Demarcus Walker wins ACC Defensive Player Of The Year

Florida State’s Walker wrapped up the regular season tied with Boston College’s Harold Landry for the FBS lead in quarterback sacks with 15. The Jacksonville, Florida, senior has a total of 17.5 tackles for loss on the season and leads the Seminoles with 64 total tackles.

A 2016 first-team All-ACC selection at defensive end and a two-time ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week, Walker has forced three fumbles on the season while recovering two (both in last Saturday’s win over Florida) and breaking up a pair of passes. Perhaps his biggest play during the 2016 season was his blocked extra point in the final minutes at No. 10 Miami, which preserved a 20-19 Florida State win.

Walker led the ACSMA Defensive Player of the Year balloting with 23 votes, and Pitt defensive end Ejuan Price followed with nine. Boulware received five votes, and Boston College’s Landry collected four. Clemson’s Christian Wilkins (three votes), Virginia Tech’s Woody Baron (two) and Virginia’s Micah Kiser and Louisville’s Devonte Fields (one each) rounded out the balloting.

The preceding was a release from the ACC.

ACC Defensive Player of the Year

DeMarcus Walker, Florida State 23
Ejuan Price, Pitt 9
Ben Boulware, Clemson 5
Harold Landry, Boston College 4
Christian Wilkins, Clemson 3
Woody Baron, Virginia Tech 2
Devonte Fields, Louisville 1
Micah Kiser, Virginia 1