The 25 greatest players in ACC football history

Ward will go down as one of the most versatile collegiate athletes. He opted for a career in the NBA after being passed over in the first round of the NFL Draft. Still, Ward was the first Florida State player to win the Heisman Trophy. That came in 1993 when he threw for 3,032 yards with 27 touchdowns and four interceptions. The two-time ACC Player of the Year ran for another 349 that season. Ward finished his college career with 5,747 passing yards, 49 touchdowns, 22 interceptions, and completed 62.3 percent of his passes, while also yielding 889 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

Rivers is still the ACC's all-time leader with 13,484 passing yards and 1087 completions, and ranks third with 95 touchdowns through the air. One of the most prolific passers in college football history, Rivers was a four-year starter for the Wolfpack, the ACC Rookie of the Year and league's Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, when he threw for 4,491 yards with 34 touchdowns and seven interceptions.  

At Clemson, Watson was one of the most dynamic football players this century. A consensus All-American and ACC Player of the Year in 2015, Watson won the Davey O'Brien and Manning Awards (2015, '16) and helped the Tigers win the national championship in 2016. He ranks second in school history with 10,163 passing yards and tied for second with 90 passing touchdowns. Watson is Clemson's all-time leader with a 67.4 completion percentage, and his 116 combined passing and rushing touchdowns also rank among the top five.

The two-time ACC Player of the Year (2016, '17), Jackson also won the Heisman Trophy Award in 2016. In his final two seasons with the Cardinals, Jackson threw for 7,203 yards with 57 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, plus 3,172 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns on the ground. One of the most exciting players in ACC history, Jackson has continued to thrive in the NFL as one of the league's best.

The Tigers went 34-2 during Lawrence's career, and won a national championship (2018) in his freshman season. During the College Football Playoff semifinal and title games in '18, Lawrence threw for 674 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Lawrence went on to earn ACC Player of the Year and All-American honors in 2020 and currently sits third in school history in passing yards (10,098), second in completion percentage (66.6), and is tied for second with 90 touchdowns.

There's certainly a case to be made that Brown is the greatest running back in the history of the ACC. The Wolfpack legend ranks second in league history with 4,602 rushing yards and was a four-time, first-team All-ACC selection. Brown scored 49 touchdowns on the ground and also caught 82 passes out of the backfield during his four stellar seasons at N.C. State, where his No. 23 was retired. Brown is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Dunn ranks second all-time in school history with 3,959 rushing yards, including three straight seasons of at least 1,000, and sits third with 37 touchdowns on the ground. He also remains one of the best receiving backs in college football history, catching 132 career passes for 1,314 yards with 12 touchdowns. Dunn was a three-time All-ACC first-team selection, and his No. 28 jersey has been honored by the university as one of the program's legendary performers.  

Spiller was the ACC Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American in 2009, when he rushed for 1,271 yards with 12 touchdowns and also caught 36 passes for 503 yards with four TDs. One of the most versatile offensive threats in college football history, Spiller is Clemson's career leader with 7,588 all-purpose yards. He is among the top 10 in school history with 3,547 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns. Spiller's combined 51 rushing and receiving touchdowns rank second-most among all Tigers. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Warrick is third in school history with 207 career receptions and 3,517 receiving yards. However, his 32 touchdown receptions amassed at Florida State remain a school record. A three-time, first-team All-ACC pick and two-time consensus All-American (1998, '99), Warrick totaled 249 yards at Clemson in 1997 — third-most in school history. He was also a fine returner for the Seminoles.

The man known as "Megatron," Johnson, just might be the best receiver in the history of the ACC. A three-time, first-team All-ACC selection, Johnson is Georgia Tech's career leader with 2,927 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns, and ranks second with 178 receptions. In 2006, Johnson won the Biletnikoff Award, honoring the nation's top wide receiver, for posting 76 receptions, 1,202 yards, and 15 touchdowns. Johnson, who went on to star for the Detroit Lions, is a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bostic is likely best known for his time spent starring in the NFL with Washington. However, he's still considered one of the true legends of Clemson -- and ACC -- football. Bostic, who shared some of his time as a Tiger with younger brother, Jeff, was a two-time All-American (1977, '78). He was a big reason that the '78 squad ranked sixth in the nation, averaging 296.5 rushing yards. Joe Bostic was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. 

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Richter is arguably the greatest offensive lineman in Wolfpack history. A two-time All-American (1978, '79), as well as twice a two-time first-team All-ACC pick at center. Richter won the Outland Trophy in 1979 and then embarked on an NFL career that included two Pro Bowl nods and four Super Bowl appearances with the Buffalo Bills. 

A two-time, first-team All-ACC honoree and All-American in 2005, Ferguson is the greatest lineman in the history of the Virginia program. Ferguson started 49 games during his Cavaliers career, and also spent time on defense, too. From there, Ferguson was a three-time Pro Bowler for the New York Jets, where he's also a member of the team's ring of honor.

Boulware earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1996. After three seasons at Florida State, Boulware recorded 34 sacks, which ranks second in program history. His 19 from that special 1996 season remain the most by a Seminoles player. Following that successful career at Florida State, Boulware earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, was a four-time Pro Bowler, and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.

Another member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, Peppers is one of the most disruptive defenders to ever play the game -- on any level. He became the first North Carolina player to win a national award by taking home the Bednarik and Lombardi Awards in 2001. A two-time first-team All-ACC selection and All-American, Peppers also starred for the Tar Heels basketball team. Led the ACC in tackles for loss (24) and sacks (15) in 2000. His 30 1/2 career sacks and 53 tackles for loss each rank among the top 20 in ACC history. 

One of the greatest defensive players in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, White laid the foundation for that stardom at Maryland. White's college career actually began on offense, but he eventually made his way to the other side of the ball and became a legend. Known for his agility and brute force, the All-American was the ACC Player of the Year in 1974, when he also won the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. White was inducted into both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames in 1994.

Donald spent just one season in the ACC (2013), after Pitt moved from the Big East. However, it was one of the best campaigns in league history. As a senior for the Panthers in '13, Donald matched a career high with 11 sacks and recorded 28 1/2 sacks for loss en route to being named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and winner of such national awards/trophies like the Bednarik, Nagurski, Lombardi, and Outland. 

Among the greatest NFL players of all time, Taylor got the ball rolling at North Carolina, where he went from special teams standout as a freshman to one of the country's top players in his senior season. In 1980, Taylor posted a school-record 16 sacks and 22 tackles for loss, while helping the Tar Heels win the ACC title. Those accomplishments earned Taylor ACC Player of the Year and All-American honors. 

Brooks was one special NFL performer with a rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, he is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. A standout linebacker, after beginning his collegiate career as a safety for the Seminoles, Brooks posted 274 tackles, 8 1/2 sacks, and five interceptions. He was named the 1993 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and twice earned consensus All-American honors (1993, '94).

The ACC career leader with 532 tackles, Kuechly did it in just three seasons. A College Football Hall of Famer, Kuechly also recorded 35 1/2 tackles for loss. He was a first-team All-ACC standout each season at Boston College, and won the Butkus and Lombardi Awards and Nagurski Trophy in 2011, when he posted 191 total tackles. The two-time All-American had his No. 40 retired by the Golden Eagles program.

Clemson football historians, and some in and around the program, think Kinard might be the best defensive player in the history of the school. The two-time consensus All-American and twice a first-team All-ACC performer is Clemson's all-time leader with 17 interceptions. Kinard recorded six of those picks during the 1982 season. He also ranks among the school's all-time leaders in passes defended (47) and pass breakups (30). Kinard was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. 

Woolford established himself, arguably, as the greatest cornerback in Tigers' history. A consensus All-American, two-time first-team All-ACC performer and Jim Thorpe Award finalist, Woolford is the school's career leader with 54 passes defended and 44 pass breakups. His 10 career interceptions rank among the leaders in the annals of Tigers' football. Woolford was also among the nation's top punt returners during his time at Clemson, where he averaged 15.5 yards per return and took two back for touchdowns in 1987.

Perhaps better known as "Captain America" to fans of the Yellow Jackets. A two-time, first-team All-ACC performer and an All-American, Swilling was appreciated for his leadership, in addition to his strong play on the field. He ranks among the school's top 10 with 13 interceptions. Swilling was an integral part of Georgia Tech's 1990 squad that shared the national championship. 

A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Bly also became the ACC's first three-time, first-team All-American selection -- twice a consensus pick. Bly ranks second all-time among ACC players with 20 interceptions, and his 11 picks from 1996 rank third in league history. In addition, Bly recorded a career 102 tackles and 27 pass breakups. A two-time NFL Pro Bowl pick. Bly won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams as a rookie.

One of only three kickers in NFL history to be drafted in the first round. There have been other kickers at Florida State and within the ACC that enjoyed more statistical success, but Janikowski is still talked about as one of the greats in college football history at his position. He's the only back-to-back winner of the Lou Groza Award and finished his Seminoles' career 126-for-129 on extra points and 66-of-83 (.795 percentage that ranks second in school history) on field goals.