Georgia Tech B-back KirVonte Benson, guard Parker Braun and punter Pressley Harvin were all named to the All-ACC team, which was released Monday. Benson and Braun were both voted to the second team and Harvin was a third-team pick. It’s the first time each has received the honor.
Guard Shamire Devine earned honorable mention, having received the seventh most points among guards.
Benson finished fourth in the ACC in rushing at 95.7 yards per game. In his first season as a starter, the sophomore from Marietta High had five 100-yard rushing games and scored six touchdowns on the ground. Benson, who didn’t play a single snap at B-back last season, became the first Tech running back to earn All-ACC honors since B-back Zach Laskey in 2014. With 1,053 rushing yards, he’s the first Tech running back to reach 1,000 yards in a season since Anthony Allen in 2010.
Braun built on a solid freshman season a year ago with impressive performance as a sophomore. He was named ACC offensive lineman of the week in the win over Pittsburgh Sept. 23 and helped Tech generate four 400-yard rushing games, the most in a season in coach Paul Johnson’s tenure. He is the 12th All-ACC selection for Tech offensive linemen in Johnson’s 10 seasons.
Harvin finished second in the ACC in punting at 44.1 yards per punt, which was also the fifth-highest average in Tech history. Harvin was effective punting for height, distance and direction, helping Tech’s coverage team pin returners. Tech ranks 31st nationally and fourth in the ACC in net punting at 39.74 yards per punt. He is Tech’s first specialist to win All-ACC honors since kicker Travis Bell and punter Durant Brooks were named to the All-ACC team in 2007.
The team was voted on by a panel of 45 media members and the league’s 14 coaches. Clemson had 13 players on the team. Tech’s three selections were third fewest, behind Louisville and North Carolina, which had two each.
Among other Tech players, center Kenny Cooper was probably the most deserving of consideration.
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