The Atlantic Coast Conference Football Players of the Week have been recognized following their standout performances in last weekend’s games.
The selections are determined by a vote of a select media panel. The following are this week’s honorees:
QUARTERBACK – Devin Leary, NC State, So., QB, Sicklerville, N.J.
Completed 19 of 30 passes for 247 yards and four touchdowns in the Wolfpack’s dramatic 34-30 win over UNC on Friday night • With less than two minutes remaining and NC State down nine points, Leary connected with WR Emeka Emezie for a touchdown for a 64-yard touchdown • Following a successful onside kick, Leary hooked up with Emezie again on a perfectly placed ball in the front corner of the end zone for a 24-yard scoring play that proved to be the game-winner • Leary became one of three QBs in ACC history to throw for 3,500 yards and 35 TDs in a season • Friday night’s winning touchdown pass (his 35th of the season) topped the previous school record held by Philip Rivers • Named ACC Quarterback of the Week for the second time this season.
RUNNING BACK – Raheem Blackshear, Virginia Tech, Jr., RB, Philadelphia, Pa.
Rushed for 169 yards on 18 carries and scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the season in Saturday’s 29-24 win at Virginia • Registered a 50-yard carry, the longest of his career • The 100-yard day was his second of the season and fifth of his career • Honored as ACC Running Back of the Week for the second time this season.
RECEIVER – Emeka Emezie, NC State, Sr., WR, Waxhaw, N.C.
Caught two touchdown passes in 26 seconds to lead a closing rally that lifted NC State from a nine-point deficit to a 34-30 win over North Carolina • Touchdown receptions went for 64 and 24 yards • Finished the night with five catches for 112 yards • Three receptions for 100 yards came in the fourth quarter • Finished the season as a three-time ACC Receiver of the Week honoree.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Jordan McFadden, Clemson, Jr., OT, Spartanburg, S.C.
Named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for the second consecutive week following his performance in Saturday night’s 30-0 shutout win over rival South Carolina • Graded out at 94 percent with two knockdowns and no hurries allowed • Helped power Clemson to 265 rushing yards, improving the Tigers to 72-1 when rushing for at least 200 yards under Dabo Swinney • Helped Clemson reach 250 rushing yards in consecutive games for the first time since a four-game streak against Florida State, Louisville, Boston College and Wofford in 2019 • Leader of a Clemson offensive line that has not allowed a sack in its last two games.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Daniel Joseph, NC State, Gr., DE, Toronto, Ontario
Totaled a career-high 10 tackles in Friday night’s 34-30 win over North Carolina • Registered 1.5 sacks, including one on a third-and-11 play in the first quarter that led to a UNC punt was blocked and recovered for an NC State touchdown • Made a stop to force another punt later in the game, and yet another on a third-down play that forced the Tar Heels to settle for a field goal.
LINEBACKER – Mikel Jones, Syracuse, So., LB, Miami, Fla.
Led the Orange with a career-high 16 tackles in Saturday’s 31-14 loss to Pitt, including six solo stops • Registered 2.0 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry • The 16 tackles were the most for an SU defender since Zaire Franklin had 16 versus Wake Forest in 2017 • Jones and the Syracuse defense held the Panthers to their lowest total offense output of the season (333 yards) and second-fewest passing yards (209) of the season • Pitt’s 31 points marked just the third time in 12 games the Panthers were held below 34.
DEFENSIVE BACK – Jammie Robinson, Florida State, So., S, Cordele, Ga.
Finished with 18 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and an interception in Saturday’s 24-21 loss at Florida • Only player in the nation this year with more than 16 tackles and an interception in a game • Saturday’s tackle totals was the most for an ACC defensive back this year • Owns a team-high four interceptions on the season • FSU has forced an interception in eight straight games, the longest active streak in the country • Robinson also led FSU with 84 tackles for the season.
SPECIALIST – Jordan Houston, NC State, So., RB, Waldorf, Md.
Played – and contributed – on multiple special teams units in the Wolfpack’s 34-30 win over North Carolina • Blocked a punt in the first quarter that was recovered for an NC State touchdown • Played a total of 26 special teams snaps • Totaled 92 yards in kick returns (one 20-yard punt return, 72 yards on three kickoff returns) • His 37-yard kickoff return to the NC State 44 with just more than two minutes remaining helped set up the first touchdown in the Wolfpack’s late comeback • Punt return in the third quarter also led to a scoring drive.
ROOKIE – Tyler Van Dyke, Miami, Fr., QB, Glastonbury, Conn.
Fifth ACC Rookie of the Week honor in six weeks for Van Dyke, who capped his stellar first regular season with a standout performance in Miami’s 47-10 win over Duke • Finished with 370 yards on 32-of-47 passing with three touchdowns and no interceptions • It was Van Dyke’s sixth consecutive game with at least 300 yards and three touchdown passes.
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Chris Graham
