July 25, 2007
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Georgia Tech senior running back Tashard Choice and senior linebacker Philip Wheeler were named to the ACC Preaseaon Football Team today. The voting, which took place earlier this week at the annual ACC Kickoff in Pinehurst (N.C.), was done by sports journalists who cover the league on a regular basis.
Boston College senior quarterback Matt Ryan was selected as the Preseason ACC Player of the Year. Ryan, the 2006 All-ACC quarterback, received 31 votes in the balloting. Virginia Tech junior running back Branden Ore was second, being named on 21 ballots.
Choice joined Ore as the two running backs on the Preseason Team. Choice, a second team All-ACC selection in 2006, led the ACC in rushing last season. Wheeler, also a second team All-ACC selection in the fall, was Georgia Tech’s lone representative on the Preseason Team’s defensive unit.
Virginia Tech led all teams with five players selected to the Preseason Team. Ten of the league’s 12 schools were represented on the squad.
Two Yellow Jacket players – safety Jamal Lewis and punter Durant Brooks – did not make the Preseason Team despite being first team All-ACC selections in the fall.
2007 Preseason All-ACC Football Team
Offense
QB – Matt Ryan, Sr., Boston College
RB – Branden Ore, Jr., Virginia Tech
RB – Tashard Choice, Sr., Georgia Tech
WR – Greg Carr, Jr., Florida State
WR- Darrius Heyward-Bey,So., Maryland
TE – Tom Santi, Sr., Virginia
T – Duane Brown, Sr., Virginia Tech
T – Barry Richardson, Sr., Clemson
G – Andrew Crummey, Sr., Maryland
G – Derrick Morse, Sr., Miami
C – Steve Justice, Sr., Wake Forest
Defense
DE – Calais Campbell, Jr., Miami
DE — Chris Long, Sr., Virginia
DT – Andre Fluellen, Sr., Florida State
DT – DeMario Pressley, Sr., NC State
LB – Xavier Adibi, Sr., Virginia Tech
LB – Vince Hall, Sr., Virginia Tech
LB – Phillip Wheeler, Sr., Georgia Tech
CB – Brandon Flowers, Jr., Virginia Tech
CB — DeJuan Tribble, Sr., Boston College
S – Kenny Phillips, Jr., Miami
S – Myron Rolle, So., Florida State
Specialists
PK – Sam Swank, Jr., WakeForest
P – Sam Swank, Jr., WakeForest
RET – Darrell Blackman, Sr., NC State
