First-team defense
Clemson dominates our first-team ACC All-Conference defense for 2021.
EDGE: Amaré Barno, Virginia Tech
An extremely productive linebacker at the JUCO level, Barno logged 14 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks for Butler before transferring to Virginia Tech. Following a 2019 season where he played in just three games, Barno had a breakout year in 2020. Transitioning from linebacker to defensive line, he racked up 43 tackles, led the team with 16 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Barno also led the Hokies with 2 forced fumbles.
In addition to leading Virginia Tech, Barno is the top returning defensive end in the ACC in terms of production. His 0.59 sacks per game leads all returning pass rushers. Meanwhile, his 1.46 tackles for loss per game finished third behind only Rashad Weaver and Jaelan Phillips, who are now in the NFL. At 6’6″ and 235 pounds, Barno has an intriguing frame at the position while possessing a red hot motor that should see him live in the opposition’s backfield again in the upcoming CFB season.
EDGE: Myles Murphy, Clemson
Murphy was one of the most impactful true freshman defensive players in the nation last season. The former five-star defensive end recruit led the Tigers with 12 tackles for loss while tallying 51 tackles, 4 sacks, and a monster 3 forced fumbles. Despite the program’s history of defensive success, Murphy was the first true freshman to log 3 forced fumbles during the Dabo Swinney era.
Although the Clemson defensive end received Freshman All-America accolades from multiple outlets and was named the ACC Co-Offensive Newcomer of the Year by the AP, he was dramatically snubbed from the ACC All-Conference teams at the end of 2020. We don’t make the same mistake here. Murphy should lead a defensive line this fall that has the potential to equal the 2018 National Championship-winning unit.
Defensive Tackle: Bryan Bresee, Clemson
In Murphy and Bresee, Clemson has the heart of a defensive line that has the potential to emulate that “Power Rangers” unit from 2018. The No. 1 overall player in the 2020 recruiting class, Bresee, has the power to win inside with the athletic ability to win outside. The adjective “monster” gets chucked around with abandon, but there is no other way to describe the 6’5″, 300-pound defensive tackle.
How much of a monster? Well, Bresee racked up 23 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 1 forced fumble as a true freshman. He was named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, becoming only the second Clemson player to win the award. Bresee was one of our first-team All-American defensive tackles. As such, he’s a shoo-in for first-team ACC All-Conference honors.
Defensive Tackle: Nesta Jade Silvera, Miami (FL)
The Hurricanes interior defensive lineman had a breakout season in 2020. Having previously compiled 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack in two seasons, Silvera was a menace at the heart of the Miami line in his junior season. He led the team’s defensive tackles with 35 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and a first career forced fumble.
An athletic DT who can be downright unstoppable when exploding off the line, Silvera has reportedly spent the offseason studying NFL defensive tackles to hone his craft. If he can improve his reading of the game rather than relying on his athletic traits, Silvera could emerge as one of the best defensive tackles in the nation in 2021.
Linebacker: Cam Bright, Pittsburgh
After a slow start to his Pitt career, Bright has become a force for the Panthers linebacker group in the last two seasons. The redshirt senior has amassed 112 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, and a forced fumble since making his first start in 2019. Bright earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors after a standout game against Syracuse.
With a raft of talent headed out the door of Heinz Field to the NFL, Bright should be set for a breakout year this upcoming college football season. After leading all Pitt linebackers in sacks last season, you can expect him to be a defensive leader this year. Although we’ve highlighted his pass-rush production and tackling acumen, Bright also possesses exceptional coverage ability, making him an all-around threat.
Linebacker: James Skalski, Clemson
The heart of our first-team ACC All-Conference linebacker unit is led by one of the most experienced players in college football. Skalski has seen action in 56 games with 25 starts. Heading into the season, he is tied for ninth in all-time appearances for the Tigers. He is the only player ever to play in five ACC Championship games. As a result, he has an impressive résumé consisting of 171 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks.
Skalski’s importance to Clemson goes beyond the boxscore, however. When he missed three games last fall, the Tigers’ defense gave up over 20 points in each contest, including the defeat to Notre Dame. With him, they allowed just 10 points to the Fighting Irish in the ACC Championship. Furthermore, they only conceded 20+ points in two games with him compared to the three without. His return as a team captain is enormous for a defensive unit that should be one of the best in the country this season.
Linebacker: Payton Wilson, NC State
Wilson earns preseason ACC All-Conference honors coming off a campaign where he received the award from the conference and the AP. The NC State linebacker was an absolute machine last fall. He led the conference in tackles per game, ranked fourth in the nation in total tackles, and ranked ninth in the ACC for tackles for loss.
Wilson was thrice named the ACC Linebacker of the Week in 2020, with the final honor coming from a game against Georgia Tech, where he played with two dislocated shoulders. Although the NC State linebacker had offseason surgery on both shoulders, his return to the Wolfpack is a massive boost for the team and anyone who watches NC State this fall.
Cornerback: Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
Having started just four games in his two-year career with Clemson, Andrew Booth doesn’t have the gaudy statistics that some of his cornerback contemporaries possess ahead of the 2021 CFB season. The junior defensive back has just 2 interceptions and 4 pass breakups, with both of his interceptions coming in his sophomore season. His apparent lack of production has seen his omission from some outlet’s preseason ACC All-Conference first-team cornerback ranks.
Don’t be fooled by statistics. Turn on the tape and watch Booth go to battle. An insane athlete who is fast, fluid, and full of energy, Booth’s athletic profile is only matched by his ball skills. Sure, there are some areas for improvement, but he has everything necessary to be one of the best cornerbacks in the nation this fall.
Cornerback: Garrett Williams, Syracuse
After seeing limited action during a redshirted 2019 season, Williams emerged as one of the top defensive playmakers in the ACC last year. The talented second-year CB led the ACC in passes defensed while also leading the conference’s cornerbacks in tackles per game. Williams became the first player to return a Trevor Lawrence interception for a touchdown during the No. 1 overall pick’s three-year college career.
Williams’ play last year earned him an All-ACC honorable mention. Now, he heads into the upcoming season as a first-team conference honoree here at Pro Football Network. With several members of the Syracuse secondary departed for the NFL, Williams should step up as the leader in the defensive backfield.
Cornerback: Tony Grimes, North Carolina
Coming into college football and making an impact as a true freshman is a tricky proposition. Now, imagine if that true freshman season is actually your senior season of high school. That was the situation five-star cornerback Tony Grimes found himself in last year. Having reclassified from the 2021 class, Grimes enrolled at UNC in August and was thrust into action immediately.
As the UNC defense came under intense scrutiny last season, Grimes may not seem a likely ACC All-Conference honoree. However, his play during the final four games of the season (all starts) was impressive. He secured his first career interception against Texas A&M in the season-ending Orange Bowl. With an entire offseason to grow into his role — combined with the return of Storm Duck across the field from him –, Grimes should live up to his incredible recruiting profile this fall.
Safety: Kenderick Duncan Jr., Louisville
One of the Sun Belt‘s most impressive defensive playmakers during his time with Georgia Southern, Duncan secured a transfer to Louisville this spring. The 6’3″, 225-pound safety has secured 2 interceptions in each of his last three seasons. The impressive ballhawk has also logged 14 pass breakups, with 4 of those coming in just five games in 2020.
Duncan possesses impressive athletic attributes. A former high school QB who was recruited as both a quarterback and safety by multiple programs, he combines athletic ability with incredible football intelligence. Louisville coaches are confident he can achieve All-ACC honors this fall. We concur with a spot at safety in our first-team ACC All-Conference.
Safety: Joey Blount, Virginia
Joining Duncan at safety in our ACC All-Conference first-team is another impressive playmaker in Virginia’s Joey Blount. Good luck throwing against a player who has snagged 6 interceptions in the last three seasons while adding 9 pass breakups to his career résumé. Furthermore, Blount brings tantalizing tackling ability with 217 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks across his four years with the Cavaliers.
However, last season wasn’t his finest body of work during his Virginia career. Nevertheless, he’s fully fit for the first time in his Cavaliers’ career and ready to lead the team back to competitiveness this fall.
Flex: Mikel Jones, Syracuse
When selecting an ACC All-Conference first-team defensive flex, much like the offensive flex, we were looking for someone who can contribute in all phases of the game. Thus, Syracuse linebacker Mikel Jones perfectly fits the bill. The 6’1″, 218-pound junior linebacker has been a phenomenal playmaker all over the field during his two seasons at Syracuse.
Jones has registered 106 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles, demonstrating his tackling ability. Additionally, his 4 interceptions demonstrate an impressive ability in coverage. With the Orange losing a lot of talent from the defense, Jones will be a critical leader in the upcoming season.
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