Miami Leads All-ACC Selections

Tuesday evening, around the time Miami was learning that the College Football Playoff Committee continues to value head-to-head wins for everyone except Miami, the ACC announced the All-Conference teams. The Hurricanes had a league-leading 14 selections on the first, second, or third team:

First Team All-ACC

• WR Malachi Toney

• OT Francis Mauigoa

• DE Rueben Bain Jr.

• DE Akheem Mesidor

Second Team All-ACC

• AP Malachi Toney

• OG Anez Cooper

• DT Ahmad Moten Sr.

• CB Keionte Scott

• S Jakobe Thomas

Third Team All-ACC

• QB Carson Beck

• RB Mark Fletcher Jr.

• OT Markel Bell

• C James Brockermeyer

• LB Wesley Bissainthe

Honorable Mention

• DT David Blay Jr.

• LB Mohamed Toure

• CB Damari Brown

• S Zechariah Poyser

• ST Keelan Marion

Freshmen phenom Malachi Toney joined likely first round NFL draft picks Mauigoa, Bain Jr., and Mesidor as first-team selections. Toney also received a second-team all purpose selection.

Perhaps the most puzzling selection was Jim Thorpe award Semi-Finalist Keionte Scott receiving a second-team, not first-team, selection. Scott finished third in CB votes behind first-team selections Hezekiah Masses and Avieon Terrell from California and Clemson, respectively. Masses is one of 15 players in the nation with 5+ interceptions while Terrell is a projected first-round draft pick. Neither, however, were semifinalists for the nation’s top DB award. In fact, Scott was the only selection from the ACC.

Another snub is Bryce Fitzgerald who shockingly did not even receive an honorable mention. Fitzgerald has had a fantastic season and is tied for the team lead with 4 interceptions.

Special Teams was also a snub. Kicker Carter Davis was fourth in FG% and Punter Dylan Joyce was sixth in punt average (plus a conference leading long punt of 73yds), yet neither received even honorable mention.

A few Hurricanes who had pre-season all conference nods were snubbed from this list, including: WR CJ Daniels (pre-season 3rd team); TE Elijah Lofton (pre-season 3rd team); CB OJ Frederique Jr. (pre-season 2nd team); and CB Xavier Lucas (pre-season 4th team). It was surprising that at least Frederique and Daniels didn’t even receive anything. Conversely, OT Markell Bell, DT Ahmad Moten Sr., CB Keionte Scott, S Jakobe Thomas, and WR Malachi Toney were entirely absent from the pre-season watch lists but were able to play their way to recognition.

Ultimately, the 82 member voting committee (65 media members plus the 17 ACC head coaches) recognized Miami as the most talented team in the conference. Major player awards will be revealed Wednesday December 3rd and the Coach of the Year will be announced on Thursday December 4th. Got to feel good about Toney and Bain Jr. earning more hardware for freshman and defensive awards.

Congrats to all the Hurricanes honorees!

Go Canes!!!