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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA Six Virginia football players were named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team announced Monday, including two first-team selections.
Offensive tackle Eugene Monroe and tight end John Phillips were named to the first team, while outside linebacker Clint Sintim and cornerback Ras-I Dowling were second-team choices. Tailback Cedric Peerman and wide receiver Kevin Ogletree received honorable mention recognition.
The leader of a young offensive line that featured three first-time starters this season, Monroe is considered one of the top tackles in the nation. The Plainfield, N.J., native is also the recipient of this season’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, presented to the top blocker in the ACC as voted on by the league’s coaches. This is the first time Monroe has been named to the first team; last season he was an honorable mention selection.
Phillips continued the tradition of outstanding tight ends at Virginia under head coach Al Groh. He led ACC tight ends with 48 receptions for 385 yards and finished tied for seventh overall in receiving. His 48 catches are ninth most by a tight end in conference history. This is the first time Phillips has been named All-ACC.
Sintim is also a first-time All-ACC choice this season. He was the most dominating rush linebacker in the country this season and led all linebackers in sacks with an average of 0.92 per game. He was second in the ACC in sacks and ninth in tackles for loss, while averaging 5.8 tackles per game. Sintim’s 13 sacks this season are fifth most in UVa history and the most ever by a linebacker.
Dowling is the first UVa cornerback named either first or second team as a sophomore since Ronde Barber was a first-team selection in 1995. Dowling led the Cavaliers with three interceptions this season and ranked second in the conference with 11 pass break-ups. He also averaged 3.9 tackles per game this season and had five tackles for loss. This is the first time the Chesapeake, Va., native has been to the all-conference team.
Peerman was the team’s leading rusher this season with a career-high 774 yards and ranked fifth in the league. The senior from Gladys, Va., was fifth in the conference in average yards per carry (5.1 yds) and tied for sixth with seven rushing touchdowns. His 44 receptions led all league running backs. This is the first time he has received all-conference honors.
Ogletree returned this season after missing all of last year and led the team in receiving once again with 58 catches for 723 yards and five touchdowns. He finished fifth in the ACC in receptions (4.8/g) and third in receiving yards (60.2/g). With 58 receptions this season, he became only the 26th player in ACC history with two 50-catch seasons in a career.