OPINION

By Matt Hayes

updated 4:59 a.m. ET May 31, 2008

Matt Hayes

The top five players at each position in the Atlantic Coast Conference:

Quarterback
1. Cullen Harper, Clemson
2. Riley Skinner, Wake Forest
3. T.J. Yates, North Carolina
4. Drew Weatherford, Florida State
5. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech
Quick thoughts: Harper went from biding time until super freshman Willy Korn was ready to being a Heisman Trophy candidate. Skinner isn't the most physically impressive player, but he does so many things well and manages the game meticulously. Taylor, when more comfortable within the offense, will be a dynamic star.

Running back
1. C.J. Spiller, Clemson
2. James Davis, Clemson
3. Graig Cooper, Miami
4. Josh Adams, Wake Forest
5. Greg Little, North Carolina
Quick thoughts: Spiller/Davis is the best tandem in the nation, and Cooper/Javarris James isn't far behind in the ACC. Cooper, Adams and Little are three sophomores primed for big seasons.

Wide receiver
1. Aaron Kelly, Clemson
2. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland
3. Preston Parker, Florida State
4. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina
5. Brandon Robinson, Boston College
Quick thoughts: Heyward-Bey is the best NFL prospect, but he must be more consistent. Kelly must prove he's more than a jump-ball receiver, and Parker -- the most dynamic receiver in the group -- must prove himself again after problems off the field.

Tight end
1. Ryan Purvis, Boston College
2. Anthony Hill, NC State
3. John Phillips, Virginia
4. Ben Wooster, Wake Forest
5. Chris Zellner, Miami
Quick thoughts: A thin group with little experience. Wooster will be very good, and the NC State staff had high hopes for Hill before he missed last season with a knee injury.

Offensive line
1. Andrew Gardner, Georgia Tech
2. Rodney Hudson, Florida State
3. Anthony Castonzo, Boston College
4. Ed Wang, Virginia Tech
5. Eugene Monroe, Virginia
Quick thoughts: Gardner is one of the best in the nation, and Hudson and Castonzo are stars of the future.

Kicker
1. Sam Swank, Wake Forest
2. Obi Egekeze, Maryland
3. Mark Buchholz, Clemson
4. Steve Aponavicius, Boston College
5. Nick Maggio, Duke
Quick thoughts: After the All-American Swank and steady Egekeze, it's a crapshoot. Buchholz is way too inconsistent, and Aponavicius and Maggio don't have range.

Defensive line
1. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech
2. Ricky Sapp, Clemson
3. Marvin Austin, North Carolina
4. Everette Brown, Florida State
5. Willie Young, NC State
Quick thoughts: Only a sophomore, Marvin Austin could be the best in the league by the end of the season. Two other young players not yet on the list -- sophomore Allen Bailey of Miami and freshman DeQuan Bowers of Clemson -- could be right there with Austin.

Linebacker
1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2. Clint Sintim, Virginia
3. Brian Toal, Boston College
4. Derek Nicholson, Florida State
5. John Copper, Virginia
Quick thoughts: Virginia nearly landed a third player in the top five with Antonio Appleby. Curry is the most complete linebacker of the group, and Toal, if he returns completely healthy, is a classic run stuffer. Player to watch: FSU freshman Nigel Bradham.

Secondary
1. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest
2. Victor Harris, Virginia Tech
3. Myron Rolle, Florida State
4. Michael Hamlin, Clemson
5. Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest
Quick thoughts: Smith and Harris trail only Vontae Davis and Malcolm Jenkins of the Big Ten in top cornerback duos for a conference. Rolle doesn't get enough credit for erasing cover mistakes in the FSU secondary.

Punter
1. Graham Gano, Florida State
2. Brent Bowden, Virginia Tech
3. Jimmy Maners, Clemson
4. Terrence Brown, North Carolina
5. Travis Baltz, Maryland
Quick thoughts: All are solid; none stand out. Bowden and Gano are the best at dropping punts inside the 20, which is why they're at the top of the list.

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