If you were taking one player who came out of the 2010 recruiting class, who would it be? Texas A&M had eventual top-six picks Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews, and either would be fine picks. There is Blake Bortles, who elevated UCF to a new level. There is also C.J. Mosley, who turned out to be the next great Alabama linebacker.
Athlon Sports is taking former Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Maybe we're a little biased here at the ACC blog, but we give it our stamp of approval.
Let's just stick with what Donald has done at the collegiate level before even entertaining his first-year NFL dominance. As a senior, Donald cleaned up on the awards circuit. He was named the winner of the 2013 Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award and Chuck Bednarik Award. He was also a unanimous All-American after securing 11 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss and forcing four fumbles in his final season.
In only his first season in the NFL, Donald is a defensive rookie of the year candidate. Colleague Nick Wagoner states his case for Donald, noting the his nine sacks, the most by any rookie over the last three years and second most among all defensive tackles in 2014. His 17 tackles for loss are a league record for a rookie defensive lineman, too.
Donald is not the only former ACC player on the list. Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley, who just finished his final season, is ranked ninth. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and ESPN.com listed him as an athlete, but Athlon had him as a tight end.
As a senior, Beasley led the ACC with 12 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss. He also led the country's best defense as Clemson finished No. 1 in yards allowed per game.
Year after year, the ACC puts dozens of players in the NFL even though its recruiting classes don't compete with those of the SEC. It's a tribute to the league's talented coaches.
A few more links to kick off the weekend, which is the last visit weekend before signing day:
BYU will now count as a Power 5 opponent for ACC schools.
Somewhat ACC football related: A strength coach for Clemson's baseball team will become an assistant strength coach with the Denver Broncos. It could be a good thing for Denver, whose Super Bowl window is closing. In his first year working with the Clemson baseball team, the Tigers made it to the College World Series.
One Clemson outlet expects the Tigers to finish 11-1 and possibly play in the College Football Playoff.
North Carolina State punter Wil Baumann will compete at the NFL combine.
Boston College replaced New Mexico State with FCS Howard on its 2015 schedule. The Eagles were in a tough spot after New Mexico State withdrew from the game. The second FCS opponent will have an impact on the Eagles' bowl chances, too.
Three immediate takeaways from the release of Georgia Tech's schedule.
More interesting comments from North Carolina rising junior Ryan Switzer, who has been outspoken in the wake of a disappointing 2014 season.