Seven Miami Hurricanes land on All-ACC teams
The Miami Hurricanes continued to get snubbed from the All-ACC teams. The latest was the Associated Press releasing their All-ACC football team. As with the other All-Conference teams, kicker Michael Badgley is the only Miami Hurricanes player on the first team.
Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt and Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz have spoken out about the lack of their players on the All-ACC team. It’s questionable the lack of Miami Hurricanes on the first team offense or defense. It speaks volumes to the team play Miami has had this season.
As he did with a pair of other media outlets, Richt was named the Associated Press’ ACC’s Coach of the Year. Although Badgley was the only Miami player named first team, several Hurricanes were named second-team All-ACC.
Running back Travis Homer and tight end Christopher Herndon IV were named to the second-team offense. The Hurricanes are well represented on the second-team defense. Defensive tackle R.J. McIntosh, linebacker Shaq Quarterman, cornerback Michael Jackson and safety Jaquan Johnson were named to the second-team defense.
Badgley finished the season making 42 of his 43 extra points and 16 of 20 field goal attempts. He needs ten points in the Orange Bowl to finish the year with over 100 points for the third straight season. Badgley is five points from becoming the Hurricanes all-time leading scorer.
Homer became all-conference after not starting until the Miami Hurricanes fifth game of the season. He needs 93 yards against a stout Wisconsin defense in the Orange Bowl to get 1,000 rushing yards on the season. Homer also added 18 receptions for 219 yards and a touchdown. He has seven touchdowns on the ground.
Homer also got to wear the turnover chain once this season with a fumble recovery on special teams. Homer has three tackles this season.
Herndon was having a great season before being sidelined for the year in the final regular season game with an MCL injury against Pittsburgh. Herndon had 40 receptions for 477 yards and four touchdowns.
Johnson and Jackson tied for the lead in the ACC with four interceptions. Johnson also led the Hurricanes in solo tackles, assists and solo tackles. He also added four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries at a key pick-six in the game against Virginia.
Michael Jackson has had a standout season after playing most of last season on special teams. In addition to tying for the team lead in INTs, he added four pass breakups and the fumble recovery.
McIntosh teams with Kendrick Norton to give the Hurricane an imposing force in the middle of the defensive line. McIntosh leads Miami with 12.5 tackles for loss. He is second on the defensive line with 49 tackles and on the team with seven pass breakups. McIntosh also has 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Quarterman had his second straight outstanding season as a Sophomore. He finished the season second on the team with 76 total tackles. He added six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery.
Badgley and Herndon are Seniors. McIntosh is likely to lean towards entering the draft. Johnson could also look into leaving early as well. Jackson is likely to return and Quarterman will definitely be back next season. Homer will also return but is likely to be challenged at running back from incoming Freshman Lorenzo Lingard.
Miami has to develop more skilled players on offense. Wide receiver Jeff Thomas showed flashes of being a big play receiver as a Freshman. Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory are stretch the middle of the field players in the Storm Class of 2018 at tight end.
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The 2017 season was a big step forward for Mark Richt and the Miami Hurricanes. They need more consistency on offense to pair with what has been for the most part a great defense in the two seasons under Manny Diaz.