UNC Football duo receive All-ACC preseason honors ahead of the 2024 season

The Atlantic Coast Conference named its annual preseason awards this week, as a pair of UNC football standouts were among the recipients.

Omarion Hampton and Willie Lampkin represent the Tar Heels among this year's honorees.

Hampton was one of the best running backs in not only the ACC but the entire nation last season. Hampton was a first-team All-ACC selection for the 2023 season and a finalist for the Doak Walker, presented annually to the nation's top running back. The Tar Heels running back finished with the most touchdowns (15) and rushing yards (1,504) among ACC qualifiers, as he's expected to be regarded as one of the top available running backs in next year's NFL Draft class.

While some thought Hampton would earn the ACC Preseason Player of the Year Award, the Tar Heels star finished second overall in the voting. He received 38 votes, as Miami quarterback Cam Ward nearly doubled his total with 71 of his own.

Lampkin made a big impact on the UNC football program in his first season with the program in 2023. The Coastal Carolina transfer started every game this past season and helped protect Hampton and Drake Maye, who went on to be the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Lampkin was awarded third-team All-ACC honors and is the lone starting offensive lineman to return from last year's squad.

Of course, Kaimon Rucker was snubbed from this list, as the Tar Heels' leader on defense definitely deserved some recognition. However, it shouldn't take away from how important Hampton and Lampkin will be for the UNC football program this season, as they are both going to need to have strong seasons in order for the Tar Heels to put points on the board.