Ranking the ACC's all-time greats: Part II

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By Brian George
BGeorge@pigskinpodcast.com

Over the past few weeks, I've started a rundown of the three greatest players from each team in each of the six BCS conferences, based primarily on the players' accomplishments in college.

(Quick archive: Big Ten Part 1; Big Ten Part II; ACC part I)

Feel free to agree or disagree by sending us an e-mail. We may even use your e-mail and response on an upcoming show! We'll continue this week with Part 2 of the ACC.

MIAMI

1. Ken Dorsey (QB): Two-time Heisman finalist took home the 2001 Maxwell Award, led the Hurricanes to a national championship in the 2001 Rose Bowl and left Miami with career records in 11 categories including total offense, passing touchdowns and winning percentage by a starting QB.
2. Gino Toretta (QB): Winner of 1992 Heisman, Maxwell, Walter Camp, Johnny Unitas and Davey O'Brien awards, helped the 'Canes to national titles in 1989 and 1991. His 486 passing yards against San Jose State in '89 are still a school record.
3. Dan Morgan (LB): First sophomore team captain in Hurricane history was a finalist for the Butkus and Nagurski awards his junior year and as a senior won both and the Bednarik, becoming the first player in NCAA history to win all three in a career and the same year. First-team All-American and Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2005

NORTH CAROLINA

1. Charlie Justice (HB): Two-time Heisman runner-up and two-time first-team All-American is one of five Tar Heels to have his number retired and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
2. Julius Peppers (DE): 2001 Bednarik and Lombardi winner and finalist for the Nagurski award. Consensus All-American and consensus All-ACC in 2001.
3. Art Weiner (E): All-American end who matched a then-NCAA record with 52 catches in 1949. A 1992 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame, he is one of five UNC players to have their number retired.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE

1. Roman Gabriel (QB): Two-time All-American and ACC Player of the Year finished his Wolfpack career with nearly every N.C. State passing record -- 22 in all -- to go with nine ACC passing records. His jersey is retired at N.C. State and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
2. Jim Richter (OL): 1979 Outland Trophy winner and first-team All-American was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
3. Philip Rivers (QB): Shattered nearly every school and conference record and started a record 51 collegiate games. 2004 ACC athlete of the year finished his career fourth all-time among quarterbacks in passing yards and eighth all-time in passing td's.

VIRGINIA

1. Bill Dudley (HB): 1941 consensus All-American, the first Virginia player to earn that distinction, and Maxwell award winner was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1956. His No. 35 is one of six retired by the Cavs.
2. Thomas Jones (RB): 1999 consensus first-team All-American who finished eighth in Heisman balloting. Jones left the Cavs with 15 school records, including the school's all-time rushing mark, and set eight ACC marks.
3. Jim Dombrowski (OL): Unanimous first-eam All-American in 1984 and a two-time first-team All-ACC selection. 2008 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and one of six Cavs to have his number retired.

VIRGINIA TECH

1. Corey Moore (DE): 1999 Nagurski and Lombardi award winner became just the second Hokie to earn unanimous All-American honors. 1998 and 1999 Big East Defensive Player of the Year.
2. Bruce Smith (DE): 1984 Outland trophy winner named first-team All-American in 1983 and consensus All-American in 1984.
3. Michael Vick (QB): Tied for highest finish by a freshman in the 1999 Heisman place (third) and set four NCAA freshman records. Became first player in NCAA Division I history to win conference player of the year and rookie of the year in same season.

WAKE FOREST

1. Brian Piccolo (RB): Left the Demon Deacons as the school's all-time leading rusher, setting six conference records and nine school records en route to being named a first team All-American and ACC Player of the Year in 1964.
2. Bill Barnes (RB): Second-team AP All-American, unanimous choice for All-ACC honors and 1956 ACC Player of the Year set five school records during his career. His jersey number 33 is one of several retired by Wake Forest.
3. Bill Armstrong (DB): First Demon Deacon to be named a consensus All-American, a unanimous pick as a DB in 1976, and a third-team AP All-American in 1975. Named to the ACC 50th anniversary team and has his jersey number 19 retired by Wake.

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