No. 23: Matt Conrath, DT, Virginia
2011 stats: He was third on the team with 66 tackles, had 12 tackles for loss and three sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three blocked kicks.
Previous ranking: Not ranked.
Making the case for Conrath:What he was able to do on special teams was invaluable and a rare trait for a lineman. He could also get pressure on the quarterback, his height helped disrupt the passing lanes and he was also a good run stopper. Conrath played at defensive end a little bit in the bowl game, and because he doesn’t have a lot of leverage over linemen, the fact he made as many plays as he did was even more impressive. His consistency is what made him stand out.