Ryan Williams is the 2009 ACC Rookie of the Year

As if there was any doubt.

The freshman from Manassas, Va., led the ACC in rushing and rushing touchdowns, getting most of the Hokies' carries after a preseason injury to Darren Evans. Williams ran for 1,538 yards and 19 touchdowns and averaged 5.7 ypc. Nationally he is third in rushing yards behind Stanford's Toby Gerhart and UTEP's Donald Buckram. He is tied for third nationally in touchdowns behind Gerhart and Navy's Ricky Dobbs.

After Evans' injury, there was a lot of questions about how Virginia Tech's offense would cope without its workhorse. Williams answered all those questions emphatically and had arguably the best season by a freshman running back in ACC history. Congratulations, Ryan. You earned it.