University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Named Midseason All-ACC
October 16, 2012 | Football
All-America candidate Jonathan Cooper headlines a group of 12 Tar Heels named to Phil Steele's Midseason All-ACC teams. Cooper is one of four Carolina players on Steele's first-team offense, which also includes tailback Giovani Bernard, tight end Eric Ebron and offensive tackle James Hurst. Defensive tackle Sylvester Williams and linebacker Kevin Reddick were selected first-team defense.
Cooper headlines a North Carolina offensive line that was recently ranked the No. 1 group in the country by ESPN analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Cooper has averaged a 90 percent grade and 12 knockdown blocks this season with two of his best games coming in the last two weeks against Virginia Tech and Miami.
Running often behind Cooper and Hurst, Carolina gained 611 rushing yards, an average of 305.5, in wins over the Hokies and Hurricanes. The Tar Heels had 339 vs. Virginia Tech, the third-highest total against the Hokies, and 272 against Miami. Carolina is one of just nine teams in the country averaging 250 yards passing and 200 yards rushing. Cooper has not allowed a sack on the season and through seven games the Tar Heels have given up just four.
Ebron has become one of the Tar Heels' top targets with 26 receptions for a team-best 399 yards and three touchdowns. He is already just 10 receptions shy of the school record for catches by a tight end (36 by Ryan Taylor in 2010).
Bernard leads the team with 652 rushing yards in five games, an average of 130.4 per game. He also has 19 receptions for 158 yards and 10 punt returns for 175 yards. Bernard has scored 10 touchdowns, including seven rushing, two receiving and one on a punt return.
Williams leads all ACC defensive tackles with five sacks and has eight tackles for losses. Reddick has 41 tackles, eight tackles for losses, 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups and one forced fumble.
On Steele's second team are place-kicker Casey Barth and kick returner Sean Tapley. Quarterback Bryn Renner, center Russell Bodine, cornerback Jabari Price and punter Tommy Hibbard were named to the third team.
