No. 5. Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson 2011 stats: He had 50 receptions for 598 yards and eight touchdowns (tied for fourth-most in school history) in 890 snaps over 14 games (14 starts). Previously ranked: Not ranked. Making the case for Allen: Quarterback Tajh Boyd orchestrated the offense, but if you ask many of Clemson’s opponents, they’d probably tell you Allen was the X-factor. He was the program’s first winner of the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end, and his 93 career catches tied for the most in school history by a tight end. His receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns were the most by a tight end in school history. Three of his best games last season came against Florida State and Virginia Tech. He had two catches -- both for touchdowns -- in the ACC title game against the Hokies. He’s got big-play ability, and was a mature, dependable leader for last year’s young team, not to mention an All-American. No. 6 Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson No. 7 Matt Daniels, S, Duke No. 8 Andre Branch, DE, Clemson No. 9 Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson No. 10 Giovani Bernard, RB, North Carolina No. 11 Logan Thomas, QB, Virginia Tech No. 12 Blake DeChristopher, OT, Virginia Tech No. 13 Shawn Powell, P, Florida State No. 14 Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina No. 15 Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina No. 16 Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech No. 17 Sean Spence, LB, Miami No. 18 Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State No. 19 Joe Vellano, DT, Maryland No. 20 Lamar Miller, RB, Miami No. 21 Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest No. 22 Terrell Manning, LB, NC State No. 23 Matt Conrath, DT, Virginia No. 24 Omoregie Uzzi, RG, Georgia Tech No. 25 Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State
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