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Seminoles place 3 on preseason All-ACC

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Florida State placed three members on the preseason All-ACC football team announced Wednesday. Two come from their highly touted defensive unit voted on by the media.

Center Alec Eberle, Jr., a redshirt junior, was the sole representative from the offensive side of the ball. Despite missing spring practice due to hip surgery, Eberle will anchor an offensive line still under construction.

Both of FSU’s defensive selections come from the backfield. Redshirt sophomore safety Derwin James is a potential All-America candidate, while junior cornerback Tavarus McFadden, Jr. joined James as an overwhelming selection.

Josh Sweat was a distant third in the balloting for defensive end, while Derrick Nnadi also finished third at the defensive tackle position. Jacob Pugh and Matthew Thomas finished seventh and eighth, respectively, at the linebacker position. Ricky Aguayo was the runner-up at place-kicker behind Michael Badgley of Miami.

The lack of any FSU representatives at the skill positions comes as no surprise. Quarterback Deondre Francois finished a distant second in the balloting to reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville.

Among the wide receivers, Nyquan Murray finished sixth in the balloting behind a talented group headed by Clemson’s Deon Cain, Jr. and Miami’s Ahmmon Richards. In the running back category, junior Jacques Patrick finished third behind Mark Walton, Jr. of Miami and Derrick Mills of Georgia Tech.

For those looking ahead to the September 2 showdown in Atlanta between the Seminoles and Alabama, the Crimson Tide placed 10 players on the preseason All-SEC team, announced last week. The offensive group is led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, joined by five other members of the defensive unit and their punter.

The Florida Gators are represented by offensive lineman Martez Ivey and defensive back Duke Dawson.

 

Bob Sparks is President of Ramos and Sparks Group, a Tallahassee-based business and political consulting firm. During his career, he has directed media relations and managed events for professional baseball, served as chief spokesperson for the Republican Party of Florida as well as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Attorney General of Florida. After serving as Executive Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Charlie Crist, he returned to the private sector working with clients including the Republican National Committee and political candidates in Japan. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Sue and can be reached at [email protected]

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