Five Clemson Football Players Named to All-ACC Academic Football Team

Feb. 4, 2008

Clemson, SC – Five Clemson football players, including four starters, have been named to the ACC All-Academic team announced by the Atlantic Coast Conference on Monday. The list of Tigers includes four starters from Clemson’s 9-4 team that ranked 21st in the final Associated Press poll.

Only Maryland had more selections to the team than Clemson with six, while Duke tied the Tigers for second with five. The five selections tied for the most in one year in Clemson history. The 2001 and 1985 Clemson teams also had five apiece. Four of the five Clemson players named to the team will return for the 2008 season. The 2007 team was the first in Clemson history to have five Academic All-ACC selections and finish the season in the AP top 25.

Starting center Thomas Austin was named to the team as a sophomore. Austin started 12 of the 13 games on the offensive line and was a big reason the Tigers led the ACC in scoring offense and finished second in total offense and rushing offense. Michael Palmer, Clemson’s starting tight end in 11 of the 13 games, was also named to the team. Palmer led Clemson tight ends in receptions with 13 for 128 yards and a touchdown and was sixth on the team overall in receptions.

Fullback Alex Pearson was named to the team for the second consecutive year, the only repeat selection among Clemson players. Pearson graduated in three and a half years this past December.

Both of Clemson’s kickers were also named to the team. Mark Buchholz, who led the ACC in scoring with a school record 114 points and kicked 22 field goals this year, was also named. His 35-yard field goal on the last play of the game gave the Tigers 23-21 win over South Carolina.

Punter Jimmy Maners was the fifth Clemson player on the squad. Maners averaged 42.8 yards per punt this year, had 16 punts inside the 20 and 13 punts of at least 50 yards. Maners had a perfect 4.0 in the classroom in the fall semester.