Ten UNC football players earned All-ACC nods Tuesday afternoon, with three Tar Heels headlining the first team. Redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Maye, junior receiver Josh Downs and junior linebacker Cedric Gray were each named to that prestigious group.

In his first year as a starter, Maye’s passing yardage mark of 3,847 ranks second among Power 5 quarterbacks and is already the UNC single-season record. Maye is also Carolina’s leading rusher with 629 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Between rushing and passing, his 373 yards of total offense per game is best in the nation, and his 41 total touchdowns ranks third among Power 5 players. His 35 passing touchdowns are just three shy of Sam Howell’s school record of 38.

Despite missing two games due to injury, Downs is Carolina’s leading receiver in all categories: 83 catches, 929 yards and 11 touchdowns. His catches rank first in the ACC and his touchdowns are tied for second. His five 100-yards games lead the league, and he set an ACC record for most receptions over a three-game span with 37 against Pittsburgh, Virginia and Wake Forest. In addition to his receiving honor, Downs was also named second-team All-ACC as a punt returner. He averaged 14.1 yards per return this season.

Gray’s 130 total tackles this season are both best on the Tar Heels and best among Power 5 defenders. Of those 130 total tackles, 72 were solo, which leads the ACC. Gray has also stuffed the stat sheet by recording a sack, nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Both fumble statistics rank first on the team.

Cornerback Storm Duck was named second team All-ACC.  The senior from Boiling Springs, S.C. posted 46 tackles and grabbed a team-high three interceptions, which also tied for third in the ACC. Duck also recorded a tackle for loss, nine pass breakups and a forced fumble during the season.

Receiver Antoine Green, punter Ben Kiernan and offensive lineman Asim Richards each were named to the third team, while linebacker Power Echols, offensive lineman Corey Gaynor and tight end Bryson Nesbit each earned honorable mention nods.

For the full All-ACC teams, click here.

 

Featured image via Eli Melet

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