UNC Football: Athlon Sports releases preseason All-ACC teams
By Zack Pearson
Six University of North Carolina Tar Heels football players were named to the Athlon Sports All-ACC teams
It’s not officially summer yet, but when the season changes that means college football will be here before we know it.
We are currently just under 100 days away from the kickoff to the 2017 season as the Clemson Tigers look to defend their title.
The Atlantic Coast Conference should have another strong season after producing the national champion and Heisman trophy winner in 2016. Both the Coastal and Atlantic divisions should feature fun races that go down to the final weeks.
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As for the North Carolina Tar Heels, well they have a lot to replace on the offensive side of the ball.
The Tar Heels lost Mitch Trubisky, Elijah Hood, Ryan Switzer, Mack Hollins, T.J. Logan, Bug Howard and Lucas Crowley on offense to the NFL. Their defense is hoping they can continue to improve despite the departure of coordinator Gene Chizik.
While we are still months away from the season, it’s never to early to look at some preseason all-conference teams. Athlon Sports is rolling out their annual editions for each conference and put out the ACC earlier today.
The Tar Heels had zero All-ACC first team selections but did do well on the second team.
Named to the All-ACC second team representing UNC was: offensive lineman Bentley Spain, corner back M.J. Stewart and punter Tom Sheldon.
Stewart figures to be one of the leaders for the Tar Heels defense this season after they lost both Nazair Jones and Des Lawrence. Spain will be an anchor on the offensive line which struggled in 2016 and ended the season on a bad note in the Sun Bowl against Stanford.
Then there’s Sheldon.
The Australia native was fantastic for the Tar Heels in his first season as a punter. Expect another big year from Sheldon in 2017.
UNC also had three players make the All-ACC fourth team, all being defensive players in defensive lineman Aaron Crawford, linebacker Andre Smith and safety Donnie Miles.
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To see the full All-ACC teams by Athlon Sports, make sure to check out their website.