July 28, 2005

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Three Virginia football players were named to the 2005 Preseason All-ACC Team by members of the media, the Conference announced at its annual media kickoff.

Named to the All-ACC Team were senior tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Freeport, N.Y.), senior placekicker Connor Hughes (Williamsburg, Va.), and junior linebacker Ahmad Brooks (Woodbridge, Va.).

Ferguson, UVa's first All-ACC tackle in six years, has started every game of his career (39), the longest streak by a UVa left tackle since All-American Jim Dombrowski started a record 45 straight games. He earned first-team All-ACC honors last season. Considered by many as the top offensive lineman in the country, Ferguson is a candidate for the Outland Trophy.

A preseason All-American, Hughes is one of the top returning kickers in the country. He stands second in school history in field goals made (45) and field goal percentage (.818) and fourth in points (233). For the third consecutive season, Hughes is a leading candidate for the Lou Groza Award as the nation's best kicker.

Brooks is one of the fastest players on the Virginia team. A finalist for the 2004 Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker, he was the team's leading tackler last fall with 90 tackles. The first-team All-ACC honoree also led the Cavaliers with 11 quarterback hurries. The two-year starter became the first Cavalier to lead the team in tackling his first two seasons since Charles McDaniel in 1982-83.

Virginia opens the 2005 season at home on Sept. 3 with Western Michigan. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Scott Stadium.

2005 Preseason All-ACC Football Team

OFFENSE
QB - Charlie Whitehurst, Clemson
RB - Chris Barclay, Wake Forest
RB - Leon Washington, Florida State
WR - Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
WR - Tramain Hall, NC State
TE - Jeff King, Virginia Tech
OL - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia
OL - Will Montgomery, Virginia Tech
OL - Kyle Ralph, North Carolina
OL - Steve Vallos, Wake Forest
OL - Eric Winston, Miami
PK - Connor Hughes, Virginia
P - Ryan Plackemeier, Wake Forest
SP - Devin Hester, Miami
DEFENSE
DL - Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
DL - Manny Lawson, NC State
DL - Darryl Tapp, Virginia Tech
DL - Mario Williams, NC State
LB - Ahmad Brooks, Virginia
LB - D'Qwell Jackson, Maryland
LB - Ernie Sims, Florida State
DB - Tye Hill, Clemson
DB - Greg Threat, Miami
DB - Pat Watkins, Florida State
DB - Jimmy Williams, Virginia Tech
Preseason Player of the Year:
Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
There were no unanimous selections.
Washington and Kiwanuka were named on 39 of 40 ballots.