GREENSBORO, N.C. - Several members Virginia Tech defense and special teams have been rewarded on the individual level as four Hokies earned second-team All-ACC honors and three others were named to the third team in balloting conducted by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA).
Senior defensive tackle Derrick Hopkins, senior linebacker Jack Tyler, freshman cornerback Kendall Fuller and sophomore punter A.J. Hughes were all named to the second team. For Tyler, it’s his second All-ACC second-team honor from ACSMA and Hopkins was named honorable mention last year. For Fuller and Hughes, it’s their first conference honors.
Hopkins started all 12 games and is the state’s defensive lineman of the year, as voted on by the Richmond Touchdown Club. He has 49 tackles on the year, including 7.5 for loss and four sacks, a blocked kick and a 40-yard fumble return. Tyler is Tech’s leading tackler on the nation’s No. 3 total defense. He has 93 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble. As a true freshman, Fuller leads the team lead with six interceptions and is fourth on the team in tackles with 56. He also has a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and 10 PBU, second-most on the team. Hughes is second in the ACC with a 44.5-yard punting average and has 20 kicks of 50 yards or longer to go with 19 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
Making the new third team were: junior defensive tackle Luther Maddy, senior cornerback Kyle Fuller and freshman cornerback Brandon Facyson. It’s the first conference for both Maddy and Facyson while it’s the third honor for Fuller, who made second team in 2011 and honorable mention last season.
Four Hokies: offensive guard Andrew Miller, center David Wang, defensive end James Gayle and rover (strong safety) Kyshoen Jarrett were named to the honorable mention squad.
For the complete release and full teams, go to www.TheACC.com.
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