Clemson sophomore wide receiver Sammy Watkins (Fort Myers, Fla.), who set ACC single-season freshman records for receptions (82), reception yardage (1,219) and receiving touchdowns (12), was the choice for Preseason Player of the Year. Watkins received 25 votes and nudged out Virginia Tech junior quarterback Logan Thomas (Lynchburg, Va.) who had 21 votes. The Preseason Player of the Year ballotting was a close, four-person race with Florida State senior quarterback EJ Manuel (Virginia Beach, Va.) coming in third with 19 votes and Watkins' junior teammate, quarterback Tajh Boyd (Hampton, Va.), finishing fourth with 18.
Here is a breakdown of the voting:
ACC Player of the Year Voting
1. Sammy Watkins, Clemson ...........................25
2. Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech ......................21
3. EJ Manuel, Florida State ...............................19
4. Tajh Boyd, Clemson ......................................18
5. Mike Glennon, NC State .................................. 5
6. David Amerson, NC State ............................... 3
7. Giovani Bernard, North Carolina.....................1
Bryn Renner, North Carolina ............................. .1
Tanner Price, Wake Forest. ............................... .1
Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech ..................................... 1
My selection was Logan Thomas, because I believe that Clemson QB Tahj Boyd will steal some votes from Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins.