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It was a big day Monday for the Virginia Tech Hokies on the gridiron. The Hokies placed 10 players the All-ACC lists and one player—cornerback Greg Stroman—was actually chosen twice. A first-team selection at cornerback, Stroman also received honorable mention as a return man. With all due respect to the other punt returners, Stroman could’ve actually been a first-team selection there, too.
In addition to Stroman’s honors, wide receiver Cam Phillips, guard Wyatt Teller and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds were all first-team selections. Phillips put up huge numbers at times and broke several Virginia Tech receiving records this season. Phillips was Tech’s leading vote-getter after catching 71 passes for 964 yards and seven touchdowns. Imagine if Phillips hadn’t been injured in a win at Boston College?
Edmunds’ selection is hardly a surprise. He’s actually a finalist for the Butkus Award and finished the season with over 100 tackles for the second straight year. Edmunds should receive consideration on some All-American teams as the centerpiece of Tech’s terrific defense.
Teller is one of the best guards in college football who has improved each year. His nastiness is a thing of beauty on the football.
Defensive tackle Tim Settle made the second team. Settle’s conditioning improved again this season and it showed on the field. Not only is Settle a terrific run-stopper, he’s proving he can rush the passer, too. Settle led all ACC defensive tackles with 12.5 tackles for loss.
Linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka and safety Terrell Edmunds both received third-team nominations. Motuapuaka, despite heavy and sometimes unwarranted criticism, improved every year in the middle of Tech’s defense.
Edmunds received third-team honors despite it not being his best season. Edmunds was terrific against the run in 2017 but had some issues in coverage. He, of course, finished the season with a shoulder injury a couple of weeks back.
Eric Gallo and Ricky Walker were also honorable mention selections. Walker was every bit as good as Settle and if both players return next year there will not be a better interior defensive line in the country.
Congrats to all nine of these players today.