Two UNC football players are named All-ACC preseason champions before the 2024 campaign
Every year, the program is represented on the All-ACC Preseason team by two offensive linemen from North Carolina.
Two exceptional UNC football players were among the winners of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s annual preseason honors, which were announced this week.
Among this year’s recipients are Omarion Hampton and Willie Lampkin, who represent the Tar Heels.
Last season, Hampton was among the finest running backs in the country, not just in the ACC. Hampton was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which is given yearly to the best running back in the country, and was selected to the first team of the ACC for the 2023 campaign. Among ACC qualifiers, the Tar Heels running back ended with the most touchdowns (15) and rushing yards (1,504). He is anticipated to be considered among the best running backs available in the 2019 NFL Draft class.
Although there were several who believed Hampton would win the ACC Preseason Player of the Year Award, the outstanding player for the Tar Heels came in second place overall. While Miami quarterback Cam Ward nearly equaled his total with 71 of his own, he only earned 38 votes.
In his first season on the team in 2023, Lampkin had a significant influence on the UNC football program. This previous season, the Coastal Carolina transfer started every game and shielded Hampton and Drake Maye, who was selected third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Lampkin is the only starting offensive lineman back from the team from the previous season, having been named to the third team of the ACC.
Naturally, Kaimon Rucker was left off this list, despite the fact that he led the Tar Heels in defense and deserves to be acknowledged. But it shouldn’t lessen the significance of Hampton and Lampkin for the UNC football team this year, as both players will need to have successful campaigns for the Tar Heels to win games.
