GRANDOVER RESORT/GREENSBORO One last bit of business – albeit an important one – from the ACC Kickoff over the weekend.
Five Triangle players including four from defending Coastal Division champion Duke were named to the preseason all-conference team selected by the attending media.
Blue Devils named to the squad were wide receiver Jamison Crowder and safety Jeremy Cash – both of whom were second-team All-Americans last season – along with linebacker Kelby Brown and guard Laken Tomlinson. Crowder had an ACC record 108 receptions last season.
UNC had one representative in return specialist Ryan Switzer, who was named a first-team All-American after tying an NCAA record with five punt returns for touchdowns last season.
N.C. State was shut out of the voting for the second straight season.
[jump]Florida State, led by Heisman Trophy winner and preseason conference player of the year quarterback Jameis Winston, had nine players selected while the Blue Devil quartet was the second largest group in the 14-team conference.
Winston and Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley, who was of course also selected, are two of the only three returning consensus All-Americans from last season.
FSU offensive guard Tre Jackson and Miami running back Duke Johnson are the only ones who were selected to both last year’s and this year’s preseason squads.
Ninety-nine ballots were cast with Winston named on 97, Beasley on 96 and Johnson on 95. Nobody else received more than 86 votes.
Up next
N.C. State vs. Georgia Southern, Aug. 30, 12:30 p.m.
Duke vs. Elon, Aug. 30, 6 p.m.
UNC vs. Liberty, Aug. 30, 6 p.m.