the NFL draft advisory committee to gauge his prospects, Gayle opted to return to Blacksburg, giving the Hokies nine returning defensive starters for 2013.

WR Michael Campanaro

Quarterback Tanner Price's favorite target, Campanaro led the ACC with 7.9 receptions per game in 2012. He made 79 catches overall, and he stepped up his performance in the red zone. Campanaro made six touchdown grabs, an improvement from his total of two the year before.