Preseason awards are upon us.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye had 88 of 176 votes to earn the nod as the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Player of the Year as the ACC announced its preseason all-conference team on Wednesday.
Maye, who led the ACC with 4,321 passing yards and 38 touchdowns on his way to receiving ACC Freshman and Player of the Year honors, will return as Tar Heels starting quarterback in 2023.
Clemson running back Will Shipley tallied the most votes onto the 2023 Preseason All-ACC Football Team, appearing on 169 ballots. Shipley finished second in the ACC and No. 24 in the NCAA behind 1,182 rushing yards as a sophomore a season ago.
The Tigers saw seven selections to the Preseason All-ACC Football Team. Led by Shipley at running back, all-purpose back and specialist, Clemson also had linebackers Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., defensive tackle Tyler Davis and safety Andrew Mukuba make the preseason all-conference squad.
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis placed second among those receiving ACC preseason player of the year votes. Travis had 66 selections, and he follows a 2022 campaign in which he was named second-team All-ACC.
All-American linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. of Clemson was voted fourth among Preseason Player of the Year nominees after leading the Tigers with 92 tackles. Duke quarterback Riley Leonard and Clemson defensive tackle Tyler Davis finished tied for fifth in the same category.
Here is the full 2023 Preseason All-ACC Football Team:
QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
RB Will Shipley, Clemson
RB Trey Benson, Florida State
WR Johnny Wilson, Florida State
WR Tez Walker North Carolina
WR Jalon Calhoun, Duke
TE Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
AP Will Shipley, Clemson
OT Graham Barton, Duke
OT Matt Goncalves, Pitt
OG Christian Mahogany, Boston College
OG Javion Cohen, Miami
C Bryan Hudson, Louisville
DE Jared Verse, Florida State
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
DT Tyler Davis, Clemson
DT DeWayne Carter, Duke
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
LB Cedric Gray, North Carolina
LB Barrett Carter, Clemson
CB Fentrell Cypress II, Florida State
CB Aydan White, NC State
S Kam Kinchens, Miami
S Andrew Mukuba, Clemson
PK Andres Borregales, Miami
P Daniel Sparks, Virginia
SP Will Shipley, Clemson
