2011 Preseason All-ACC Team

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 12, 2011

2011 Preseason All-ACC Team

E.J. Manuel

Despite bidding his time behind starter Christian Ponder, Manuel led Florida State to back-to-back bowl victories in 2009 and 2010. He threw for 861 yards and four touchdowns in limited playing time last year and takes over a Seminoles team that should contend for the ACC title.

Montel Harris

The nation's active leading rusher boasts 3,600 yards entering his senior season, 1,243 coming last year alone. He's a realistic threat to break Ted Brown's alltime ACC mark (4,602) that's held for 35 years.

Andre Ellington

The 5-10 speedster posted four 100-yard games before suffering a season-ending foot injury that forced him to miss the Tigers' final five games. He maintains a career rushing average of 6.3 yards per carry.

George Bryan

An elite blocking tight end, Bryan is also an ideal target in the red zone. The 6-4, 264-pounder has hauled in 10 career touchdowns, including the dramatic game-winner in last year's upset of Florida State.

Blake DeChristopher

The 6-5, 311-pounder started all 14 games last season, playing every snap against Boise State and James Madison. He paced the Hokies with 59 knockdown blocks.

Omoregie Uzzi

The returning All-ACC guard paved the way for the nation's top-ranked rushing attack, helping the Yellow Jackets average more than 323 yards per game last season.

Dalton Freeman

The third-year starter relinquished just two sacks last year, earning a spot on this year's preseason Rimington Award Watch. He also achieved first-team Academic All-ACC honors in 2010.

Brandon Washington

Virtually immovable, the junior stalwart earned ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors twice last season, anchoring a unit that surrendered just 1.3 sacks per game.

Andrew Datko

Tall (6-6), strong and agile, Datko missed just five assignments in 691 snaps last year. The tireless worker also bulked up, gaining more than 60 pounds since his arrival on campus as a freshman.

Conner Vernon

One of the nation's most underrated wideouts, Vernon led the ACC in receptions (72) and was third in yards per game (81.1), finishing with 973 yards and four scores last season.

Dwight Jones

The high-flying junior emerged as Tyler Yates's go-to target, leading the Tar Heels with 946 receiving yards in 2010. He was especially impressive late, collecting 198 yards at Virginia and 233 at Florida State.

Quinton Coples

The 6-6, 285-pounder amassed sacks in five of the Tar Heels' final six games, ending the season with 10. He also registered 59 tackles -- 10 for loss -- to earn a spot on the preseason Bednarik Award Watch.

Tydreke Powell

Coples' running mate was equally disruptive, totaling 47 tackles and 2.5 sacks. His best performance came against Rutgers, when he racked up seven tackles in a 17-13 win.

Marcus Forston

The Miami native recorded 12 tackles for loss last season, spearheading a potent pass defense that allowed just 150.5 yards per game, third in the FBS.

Brandon Jenkins

The preseason All-America piled up 21.5 tackles for loss last year, fourth in the nation and third in Florida State history behind Brodrick Bunkley and Darnell Dockett. Jenkins also notched five two-sack games, including in the Seminoles' 31-7 win over rival Florida.

Luke Kuechly

Kuechly notched 183 tackles in 2010, a staggering 20 more than any other player in the nation. The precocious sophomore was also a turnover machine, producing two forced fumbles and three interceptions.

Sean Spence

A monster in the middle, Spence finished last season with 110 tackles and 16 for loss, leading the vaunted Miami defense in both categories.

Kenny Tate

The linebacker-safety hybrid seemingly does it all for the Terps. Tate collected 100 tackles, 3.5 sacks, four passes defended, four forced fumbles, three interceptions and even a defensive touchdown during his impressive junior effort.

Ray-Ray Armstrong

Known for his instincts and terrific closing speed, Armstrong hauled in three interceptions last season, each during Hurricane victories. The 6-4 defensive back also recorded 79 tackles, third on the Hurricanes' roster.

Eddie Whitley

The standout in the secondary helped propel Virginia Tech to a 1.36 turnover margin, tops in the nation last season. The 6-1, 200-pounder also proved his worth in big games, garnering nine tackles and two passes defended in ACC Championship win over Florida State.

Jayron Hosley

The dynamic sophomore corralled an FBS-best nine interceptions in 2010, tying a Virginia Tech record. Three came in the Hokies' comeback win at North Carolina State, one to clinch the victory with 1:27 remaining.

Greg Reid

The Seminole sparkplug accumulated 17 passes defended, three forced fumbles and three interceptions last year, second, 10th and 11th in the ACC, respectively. Reid doubled as a stellar return man, racing for 1,056 return yards and a score.

Will Snyderwine

Almost automatic, Snyderwine connected on 38-of-44 field goals and 56-of-56 PATs in his Blue Devil career. The 5-11 kicker also successfully converted three onside kicks in 2010.

Dawson Zimmerman

The former second-ranked punting prospect lived up to hype by averaging 42.8 yards per punt last season, tops among ACC underclassmen.

Tony Logan

The game-changing special teams threat led the ACC in punt return average (18.1) and yards (560), the latter the second-highest total in conference history. Logan's two return scores made him one of just five FBS players with multiple punt return touchdowns in 2010.

David Wilson

The newly crowned Hokie feature back may be more dangerous as a return man, sprinting for two punt return touchdowns last season. One was especially crucial, a 90-yard burst to beat Georgia Tech with 2:23 remaining.

2011 Preseason All-ACC Team