Dantzler Named First-Team All-ACC

Nov. 27, 2001

Clemson, SC – Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler has been named first-team All-ACC by the Atlantic Coast Sportswriters Association, the official All-ACC team. It marks the first time in 20 years that Clemson has had the first-team All-ACC quarterback by the organization.

Dantzler is the first Tiger named as the first-team All-ACC quarterback since 1981 when Homer Jordan guided the Tigers to the National Championship. Mike Eppley was named first-team All-ACC by Associated Press in 1984, but was not chosen to the ACC Sportswriters Association team.

Dantzler was the only Clemson player named first–team, but five Tigers were named second team. Three of Clemson’s interior offensive linemen were named second-team All-ACC. Kyle Young, graduate student from Clemson, SC, was named the second-team center, while Will Merritt and Akil Smith were named second-team offensive linemen. Merritt is a graduate student from Easley, while Smith is a junior from Richmond, VA.

Young broke his own Clemson record for knockdown blocks this year and has 128 heading into the season finale on Saturday against Duke. Merritt was named second-team All-ACC for the second year in a row. It was the first time Smith has been honored. He was the only junior named first or second-team All-ACC from Clemson. Offensive lineman T.J. Watkins was a honorable mention All-ACC selection.

Chad Carson, a senior from Newnan, GA, and Charles Hafley, a graduate student from Pompano Beach, FL, were both named second-team all-conference. Carson had been an honorable mention selection each of the last two years. It was the first time Hafley has been named to an All-ACC team.

Carson leads the team in tackles with 123 and ranks fifth in school history with 434. Hafley has 113 tackles for the season and has three interceptions. He set a Clemson record for tackles by a defensive back with 20 against Maryland this year. Both Hafley and Carson rank in the top 30 in the nation in tackles.

Dantzler leads the ACC in total offense with 298.6 yards per game. He needs just 131 yards rushing against Duke to become the first player in NCAA history to reach 2000 yards passing and 1000 yards rushing in the same season. He ranks fourth in the conference in rushing and is sixth in passing efficiency.

Dantzler, a graduate student from Orangeburg, SC, holds 32 Clemson records including total offense on a game, season and career basis. He is the only player in the nation to rank in the top 50 in passing and rushing. He needs just 20 yards rushing against Duke to become just the third quarterback in NCAA history to accumulate 5000 yards passing and 2500 rushing in a career.