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Yesterday, the ACC announced its 2017 Preseason All-ACC team, and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets had one player make an appearance on the team, in the form of B-back Dedrick Mills.
Mills, who was named to the Freshman All-American team last season, has also been named to this year’s Maxwell Award Watch List. Last season, Mills led the Jackets’ rushing attack with 152 carries for 771 yards (5.1 yards/carry) and 12 touchdowns, while only playing in nine games. He also added in a receiving touchdown.
Below is the rest of the Preseason All-ACC team.
Offense
| RB | Player | Year | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| RB | Player | Year | School |
| WR | Deon Cain | Jr. | Clemson |
| WR | Ahmmon Richards | So. | Miami |
| WR | Cam Phillips | Sr. | Virginia Tech |
| TE | Cam Serigne | R-Sr. | Wake Forest |
| AP | Jaylen Samuels | Sr. | NC State |
| OT | Mitch Hyatt | Jr. | Clemson |
| OT | Bryan O'Neill | R-Jr. | Pitt |
| OG | Tyrone Crowder | R-Sr. | Clemson |
| OG | Wyatt Teller | R-Sr. | Virginia Tech |
| C | Alec Eberle | R-Jr. | Florida State |
| QB | Lamar Jackson | Jr. | Louisville |
| RB | Mark Walton | Jr. | Miami |
| RB | Dedrick Mills | So. | Georgia Tech |
Defense
| Position | Player | Year | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Year | School |
| DE | Harold Landry | Sr. | Boston College |
| DE | Bradley Chubb | Sr. | NC State |
| DT | Dexter Lawrence | So. | Clemson |
| DT | Christian Wilkins | Jr. | Clemson |
| LB | Micah Kiser | R-Sr. | Virginia |
| LB | Shaquille Quarterman | So. | Miami |
| LB | Tremaine Edmunds | Jr. | Virginia Tech |
| CB | Tavarus McFadden | Jr. | Florida State |
| CB | Jaire Alexander | Jr. | Louisville |
| S | Derwin James | R-So. | Florida State |
| S | Quin Blanding | Sr. | Virginia |
Special Teams
| Position | Player | Year | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Year | School |
| PK | Michael Badgely | Jr. | Miami |
| P | A.J. Cole III | Jr. | NC State |
| SP | Quadree Henderson | Jr. | Pitt |
Were there any snubs?
Though the Yellow Jackets are not as well-represented as fans would like, they only really have a good argument on one player: A-back Clinton Lynch.
NC State’s Jaylen Samuels had a position created for him in order to make the All-ACC team with the new “All-Purpose Back” position. Last season, Samuels lined up at a variety of positions, including quarterback, running back, and wide receiver, all of which he scored touchdowns at. He finished the season with 49 carries for 345 yards (7 yards/carry), 57 catches for 569 yards (10 yards/catch), and 15 touchdowns rushing and receiving. He also added in a 59-yard touchdown pass (his only attempt of the season).
Needless to say, Samuels was absolutely phenomenal last season and should certainly be a member of the preseason All-ACC team. My argument here is not that he shouldn’t be on the team, but rather that Clinton Lynch should have gotten some more votes by being listed at the position.
Last season, Lynch was Tech’s most explosive player, and he should be recognized for his accomplishments. He finished the season with 37 carries for 415 yards (11.2 yards/carry), 16 catches for 490 yards (30.6 yards/catch), and eight total touchdowns.
Comparing total numbers, Samuels had 106 touches for 914 yards (8.6 yards/touch) and 15 touchdowns, while Lynch had 53 touches for 905 yards (17.1 yards/touch). So, while Lynch did not have the touches, nor the touchdowns that Samuels had, he gained almost as many yards total as Samuels in half the attempts. So if you were to adjust Lynch’s stats to the number of attempts that Samuels got, Lynch would have 1,810 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Now, I’m not saying that Samuels shouldn’t be on the preseason All-ACC team, but he shouldn’t have gotten that spot in such an uncontested manner, especially when there are other players who are putting out similar or better numbers, albeit with less attempts.
What do y’all think? Were there any other snubs?