Sparks Named to Preseason All-ACC Team

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia punter Daniel Sparks was named to the Preseason All-ACC team announced by the league on Wednesday (Aug. 2). The Cavalier junior was a second team All-ACC selection last season.

Sparks was voted as one of five team captains by his teammates at the end of the 2022 season. He matched the UVA single-season punting average record, led the ACC and finished eighth in the country with a 45.9 yards per kick in his first year with the team.

He put his name on the map in the season finale against Pitt with a season-long 63-yard punt, one of three 60-yarders in the contest. He is the only Cavalier punter ever to launch three punts of 60 or more yards in a game.

2023 Preseason All-ACC Football Team

(Total votes in parentheses) 
QB: Drake Maye, North Carolina (107)
RB: Will Shipley, Clemson (169)
RB: Trey Benson, Florida State (125)
WR: Johnny Wilson, Florida State (117)
WR: Tez Walker, North Carolina (51)
WR: Jalon Calhoun, Duke (49)
TE: Oronde Gadsden, Syracuse (89)
AP: Will Shipley, Clemson (105)
OT: Graham Barton, Duke (110)
OT: Matt Goncalves, Pitt (58)
OG: Christian Mahogany, Boston College (101)
OG: Javion Cohen, Miami (69)
C: Bryan Hudson, Louisville (56)

DE: Jared Verse, Florida State (136)
DE: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College (58)
DT: Tyler Davis, Clemson (124)
DT: DeWayne Carter, Duke (97)
LB: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson (132)
LB: Cedric Gray, North Carolina (109)
LB: Barrett Carter, Clemson (87)
CB: Fentrell Cypress II, Florida State (88)
CB: Aydan White, NC State (85)
S: Kam Kinchens, Miami (117)
S: Andrew Mukuba, Clemson (46)

PK: Andres Borregales, Miami (70)
P: Daniel Sparks, Virginia (54)
SP: Will Shipley, Clemson (68)

Preseason Player of the Year
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina (88)
Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State (66)
Will Shipley, RB, Clemson (17)
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson (3)
Riley Leonard, QB, Duke (1)
Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson (1)