Pitt’s James Conner, Tyler Boyd, Adam Bisnowaty Named To Preseason All-ACC Team
By Brett Tunno
Jan 2, 2015; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back James Conner (24) goes in for 5-yard touchdown against the Houston Cougars during the second half of the 2015 Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Houston won 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday, conference officials released the Preseason All-ACC Team, and Pitt’s playmakers finished 1st and 3rd overall.
More from Pitt Panthers
- Pitt Basketball: Justin Champagnie Needs to Get Back on Track
- Pitt QB Kenny Pickett Must Improve in Week 14
- Pitt Exposed as a Pretender After Ugly Loss to Virginia Tech
- Pitt’s Gerald Drumgoole Jr. Is Vital to Offensive Improvement
- Pitt Must Be Careful of Potential Trap Game in Week 12
Junior running back James Conner was the leading vote-getter, picked by 148 of 163 voters. He was joined by junior Tyler Boyd, who led the voting at wide receiver and finished third overall with 137 votes, as well as junior offensive tackle Adam Bisnowaty. Boyd also received 32 votes as a return specialist.
Other Pitt Panthers who received votes include junior guard Dorian Johnson (29), junior tight end J.P. Holtz (5), senior defensive tackle K.K. Mosley-Smith (2), sophomore punter Ryan Winslow (2), junior kicker Chris Blewitt (1) and senior cornerback Lafayette Pitts (1).
Of all the ACC squads, Clemson led with five players, highlighted by sophomore quarterback and preseason player of the year Deshaun Watson.
2015 All-ACC Preseason Football Team
Offense
WR – Tyler Boyd, Jr., Pitt
WR – Mike Williams, Jr., Clemson
WR – Artavis Scott, So. Clemson
TE – Bucky Hodges, r-So., Virginia Tech
OT – Roderick Johnson, So., Florida State
OT – Adam Bisnowaty, r-Jr., Pitt
OG – Landon Turner, r-Sr., North Carolina
OG – Eric Mac Lain, Gr., Clemson
C – Matt Skura, r-Sr., Duke
QB – Deshaun Watson, So., Clemson
RB – James Conner, Jr., Pitt
RB – Shadrach Thornton, Sr., NC State
Defense
DE – Dadi Lhomme Nicolas. r-Sr., Virginia Tech
DE – Shaq Lawson, Jr., Clemson
DE – Sheldon Rankins, Sr., Louisville
DT – Adam Gotsis, Sr., Georgia Tech
DT – Luther Maddy, r-Sr., Virginia Tech
LB – Terrance Smith, r-Sr., Florida State
LB – Brandon Chubb, r-Sr., Wake Forest
LB – James Burgess, Sr., Louisville
CB – Jalen Ramsey, Jr., Florida State
CB – Kendall Fuller, Jr., Virginia Tech
S – Jeremy Cash, r-Sr., Duke
S – Quin Blanding, So., Virginia
Special Teams
PK – Roberto Aguayo, r-Jr., Florida State
P – Alex Kinal, r-Sr., Wake Forest
KR – Ryan Switzer, So., North Carolina
Next: Third down presence a big key for Pitt RB's