Inside The Panthers

Athlon Names 12 Panthers to Preseason All-ACC Team

The Pitt Panthers tied for second-most selections in the league.

Stephen Thompson

Athlon Names 12 Panthers to Preseason All-ACC Team
Athlon Names 12 Panthers to Preseason All-ACC Team /
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers were among the most well-represented teams in the conference on Athlon Sports' Preseason All-ACC team. 

The Panthers landed 12 players across all four teams, tied for the second-most in the league. Clemson and Florida State led the way with 15 selections each, while Pitt, North Carolina, Miami and Wake Forest each had a dozen. Those six were the only schools with double-digit All-ACCers. 

Leading the way for the Panthers was their lone first-team pick, placekicker Ben Sauls, who survived a rocky start to the season and made 83% of his field goals and 100% of his extra points in 2022. 

Four second-team selections followed in cornerback M.J. Devonshire, running back Rodney Hammond Jr. and offensive linemen Matt Goncalves and Jake Kradel. All four of those players figure to be leaders at deep, strong positions for the Panthers. 

Athlon is also expecting a breakout year from some members of the passing game as well, with wide receiver Konata Mumpfield and tight end Gavin Bartholomew garnering third-team honors. Linebackers Shayne Simon and Bangally Kamara and cornerback Marquis Williams also earned third-team consideration. 

The Panthers also had two fourth-team selections along the defensive line in edge rusher Dayon Hayes and tackle Devin Danielson. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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