Miami Leads the Way in All-ACC Selections, but Snubs Leave Questions
On a night when Miami fans were still digesting the College Football Playoff Committee’s latest rankings - which once again seemed to apply the “head-to-head matters” rule selectively - the ACC dropped its All-Conference teams. And while Miami didn’t get the playoff respect it hoped for, the Hurricanes did get something else: validation from the league’s coaches and media.
Miami led the conference with 14 players named to the All-ACC first, second, or third teams - the most of any school. That’s not just a pat on the back. That’s a full-on acknowledgment of the talent Mario Cristobal has assembled in Coral Gables.
First Team All-ACC: Stars Shine Bright
Let’s start with the headliners. Malachi Toney, the electric freshman wide receiver, earned a spot on the First Team - and he didn’t stop there.
He also landed a Second Team nod as an all-purpose weapon. Toney’s versatility and explosiveness made him a nightmare for defenses all season, and the ACC took notice.
Joining him on the First Team were three players who look like future Sunday stars: Francis Mauigoa (OT), **Rueben Bain Jr. ** (DE), and Akheem Mesidor (DE).
All three have the kind of tape that makes NFL scouts lean forward. Mauigoa was a rock on the offensive line, while Bain Jr. and Mesidor wreaked havoc off the edge.
That trio could all hear their names called early in the NFL Draft.
Second Team: Depth on Display
Toney popped up again on the Second Team, this time as an all-purpose player - a nod to his impact beyond just catching passes. He was joined by Anez Cooper (OG), Ahmad Moten Sr. (DT), Keionte Scott (CB), and Jakobe Thomas (S).
Scott’s placement raised some eyebrows. A Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist - the only one from the ACC - Scott ended up on the Second Team behind Hezekiah Masses (Cal) and Avieon Terrell (Clemson).
Masses has the stats (5+ INTs), and Terrell has the draft hype, but neither made the Thorpe semifinalist list. Scott did.
That’s the kind of thing that leaves fans - and likely Miami’s coaching staff - scratching their heads.
Third Team: Offensive Core Gets Love
The Third Team featured QB Carson Beck, **RB Mark Fletcher Jr. **, OT Markel Bell, C James Brockermeyer, and LB Wesley Bissainthe.
That’s a solid spine of Miami’s offense and defense, getting well-earned recognition. Fletcher Jr. was a steady force in the backfield, and Beck’s leadership at quarterback helped drive the Hurricanes’ offensive rhythm.
Honorable Mentions and Notable Omissions
Several key contributors earned Honorable Mention status, including DT David Blay Jr., LB Mohamed Toure, CB Damari Brown, S Zechariah Poyser, and ST Keelan Marion. But for all the names that made it, a few omissions stood out.
Bryce Fitzgerald, who tied for the team lead with four interceptions, didn’t even get an Honorable Mention. That’s a head-scratcher. He’s been a playmaker all year and deserved more recognition.
Special teams also felt the sting of snubs. Kicker Carter Davis, who ranked fourth in the conference in field goal percentage, and punter Dylan Joyce, who averaged sixth in punting with a league-leading 73-yard bomb, were both left off the list entirely. That’s tough to justify, especially when field position and reliable kicking were key to Miami’s success this season.
Preseason vs. Postseason: Some Rise, Some Fall
The All-ACC honors also revealed how much things can change from August to December. Some preseason picks didn’t pan out - WR CJ Daniels, TE Elijah Lofton, CB OJ Frederique Jr., and CB Xavier Lucas were all on preseason watch lists but didn’t make the final cut. That’s the nature of the game - potential doesn’t always translate.
On the flip side, several Hurricanes played their way into the spotlight. Markel Bell, **Ahmad Moten Sr.
**, Keionte Scott, Jakobe Thomas, and Malachi Toney weren’t on anyone’s radar in August. Now they’re All-ACC selections.
That speaks volumes about their development - and Miami’s coaching.
Looking Ahead: More Honors Coming?
The ACC’s 82-member voting committee - made up of 65 media members and the league’s 17 head coaches - made it clear: Miami has the most talent in the conference. And with major individual awards set to be announced this week, there’s a real chance for more hardware to come home to Coral Gables.
Rueben Bain Jr. and Malachi Toney are in strong position to collect freshman and defensive honors. If they do, it’ll be another sign that the Hurricanes’ future isn’t just bright - it’s already arriving.
For Miami fans, the All-ACC list is a mix of celebration and frustration. The talent is being recognized, but a few deserving players were left out. Still, the message is clear: the Hurricanes are building something real - and the rest of the ACC is starting to feel it.