Stanford Lands Five on 2025 All-ACC Football Teams, Highlighted by Standouts Matt Rose and Sam Roush
The ACC released its 2025 All-Conference football teams on Tuesday, and Stanford made its presence felt. In just its second season in the league, the Cardinal placed five players on the All-ACC list - two on the Second Team and three earning Honorable Mentions - showcasing impact talent on both sides of the ball.
Matt Rose: A Defensive Anchor in His Breakout Year
Let’s start with linebacker Matt Rose, who didn’t just step into a starting role this season - he took command of it. Rose earned Second Team All-ACC honors after putting together one of the most productive seasons by a Stanford defender in recent memory.
He racked up 106 total tackles, the highest single-season mark for a Cardinal player since Blake Martinez back in 2015. That number wasn’t just good for the team lead - it ranked second in the entire ACC.
But Rose wasn’t just piling up tackles. He was making plays all over the field: eight tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
He logged four games with double-digit tackles and finished the year inside the top 25 nationally in total tackles. For a player in his first year as a full-time starter, that’s more than a breakout - it’s a statement.
Sam Roush: Tight End U Is Alive and Well
On the offensive side, tight end Sam Roush brought some vintage Stanford energy back to the position. Roush was also named Second Team All-ACC after a career year that put him among the elite tight ends in the country. He hauled in 49 catches for 545 yards and two touchdowns - all personal bests - and led all ACC tight ends in receiving yards while tying for the most receptions.
Nationally, Roush’s production stands out: tied for fourth in receiving yards among tight ends and fifth in catches. And he wasn’t just a short-yardage safety valve.
Roush showed serious big-play potential, becoming the only tight end in the ACC - and one of just five in the country - with multiple receptions of 50-plus yards. His 104-yard performance against Pitt made him just the eighth Stanford tight end since 1995 to top the century mark in a game.
The Cardinal have long been known for producing top-tier tight ends, and Roush is proudly carrying that tradition forward.
Honorable Mentions: Key Contributors Across the Board
Stanford also had three players earn Honorable Mention honors, each of whom brought consistent production and timely playmaking this season.
Jay Green proved to be a versatile weapon on defense. Despite missing two games, the defensive back still finished fourth on the team in tackles (38) and led the Cardinal with eight pass breakups - the most by a Stanford player since Kyu Blu Kelly in 2021.
Green has a knack for being around the ball, recovering two fumbles this year, including a 49-yard scoop-and-score in the Big Game against Cal that ignited Stanford’s comeback. Whether in coverage or run support, Green made his presence felt.
Clay Patterson wasted no time making an impact in 2025. On Stanford’s very first defensive snap of the season, he forced a fumble that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown.
That tone-setting play was part of a two-sack performance in the opener, and he followed it up with another sack in Week 2 against BYU. Patterson led the team in sacks with four and added a fumble recovery in the Cardinal’s first win of the season over Boston College.
He was a steady disruptor in the trenches all year long.
CJ Williams emerged as the go-to guy in the passing game. With 59 receptions for 749 yards and six touchdowns, Williams became the most consistent target for Stanford quarterbacks.
He ranked seventh in the ACC in receptions, tenth in receiving yards, and was just one touchdown shy of leading the conference. Williams had four 100-yard games this season - the first Cardinal to do that since J.J.
Arcega-Whiteside in 2018. He also became the first Stanford player to post three straight 100-yard receiving games since Alex Smith in 2004, and the first wide receiver to do it since Troy Walters in 1999.
That’s elite company.
A Promising Sign for Stanford in the ACC Era
This marks the first time since 2023 that Stanford has had five players earn All-Conference recognition, and the first time since 2022 that multiple players landed on the First or Second Team. In just their second year in the ACC, the Cardinal are already making noise, not just with potential, but with production.
With players like Rose, Roush, and Williams leading the charge - and key contributors like Green and Patterson backing them up - Stanford is building a foundation that looks ready to compete in their new conference home. The individual accolades are well-earned, but they also point to a team that’s finding its identity and developing stars on both sides of the ball.
If this group is any indication, Stanford’s ACC chapter is just getting started - and it’s already looking like a compelling read.