2009 ACC Football Preview: All-ACC Team

After yesterday’s ACC unit rankings, today it’s time for the 2009 TSL
Preseason All-ACC team. The Hokies are represented on offense and defense, and
11 of the 12 conference teams have at least one player on the list.

ACC offenses have been stagnant for the last few years, but things are
expected to be better in 2009.

Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer will be the ACC Offense Player of
the Year as the Yellow Jackets attempt to challenge for the ACC title.

Instead of the format of two running backs and two wide receivers, TSL’s
All-ACC team will feature one running back and three wide receivers. A three
wide receiver set is more common than a two tailback formation.

One reason ACC offenses will be better this year is quarterback play. It
wasn’t easy to pick an All-ACC quarterback. Thad Lewis of Duke has been
outstanding for his entire career, so he gets the nod. It was tough to pick
against Russell Wilson of NC State, or Riley Skinner of Wake Forest. Christian
Ponder (FSU), Tyrod Taylor (VT) and T.J. Yates (UNC) should also have excellent
seasons, and could contend for All-ACC honors.

Jonathan Dwyer is the clear choice for All-ACC running back after rushing for
1,395 yards last season. Dwyer is the workhorse of the Georgia Tech offense, and
he should have another big season. Da’Rel Scott of Maryland is also very good,
and Clemson’s C.J. Spiller is very versatile. Darren Evans of Virginia Tech will
miss the season with a torn ACL, otherwise he would also be considered.

There aren’t a lot of proven wide receivers in the ACC. Hakeem Nicks (UNC),
D.J. Boldin (Wake), Kevin Ogletree (UVA), Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland), Eron
Riley (Duke) and Aaron Kelly (Clemson) are all gone. Demaryius Thomas of Georgia
Tech is very good, but he plays in an offense that limits him. Sophomore
Aldarius Johnson of Miami should be poised to have a big year, and Owen Spencer
of NC State is a big play threat.

The ACC also loses some quality tight ends, and Greg Boone is the best
returning player at that position. He is a good athlete who is effective in the
passing game, and he’s big enough to get a major push in the running game.

Virginia Tech’s Sergio Render also makes the list at offensive guard. He and
FSU’s Rodney Hudson are the best interior linemen in the conference, and Render
is probably the best drive blocker in the ACC. FSU also has a very good center
in Ryan McMahon, while Miami offensive tackle Jason Fox is arguably the best
overall offensive lineman in the conference. Virginia’s Will Barker is probably
the most underrated lineman in the ACC.

Miami’s Matt Bosher was 18-of-20 on his field goal attempts this year,
including 2-of-3 from beyond 50 yards. He is the ACC’s best kicker until proven
otherwise.

Here is a look at the All-ACC defense.

Jason Worilds of Virginia Tech will be Defensive Player of the Year in the
ACC. Only two of the ACC’s top 12 tackles for loss leaders are returning this
year: Worilds and Cody Grimm. Worilds had a great 2008 season despite playing
with just one effective shoulder. He will be hard to handle in 2009.

Vince Oghobaasee and Boo Robinson create a very effective duo at defensive
tackle. Marvin Austin (UNC), Marcus Forston (Miami) could also be considered at
defensive tackle. The other defensive end is Willie Young of NC State, who was
selected over Derrick Morgan (GT), Ricky Sapp (Clemson), Robert Quinn (UNC) and
Da’Quan Bowers (Clemson).

At linebacker, BC’s Mark Herzlich and NC State’s Nate Irving are out for the
season. That makes linebacker depth in the ACC very thin. Maryland’s Alex
Wujciak makes the team as the ACC’s leading returning tacklers. Linebackers Quan
Sturdivant and Bruce Carter should also have big years for UNC as they enter
their third year as starters. Vincent Rey (Duke), Kavell Conner (Clemson),
Dekoda Watson (FSU) and Colin McCarthy (Miami) are other options at linebacker.

Cornerbacks are hard to pick from. There are a lot of quality corners in the
ACC, but no superstars. Stephan Virgil of Virginia Tech had six interceptions
last season, which is best of all returning cornerbacks. Clemson’s Chris
Chancellor has started since his sophomore season and is one of the conferences
more productive players. Other options at corner are Ras-I Dowling (UVA),
Kendric Burney (UNC) and Crezdon Butler (Clemson).

The two most productive safeties in the ACC are Georgia Tech’s Morgan Burnett
and UNC’s Deunta Williams. Burnett had seven interceptions last year, and
Williams has been a playmaker for the Tar Heels since he was a true freshman.
Virginia Tech’s Kam Chancellor is close behind these two players.

Brent Bowden, Virginia Tech’s r-senior punter, rounds out the 2009 Preseason
All-ACC team.

Virginia Tech has more selections than any other team in the conference.
Georgia Tech, Miami and UNC are close behind with three selections. The Coastal
Division looks like the stronger division this year, with the Hokies,
Hurricanes, Yellow Jackets and Tar Heels leading the way in All-ACC players.

Overall, 17 of the 24 players on the All-ACC team come from the Coastal
Division. Boston College is the only team in the conference with no players
selected.