The Lombardi Award released its preliminary watch list, and 13 ACC players made the cut. The list will be reshaped again before the season begins.
The award is given annually to the best lineman on either side of the ball, or linebackers that line up near the line of scrimmage.
The last ACC player to win the award was Julius Peppers in 2001.
Here's who made the list this season:
Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
Allen Bailey, DT/DE, Miami
Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
Bruce Carter, LB, North Carolina
Anthony Castonzo, OL, Boston College
Mark Herzlich, LB, Boston College
Rodney Hudson, OL, Florida State
Nate Irving, LB, NC State
Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
Barquell Rivers, LB, Virginia Tech
Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina
Alex Wujciak, LB, Maryland
That's a lot of guys, and a lot from North Carolina. Four, to be exact. As you saw yesterday, scouts are taking notice, too. Will it translate into more wins in 2010 for the Tarheels?
Also interesting: the lack of offensive players on the list. Could be a long year for offensive lines in the conference.