It may not be a second consecutive year of leading the ACC in all-conference honors, but Pitt’s nine All-ACC nods are the second most in the conference.
Israel Abanikanda, who earned a conference-high 187 votes, earned first-team honors at running back, and he’s joined by Marcus Minor at guard.
Calijah Kancey earned the second most defensive votes in the conference, checking in at defensive lineman, and he’s joined on the first-team defense by SirVocea Dennis at linebacker.
Jared Wayne is Pitt’s lone representative on the second-team offense, but he’s joined on the second team by Erick Hallett at safety and M.J. Devonshire at specialist.
Matt Goncalves and Jake Kradel earned third-team offensive line honors, at tackle and guard, respectively.
And Deslin Alexandre, Marquis Williams and Brandon Hill (the top non-placing safety) earned honorable mention nods. Devonshire earned an honorable mention nod at cornerback and Kradel received an honorable mention nod at center.
Abanikanda led the ACC with 1,431 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns, averaging 130 yards per game on the ground, and he is a top contender for ACC Offensive Player of the Year with UNC’s Drake Maye.
Dennis and Kancey were among the most impactful defensive players in the ACC this season. Dennis racked up 94 tackles (42 solo), 12 tackles for loss, seven sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups, and Kancey added 31 tackles (17 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
The trio of Minor, Goncalves and Kradel provided a heavy presence on the offensive line this season, leading the way for the ACC’s leading rusher in Abanikanda.
Wayne finished as the ACC’s third-leading receiver, which still wasn’t enough to earn first-team honors, as he recorded 55 receptions for 1,006 yards and five touchdowns.
Hallett was a defensive difference maker for Pitt this season, racking up 47 tackles (34 solo), three tackles for loss, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three recoveries and nine pass breakups.
Devonshire’s 227 yards in punt returns, with a touchdown against Rhode Island, earned second-team returner honors, and his 32 tackles (21 solo), two interceptions (two touchdowns) and eight pass breakups.
Alexandre and Williams, two veteran leaders on the defense, also earned honorable mentions, capping off strong seasons for both.
First Team:
RB: Israel Abanikanda
G: Marcus Minor
DL: Calijah Kancey
LB: SirVocea Dennis
Second Team:
WR: Jared Wayne
S: Erick Hallett
SP: M.J. Devonshire
Third Team:
T: Matt Goncalves
G: Jake Kradel
Honorable Mention:
DE: Deslin Alexandre
CB: Marquis Williams
S: Brandon Hill
