University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Six Tar Heels Named AP All-ACC
December 5, 2023 | Football
CHAPEL HILL – The University of North Carolina football program had six Tar Heels recognized with Associated Press All-ACC honors, the AP announced on Tuesday. RB Omarion Hampton, TE Bryson Nesbit and LB Cedric Gray were named first-team, while QB Drake Maye, DE Kaimon Rucker and PK Noah Burnette claimed second-team honors.
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 120.17 yards per game. He ranks eighth in the FBS with 15 touchdowns and is ninth in the FBS with 19.50 rushing attempts per game. Hampton was one of four unanimous selections by the AP.
In ACC play, 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.Â
Gray has continued to dominate on the defensive end in 2023. He currently ranks 14th in the FBS with 121 total tackles and is averaging 10.1 tackles per game. In addition, his 121 solo tackles are the second most in the ACC. Gray has also posted 11 TFL's, seven quarterback pressures, four PBU's, two sacks, forced fumbles and 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 33 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.
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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.
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Rucker claimed second-team honors after posting 56 tackles, 14 TFL's, 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.
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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 game-tying field goal to tie the game as time expired. Burnette's 94.7 make percentage is fourth nationally and leads the ACC.
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).
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 120.17 yards per game. He ranks eighth in the FBS with 15 touchdowns and is ninth in the FBS with 19.50 rushing attempts per game. Hampton was one of four unanimous selections by the AP.
In ACC play, 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.Â
Gray has continued to dominate on the defensive end in 2023. He currently ranks 14th in the FBS with 121 total tackles and is averaging 10.1 tackles per game. In addition, his 121 solo tackles are the second most in the ACC. Gray has also posted 11 TFL's, seven quarterback pressures, four PBU's, two sacks, forced fumbles and 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 33 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.
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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.
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Rucker claimed second-team honors after posting 56 tackles, 14 TFL's, 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.
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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 game-tying field goal to tie the game as time expired. Burnette's 94.7 make percentage is fourth nationally and leads the ACC.
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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