Three UNC football players received early recognition from conference media members on Wednesday, as the preseason All-ACC teams were revealed.

Carolina quarterback Drake Maye continued to earn some of the top honors, being chosen as the preseason ACC Player of the Year and the preseason All-ACC team. The redshirt sophomore earned 107 of the 176 votes for the quarterback spot and 88 votes for conference player of the year, edging out Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis. It comes after Maye earned both of those same awards in the 2022 season, where he set the UNC program record for passing yards in a season and totaled 35 passing touchdowns.

Maye is joined on the All-ACC team by senior linebacker Cedric Gray and junior wide receiver Tez Walker. Each earned the second-most votes at their positions behind Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Florida State’s Johnny Wilson, respectively.

Gray is returning to the Tar Heels after a stellar 2022 season, where he started all 14 games and led all Power 5 conference players in total tackles (145) and solo tackles (82). Meanwhile, Walker is joining the ACC and donning Carolina blue for the first time, having transferred to UNC from Kent State. Over two seasons and 20 games with the Golden Flashes, the Charlotte native tallied 63 receptions, 1,045 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

Carolina’s three selections to the preseason All-ACC team were tied for the third most selections with Duke and Miami. Clemson led the conference with seven players chosen and Florida State had four preseason picks. The Tigers were picked by conference media members to once again win the ACC, which was announced on Tuesday. UNC, meanwhile, is predicted to finish third in the first season since scrapping the traditional Atlantic and Coastal divisions.

A handful of other preseason honors have already been shared, with Maye earning a spot on the watchlist for The Maxwell Award — which is given to the most outstanding player in college football. As more preseason awards are announced, Chapelboro will be tracking the recognitions here.

 

Photo via AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.

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