All-American Burnett best defender in ACC

CLEMSON — Follow the ball and you'll find Georgia Tech safety Morgan Burnett.

For that reason the 6-1, 200-pound junior gets the nod as the top defensive player in the ACC entering the 2009 season.

Though playing a position farthest from the line of scrimmage, Burnett led the Yellow Jackets in tackles (93) good for 13th in the conference. And Burnett is hardly an eighth defender in the box as he also plays a fine center field, tying for first in the conference in interceptions (7) and third in passes defended (15).

He earned All-American honors from Pro Football Weekly, Sports Illustrated and the Sporting News.

While teams prefer to build with size, Burnett is a special talent. An active player who impacts the run and pass game, who projections have going in the first round on next year's draft. He is in the conversation for top safety in the country along with Southern Cal's Taylor Mays and Tennessee's Eric Berry.

Here's a look at the rest of the best returning defensive players in the ACC:

2. Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech, DE

An all-ACC selection last year, Worilds reminds some of former undersized Hokie defensive end Darryl Tapp. Worilds is relatively slight (6-4, 240) but quick off the edge, using his speed to register eight sacks last season, good for fourth in the conference and the most by a returning player. The three ACC players with more sacks than Worilds last year — Michael Johnson, Clint Sintim and Everett Brown — were early NFL Draft picks.

3. Marvin Austin, North Carolina, DT

Marvin Austin has potential massive like his 6-3, 305-pound frame and billing entering Chapel Hill in 2007 — the top recruit in the ACC. He earned freshman All-American honors and was solid last season but has yet to put together a B.J. Raji-like impact season, registering just one sack a year ago. He has the talent to be a game-changer, pocket-collapsing machine in the ACC this fall.

4. Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech, DE

Some prefer Morgan (6-4, 270) to Worilds, but Morgan has this question to answer: how will he adjust to double teams now that Michael Johnson has departed and the Tech line has been depleted. Morgan tied for the conference lead with four fumbles forced and was seventh in the league with seven sacks.

5. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia, CB

Ideal size? Check (6-2, 200). Production? Check. Dowling finished tied for third in the league with 14 passes defended, three of which were intercepted.

6. Alex Wujciak, Maryland, LB

Probably the top returning linebacker now that reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Herzlich (Boston College) has been diagnosed with cancer. Wujciak was second in the conference with 133 tackles last season.

7. Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson, DE

If he continues to play as he did at close of last season and during the spring, Bowers could end up at No. 1 on this list next summer.

8. Sean Spence, Miami, LB

Though undersized, last season's ACC's Defensive Rookie of the Year, can deliver a knockout blow or knockout score.

9. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina, LB

Third in the conference with 122 total tackles.

10. Willie Young, N.C. State, DE

One of the top returning sack artists in the ACC, registering 6.5 sacks last season.

11. Bruce Carter, North Carolina, LB

Part of one of the fastest linebacker units in college football, led the group with 11 tackles for loss and five sacks.

12. Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech, S

A king-sized safety (6-4, 224) who impacts the center of the field.

13. Vince Oghobaase, Duke, DT

A combination of size (6-6, 300) and quickness resulted in six sacks last season.

14. Boo Robinson, Wake Forest, DT

Eleventh in the ACC in sacks, recorded two against Clemson.

15. Deunta Williams, UNC, S

Former ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, has outstanding size (6-2, 204) and athleticism. Had offseason wrist surgery.

16. Ricky Sapp, Clemson, DE

17. Patrick Robinson, Florida State, CB

18. Dekoda Watson, Florida State, LB

19. Kendric Burney, North Carolina, CB

20. Stephan Virgil, Virginia Tech, CB

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.