With 792 yards and eight touchdowns rushing through five games this season, Florida State running back Dalvin Cook has taken the college football world by storm. The sophomore is arguably the front-runner to win ACC Player of the Year, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to label him a Heisman Trophy contender.
Although Cook has led the Seminoles to a 5-0 start this fall, it wasn’t long ago when it looked like the Miami native would be wearing colors other than garnet and gold in college. Before signing with Florida State in 2014, the 5-11, 202-pound back had previously been committed to Clemson and Florida.
Some of the ACC’s top players spent time committed to, or even playing for, other schools before thriving at their current programs. In fact, there are enough former decommitments within the conference to assemble an All-ACC team of such players.
[hr]Honorable Mention
15. CB D.J. White, Georgia Tech
White broke out as a junior at Georgia Tech last season, earning All-ACC Honorable Mention after tallying 66 tackles and four interceptions, including a pick-six. Before signing with the Yellow Jackets in 2012, however, the McDonough, Georgia, product was a USF pledge for several months. Less than two months before Signing Day, Tech’s coaching staff was able to flip the cornerback.
This season, White is tied for sixth in the league in passes defended with six. A Yellow Jacket captain, he’s one of the bright spots on a defense that has struggled this year.
14. WR Travis Rudolph, Florida State
In the summer of 2012, it looked like Miami had scored big on the recruiting trail when it landed a commitment from Rudolph. Later on, though, Rudolph reopened his recruitment after the Hurricanes coaching staff discussed the possibility of moving the West Palm Beach, Florida, native to cornerback.
A member of the 2014 class, Rudolph made his final decision near the end of Florida State’s 2013 national title run, and he made an immediate impact as a freshman with 38 receptions for 555 yards and four touchdowns. A solid possession receiver, he has the potential to become one of the ACC’s top wideouts by the time he wraps up his college career. Get access to the rest of this article and unlimited access to the rest of ACCSports.com when you upgrade to Premium Access! Click on the button below to view all the benefits of becoming a Premium Access member.Get the rest of the story right now with Premium Access!
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