Preseason All-ACC team features UNC 3

The preseason All-ACC team won’t dampen the already high expectations for North Carolina’s defense, which returns nine starters.

Tackle Marvin Austin, linebacker Quan Sturdivant and cornerback Kendric Burney all were voted to the preseason All-ACC team by the media that cover the conference, according to a news release issued Wednesday.

No other school had as many players on the preseason All-ACC defense. N.C. State end Willie Young and Duke tackle Vince Oghobaase also received preseason All-ACC defensive honors.

N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson was the lone player from a North Carolina school on the preseason All-ACC offense. C.J. Spiller, who’s being promoted for the Heisman Trophy by Clemson, was voted All-ACC at running back along with returning ACC player of the year Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech.

Spiller also was named preseason All-ACC as a specialist and was joined on the team by Tiger wide receiver Jacoby Ford.

Here is the entire preseason All-ACC team, as voted by the media:

Offense: QB Russell Wilson, N.C. State; RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech; RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson, WR Demaryius Thomas, Georgia Tech; WR Jacoby Ford, Clemson; TE Greg Boone, Virginia Tech; OT Jason Fox, Miami; OT Anthony Castonzo, Boston College; OG Sergio Render, Virginia Tech; C Matt Tennant, Boston College, PK Matt Bosher, Miami.

Defense: DE Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech; DE Willie Young, N.C. State; DT Vince Oghobaase, Duke; DT Marvin Austin, North Carolina; LB Dekoda Watson, Florida State; LB Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina; LB Alex Wujciak, Maryland; CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia; CB Kendric Burney, North Carolina; S Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech; S Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech; P Travis Baltz, Maryland.

Specialist: C.J. Spiller, Clemson.