Three Tigers Named Preseason All-ACC

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson All-American defensive end Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett and Stephone Anthony were all named to the first-team preseason All-ACC football team announced by the Atlantic Coast Conference on Wednesday.  The team was selected by media who attended last weekend’s ACC Football Kickoff in Greensboro, N.C.

Clemson led all ACC teams with the three defensive selections.  Florida State had the most overall selections to the team with nine.  The Seminoles are the preseason favorite to win the ACC and the Atlantic Division, while Clemson was chosen second in the Atlantic Division.

Beasley was the leading votegetter on the defensive team with 96 votes.  Only returning Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, Florida State’s quarterback, had more votes overall with 97.

Beasley was a consensus All-American last year when had 23 tackles for loss, including 13 sacks and four caused fumbles.  He ranked in the top five in the nation in tackles for loss and sacks.  He led the ACC in sacks, the third Clemson player in the last four years to lead that category.

Beasley has been named a preseason first-team All-American by virtually every publication this summer and is on the Watch List for the Lombardi Award, the Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Award.  He was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award last year.  That honor goes to the top defensive end in the nation.

Jarrett has been on the preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award, the  Nagurski Award and the Outland Trophy.  He is the top returning tackler among Clemson defensive linemen with 83 last season when he helped Clemson lead the nation in tackles for loss.

Anthony was the top tackler on Clemson’s 11-2 team of 2013 that finished seventh in the final USA Today poll.  He had 131 tackles overall, including 13.5 tackles for loss, four of which were sacks.  He is on the Butkus Award Watch List  in addition to being on the Watch List for the Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award and Nagurski Award.