Virginia Tech football: James Mitchell, Amare Barno named preseason All-ACC

The ACC announced its preseason all-conference teams this week, and a pair of Virginia Tech Hokies were honored.

Senior James Mitchell, a 6-foot-3, 242-pound tight end from Big Stone Gap, Virginia, was named preseason All-ACC. As a junior in 2020, Mitchell finished with 26 receptions for 435 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown.

Joining Mitchell on the All-ACC squad is senior defensive end, Amare Barno. Barno is a 6-foot-6, 235-pound senior from Blythewood, South Carolina. He is in his third year at Virginia Tech after transferring from Butler Community College.

Barno enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2020 after moving to defensive end from linebacker. He led the ACC with 16 tackles for loss and also recorded 6.5 sacks.

Mitchell is expected to be one of the focal points of Virginia Tech’s offense in 2021. A versatile tight end, Mitchell can line up everywhere.

Barno is one of the ACC’s top returning defenders.

Here is the entire preseason All-ACC list:

Offense

QB Sam Howell, North Carolina

RB Zonovan Knight, NC State

RB Mataeo Durant, Duke

WR Justyn Ross, Clemson

WR Zay Flowers, Boston College

WR Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest

TE James Mitchell, Virginia Tech

AP Jahmyr Gibbs, Georgia Tech

OT Ikem Ekwonu, NC State

OT Jordan McFadden, Clemson

OG Zion Johnson, Boston College

OG Joshua Ezeudu, North Carolina

C Alec Lindstrom, Boston College

Defense

DE Myles Murphy, Clemson

DE Amaré Barno, Virginia Tech

DT Bryan Bresee, Clemson

DT Tyler Davis, Clemson

LB Payton Wilson, NC State

LB James Skalski, Clemson

LB Nick Jackson, Virginia

CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson

CB Tony Grimes, North Carolina

S Bubba Bolden, Miami

S Nolan Turner, Clemson

Specialists

PK Nick Sciba, Wake Forest

P Lou Hedley, Miami

SP Jahmyr Gibbs, Georgia Tech