Six Tar Heels Named All-ACC, Including Two First-Team Picks

CHARLOTTE– The University of North Carolina football program had six Tar Heels recognized with eight All-ACC honors, the conference office announced on Tuesday. RB Omarion Hampton and OL Willie Lampkin were named first-team All-ACC, while Hampton also claimed second-team honors as an All-Purpose back. Defensive Lineman Jahvaree Ritzie was the lone Tar Heel who earned third-team honors, while OL Howard Sampson, LB Power Echols and Alijah Huzzie (CB/SP) were named honorable mention.

Hampton, one of the nation's top running backs this season, ranks second in the FBS with 1,660 rushing yards and 138.3 yards per game. He ranks 13th in the FBS with 15 touchdowns and is fifth in the FBS with 23.4 rushing attempts per game. He ended the regular season leading the conference in rushing attempts (281), yards (1,660), touchdowns (15), attempts per game (23.4) and yards per game (138.3). Over the course of the 2024 season, Hampton set the single-season record for all-purpose yards with 2,033. The previous record was set 54 years ago by Don McCauley who gained a total of 2,021 yards in 1970.

Lampkin, a third-team All-ACC member last season, is ranked as the highest-graded guard among all Power 4 offensive linemen by Pro Football Focus and has not allowed a sack all season long over 473 pass-blocking reps. He has also helped pave the way for a North Carolina offense that has averaged 423.4 total yards of offense per game this season

Ritzie claimed third-team honors after posting 40 tackles, nine sacks, 6.5 TFL, five QB hurries and two forced fumbles. His 6.5 sacks are tied for 8th in the ACC.

In his first season as a Tar Heel, OL Howard Sampson started all 12 of UNC's games this season. Sampson helped anchor a North Carolina offensive line that ranked second in the ACC in rushing offense this season.

Echols has continued to make his presence felt on the field. This season, he's posted 76 tackles, three quarterback hurries, 1.5 TFL, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Alijah Huzzie has started every game for the Tar Heels at cornerback and punt returner this season. On defense, Huzzie has recorded 39 tackles, eight pass breakups, two sacks and an interception. His eight pass breakups are tied for eighth in the ACC. As a specialist, Huzzie tallied 154 yards and one touchdown on 11 attempts. His 14 yards per return average would rank eighth nationally.

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

Power Echols

Omarion Hampton

Alijah Huzzie

Alijah Huzzie

Willie Lampkin

Jahvaree Ritzie

Howard Sampson

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