The ACC’s elite pass rushers are among the conference’s top players for good reason. Clemson’s defense will be anchored by it’s front, and Vic Beasley is a big reason for that. Mario Edwards Jr. finished his season on a high note, and Louisville will be counting on Lorenzo Mauldin to become a huge part of their defense in a new season.

Vic Beasley will be counted on by the Tigers in 2014.

Then, of course, the cupboard is being restocked as several big-name prospects have been added to the conference’s talent pool. Here’s a quick rundown as we inch closer to the beginning of the 2014 season.

Vic Beasley, Clemson

Beasley was one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi award for his production in 2013. He was named a first-team All-American by Athlon, Bleacher Report, CBSSports.com, SBNation, SI.com, Sporting News, USA Today and Walter Camp. Beasley finished with 44 total tackles including 63 solo stops. He racked up 13 sacks and 23 tackles for loss that resulted in the loss of 135 yards for Tigers opponents. He also broke up six passes and had 12 quarterback pressures. Beasley will be the focal point of the Clemson defense that is expected to be very good in 2014.

Mario Edwards, Florida State

Named to the third-team All-ACC squad by the league’s coaches, Edwards had a breakout season in 2013 for the Seminoles en route to the national championship. The rising junior recovered two fumbles, forced a fumble, racked up 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. He saved his best performance for last in the national championship game against Greg Robinson with three tackles for loss and a sack. Edwards will be counted upon to be one of the main cogs on a defense that ranked No. 1 in scoring a year ago under a new defensive coordinator in 2014.

Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville

Mauldin is coming off a great season in 2013 that saw him record 9.5 sacks to go with 12 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. The Cardinals will be switching up their scheme, but he will still be counted upon to provide pressure off the edge for the Louisville defense. Mauldin totaled 40 total tackles including 29 solo stops, four pass break-ups and three quarterback hurries. In Todd Grantham’s system, Mauldin will be called upon to carry out his aggressive, attacking style off the flanks.

Anthony Chickillo, Miami (Fla.)

Entering his senior season, Chickillo will be one of the senior leaders on the Miami defense with a wealth of experience. Chickillo started all 13 games last year at defensive end and has made 34 consecutive starters. He recorded 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2013. Chickillo was credited with two passes defended and 25 of his 46 total tackles were solo stops. At nearly 280 pounds, Chickillo’s size allows him to move inside when needed and he has done so for Miami’s defense in the past.

Eli Harold, Virginia

Harold started all 12 games for the Cavaliers a year ago at defensive end. He was sixth in the ACC with 15 tackles for loss which ranks seventh all-time at Virginia for a season. Harold led the team with 8.5 sacks last year and finished fifth on the team in tackles with 51 in total. Because of his standout sophomore season, he was named to the All-Sophomore second team by College Football News. Leading into this year, Harold is a preseason third-team All-ACC member and the preseason second-team All-ACC member by Athlon Sports.

Top three defensive end recruits that joined the ACC:

Chad Thomas, Miami (Fla.) - A five-star prospect out of Miami’s Booker T. Washington High School, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound Thomas has all the makings of a star at the next level. Thomas selected the ‘Canes over Alabama, Florida State, LSU and Louisville.

Lorenzo Featherston, Florida State - The 6-foot-7, 220-pound Featherston obviously has some work to do filling out, but he’s already got something that can’t be changed - length. The four-star prospect picked the Seminoles over Clemson, Florida and North Carolina.

Trent Harris, Miami (Fla.) - The 6-foot-2, 226-pound Harris was a four-star prospect according to the 247Sports Composite out of high school. Harris picked Miami over Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and others.