As we approach the beginning of the 2023 college football season, we want to highlight some of the top players in each conference by announcing our SIS Preseason All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our selections.

You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced here.

Offense

Heisman hopeful Drake Maye leads the ACC after leading the country in Total Points. Trey Benson took over the starting job in Week 7 and didn’t look back putting up the same amount of Total Points over those seven games as the second-best ACC running back did over the entire season. Oronde Gadsden II was the best receiving tight end in the country last season.

All three receivers are new to the conference transferring in from Georgia State, Old Dominion, and Middle Tennessee State. Louisville’s Jamari Thrash was fourth nationally in yards per target. Virginia Tech’s Ali Jennings finished fourth nationally in Total Points per target. Jaylin Lane was first team All-CUSA last season finishing sixth nationally in YAC.

At UTEP last year Jeremiah Byers had the second lowest Blown Block% in the nation among offensive tackles. Matt Lee was tied for the lowest Blown Block% amongst centers in the country last season, playing for Central Florida.

Duke’s Graham Barton was fifth among ACC offensive tackles in Total Points. Dylan McMahon and Christopher Bleich were tied for second in lowest Run Blown Block% by a guard in the ACC (minimum 500 snaps).

Defense

Florida State’s dip into the transfer portal paid dividends last season with Jared Verse leading the ACC in Pressure% among defensive lineman. This year they went back to the portal for Western Michigan defensive tackle Braden Fiske, who led all MAC interior lineman in Total Points.

Duke’s DeWayne Carter led the ACC defensive tackles in Total Points last season. Jasheen Davis from Wake Forest was second among ACC edges in hurries with 26. Cedric Gray was the lone bright spot on North Carolina’s defense finishing second nationally in tackles with 151.

Clemson has a trio of defenders led by Barrett Carter. Carter’s greatest value came against the pass where he was third nationally in Pass Defense Total Points among linebackers. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. made his impact against the run where he was seventh nationally in Total Points per play. RJ Mickens was fifth amongst ACC safeties against the pass.

North Carolina State’s Aydan White was an easy selection as he was second nationally in Total Points. Derrick Canteen was an honorable mention for the Sun Belt last season. He finished second among Sun Belt cornerbacks in Pass Defense Total Points. Chelen Garnes was valuable against the run, finishing fourth in Total Points.

Specialists

Ben Sauls had an outstanding season converting all 47 extra points and connecting on 20-of-24 field goals. Ben Kiernan had a strong season for North Carolina finishing top five in the ACC for punt yards average, net yards average, and punts inside the 20. Trebor Pena was a dual threat return man averaging 23.3 yards on kickoffs and 8.6 on punts.

Honorable Mention

Florida State’s Johnny Wilson is one of the top returning ACC WRs. Wilson was fourth nationally in ADoC. Williams Barnes was not called for a holding penalty last season. Opponents only completed 39.3% of passes against Nate Wiggins.