GREENSBORO, N.C. – Six Virginia Tech football student-athletes were recognized Monday as the Atlantic Coast Conference announced its 2018 All-ACC Football Teams, which were comprised from a vote among a panel of the league's 14 head coaches and select media members.
The Hokies had two players tabbed to the second team, one to the third team and three to the honorable mention squad. Four of Tech's six selections are sophomores, which is tied for the second-most underclassmen the Hokies have had on the All-ACC teams since joining the conference in 2004.
SECOND-TEAM ALL-ACC
DL Ricky Walker
After earning All-ACC Honorable Mention accolades last season, Walker landed on the ACC's second team in 2018. Eight of Walker's 9.5 tackles for loss on the season came in conference play and tied for 10th in the league. His 43 tackles lead all Tech defensive linemen. A team captain and the Bell Cow of the Lunch Pail Defense, Walker was also named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week to Monday after registering seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble in a 34-31 OT win against Virginia.
WR Damon Hazelton
The Hokies' top vote-getter in this year's All-ACC voting, Hazelton is tied for the ACC lead with eight touchdown catches. He also ranks sixth with 67.7 receiving yards per game, seventh with 745 receiving yards and eighth with 4.1 receptions per game. Hazelton, a transfer from Ball State, has posted three 100-yard receiving games this season and leads the Hokies in all major receiving categories.
THIRD-TEAM ALL-ACC
P Oscar Bradburn
Bradburn is the first Tech punter to earn All-ACC honors since A.J. Hughes was named to both the media and coaches' teams in 2013. He ranks fourth in the ACC in gross punting average (42.5) and fifth in punts inside the 20-yard line (19). The Sydney, Australia native has helped the Hokies allow only 313 opponent return yards, a total that ranks fifth in the FBS. Bradburn's 72-yard punt vs. Boston College ranks as the second-longest in the ACC this season.
ALL-ACC HONORABLE MENTION
G Kyle Chung
In his sixth year eligibility, Chung earned a postseason conference honor, landing on the All-ACC honorable mention squad. Chung has made 24 consecutive starts on the offensive line over the past two seasons. Against William & Mary this season, Chung saw action at center, right tackle and left guard. He has played a key role in helping the Hokies convert 31 of 34 (91.2 percent) scoring opportunities in the Red Zone, a total that ranks second in the ACC.
TE Dalton Keene
Keene has had a breakout season offensively for the Hokies, registered 19 catches for 302 receiving yards (15.9 avg.) to go along with three touchdowns. All of those totals are career highs. Keene has also played a critical role blocking in the run game and has started 23 consecutive games at tight end for the Hokies dating back to last season. He caught a 1-yard, game-winning touchdown at North Carolina and also posted 82 receiving yards on two catches and a touchdown in a victory over Duke.
LB Rayshard Ashby
Ashby earned All-ACC honorable mention honors in his first season as the Hokies' starting middle linebacker. Ashby is tied for second among ACC underclassmen with 85 total tackles and ranks fourth in the conference with 8.5 tackles per game. Against conference opponents, Ashby's 9.6 tackles per game rank as the fourth-best in the ACC. The Chesterfield, Virginia native was named ACC Linebacker of the Week after tallying seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble in Tech's season opener at Florida State. He leads the Hokies in tackles and ranks third on the squad with 8.5 tackles for loss.
