Miami Hurricanes Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and offensive tackle Zion Nelson have been named honorable mention preseason All-Americans by Pro Football Focus. With five players named first, second or third-team All-Americans, Clemson led the ACC. Miami has several games in 2022 versus PFF preseason All-Americans.
Miami last officially had all-Americans in 2020 when defensive end Jaelan Phillips and punter Louis Hedley were named to the second team. Hedley returns to Miami for his fourth season in 2022. Stevenson returns to Miami for his second season after transferring from Georgia where he played in 2019 and 2020.
Hedley has a career average of 45.2 yards per punt with 33.8 percent of those inside the 20. After averaging 47.2 yards per punt in 2020, Hedley has his average drop to 44.9 percent in 2021. Hedley set a career-high in 2021 with 40.4 percent of his punts landing inside the 20 yardline. Hedley should challenge to be a 2022 All-American.
In his first season with Miami Stevenson had 43 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, five pass breakups and an interception. Stevenson was also the best coverage CB for the Miami Hurricanes in 2021. All those numbers eclipsed or tied a career-high for Stevenson. Stevenson was Honorable Mention All-ACC in 2021.
Watch out for Zion Nelson this season 🙌 pic.twitter.com/usEtvpdFGJ
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 8, 2022
Nelson has started 32 of the 35 games he has played in three years for Miami. Following the 2021 season, Nelson was named honorable mention All-ACC. Several 2023 NFL Mock Drafts project that Nelson will be a first-round selection. Nelson will anchor an experienced Miami offensive line in 2022.
Nelson will start at left tackle. D.J. Scaife is entering his fifth season as a starter on the Miami offensive line. Jakai Clark is entering his second season as the starting center and fourth on the OL. Clark, Nelson and Scaife should all challenge to earn All-ACC in 2022. Nelson is ranked 33rd on the PFF NFL Draft Big Board.
Nelson is the only Miami player in the PFF Top 50. Tight end Will Mallory who was named first-team preseason All-ACC last week is another Miami player to watch who could earn postseason honors. Entering their sophomore seasons, defensive tackle Leonard Taylor and safety James Williams are expected to improve for Miami in 2022.