Oct 29, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback Des Lawrence (2) breaks up a pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Tar Heels won 26-19. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

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UNC players earn preseason recognition

Just days after the ACC media picked the North Carolina Tar Heels to repeat as Coastal Division champions, some players are now getting love.

The ACC released its annual preseason All-ACC first team on Wednesday and three Tar Heels made the team.

On offense, junior running back Elijah Hood was named to the team along with Florida State’s Dalvin Cook. Hood rushed for 1,463 yards and 17 touchdowns during his sophomore season, putting up the second-highest total rushing yards in a season by a Tar Heel running back.

Cornerback Des Lawrence made the team on the defensive side of the ball, joining Clemson’s Cordrea Tankersley as the only two at the position. Lawrence is entering his senior year with the Tar Heels, already establishing himself as one of the better cornerbacks in the country.

Moving to Special Teams, senior Ryan Switzer was named to the first team as a specialist. The 5-foot-10 Switzer is one punt return away from tying the career NCAA record, and two away from beating it. Breaking the record would be a special moment for Switzer and the Tar Heels.

While only three Tar Heels made the team, other players received votes.

Quarterback Mitch Trubisky received 1 vote for the First Team, losing to Clemson’s Deshaun Watson who dominated the voting. Switzer, Bug Howard and Mack Hollins all received votes at the wide receiver position. Tight end Brandon Fritts received 3 votes.

In addition, offensive lineman Jon Heck, Bentley Spain, Caleb Peterson and Lucas Crowley all received votes.

Defensive linemen Mikey Bart, Nazair Jones and Dajaun Drennon received votes, as did cornerback M.J. Stewart and safety Donnie Miles.

Below is the complete All-ACC First Team:

Offense

WR – Artavis Scott, Jr., Clemson

WR – Isaiah Ford, Jr., Virginia Tech

WR – Travis Rudolph, Jr. Florida State

TE – Jordan Leggett, Sr., Clemson

OT – Roderick Johnson, Jr., Florida State

OT – Mitch Hyatt, So., Clemson

OG – Dorian Johnson, Sr., Pitt

OG – Tyrone Crowder, Jr., Clemson

C – Jay Guillermo, r-Sr., Clemson

QB – Deshaun Watson, Jr., Clemson

RB – Dalvin Cook, Jr., Florida State

RB – Elijah Hood, Jr., North Carolina

Defense

DE – DeMarcus Walker, Sr., Florida State

DE – Ejuan Price, r-Sr., Pitt

DT – Carlos Watkins, r-Sr., Clemson

DT – DeAngelo Brown, Sr., Louisville

LB – Ben Boulware, Sr., Clemson

LB – Keith Kelsey, Sr., Louisville

LB – Devonte Fields, Sr., Louisville

CB – Cordrea Tankersley, Sr., Clemson

CB – Des Lawrence, Sr., North Carolina

S – Derwin James, So., Florida State

S – Quin Blanding, Jr., Virginia

Special Teams

PK – Greg Huegel, r-So., Clemson

P – Justin Vogel, Sr., Miami

SP – Ryan Switzer, So., North Carolina

The Tar Heels will open up the 2016-17 college football season in Atlanta as they take on the Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 3. Check back with Keeping It Heel for more information regarding UNC football.