GREENSBORO, N.C. — Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald has beenvoted the ACC’s defensive player of the year.

Donald had 44 votes for the defensive award to 10 for Wake Forest nose tackle Nikita Whitlock and eight for Florida State cornerback Lamarcus Joyner.

Donald leads the nation with 26½ tackles for losses, and has 10 sacks and four forced fumbles. His blocked extra point in the Panthers’ 17-16 win over Syracuse on Nov. 23 made them bowl eligible.