13 Tar Heels Named All-ACC, Including Three First-Team Picks

CHAPEL HILL – The University of North Carolina football program had 13 Tar Heels recognized with 14 All-ACC honors, the conference office announced on Tuesday. RB Omarion Hampton, TE Bryson Nesbit and LB Cedric Gray were named first-team All-ACC, while QB Drake Maye, DE Kaimon Rucker and PK Noah Burnette claimed second-team honors. WR Devontez Walker, OG Willie Lampkin and LB Power Echols earned third-team honors, while OL Spencer Rolland, C Corey Gaynor, DT Myles Murphy and Alijah Huzzie (S/SP) were named honorable mention.

Hampton has become one of the nation's top running backs this season. In 12 games, he has rushed for 1,442 rushing yards and has averaged 120.2 yards per game. He ranks eighth in the FBS with 15 touchdowns and is ninth in the FBS with 19.5 rushing attempts per game.Hampton ended the regular season leading the conference in rushing attempts (234), yards (1,442), touchdowns (15), attempts per game (19.5) and yards per game (120.7).

Nesbit, an ACC Honorable Mention member last season, has posted 41 receptions for 585 yards and five TDs. His 585 yards, five touchdowns and 14.3 yards per reception ranks first among ACC tight ends.

Gray has continued to dominate on the defensive end in 2023. He currently ranks 12th in the FBS with 121 total tackles and is averaging 10.8 tackles per game. In addition, his 121 solo tackles are the second most in the ACC. Gray has also posted 11 TFL, seven quarterback pressures, four PBU, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries along with an interception. He has collected 16 double digit tackle games as a Tar Heel. Gray now has 359 career tackles, three shy of passing Brandon Spoon and moving into seventh in Tar Heel history.
In his second season as a starter, Maye continued to climb the UNC record books. This season, he has completed 269-of-425 passes (63.3%) for 3,608 yards and 24 TDs. The 3,608 passing yards lead the ACC and rank seventh in the Power 5. Maye's 9,227 career total offensive yards and his 62 touchdowns behind center rank fourth in UNC history. Maye is also second on the team in rushing with 449 yards and nine TDs. He is one of eight FBS quarterbacks to average over 300 yards passing per game.

Rucker claimed second-team honors after posting 56 tackles, 14 TFL, 12 QB hurries, 8.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His 8.5 sacks are tied for 18th in the FBS and third in the ACC.

Burnette has connected on 18 of his 19 field goals this season. Burnette tied a school record when he went 6-of-6 versus Duke, including a field goal to tie the game as time expired. Burnette's 94.7 make percentage is fourth nationally and leads the ACC.

Despite missing four games this season, Devontez Walker posted 41 receptions for 699 yards and seven TDs. Once taking the field, Walker made an instant impact. His seven TDs are tied for seventh in the ACC and his 699 yards rank 10th in the league.

In his first season as a Tar Heel, OG Willie Lampkin started 10 of UNC's 12 games. Lampkin helped anchor a North Carolina offensive line that ranked third in the FBS in total offense this season.

Echols has continued to make his presence on the field felt. He's posted 92 tackles, 5.5 TFL, four quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and an interception this season. His 92 tackles rank seventh in the ACC and his 56 solo tackles rank fifth in the league.

A transfer from East Tennessee State, Alijah Huzzie started 11 games for the Tar Heels at defensive back and punt returner. On the season, Huzzie recorded 42 tackles, three interceptions and a tackle for loss. His three interceptions are tied for sixth in the ACC. As a specialist, Huzzie tallied 112 yards and one touchdown on seven attempts.

Offensive lineman Corey Gaynor and Spencer Rolland each helped solidify an offense that ranks third nationally in total offense (503.9 ypg), ninth in passing offense (306.8 ypg), 15th in scoring (36.6ppg) and 17th in rushing offense (197.1 ppg).
This season, defensive lineman Myles Murphy posted 23 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures, a sack and a fumble recovery.

For up-to-date information on Carolina football, visit GoHeels.com/Football and follow us on Twitter (@UNCFootball), Instagram (@uncfootball) and Facebook (Facebook.com/TarHeelFootball).

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University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Noah Burnette

Power Echols

Corey Gaynor

Cedric Gray

Omarion Hampton

Alijah Huzzie

Willie Lampkin

Drake Maye

Myles Murphy

Bryson Nesbit

Spencer Rolland

Kaimon Rucker

Devontez Walker

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