CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Athlon: ACC 2012 Heisman Contenders


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From Athlon Sports:

1. Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech (SR)

2. Tajh BoydTajh Boyd

RS So. Quarterback

#10 6-1, 225

Hampton, VA

View Full Profile , QB, Clemson (SR)

Last fall the Tigers quarterback led the ACC in total offense at 289.0 yards per game. His 3,828 ranked first in the league as did his 33 touchdown passes. He added 218 yards rushing and five more scores on the ground. With a loaded collection of receivers and running backs returning this fall, Boyd should be able to post another huge year under the tutelage of Chad Morris. A big performance on the road against Florida State would go a long way to getting Boyd to New York.

3. Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins

Fr. Wide Receiver

#2 6-1, 200

Fort Myers, FL

View Full Profile , WR, Clemson (SO)

Few players have ever been ready to compete at a Heisman level right out of high school like Watkins. As a true freshman, Watkins led the ACC in all-purpose yards: 1,219 receiving, 231 rushing, 826 kick return and 12 punt return yards. He scored a total 13 touchdowns and would likely be No. 1 on the this list if his ability to contribute in all 12 Clemson games weren’t in currently in question.

4. Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina (SO)

5. Bryn Renner, QB, North Carolina (JR)

6. Mike Glennon, QB, NC State (SR)

7. EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State (SR)

8. Andre EllingtonAndre Ellington

RS Jr. Running Back

#23 5-10, 190

Moncks Corner, SC

View Full Profile , RB, Clemson (SR)

Finally, Ellington is a senior. The Tigers tailback enters his final year after 454 career touches in three season in Death Valley. He has scored 26 times and is coming off his first 1,000-yard season after battling injuries for the better part of his career. If he can stay healthy, and hold off talented back-ups, Ellington has a chance to be the league’s top rusher in the explosive Clemson offensive attack.

9. David Amerson, CB, NC State (JR)

10. Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State (SR)

11. Tevin Washington, QB, Georgia Tech (SR)

12. Sean Renfree, QB, Duke (SR)

13. Orwin Smith, RB, Georgia Tech (SR)

14. DeAndre HopkinsDeAndre Hopkins

So. Wide Receiver

#6 6-1, 200

Central, SC

View Full Profile , WR, Clemson (JR)

Despite being the No. 2 option for Boyd, Hopkins finished fifth in the ACC in catches (72) and fourth in yards (978). He has the skillset to compliment Watkins and produce big numbers in Morris’ system.

15. Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State (SO)

16. Erik Highsmith, WR, North Carolina (SR)

17. Mike James, RB, Miami (SR)

18. Lamarcus Joyner, S, Florida State (JR)

19. Kevin Parks, RB, Virginia (SO)

20. Perry Jones, RB, Virginia (SR)

21. Conner Vernon, WR, Duke (SR)

22. Kevin Reddick, LB, North Carolina (SR)

23. Tanner Price, QB, Wake Forest (JR)

24. Tobias Palmer, WR, NC State (SR)

25. Marcus Davis, WR, Virginia Tech (SR)

Read the full article here

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