The ACC is preparing for a wild 2022 College Football season filled with offensive firepower. Last season, the ACC had five offenses ranked within the top 25 in passing offenses. The conference looks to remain elite in the ACC with its offenses. Defenses must be at their best, especially in the secondary, to slow down the high-power passing offenses. The ACC is loaded with elite players in the defensive backs who can lead efficient defenses. This year’s defensive back group in the ACC is diverse through each team. Here are the top defensive backs in the ACC.
Best ACC Defensive Backs Returning for 2022 Season
4. CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami
The Miami Hurricanes knew they were getting a star when they acquired former Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Stevenson from the NCAA Transfer Portal. In his first year with the Hurricanes this past season, Stevenson showed he was one of the ACC’s best young press-man coverage cornerbacks. Stevenson accounted for 43 total tackles, 29 solo tackles, two-and-a-half tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and one interception. He is highly efficient in sticking with assigned receivers in vertical routes. Stevenson is also a reliable defender who can quickly react to the play to make a quick play. Pro Football Focus has Stevenson as the tenth-best cornerback returning in College Football this upcoming 2022 season.
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3. CB Josh DeBerry, Boston College
Boston College finished the 2021 season with the third-ranked pass defense (173.5 passing yards allowed per game). One of the biggest of the Eagles’ stellar play in the pass defense is the elite coverage of DeBerry. In the past two seasons at Boston College, DeBerry accumulated 97 total tackles, 70 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles. He finished the 2021 season as an All-ACC second-team selection. DeBerry reads the quarterback’s eyes quick enough for him to make a play on the ball. He is also an established tackler who is not afraid to make contact. DeBerry is a reliable man-coverage corner, but he excels more in the zone-coverage.
2. S Andrew Mukuba, Clemson
The Clemson Tigers had a pair of true freshmen who became instant contributors. On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers were surprised by the sudden playmaking abilities of former four-star recruit Mukuba. In his first collegiate season, Mukuba accounted for 47 total tackles, 30 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, seven pass breakups, and one forced fumble. Despite his small height of six feet, he is a tenacious defender who will fight for the pass breakup. Several pass breakups came when the receiver had the ball in his hands. His fantastic performance this past season named him ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was also named to the third-team All-ACC. Finally, he was a Freshman All-American by Maxwell Football Club, FWAA, 247Sports, The Athletic, Pro Football Focus, and On3 Sports.
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1. S Jammie Robinson, Florida State
The Florida State Seminoles lack an efficient overall roster, but they have some great consistent defensive backs group. An agreement could be made for any of their top returning starters as the best DB, but the first that comes to mind is redshirt junior Robinson. For the past three seasons in college football, Robinson has been one of the most consistent defensive playmakers. In his first year at FSU after transferring from South Carolina, Robinson accounted for 84 total tackles (team-high), 42 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, four interceptions (team-high), three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. Robinson finished the 2021 season as a first-team All-ACC selection. Robinson is a highly efficient tackler and reader of the ball to make key plays. He is one of the best all-around safeties in the ACC as he can provide solid run defense and play great zone coverage.
