Several NC State Standouts Named To The All-ACC Teams
RALEIGH, N.C. - Seven members of the 2017 NC State football squad have been named to the official All-ACC team, the league office announced today. It marks the highest total of All-ACC performers for the Wolfpack since 2002. Ten players were also named to the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA) All-ACC team.
DE Bradley Chubb (6'4, 275, Sr.) was the leading vote-getter on defense on the ACC team after leading the ACC in sacks (10.0) and tackles for loss (24.0), and ranking second among conference defensive linemen with 73 tackles. Chubb, who was a unanimous choice on the ACSMA, currently ranks second nationally in tackles for loss and seventh in sacks. A finalist for the Nagurski and Bednarik Awards, Chubb broke the school records in both categories this season.
Joining Chubb on both All-ACC first teams are running back Nyheim Hines (5'9, 197, Jr.) and Jaylen Samuels (5'11, 228, Sr.) as an all-purpose player. Hines led all ACC running backs (with more than 100 attempts) in yards per carry with a 5.9 mark against league competition and rushed for 1,040 yards despite missing almost three complete games with injuries.
Samuels is the league's inaugural choice at the new all-purpose designation after ranking third in the league in touchdowns with 15 for the season – the fifth highest total in school history. His 11 rushing scores are third-best in the conference. "JaySam" ranks sixth in the ACC in receptions per game with 5.8 and his 69 total catches not only ranks 22nd overall in the NCAA, but he is second-highest non-WR in total catches nationally.
Four members of the "Band of Brothers" were named all-conference performers: Tony Adams (2nd-team ACC; 1st-team ACSMA), Will Richardson (2nd-team ACC, 2nd-team ACSMA), Tyler Jones (1st-team ACSMA) and Garrett Bradbury (HM ACC, 1st-team ACSMA). The Wolfpack offensive line allowed conference-low 12 sacks this season, including an unheard of four in NC State's eight league games. Adams was named the ACC Lineman of the Week versus South Carolina, Richardson won that honor following the win over Louisville, while Bradbury was tabbed for the UNC win.
WR Kelvin Harmon (6'3, 213, So.), who finished the regular season with six 100-yard games and ranks third in the league with 82.8 receiving yards per contest, was named a 2nd-team performer on the ACC's list and a 1st-teamer by ASCMA. His 993 total yards ranks sixth in school history.
Quarterback Ryan Finley (6'4, 210, R-Jr) was named the third-team All-ACC quarterback on both lists after finishing the regular season with 266.7 passing yards per game – the third-best mark in the league. His .640 completion percentage is the second-best in the ACC for 2017 and fourth-best in school history.
Punter A.J. Cole, III (6'4, 230, Jr.), was named a 3rd-team all-conference choice by ACSMA (honorable mention by the ACC). He ranks second in the ACC with 23 punts inside the 20 this season.
Hines was also named to the third-team as a specialist on the ACC's team. Hines returned both punts and kickoffs for much of the season for the Pack before being slowed by an ankle injury the final five games, and totaled 610 yards in both categories this year.
DT B.J. Hill (6'4, 315, Sr.), who was second among the Wolfpack's D-line with 56 tackles on the season, earned honorable mention honors on both teams.