Nov. 27, 2006
A first-team selection for the third straight year, wide receiver Calvin Johnson headlines the All-Atlantic Coast Conference team, which includes a total of 10 Yellow Jackets.
Johnson, punter Durant Brooks, defensive tackle Joe Anoai and safety Jamal Lewis were first-team all-ACC selections. ACC rushing leader Tashard Choice, linebacker Philip Wheeler and defensive end Adamm Oliver made second-team all-ACC, while linebacker KaMichael Hall, tackle Andrew Gardner and quarterback Reggie Ball earned honorable mention recognition.
Johnson, a junior from Tyrone, Ga., was the only unanimous selection on the all-ACC team. He becomes the fifth Yellow Jacket to be a three-time all-ACC selection but the first player in Georgia Tech history to earn first-team all-ACC honors three times.
Johnson has 59 receptions for 889 yards and ranks third in the nation with 13 touchdown catches.
Brooks, a junior from Macon, Ga., leads the ACC in punting average (45.2) while ranking second in the nation in net punting at 40.86.
Anoai, a senior from Pensacola, Fla., anchors a Tech defense that ranks 11th in the nation against the run. He has 32 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries.
Lewis, a junior from Jonesboro, Ga., is the third-leading tackler (65) on a Tech unit that stands eighth nationally in pass efficiency defense. He has three interceptions and 6.5 tackles for loss.
A junior from Riverdale, Ga., Choice was a second-team selection despite leading the league with an average of 100.3 yards per game. He also led in conference games only, averaging 100.1 yards against ACC foes.
Wheeler, a junior from Columbus, Ga., has 74 tackles while ranking among the ACC leaders in sacks (8) and tackles for loss (12.5), along with two fumble recoveries.
A junior from New Port Richey, Fla., Oliver is the Jackets’ fourth-leading tackler with 60, including 9.5 tackles for loss.
Gardner, a sophomore from Tyrone, Ga., is the Jackets’ top lineman, paving the way for Choice and an offense that averages 164.3 rushing yards per game, which is second in the ACC.
Hall is a senior from Houston, Texas, who leads Tech 75 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, four sacks, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
Ball, a senior from Stone Mountain, Ga., leads the ACC with 20 touchdown passes.
The all-ACC team is chosen by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.
