Four Hokies Make Preseason All-ACC Team

The 2009 Preseason All-ACC team was released on Wednesday afternoon, and
Virginia Tech led the way with four selections. The Hokies had two offensive and
two defensive players selected.

Here’s a look at the All-ACC offense:

There were a total of 44 voters, and no one was a unanimous selection.
Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer, the Preseason ACC Player of the Year,
was the closest with 41 votes. C.J. Spiller of Clemson was next with 38 votes.

NC State quarterback Russell Wilson was the top ACC signal caller last season
as a freshman, so it’s only natural that he’s on the Preseason All-ACC team. He
threw 17 touchdown passes and just one interception in 2009.

Clemson wide receiver Jacoby Ford might be the top playmaking wide receiver
in the conference, and he led all wideouts with 31 votes. Georgia Tech’s
Demaryius Thomas, who had 39 of the Yellow Jackets’ 74 receptions in 2008, was
the other receiver. Thomas would likely put up huge numbers if he played in a
different offense.

Virginia Tech’s Greg Boone, who has drawn notoriety for not only his
receiving ability, but for his running out of the Wild Turkey formation, was the
media’s selection as the top tight end in the ACC.

Tech offensive guard Sergio Render was also included on the All-ACC team. He
is currently projected by many experts to be the first interior lineman selected
in 2010 NFL Draft.

Two Hokies also made the All-ACC defense:

Virginia Tech’s Jason Worilds, who finished last season with 18.5 tackles for
loss, was the top vote getter amongst defensive ends. Willie Young joins him as
the other defensive end, while Duke’s Vince Oghobaase and UNC’s Marvin Austin
man the interior positions.

The linebacking corps is lacking a couple of the top players in the
conference. BC’s Mark Herzlich will miss the season while battling cancer, and
NC State’s Nate Irving was in a bad car wreck in June, and his status for the
upcoming season is questionable. Herzlich and Irving are arguably the top two
linebackers in the ACC.

There are a number of good cornerbacks in the ACC, but UVA’s Ras-I Dowling
and UNC’s Kendric Burney made the list. Neither player received even half of the
media’s 44 votes, so opinions varied on the top cornerbacks in the league.
Finally, Georgia Tech’s Morgan Burnett and Virginia Tech’s Kam Chancellor topped
the list at the safety positions.