Along the defensive line, when it comes to full position group depth and talent, Clemson and Miami are the kingpins of the ACC. The Hurricanes could truly have a special front four in 2020. However, Duke has some serious power up front, too, led by Chris Rumph II. (In fact, the ACC is poised to be fairly loaded with pass rushers this season, including Gregory Rousseau, Jaylen Twyman and Charles Snowden.)
Rumph has a case as the ACC’s top edge rusher; while he’s light, at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Rumph has speed advantage, which he’s unafraid to deploy. As Rumph looks to push Duke back to bowl eligibility in 2020, he also has a shot to solidify himself as one of the top NFL prospects in the conference.
After a redshirt in 2017, Rumph has played in all 25 games of his college career for the Blue Devils (one start). During that run, Rumph has collected 72 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and four pass breakups.
However, the advanced number are especially awing:
- According to Pro Football Focus: Rumph’s 31.6 percent pass-rushing win rate was No. 1 in the FBS
- Ohio State’s Chase Young, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, was second: 27.2 percent
- For his efforts: Rumph was named First Team All-America from PFF
- Among returning ACC players — Rumph’s 48 quarterback pressures in 2019 (4 per game) are the most
- Here, Rumph just edges out teammate Victor Dimukeje
- Rumph finished the 2019 season with 14 pressures (on 31 pass rushes) against Miami, which resulted in 3.5 sacks
- Collected 6.5 sacks during the 2019 season, tied for 11th in the conference
Most QB pressures among all returning ACC defenders in 2019:
1. Chris Rumph II, Duke – 48
2. Victor Dimukeje, Duke – 46
3. Cory Durden, Florida State – 45
4. Gregory Rousseau, Miami – 45 pic.twitter.com/StmFw5qL7K— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 9, 2020