In a season defining individual performances across the Atlantic Coast Conference, Miami's own Cam Ward has emerged as the standout player, securing the title of The Associated Press offensive player of the year and newcomer of the year for the 2024 season. This dual achievement highlights Ward's prowess on the field and his immediate impact on the college football landscape, punctuating Miami's 10-2 run despite a stumble in their final two ACC games that nudged them out of the conference championship game spotlight, as per CBS News.
SMU's Rhett Lashlee didn't manage to snag the ACC title, but he surely did make a dent in the conference, enough so to be named coach of the year. His squad's near miss in a tight 34-31 loss to Clemson didn't go unnoticed by the panel of 15 media members tasked with covering the ACC. While Ward dominated offenses, Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku built a strong defense, earning top defensive player honors in the league.
According to CBS News, Ward's recognition comes from his impressive stats, leading Miami's offense, coordinating plays, and gaining significant yardage. Beyond the individual accolades, Miami football was well-represented with eight players selected to the first and second teams. This feat is notably marked by Xavier Restrepo who, with 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns, led the ACC in receiving, according to the panel's vote.
While Clemson clinched their ACC title for the eighth time in the past decade, the emergence of SMU in the conference and their subsequent six-player representation on the All-ACC team are not to be easily cast aside. Their first-team running back, Brashard Smith, was part of a solid squad that went undefeated in regular-season conference play. The robust conference competition didn't only pave the way for Clemson's entry into the College Football Playoff; it also carved out a spot for SMU's deserving team. This information was outlined in AP News.
On defense, standout players like unanimous first-team pick Nohl Williams and Virginia Tech's DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. and DT Aeneas Peebles led a strong defensive line. Meanwhile, North Carolina's Omarion Hampton earned an all-purpose second-team spot after rushing for 1,660 yards, outrunning nearly everyone in the ACC.
