The ACC Kickoff is this week in Charlotte, and fall camps are right around the corner. Over the years, the ACC has produced good NFL talent and some players who have gone on and have had Hall of Fame careers.
Just who are the best players to come out of the ACC and make a big impact in the NFL on Sundays? Well, we asked and AI answered for each conference school, including the three new schools last season, SMU, Stanford, and California. With that said, let's dig into the top NFL player from each program.
Boston College: Matt Ryan
One of the best quarterbacks to play in Chestnut Hill, Matt Ryan, went on to be the franchise QB for the Atlanta Falcons, but he'll be remembered for Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017, when Atlanta held a 28-3 win over the New England Patriots in the second half. Yeah, you know the rest. Ryan was named MVP of the 2016 season, was a four-time Pro Bowler, and threw over 60,000 yards between Atlanta and his one year with the Indianapolis Colts. Right behind Ryan was linebacker Luke Kuechly.
Clemson: Brian Dawkins
There were some good names to choose from for the Tigers, with DeAndre Hopkins, Deshaun Watson, and Trevor Lawrence also mentioned, but it's hard to go against Brian Dawkins. In the Hall of Fame, Dawkins spent 13 of his 16 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and was named to nine Pro Bowls and was a five-time All-Pro. He finished his career with the Denver Broncos, and the talented defensive back finished with 37 career interceptions between the Eagles and Broncos.
Duke: Sonny Jurgensen
In Durham, Sonny Jurgensen was the backup quarterback 1954 and even played some defensive back, but the following year he played both QB and DB for the Blue Devils. He played with the Eagles and Washington Redskins in the NFL, making five Pro Bowls and led the NFL in passing yards in five seasons.
Florida State: Deion Sanders
Currently the head coach at Colorado, Deion Sanders was one of the best cover corners in the NFL after his days in Tallahassee and kick returner. Like Dawkins, he is in the Hall of Fame, he made the Pro Bowl eight times, won a pair of Super Bowls, and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1994. Of course, he went on to play baseball as well, but now he roams the sidelines in Boulder as head coach of the Buffaloes.
Georgia Tech: Calvin Johnson
One of the better wide receivers to play in the ACC, Calvin Johnson is still the record holder for receiving yards in a season with 1,964 in 2012 with the Detroit Lions. A member of the Hall of Fame, Johnson made the Pro Bowl six times.
Louisville: Lamar Jackson
This one was a no-brainer, quarterback Lamar Jackson is still one of the top signal callers in the NFL, winning the MVP Award in 2019 and 2023, while being the standard for a dual-threat QB. He is the only former Cardinals player to ever win the NFL MVP award.
Miami: Ray Lewis
There have been several great NFL Pros out of South Florida, including Ed Reed, Michael Irvin, and Frank Gore, but linebacker Rya Lewis impacted the game every time he was on the field, and a tough player to defend. A two-time Super Bowl winner with the Baltimore Ravens, he made the Pro Bowl 13 times and was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He played 17 years in the NFL, all with the Ravens.
North Carolina: Lawrence Taylor
Known as "LT" with the New York Giants, Lawrence Taylor played 13 years with the Giants and was the second overall pick of the 1981 NFL Draft. He is in the Hall of Fame as a two-time Super Bowl winner, was named the NFL MVP in 1986, and was tabbed three times as the Defensive Player of the Year.
North Carolina State: Philip Rivers
One quarterback who had a lot of regular-season success in the NFL but never won a championship was former Wolfpack star Philip Rivers. An eight-time member of the Pro Bowl, who threw over 63,000 yards between the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers for 16 years and one year with the Colts before he retired.
Pittsburgh: Dan Marino
This one is a no-brainer. He threw for over 61,000 yards with the Miami Dolphins and the named NFL MVP in 1984. He made the Pro Bowl nine times, and in 17 years in South Florida, he threw 420 touchdowns. He threw a career-high 48 in 1984, his second year as a pro. You can see how he won the MVP award that year.
Syracuse: Jim Brown
Running back Jim Brown was nicknamed "First Down Brown" when he ran the ball for the Orange, but he went on to have a tremendous NFL career, ending up in the Hall of Fame in 1995. A three-time NFL MVP, he won the rushing title in eight of nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
Wake Forest: Norm Snead
Quarterback Norm Snead was a four-time Pro Bowler in the 1960s and 1970s and was an All-ACC First Team member in 1959 and 1960. After retiring, he coached high school football in his home state of Virginia.
Virginia: Ronde Barber
Cornerback Ronde Barber was a staple in the Cavaliers' secondary during his career in Charlottesville, but in his 16 years in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he carved out a Hall of Fame career. He made the Pro Bowl five times with 47 interceptions and 28 sacks, while also winning the Super Bowl in 2003.
Virginia Tech: Bruce Smith
Former Hokies pass rusher Bruce Smith was the best pass rusher of his era in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins, without a doubt. The all-time leader in sacks with 200, two more than the late Reggie White. After 15 years in Western New York with Buffalo, he finished his career with four years in Washington.
California: Aaron Rodgers
The first of the three ACC newbies, Cal, produced a future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers, who will play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. Known for his time with the Green Bay Packers, the former Golden Bears signal caller is a four-time MVP and has thrown for over 60,000 yards. We'll see how things shake out in the Steel City this fall.
SMU: Doak Walker
There have been some outstanding running backs to play in college and go on to have a good NFL career, but Doak Walker was so good that they named an award after him, the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the best college running back. A Hall of Famer, Walker was a five-time Pro Bowler in the 1950s.
Stanford: John Elway
There have been some very good NFL quarterbacks to come of Stanford, but John Elway is a no doubter. A two-time Super Bowl winner with the Denver Broncos and the 1987 NFL MPV, Elway is in the Hall of Fame, but his ability to keep plays alive was something to watch. He threw for just under 52,000 yards and 300 touchdown in the Mile High City.