Four UNC football players in analyst's preseason All-ACC team

USA Today

9 hours ago

Phil Steele includes four UNC football players in his All-ACC preseason team.
North Carolina is gearing up for one of the most intriguing football seasons in recent memory. Over 50 transfers in and out of the program since the last time they took the field.
Looking ahead on the season, one of college football's most recognizable analysts in the country, Phil Steele, has RB Davion Gause, OL Daniel King, DB Thad Dixon, and LS Spencer Triplet on his preseason All-ACC team.
The redshirt senior long snapper, Spencer Triplet, was born and raised in North Carolina. He has been with the Tar Heels since his freshman season where he only played in one game. Since then, he has been the team's starting deep snapper on field goals and PATs, helping UNC kickers go 22-of-24 on FGs and 51-of-51 on PATs in his junior season.
Thad Dixon is also a redshirt senior who transferred this offseason from Washington to North Carolina, following his defensive coordinator, Steve Belichick. Dixon played in 28 games at Washington, starting 12 times and earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2024. Throughout his time as a Huskie, Dixon had two interceptions, 16 pass breakups, 69 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
The two-time All-Sun Belt Conference team member, Daniel King, joins the Tar Heels this offseason after transferring in from Troy. King allowed only nine sacks in 1,396 pass blocking snaps for his career at Troy while maintaining versatility as a team captain and playing both tackle and guard.
True sophomore running back Davion Gause is the last name on Steele's preseason All-ACC team from the Tar Heels. Gause backed up first-round pick Omarion Hampton last season as a freshman and still managed 67 carries for 326 yards and four touchdowns. His most notable game came last season against Charlotte when Hampton was sidelined. Gause rushed 16 times for 105 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Phil Steele comes with a pedigree as well. Justin Wilson from goheels.com puts it like this:
"Nationally known as one of the best football analysts in the country, Phil Steele is best known for his preseason magazine, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of every FBS college football team. Steele's knowledge has landed him on the voting committee for every major postseason award, including the Heisman Trophy."
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