Phil Steele releases 2023 preseason All-ACC team
There is plenty of drama in the ACC entering the 2023 college football season. For years, it has been Clemson and then a gap before everyone else. However, other teams have started to catch up to the Tigers in terms of acquiring talent.
Florida State seems like a real threat to overtake Clemson as the top team in the ACC in 2023, and it’s no surprise that the Seminoles are well-represented on Phil Steele’s preseason All-ACC team, which was recently released.
The ACC has several quarterbacks who could be high draft picks in next year’s NFL Draft, led by a likely top-5 pick in North Carolina signal caller Drake Maye. Steele has Maye as the quarterback on his first-team preseason All-ACC team. Here is the entire All-ACC team ahead of the 2023 season:
Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC team
First-team offense
QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
As mentioned, Maye is expected to be one of the first players off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft, assuming he doesn’t have a big setback in his second year as a starter. The Huntersville, North Carolina native was named the ACC Player of the Year in 2022 after leading the Tar Heels to the ACC title game as a redshirt freshman.
He passed for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns, while also rushing for 698 yards and seven scores last year. Maye will only be a redshirt sophomore this season, but it is still expected to be his last one in Chapel Hill.
RB Trey Benson, Florida State
Benson was a big part of a Florida State rushing attack that was dangerous in 2022 and should be once again this season. The Oregon transfer rushed for 990 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season in Tallahassee, while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
With Treshaun Ward off to Kansas State, Benson should have even more opportunities in 2023. A lot is made about Jordan Travis, Johnny Wilson and the FSU passing game — and rightfully so. But don’t sleep on Benson and the Seminoles rushing attack.
RB Will Shipley, Clemson
The North Carolina native is one of the most dynamic players in the country. Shipley became the first player in ACC history to earn first-team all-conference honors at three different positions last year, earning all-league honors as a running back, all-purpose player and return specialist.
Shipley started all 14 games for the Tigers. He rushed for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns, caught 38 passes for 242 yards and returned 14 kickoffs for 324 yards. Shipley was ranked as the No. 36 overall player in the country for the class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry rankings. He should excel in new offensive coordinator Garrett Riley‘s system.
WR Jalon Calhoun, Duke
Calhoun had a monster season in 2022, catching 62 passes for 873 yards and four touchdowns. He was Riley Leonard‘s favorite target as the Blue Devils surprised many in the college football world with a 9-4 season.
The Greenville, South Carolina native enters his fifth season with the Blue Devils with more than 2,300 receiving yards for his career. If Duke is going to replicate its success from 2022, or perhaps be even better, the Blue Devils will need Calhoun to have another big year.
WR Donavon Greene, Wake Forest
Greene was a part of an explosive Wake Forest offense last season, which was led by star quarterback Sam Hartman. The North Carolina native Greene started all 13 games for the Demon Deacons in 2022, finishing with 642 receiving yards, while averaging a team-high 17.4 yards per catch.
Hartman is now gone, but Greene should still be able to put up big numbers in the Wake Forest offense. His 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame is a handful for defensive backs to handle. Greene has been a big-play threat throughout his career. Through three seasons, he has averaged at least 17.4 yards per reception each year.
WR Johnny Wilson, Florida State
Speaking of big-play threats, Wilson is back after averaging nearly 21 yards per catch last season. The 6-foot-7 wideout caught 43 passes for 897 yards and five touchdowns last year. Wilson led the ACC and ranked third nationally in catches of 20-plus yards.
The 2022 season was Wilson’s first at Florida State after transferring in from Arizona State. He should team up with a fellow transfer at FSU in former Michigan State star Keon Coleman to help the Seminoles have arguably the top group of receivers in the ACC.
TE Oronde Gadsden, Syracuse
A converted receiver, Gadsden switched over to tight end prior to the 2022 season and had an incredible first year at the position. Gadsden caught 61 passes for 969 yards and six touchdowns, while earning first-team All-ACC honors.
The Florida native led all tight ends nationally in receiving yards. He should once again be the top option for Orange quarterback Garrett Sharder as Syracuse looks to improve on its 7-6 mark from 2022. The Orange started 6-0 last year, before going 1-5 over their final six games.
C Bryan Hudson, Louisville
The Virginia Tech transfer has been a critical piece of the Louisville offensive line for the past two seasons. Hudson is versatile as he has played center, guard and tackle during his time with the Cardinals.
Hudson started 12 games at center in 2022 as Louisville went 8-5. He recorded 53 knockdown blocks. Hudson is one of the best players on the Cardinals team and a solid building block for new head coach Jeff Brohm.
G Javion Cohen, Miami
A transfer from Alabama, Cohen should be a difference-maker for the Hurricanes on the offensive line. Cohen started 10 games for the Crimson Tide last year, earning second-team All-SEC honors. Cohen also started 14 games for Alabama in 2021 and was selected to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2020.
The hope is that Miami can be much-improved in Year 2 under Mario Cristobal. In order for that to happen, the Hurricanes need to be much better up front. Bringing in Cohen should certainly help with that.
G Christian Mahogany, Boston College
Boston College is getting back arguably its top offensive lineman in Christian Mahogany after he missed all of last season with an injury. Mahogany started 11 games for the Eagles in 2021, earning second-team All-ACC honors.
As a freshman in 2021, Mahogany started all 11 games at left guard. The New Jersey native signed with the Eagles as a three-star recruit for the class of 2019, according to the On3 Industry rankings.
T Timothy McKay, NC State
McKay started 10 games at right tackle for the Wolfpack in 2022 and led the team in pancake blocks with 10. He was named a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy, which is given to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete.
The Raleigh native will be a grad student in 2023. He is hoping to help NC State compete for an ACC title after the Wolfpack finished 8-5 last season.
T Graham Barton, Duke
Barton has been an impact player on the offensive line for the Blue Devils since arriving on campus. He was named a freshman All-American in 2020 after making five starts. In 2021, he started all 12 games at left tackle.
The Tennessee native was named first-team All-ACC last season after helping the Blue Devils to a surprising 9-4 mark in Year 1 under Mike Elko.
First-team defense
DE Jared Verse, Florida State
The Albany transfer had an impressive first season in Tallahassee, finishing with 17 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. Verse earned All-American and All-ACC honors and many expected him to turn pro. However, he chose to return to Florida State in an attempt to have a special season in 2023 instead.
A lot is made about Jordan Travis and the Florida State offense, and rightfully so, but Verse and the FSU defense is pretty good, too. Look for Verse to have another big season in 2023 after being named first-team All-ACC and earning FSU Defensive MVP honors last year.
DT DeWayne Carter, Duke
Carter is entering his fifth season in the Blue Devils program. He is coming off of an impressive 2022 season that saw him record 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks while appearing in all 13 games.
Carter has been a key contributor for the Blue Devils since 2021 when he was named a team captain. The Ohio native finished that season with 37 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. He performed well in Year 1 under Elko and should once again in 2023.
DT Tyler Davis, Clemson
Arguably the top player on a loaded Clemson defensive front, Davis made the decision to return for a fifth season after earning All-American honors in 2022. Davis started 11 of the 12 games he played in last year, finishing with 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
The Florida native has earned All-ACC honors three times, including first-team honors each of the past two years. For his career, he has recorded 122 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks.
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
The New Jersey native had a great sophomore season, leading the Eagles in tackles for loss with 14.5 and sacks with 8.5. He also forced forced three fumbles. Ezeiruaku earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2022 and Steele now has him first-team preseason All-ACC for 2023.
Ezeiruaku signed with Boston College as a three-star recruit in the class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry rankings. He immediately contributed for Jeff Hafley‘s club, finishing with 21 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks as a true freshman. The Eagles were 3-9 under Hafley in 2022 but Ezeiruaku and BC are hoping to have a better season this fall.
LB Barrett Carter, Clemson
Clemson has arguably the top linebacker duo in the country with Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Carter plays the Will spot for the Tigers but is versatile and can also play Mike and even safety. As a sophomore in 2022, Carter was third on the team with 77 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss. He also had 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and eight pass breakups.
The Tigers had a solid defense in 2022 under first-year defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin. The hope is that it will be even better in Year 2. If Clemson does take a sizeable jump, Carter will likely be a big reason why.
LB Payton Wilson, NC State
NC State was loaded at linebacker in 2022 and Wilson was a big reason why. The North Carolina native finished third on the team in tackles with 83, despite missing playing time early in the year with an injury. Wilson added 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Wilson has dealt with numerous injuries during his career, but when he’s healthy he’s one of the best linebackers in the country. He led NC State in tackles as a freshman in 2019, despite coming off the bench. Wilson was a first-team All-ACC performer in 2020, leading the ACC with an average of 10.8 tackles per game. In 2021 he missed most of the season with an injury, before having another highly-productive year last season. The Wolfpack didn’t meet expectations last year due in large part to injuries. They could be dangerous if 2023 if they can stay healthy.
LB Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Gray started all 14 games for the Tar Heels last season as UNC won the Coastal Division and advanced to the ACC Championship game. He earned All-American honors after recording 145 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss. Gray added two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
The team captain was named North Carolina’s Defensive MVP. The Charlotte native signed with UNC as a three-star recruit in the class of 2020, according to the On3 Industry rankings. He immediately contributed for the Tar Heels as a freshman, appearing in all 12 games. He followed that up by appearing in 13 games with 11 starts in 2021. Gray led the Tar Heels in tackles that season with 100.
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
The second member of Clemson’s stud linebacker duo, Trotter earned second-team All-American honors in 2022 after recording a team-high 92 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss. Trotter started all 14 games and had a pick-six in the rivalry matchup against South Carolina.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is the son of former Eagles star Jeremiah Trotter. He was ranked as a five-star recruit and the No. 32 overall player in the country for the class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry rankings. He appeared in all 13 games and made 22 tackles as a true freshman in 2021, before having a breakout season as a sophomore this past year.
CB Aydan White, NC State
While NC State didn’t have the season it wanted to in 2022, it still had some standout performers on defense. One of those was White, who was a first-team All-ACC performer last year. White played the most coverage snaps in the nation without allowing a touchdown, finishing the season with four interceptions, which ranked second in the ACC.
White is an Asheville native who chose to stay in-state and play for the Wolfpack. He was ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 66 cornerback in the country for the class of 2020, according to the On3 Industry rankings. White contributed off the bench his first two years, before putting together a breakout season in 2022.
CB Jarvis Brownlee, Louisville
The Florida State transfer came up big for the Cardinals during his first season at Louisville. Brownlee intercepted a pair of passes, made 66 tackles and had 12 pass breakups, while helping a Cardinals defense that was surprisingly strong.
The former three-star recruit was a solid contributor for the Seminoles, before choosing to head north. Brownlee recorded two interceptions, including a pick-six, and made 51 tackles in 2021, before opting to transfer within the ACC.
S Kamren Kinchens, Miami
The All-American was one of the best safeties in the country in 2022, recording six interceptions for the Hurricanes, while leading Miami with 59 tackles. He was a bright spot for a Miami squad that had a disappointing first season under Cristobal.
Kinchens was a highly-rated prospect out of Miami who chose to stay home and play for the Hurricanes. He immediately contributed after signing in the class of 2021, playing in all 12 games, while starting the final five. He had 44 tackles as a true freshman, which ranked fourth on the team. This past season, Kinchens continued to tackle well, while also showing off his ball skills. The Hurricanes have a chance to make some noise in 2023, and Kinchens is a big reason why.
S Jalyn Phillips, Clemson
A veteran in the Clemson secondary, Phillips is back for his fifth season with the Tigers. The Georgia native started all 14 games for Clemson in 2022, finishing second on the team in tackles with 82. He also had four tackles for loss and an interception. Phillips has appeared in 51 games, with 21 starts so far in his career.
Phillips battled through injuries at times last season but was still a vital piece to the secondary. He joined Davis, Sheridan Jones and others on the Clemson defense who opted to come back for another season of college football in hopes of doing something special.
First-team special teams
K Ben Sauls, Pittsburgh
One of only two Pittsburgh players on Steele’s first-team preseason All-ACC team, Sauls was 20 of 24 on field goal attempts, connecting on 83 percent of his kicks. Sauls also made all 47 of his PATs.
Sauls accounted for 107 points on the year, which is the third-most ever by a Pitt kicker. He also made 15 of his final 16 field goals. Sauls finished second in the ACC in field goals per game. He also recorded touchbacks on 71 percent of his kickoffs.
P Ben Kiernan, North Carolina
A native of Dublin, Ireland, Kiernan started all 14 games at punter last year, averaging 46.8 yards per punt. Kiernan is back for a fifth season after serving as the starting punter for the Tar Heels for each of the past four seasons.
Kiernan has averaged 41-plus yards per punt every season, with his 46.8 average last year being a career high. He was named third-team All-ACC in 2022.
KR Will Shipley, Clemson
As mentioned earlier, Shipley can do a little bit of everything, including make plays in the return game. The rising junior averaged 23.1 yards per kick return in 2022, finishing with 324 yards on 14 kickoffs.
The North Carolina native is dangerous every time the ball is in his hands, whether it’s returning a kick, taking a handoff or catching a pass.
P MJ Devonshire, Pittsburgh
An excellent cornerback and dangerous punt returner, Devonshire led the ACC with an average of 9.7 yards per punt return in 2022. He scored three touchdowns — two on interceptions and one on a punt return.
Devonshire is capable of changing a game with his play on defense and special teams. Defensively, he finished with 34 tackles, eight pass breakups and three interceptions, two of which he returned for a touchdown. Steele also has him as a preseason All-ACC cornerback.
LS Joe Shimko, NC State
In 475 attempts, Shimko has never had a bad snap. He also recovered a fumble in a win over Texas Tech in 2022.
Shimko has been the long snapper for the Wolfpack since 2019.
Second-team offense
QB Jordan Travis, Florida State
RB Phil Mafah, Clemson
RB Jawhar Jordan, Louisville
WR Ryan O’Keefe, Boston College
WR Jamari Thrash, Louisville
WR Jordan Moore, Duke
TE Jaheim Bell, Florida State
C Matt Lee, Miami
G Walker Parks, Clemson
G Dylan McMahon, NC State
T Matt Goncalves, Pittsburgh
T Jeremiah Byers, Florida State
Second-team defense
DE Xavier Thomas, Clemson
DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
DT Leonard Taylor, Miami
DE Chico Bennett, Virginia
LB Power Echols, North Carolina
LB Tatum Bethune, Florida State
LB Marlowe Wax, Syracuse
LB Wade Woodaz, Clemson
CB Elijah Jones, Boston College
CB MJ Devonshire, Pitt
S Andrew Mukuba, Clemson
S LaMiles Brooks, Georgia Tech
Second-team special teams
K Andres Borregales, Miami
P Porter Wilson, Duke
KR Trebor Pena, Syracuse
PR Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech
LS Drew Little, North Carolina
Third-team offense
QB Riley Leonard, Duke
RB Justice Ellison, Wake Forest
RB Rodney Hammond, Pittsburgh
WR Nate McCollum, North Carolina
WR Beaux Collins, Clemson
WR Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh
TE Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh
C Maurice Smith, Florida State
G Michael Jurgens, Wake Forest
C Corey Gaynor, North Carolina
T Blake Miller, Clemson
T Jeremiah Byers, Florida State
Third-team defense
DE Akheem Mesidor, Miami
DT Aaron Faumui, Virginia
DT CJ Clark, NC State
DE Antwuan Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech
LB Vinny DePalma, Boston College
LB Bangally Kamara, Pittsburgh
LB Francisco Mauigoa, Miami
LB Brandon Johnson, Duke
CB Shyheim Battle, NC State
CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
S Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest
S Jakeen Harris, NC State
Third-team special teams
K Gavin Stewart, Georgia Tech
P Peter Moore, Virginia Tech
KR Jaylen Stinson, Duke
PR Antonio Williams, Clemson
LS Mason Napper, Miami
Fourth-team offense
QB Tyler Van Dyke, Miami
RB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
WR Devontez Walker, North Carolina
WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
WR Jaylin Lane Virginia Tech
TE Jake Briningstool, Clemson
C Jake Kradel, Pittsburgh
C Will Putnam, Clemson
G Kalan Ellis, Syracuse
T Robert Scott, Florida State
T Renato Brown, Louisville
Fourth-team defense
DE Caleb Okechukwu, Syracuse
DT Myles Murphy, North Carolina
DT Fabien Lovett, Florida State
DE Jasheen Davis, Wake Forest
LB Chase Jones, Wake Forest
LB Trenilyas Tatum, Georgia Tech
LB James Jackson, Virginia
LB Keli Lawson, Virginia Tech
CB Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina
CB Fentrell Cypress, Florida State
S James Williams, Miami
S Coen King, Virginia
Fourth-team special teams
K Ryan Coe, North Carolina
P Alex Mastromanno, Florida State
KR Jawhar Jordan, Louisville
PR Tucker Holloway, Virginia Tech
LS Jacob Zuhr, Wake Forest
ACC Media Days will take place later this month, and the ACC season will kick off in less than 50 days. It should be an intriguing year in the league with Clemson and Florida State expected to be at the top and a group of talented teams ready to challenge them.