Old North Staters on ACC All-Conference Teams

The ACC announced their ACC all-conference selections yesterday and the three teams were littered with players from the Big Four schools. Some were probably inevitable, but others were rewarded for big seasons that few observers saw coming. So let’s look at the three teams and who made it:

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ACC 1st Team Offense:

WR/SP- Jamison Crowder, Duke
G- Laken Tomlinson, Duke

Tomlinson and Crowder were both picked before the season to watch lists. Tomlinson was the anchor of the offensive line, while Crowder caught 78 balls for 942 yards and six touchdowns. Crowder could go over the 1,000 yard mark in the bowl game.

Nov 29, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams (12) throws a pass during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Kenan Memorial Stadium Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA Today.

ACC 2nd Team Offense:

QB- Marquise Williams, North Carolina

Williams sometimes seemed like a one-man band with all the offensive line troubles at North Carolina. Injuries at running back also made him the team’s primary rusher. Williams and the team really came on after the platoon system was scrapped.

ACC 3rd Team Offense:

WR- Ryan Switzer, North Carolina
T- Takoby Cofield, Duke
G- Landon Turner, North Carolina
C- Matt Skura, Duke
K- Ross Martin, Duke
Sp- DeVon Edwards, Duke

The Tar Heels tried to get Switzer the ball all season long, even if it meant overthrowing him on occasion. Cofield and Skura were the dependable line mates of Tomlinson and kept quarterback Anthony Boone protected most of the year. Martin is the all leading scorer in Duke football history while Turner was the best of a poor offensive line for the Tar Heels.

Nov 15, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons safety Anthony Wooding Jr. (11) and Wake Forest Demon Deacons cornerback Kevin Johnson (9) pursue North Carolina State Wolfpack running back Shadrach Thornton (10) at Carter Finley Stadium. The North Carolina State Wolfpack won 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Liz Condo-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mentions:

RB- Shadrach Thornton, NC State
WR- Mack Hollins, North Carolina
TE- Cam Serigne, Wake Forest
Sp- Ryan Switzer, North Carolina

Thornton might have been higher if he did not have to share carries with several other players. Hollins emerged as the deep threat for the Tar Heels. Serigne was the most reliable receiver for Wake Forest.

1st Team Defense:

LB- David Helton, Duke
P- Wil Baumann, NC State

Helton had to carry the weight of the Duke defense with the loss of Kelby Brown and the change to the 4-2-5. He simply tackled people. The 4-2-5 system is probably why you do not see more people on this team.

Sep 27, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive end Tylor Harris (36) forces Louisville Cardinals quarterback Reggie Bonnafon (7) to fumble the ball into the end zone during the second half at Papa John

2nd Team Defense:

DT- Tylor Harris, Wake Forest
S- Jeremy Cash, Duke
P- Alex Kinal, Wake Forest

No punter got quite the workout that Kinal did all season. Cash was invaluable as both a cover guy and run support within the Duke defense. Harris tried to single-handedly win the Louisville game, but he was trouble in the trenches all year.

Honorable Mention

DE- Art Norman, NC State
DT- Ethan Farmer, North Carolina
DT- Josh Banks, Wake Forest
LB- Brandon Chubb, Wake Forest
CB- Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
CB- Merrill Noel, Wake Forest
CB- Brian Walker, North Carolina
S- DeVon Edwards, Duke
P- Will Monday, Duke

The only thing I have to say about the Honorable Mentions is how many Wake Forest defenders were on that list. This is proof that Wake really did have a defense, despite its lack of an offense.

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