Clemson lands 5 players on preseason All-ACC team

CLEMSON — A day after Clemson's claimed the top spot in the ACC preseason poll, conference media members recognized the Tigers' top-tier talent with a league-high five preseason All-ACC representatives. Running back Will Shipley, who came in third in the ACC's preseason player of the year vote, was placed on the conference's preseason team as a running back, all-purpose player, and return specialist. The rest of the Tigers' All-ACC honorees were on defense, including fifth-year defensive tackle Tyler Davis, junior linebackers Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

and Barrett Carter, and junior safety Andrew Mukuba. Trotter (No. 4) and Davis (tied for No.

5) were also listed in the player of the year top five, which was led by North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. Clemson favored to win ACC over FSU in preseason poll Florida State, which was voted No. 2 in the preseason ACC poll, had four players named to the preseason All-ACC team, including running back Trey Benson, receiver Johnny Wilson, defensive end Jared Verse, and cornerback Fentrell Cypress II.

Quarterback Jordan Travis, who couldn't overtake Maye as the lone passer on the preseason team, was No. 2 in the ACC player of the year poll. Shipley received the most votes of any member of the conference's preseason team, earning 169 votes from 176 panelists for the running back spot.

Verse was the second-most supported in his selection, getting 136 votes at defensive end. Trotter, at 132 votes, was the only other player above the 130-vote threshold. There are high expectations for Shipley this season after he rushed for 1,182 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore.

Davis returned to the Tigers for a fifth season after earning All-America honors in 2022, and Trotter and Carter are considered one of the best, if not the best, linebacker duo in college football. Mukuba, who was the ACC's defensive rookie of the year in 2021, is hoping for a bounce-back season after playing through injury as a sophomore. .