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July 28, 2005
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Three Virginia football players were named to the 2005 Preseason All-ACC Team by members of the media, the Conference announced at its annual media kickoff.
Named to the All-ACC Team were senior tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson (Freeport, N.Y.), senior placekicker Connor Hughes (Williamsburg, Va.), and junior linebacker Ahmad Brooks (Woodbridge, Va.).
Ferguson, UVa’s first All-ACC tackle in six years, has started every game of his career (39), the longest streak by a UVa left tackle since All-American Jim Dombrowski started a record 45 straight games. He earned first-team All-ACC honors last season. Considered by many as the top offensive lineman in the country, Ferguson is a candidate for the Outland Trophy.
A preseason All-American, Hughes is one of the top returning kickers in the country. He stands second in school history in field goals made (45) and field goal percentage (.818) and fourth in points (233). For the third consecutive season, Hughes is a leading candidate for the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker.
Brooks is one of the fastest players on the Virginia team. A finalist for the 2004 Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker, he was the team’s leading tackler last fall with 90 tackles. The first-team All-ACC honoree also led the Cavaliers with 11 quarterback hurries. The two-year starter became the first Cavalier to lead the team in tackling his first two seasons since Charles McDaniel in 1982-83.
Virginia opens the 2005 season at home on Sept. 3 with Western Michigan. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Scott Stadium.
2005 Preseason All-ACC Football Team
OFFENSE
QB – Charlie Whitehurst, ClemsonRB – Chris Barclay, Wake ForestRB – Leon Washington, Florida StateWR – Calvin Johnson, Georgia TechWR – Tramain Hall, NC StateTE – Jeff King, Virginia TechOL – D’Brickashaw Ferguson, VirginiaOL – Will Montgomery, Virginia TechOL – Kyle Ralph, North CarolinaOL – Steve Vallos, Wake ForestOL – Eric Winston, Miami
PK – Connor Hughes, VirginiaP – Ryan Plackemeier, Wake ForestSP – Devin Hester, Miami
DEFENSEDL – Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston CollegeDL – Manny Lawson, NC StateDL – Darryl Tapp, Virginia TechDL – Mario Williams, NC StateLB – Ahmad Brooks, VirginiaLB – D’Qwell Jackson, MarylandLB – Ernie Sims, Florida StateDB – Tye Hill, ClemsonDB – Greg Threat, MiamiDB – Pat Watkins, Florida StateDB – Jimmy Williams, Virginia Tech
Preseason Player of the Year:Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
There were no unanimous selections.Washington and Kiwanuka were named on 39 of 40 ballots.