Even after having 51 players selected in the 2006 NFL Draft, including 12 in the first round, the ACC will have a lot of talented players in 2006. So many, in fact, that it's very hard to decide on an All-ACC team. No matter how many lists you see, you can always make a case for a number of players who deserved to be included. That being said, TSL still decided to take a stab at it.

The ACC is very much a defensive conference, but there are still a number of good players on the offensive side of the ball. Here's a look at the All-ACC offense.

2006 Preseason All-ACC Team
Position Name Team
Quarterback Kyle Wright Miami
Running Back James Davis Clemson
Running Back Micah Andrews Wake Forest
Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson Georgia Tech
Wide Receiver Chansi Stuckey Clemson
Tight End Greg Olsen Miami
Center Dustin Fry Clemson
O-Line Josh Beekman Boston College
O-Line Roman Fry Clemson
O-Line Barry Richardson Clemson
O-Line Steve Vallos Wake Forest


Noticed Clemson's name a lot, didn't you? That's why they could possibly have the top offense in the ACC this year. They have a very good runner, a prolific receiver and an outstanding offensive line. Their only question mark on offense is at quarterback, and if Will Proctor can just play within the system and minimize his mistakes, the Tigers should be able to put some points on the board.

To us, Kyle Wright was the obvious pick for All-ACC at quarterback, but the ACC admittedly doesn't have a lot of good quarterbacks returning. Wright is talented, but he didn't play that great against top competition last year. But I don't think anyone else deserves the honor, either. There are a lot of quarterbacks in the ACC that have to prove themselves this year. Other possibilities include Drew Weatherford (Florida State), Matt Ryan (Boston College) and Sam Hollenbach (Maryland). Georgia Tech's Reggie Ball also has a chance, if he can play consistently.

There are a lot of good running backs in the conference. James Davis gets the most hype, but Micah Andrews should have a huge season for Wake Forest. Branden Ore (Virginia Tech), Tyrone Moss (Miami), Lance Ball (Maryland) and Andre Brown (NC State) could have big years as well. But I chose Davis because he is getting the most preseason hype, while Andrews is in the perfect system. The big sleeper of this group is Ore, who not many are talking about because he missed spring practice. But he could be the most talented of the group.

At wide receiver, Calvin Johnson is the best player in the ACC without question. Chansi Stuckey is very good for Clemson. Greg Olsen is clearly the best tight end. Other candidates include Chris Davis (Florida State), Greg Carr (Florida State), Deyon Williams (UVA), Jesse Holley (UNC), Josh Morgan (Virginia Tech), Eddie Royal (Virginia Tech) and David Clowney (Virginia Tech). Whichever Tech receiver leads the team in receiving will have a chance. You can scratch the other two off the list.

Clemson's offensive line is experienced and is expected to be the best in the ACC this year. Most preseason magazines give the Tigers two or three offensive linemen on the All-ACC team, and so did TSL. With all five starters returning, four of them being seniors, Clemson will be very formidable up front. Jared Gaither (Maryland), Leroy Harris (NC State), Anthony Wollschlager (Miami), Duane Brown (Virginia Tech) and Mario Henderson (Florida State) were other candidates.

Despite having some good offenses, the ACC is still known for being a defensive conference, and rightfully so. Here's a look at the All-ACC Defensive team.

2006 All-ACC Defensive Team
Position Name Team
Defensive End Gaines Adams Clemson
Defensive End Chris Ellis Virginia Tech
Defensive Tackle Kareem Brown Miami
Defensive Tackle Joe Anoai Georgia Tech
Linebacker Vince Hall Virginia Tech
Linebacker KaMichael Hall Georgia Tech
Linebacker Anthony Waters Clemson
Cornerback Marcus Hamilton Virginia
Cornerback John Talley Duke
Safety Brandon Merriweather Miami
Safety Aaron Rouse Virginia Tech


There are a lot of defensive players in the ACC who deserve to be on this list but didn't make it. The defensive line is very athletic, and all of those players are capable of putting pressure on the quarterback. Other players considered were Baraka Atkins (Miami), Andre Fluellen (Florida State), Chris Long (UVA), DeMario Pressley (NC State) and Tank Tyler (NC State).

Linebacker was even more difficult, but Vince Hall, KaMichael Hall and Anthony Waters stand out as the best of the bunch. Of course, some guys were left off who arguably deserved to be listed; Brian Toal (Boston College), Buster Davis (Florida State), Jon Abbate (Wake Forest), Xavier Adibi (Virginia Tech), Philip Wheeler (Georgia Tech), Lawrence Timmons (Florida State) Jon Beason (Miami) and Larry Edwards (UNC) were also considered.

Cornerback was the hardest position to choose from. I ultimately went with John Talley because he is the NCAA's active leader in interceptions, with 11 for his career. I also chose Marcus Hamilton, because his six interceptions in 2005 led the ACC. But I also think there are other corners in the league who could be better than those guys, and a couple of them are in Blacksburg. Others considered included Brandon Flowers (Virginia Tech), Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest), Josh Wilson (Maryland) and A.J. Davis (NC State). I'd also rank Tech's Macho Harris and Roland Minor highly as well.

At safety, I chose Brandon Merriweather and Aaron Rouse. Merriweather is probably the most natural and instinctive safety in the conference, despite being a little under prototypical safety size at 6-0, 188. Aaron Rouse has great size (6-4, 227) and is one of the fastest players on Tech's team. He is already near the top of some NFL scouts' boards. Other safeties considered include Kenny Phillips (Miami), Garland Heath (NC State), Kareen Taylor (UNC), Jamie Silva (Boston College), Michael Hamlin (Clemson) and Josh Gattis (Wake Forest).