Preseason All-ACC football team

For most of the summer, experts including Raleigh News & Observer columnist Caulton Tudor http://www.newsobserver.com/2759/story/1148476.html have been explaining that the ACC’s Atlantic Division is superior to the Coastal Division.

The release of the media’s preseason All-ACC team reinforces the idea that the Atlantic will reign in 2008. Sixteen of the preseason All-ACC selections were from the Atlantic Division, led by four each from preseason team favorite Clemson, Wake Forest and Florida State, and three from Boston College.

Just nine preseason All-ACC selections play for Coastal Division schools, led by Georgia Tech’s three selections.Three schools didn’t have any preseason All-ACC selections. It’s not surprising that Duke and N.C. State were shut out – they were picked last in their respective divisions.

But considering Miami’s history and tradition, it’s stunning that no Hurricanes were on the All-ACC list. Second-year coach Randy Shannon obviously still has a lot of recruiting to do to restore Miami’s national prominence.

Here’s the complete All-ACC list, led by the player of the year selection, Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper:

Offense: QB - Cullen Harper, Clemson; RB – Josh Adams, Wake Forest; RB – James Davis, Clemson; WR – Aaron Kelly, Clemson; WR – Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina; TE – Ryan Purvis, Boston College; T – Andrew Gardner, Georgia Tech; T – Eugene Monroe, Virginia; G – Rodney Hudson, Florida State; G – Sergio Render, Virginia Tech; C – Edwin Williams, Maryland.

Defense: DE – Everette Brown, Florida State; DE – Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech; DT – Ron Brace, Boston College; DT – Vance Walker, Georgia Tech; LB – Aaron Curry, Wake Forest; LB – Clint Sintim, Virginia; LB – Brian Toal, Boston College; CB – Victor Harris, Virginia Tech; CB – Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest; S – Michael Hamlin, Clemson; S – Myron Rolle, Florida StateSpecialists: PK – Sam Swank, Wake Forest; P – Graham Gano, Florida State; RET – Brandon Tate, North Carolina