Hokies Rank in Athlon Sports' Top ACC Players

This week Athlon Sports ranked their top players in the ACC. In order to do so, Athlon referred to the opinions of 21 college football experts. Of the 40 ACC players ranked Virginia Tech was represented by five players.

The highest ranked student athlete, for the Fighting Gobblers, and least surprising, was Kendall Fuller, who ranked as the fourth best player in the ACC. Surprisingly, he was not listed as the top defensive back. That honor was reserved for the number one ranked ACC player, Florida State Seminole, Jalen Ramsey.

Virginia Tech’s defensive line must impress, because three of the five Hokies represented on the list are gentlemen that work in the trenches. Clocking in at number nine is Hokie stalwart, defensive end Dadi Nicolas. Behind Nicolas, tied for 22nd, Hokie defensive tackle, Luther Maddy, shows his impact. The other Virginia Tech defensive end to make the list is Ken Ekanem at 32.

The lone offensive Hokie player, to make the list, should not surprise anyone. Bucky Hodges is in a three way tie for 35th best ACC player, according to Athlon. He shares the spotlight with Wake Forest Demon Deacons' LB Brandon Chubb and Clemson Tigers' DE Shaq Lawson.

In addition to Clemson and Florida State, VPI was the only school to have multiple players tiered in the top ten of Athlon Sports’ ACC rankings. Virginia Tech was the third most represented on the list, behind the Florida State Seminoles and the Clemson Tigers, respectively. Athlon’s assortment is yet another collection of great college football players that showcases the talent of the Hokie Squad this year.