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5 Orange Earn PFF All-ACC - Syracuse University Athletics
Five Orange players graded out among the league's best according to Pro Football Focus, which announced its All-ACC Team on Tuesday.
Running back Sean Tucker was named to the first team offense, which comes as no surprise to Orange fans, as the record-breaking back continues to collect a bevy of accolades. He was previously the top vote getter on the ACC's all-league team, a Doak Walker and Maxwell Award semifinalist, among others. He finished the regular season ranked fourth nationally in the category, while also sixth nationally in all-purpose yards per game (145.9), despite only collecting his yards via rushing and receiving. He finished the year with 14 total touchdowns, a program record nine 100-yard games and a program record seven consecutive 100-yard games. He also became the first player in program history to have 100+ yards rushing and receiving in the same game vs. UAlbany.
Joining him on the first team was the Orange's defensive captain Mikel Jones. Jones concluded the year with 110 tackles, which was second in the ACC. He led the conference with 60 solo tackles. He also added 13 tackles for loss, which was second in the ACC among linebackers and four sacks. He had six games with 10-or-more tackles and was named to the Butkus Award Watch List.
Return man Trebor Pena, who had his season cut short by a season-ending injury suffered in the Orange's comeback win over Virginia Tech, was named to the Third Team by PFF. Pena averaged 24.8 yards per kickoff return through the first-four games of the season. He also caught twp passes out of the slot, including a 62-yard touchdown reception against Clemson.
Duce Chestnut wrapped up the year finishing second in the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year balloting, and earned a spot on PFF's honorable mention squad after being named to the third team by the league itself. Chestnut finished the season with the second-most passes defended in the ACC. His three interceptions led all Syracuse players, which he complimented with eight pass breakups. He ranked second to only Louisville's Kei'Trel Clark in the category.
Courtney Jackson also earned honorable mention honors as a punt return. Jackson emerged as the Orange's leading receiver this year out of the slot, but he also housed a punt return to seal 'Cuse's win over Boston College after taking over return duties for Pena. Jackson averaged 18.3 yards per return in his four games in the spot. Jackson caught 37 passes for 389 yards and a team-high three touchdowns this season as a receiver.
