Well here we go. It’s time to start ranking the best players in the ACC for the 2021 season.
Check out the latest edition Lindy’s College Football where @TalkinACCSports (myself) with a big assist from @Hokiesmash_ASD player research helped put together these lists and the Lindy’s All-ACC team with @mattzemek.
As usual we hope you enjoy the rankings.
Previous and Upcoming Rankings
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Offensive Linemen |
Tight Ends | Defensive Linemen | Linebackers | Safeties | Special Teams
1) Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
We’ve had 15 players ranked so far on the defensive side of the ball, and 6 of them are from Clemson. Andrew Booth Jr. is the latest Tiger entry as the number 1 returning CB in the ACC. This All-ACC junior is just now starting to touch the surface of his potential. Last season he had 30 tackles, 4 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions.
With tremendous athleticism, and a draft stock that keeps rising, he could be a 1st round NFL pick.
2) Kei’Trel Clark, Louisville
We haven’t seen many Louisville players so far in our rankings, but the Cardinals have a really good one here in the cornerback rankings. Liberty transfer Kei’Trel Clark was one the ACC’s best man-to-man coverage corners and earned 2nd team All-ACC honors in 2020.
He was top 10 in the nation and tied the ACC lead with 10 pass breakups. He didn’t allow a reception over 20 yards last year. He’s drawn comparisons to former great Louisville DB Jaire Alexander.
3) Ja’Sir Taylor, Wake Forest
Wake Forest has a fine pair of corners in Nick Anderson who just missed this list, and Ja’Sir Taylor who is dotting All-ACC pre-season lists just behind Andrew Booth Jr, and Kei’Trel Clark. Last season he had 42 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups.
He’s definitely generating some buzz with NFL scouts.
4) Garrett Williams, Syracuse
In a forgettable 2020 season for the Syracuse Orange, CB Garrett Williams was a highlight. The RS-Freshman was named a freshman All-ACC player. The Athletic honored him with a freshman All-American award. He led the ACC with 12 passes defended, and tied for the ACC lead with 10 pass breakups.
The sky is the limit for how good Williams can be.
5) Jermaine Waller, Virginia Tech
I always hesitate to put players coming off injury too high on these pre-season lists, but Jermaine Waller has too much ability to leave off. He played in only 3 games in 2020, but this was All-ACC Honorable Mention player in 2019. He had 10 tackles in his two starts, which would have translated to more than 50 tackles in a full season.
In his full 2019 season, he was in the top 10 of several ACC defensive back statistical categories.
