As we begin the All-American announcements over the next week, the ACC is getting plenty of recognition from the first two teams named.
Before we get to the names, here is a quick primer. There are five All-American teams certified by the National Football Foundation. The Walter Camp Foundation, the AFCA (Coaches’ Association), the Football Writers Association (FWAA), the Associated Press, and The Sporting News. Irrespective of any other outlet that posts their internal thought process, a player must appear as an All-American on one of the five certified by the NFF to be eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame when their time comes. If they are not, regardless of any other accolades, they cannot be in the Hall.
The ACC All-Americans
Walter Camp All-American Team
His is the oldest of all All-American teams, going back to 1889. This year’s team was announced late Thursday night. The ACC players that made it are:
1st Team Offense
Cam Ward-quarterback, Miami; The fifth senior for the Miami Hurricanes is in the top five in nearly every passing and offensive category in the country. Thursday night, he was also named winner of the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, given by that committee to the best quarterback in the country.
1st Team Defense
Nohl Williams-defensive back, Cal; Williams is a newcomer to the ACC with the Cal Bears playing their first season in the conference. The redshirt senior had nine pass breakups and seven interceptions with 16 passes defended in 12 games for Cal.
Alex Mastromanno-punter, Florida State; Some All-American teams list the punter as a specialist, (the AFCA below), and some list the punter as part of the defense. The redshirt senior got the recognition he had deserved in any punter competition. Florida State’s offense was shaky at best throughout the season, and Mastromanno was the team’s best weapon, flipping the field with amazing strength and accuracy. He led the country with a 49.27 yards per punt average. His long was a 55-yarder. He also dropped 30% of his punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line with only one kick returned.
2nd Team Offense
Willie Lampkin-offensive line, North Carolina
Omarion Hampton-running back, North Carolina
2nd Team Defense
Donovan Ezeiruaku-defensive lineman, Boston College
Antwaun Powell-Ryland-defensive lineman, Virginia Tech
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)
This All-American team was announced Friday afternoon. Here are the ACC players who made it.
1st Team Offense
Cam Ward-quarterback, Miami; see Walter Camp notes above
Xavier Restrepo-wide receiver, Miami; It makes sense that with Ward having the passing stats that he did throughout the season, one of his receivers would have a great season. Restrepo because the all-time leading receiver in Hurricanes history with 182 receptions and 2,573 receiving yards.
1st Team Defense
Donovan Ezeiruaku-defensive lineman, Boston College; The senior defensive end led the nation in sacks with 16.5, (15 were solo). He was also second in the country with 20.5 tackles for loss.
Nohl Willians-defensive back, Cal; see Walter Camp notes above
1st Team Specialists
Alex Mastromanno-punter, Florida State; See Walter Camp notes above.
Ryan Fitzgerald-placekicker, Florida State; There were games when Fitzgerald was the only offense for FSU. He was a perfect 13 for 13 on field goals on the season. That made him one of only two kickers in the country not miss a field goal all year in at least 10 attempts.
No ACC players made second-team offense for the Walter Camp All-American Team.
2nd Team Defense
Antwaun Powell-Ryalnd-defensive lineman, Virginia Tech
2nd Team Specialists
Brashard Smith-All Purpose, SMU
The Associate Press will announce its All-American team on Monday, December 16th. The FWAA will announce its team on Tuesday, December 17. And the Sporting News will announce its team on Wednesday, December 18th. Following the completion of the five certified All-American teams, the NCAA will issue a list of the consensus All-Americans. A player who makes three of the five certified teams is labeled as a Consensus All-American. If someone makes all five they are a Unanimous All-American.
