The 2025 NFL Draft saw 24 defensive prospects from the ACC selected, with five hearing their names called on Day 2. Notably, no ACC defenders were drafted in the first round. However, that’s poised to change this year, as four players from my Preseason All-ACC NFL Draft team—T.J. Parker, Peter Woods, Rueben Bain Jr., and Avieon Terrell—are all projected with first-round grades.
2025 Preseason All-ACC defensive team
Clemson leads the way with a heavy presence, contributing four defenders to this list. When combined with two offensive selections, the Tigers have six total players on the Preseason All-ACC NFL Draft team, the most in the conference. Miami follows closely with four players making the cut.
Defensive End: T.J. Parker, Clemson
One of the top defensive players in the ACC, Clemson’s T.J. Parker was the only player in the country to rank in the Top 10 in forced fumbles (6, T-2nd), tackles for loss (19.5, 5th), and sacks (11.0, 9th). He shows strong power at the point of attack and the flexibility to bend the edge as a pass rusher.
Defensive Tackle: Peter Woods, Clemson
Another Clemson standout, Peter Woods makes this list after an impressive season spent mostly out of position at defensive end. Despite that, he still posted 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Now back at his natural spot inside, he’s poised for a breakout year. What stands out most is his explosive first step and rare movement skills for a 6-foot-3, 315-pound interior lineman.
Defensive Tackle: Darrell Jackson, Florida State
Teams in need of a true nose tackle will have their eyes on Florida State’s Darrell Jackson. At 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, he has the size to control the middle and clog up run lanes. He also brings elite strength to the position, reportedly squatting 600 pounds and benching 400, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.
Defensive End: Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. is another highly thought of prospect, projected as high as the sixth overall pick by NBC Sports. He was named the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. A calf injury forced him to miss four games last season, limiting him to just 3.5 sacks, but the talent and potential are still obvious.
Outside Linebacker: Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
The ACC’s outside linebacker group may lack elite prospects, but Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis stands out as an intriguing day-three prospect. Last season, he earned All-American honors after posting 101 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and four interceptions. Louis is an athletic, fast linebacker, though his lack of size remains a concern.
Middle Linebacker: Stanquan Clark, Louisville
Although Stanquan Clark is the lowest-rated prospect on my board with a seventh-round grade, he has the potential to make an impact in the NFL. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Clark was solid against the run last season, earning an 88.8 run defense grade from PFF. He also has the agility to hold up in zone coverage, showcasing his versatility.
Outside Linebacker: Wade Woodaz, Clemson
Wade Woodaz is one of the most versatile defenders in the ACC, having played outside linebacker, middle linebacker, and safety. Along with his flexibility, he brings a high football IQ and a relentless motor, consistently playing with maximum effort.
Cornerback: Avieon Terrell, Clemson
The fourth Clemson Tiger on this list, Avieon Terrell is one of my favorite players in the ACC. His elite quickness helped him break up 13 passes last season, the most by a Clemson player since 2014. Terrell also plays with aggressive run support and is Pro Football Focus’s highest-graded ACC corner against the run.
Safety: Isaiah Nwokobia, SMU
One of the most complete safeties in the 2026 NFL Draft is SMU’s Isaiah Nwokobia. A First Team All-ACC selection in 2024, he racked up 100 tackles and earned an impressive 88.3 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. As a pro prospect, he plays with strong aggression and has the loose hips and quickness to excel in coverage.
Safety: Nick Andersen, Wake Forest
A more traditional strong safety in the 2026 NFL Draft, Wake Forest’s Nick Andersen finished seventh in the nation with 122 tackles last season. He shows great aggression as an in-the-box defender, and his high football IQ consistently puts him in the right position to make plays.
Cornerback: Chandler Rivers, Duke
Chandler Rivers had a standout season, earning 2nd Team All-American and 1st Team All-ACC honors while being named Duke's defensive MVP. He finished the year with 54 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 11 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles. Rivers was graded by Pro Football Focus with the second-highest defensive grade (90.7) among cornerbacks nationally. His 89.8 PFF coverage grade reflects his excellent ball skills and versatility, as he can play both cornerback and nickel.
Punter: Jack Stonehouse, Syracuse
The only ACC punter with a draftable grade on my board is Syracuse’s Jack Stonehouse. He averaged 45.7 yards per punt last season, with five punts traveling over 50 yards and a 68-yarder in 2022. One concern he’ll need to clean up is his operation time—three of his punts were blocked last year.