The ACC is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. It's one of the best conferences in college football, which is why the Clemson Tigers going undefeated in so impressive. We're here to help breakdown who the best players in the conference are, which was no easy task. Several talented and deserving players just missed out. With that in mind, here are the 10 best football players in the ACC in 2015:
10. Steven Daniels, LB, Boston College
Daniels led a Boston College defense that was one of the best in the nation. Few linebackers had better seasons than Daniels and no one was better in the ACC. The senior racked up 82 tackles this season, 16 of which were for a loss. He also added six sacks and a pick. Someone from BC's defense had to make the list and Daniels is the best selection.
9. Jalen Ramsey, CB, FSU
Ramsey moved from safety to corner this season for the Seminoles. He didn't have quite the impact on the stat sheet, but he shut down one side of the field for FSU. He recorded 43 tackles this season, with 9 pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He was excellent in both run support and pass coverage.
8. Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Alexander didn't put up the same level of stats Ramsey did, but that's because teams never threw at him. Few corners shut down opposing wide outs as well as Alexander did this season. The difference between Ramsey and Alexander is small, but Alexander gets the nod.
7. Ejuan Price, DE, Pittsburgh
Price moved to DE this season and was a pass rushing force. He recorded 11.5 sacks to led the ACC and added 19.5 tackles for loss. He even forced and recovered a fumble. Price earned a spot in the Top 10.
6. Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh
The top WR in ACC deserves a spot on this list. Boyd reeled in 85 passes this season in just 11 games. He had 873 yards and 6 TDs through the air and ran the ball more than ever. He had 35 carries for 294 yards this season. The playmaker could be a first round pick in the NFL Draft this season.
5. Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Lawson had a great season and is the second-highest defensive player on this list. He was disruptive all season, leading the NCAA in tackles for loss with 21.5. He recorded 9.5 sacks but trails one defensive player in the ACC.
4. Jeremy Cash, S, Duke
When you win ACC Defensive Player of the Year, there's no way a defensive player will sit above you on this list. Cash did a little bit of everything for Duke this season. He racked up 100 tackles, 18 of which went for a loss. He also had 2.5 sack, four pass breakups, a fumble recovery and three forced fumbles.
3. Marquise Williams, QB, UNC
After a bad first game of the season, Williams turned things around and nearly led UNC to an ACC title. He completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,825 yards, 21 TDs and 9 picks. He added 867 yards and 11 TDs on the ground. He even caught a 37-yard TD pass. Williams was much more efficient this season and it paid off for UNC.
2. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Cook was limited at times this season, but there weren't many better running backs in college football. He played in 11 games and missed time in a few of those, but still racked up 1,658 on 211 carries. That's a blistering 7.9 yards per carry. Cook found the end zone 18 times on the ground and added 218 yards and score on 22 catches. In many seasons, Cook would rank first on this list, but not this year.
1. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
The obvious and only choice to top this list. Watson completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 3,517 yards, 30 TDs and 11 picks. He also added 887 yards and 11 scores on 163 carries. The dual-threat is a Heisman finalist and carried Clemson to a perfect season and a College Football Playoff berth.
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