NFL Draft Again Will Have Heavy ACC Flavor

Once upon a time, the ACC didn't draw many headlines in the days and weeks leading up to the NFL draft.

Since its most recent round of expansion, however, the conference's top pro prospects have been in the spotlight every spring.

“The expansion debate may never go away entirely,” Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said. “But I don’t think there’s any doubt that expansion has raised the profile of ACC football, and the NFL numbers are one example of that.”

In the three years (2002-04) immediately before expansion, the ACC produced 60 NFL draft picks and just five first-round selections. Those numbers were by far the lowest of the six conferences that form the backbone of the Bowl Championship Series.

In the three years (2005-07) after expansion, the ACC produced 118 NFL draft picks and 23 first-round selections. Those numbers are neck-and-neck with the SEC (115, 25), which historically has been regarded as the top producer of pro-level football talent, and significantly higher than those of the other four BCS leagues.

“The ACC is producing just as much talent for the NFL as anyone else. In some years, we’re producing more than anyone else,” Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said. “That hasn’t always been the case.”

Prior to the additions of Miami and Virginia Tech in 2004, then Boston College in 2005, the ACC averaged 13.6 NFL draft picks per year in the 1970s, 20.6 per year in the 1980s, 24.2 per year in the 1990s, and 20.8 per year from 2000-04.

The league’s two Florida schools have, by far, the most impressive track records when it comes to generating NFL-caliber talent. Miami has produced 291 draft picks, including 59 first-rounders, in the history of its program. Florida State, which joined the ACC in 1992, has sent 213 players into the draft, including 34 first-rounders.

“There’s no doubt. Those are questions we get in recruiting,” Miami coach Randy Shannon said. “(Prospects) want to know about a lot of things — the NFL, national championships, playing time, coaches, facilities, academics. Most of the time, the NFL is important to them.”

Here are the all-time NFL draft numbers for the rest of the league: North Carolina 197 selections (16 in first round), Clemson 194 (21), Maryland 194 (15), Georgia Tech 193 (9), Boston College 183 (14), Duke 149 (6), Virginia 141 (13), N.C. State 138 (15), Wake Forest 117 (2), Virginia Tech 114 (6).

The ACC is not expected to dominate this year’s draft, which will be held Saturday and Sunday in New York City, but the conference will have a significant presence at the event — and in the first round — nevertheless.

Chris Long, defensive end, Virginia: This son of NFL Hall of Fame defensive lineman Howie Long is as close to the complete package as scouts find in the college ranks. The ACC defensive player of the year last fall, Chris offers productivity, strength, speed, athleticism, intelligence, work ethic, leadership, character and, obviously, great bloodlines. He might be the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft.

Matt Ryan, quarterback, Boston College: Here is the top-ranked QB in this year’s talent pool. The 2007 ACC player of the year, Ryan offers an uncommon blend of size (6-5, 221), arm strength, poise, intelligence and leadership, plus a well-deserved reputation as a winner. During his time with the Eagles, he worked with coordinators Dana Bible (now at N.C. State) and Steve Logan (formerly of East Carolina), one-time pro coaches with great reputations for developing well-prepared quarterbacks.

Branden Albert, offensive lineman, Virginia: He didn’t play organized football until his junior year of high school, but now he’s an early entry (after his junior season) into the NFL draft and one of its top-rated blockers. An All-American guard for the Cavaliers, he has the size (6-6, 309) and athletic ability to play the all-important left tackle position in the eyes of some pro scouts.

The other ACC products who are getting serious first-round consideration this year are Virginia Tech cornerback Brandon Flowers, Clemson defensive end Phillip Merling, Miami defensive end Calais Campbell, Miami safety Kenny Phillips, Boston College offensive lineman Gosder Cherilus, North Carolina defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer and N.C. State safety DaJuan Morgan.

Additional ACC products who may be selected in the upper rounds of this year's draft include Virginia Tech linebacker Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech offensive tackle Duane Brown, Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice, Virginia Tech defensive end Chris Ellis, Miami linebacker Tavares Gooden, Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson, Wake Forest center Steve Justice, Maryland defensive tackle Dre Moore, N.C. State defensive tackle DeMario Pressley, Clemson offensive tackle Barry Richardson, Virginia Tech receiver/return man Eddie Royal and Wake Forest defensive end Jeremy Thompson.