Nine Eagles Earn All-ACC Honors

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Nine members of the Boston College football team were named to the 2019 All-ACC teams, the conference office announced on Tuesday.

For the third straight season, junior running back AJ Dillon was named to the All-ACC first-team. The all-time leading rusher in Boston College history with 4,382 yards, Dillon is third nationally in rushing yards (1,685) and rushing yards per game (140.4) in 2019.

His 14 career 150-yard rushing games are the most by any ACC player over the last 20 seasons (Lamar Jackson 13, Dalvin Cook 12).

Dillon is 227 yards away from setting the ACC record for career rushing yards. The New London, Conn., native is a semifinalist for the Doak Walker and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award in 2019.

Dillon is third nationally and leads the ACC with 4,382 career rushing yards. Among the top 10 NCAA active career rushing leaders, Dillon has played in the fewest amount of games.

Graduate student John Phillips was named first-team All-ACC for the first time in his career. One of the highest rated offensive linemen for BC in 2019, Phillips was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week once this season.

Phillips started all 12 games at right guard and played 932 snaps this season. His overall grade of 72.5 ranks second in the ACC among guards according to Pro Football Focus.

His 87.3 pass block grade per PFF is the best of any ACC offensive guard. Phillips allowed just one sack and six QB hurries on 317 pass blocks this season.

Three Eagles collected All-ACC second-team honors for the first time.

Junior Zion Johnson was named to the All-ACC second-team at offensive guard after a standout first season at the Heights. Johnson finished as the highest-graded offensive linemen for BC in 2019.

Johnson started six games, but played 90% of the snaps at left guard. A three-time ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week selection in 2019, Johnson was a key member of a BC offensive line that is fourth nationally in sacks allowed (0.92 per game) and seventh nationally in rushing offense (267.8 yards per game).

Johnson has yet to allow a sack this season (0 sacks, one QB hit, five hurries) and has not allowed a QB pressure since the Syracuse game in week 10.

Junior Ben Petrula captured All-ACC second-team honors at offensive tackle after collecting All-ACC honorable mention accolades a season ago.

Petrula started all 12 games at right tackle, playing 890 snaps in 2019. He allowed just one sack in 311 pass attempts in 2019.

The New Jersey native was one of the highest rated run blockers at tackle in the ACC according to Pro Football Focus.

Redshirt junior Max Richardson earned All-ACC second-team honors after a productive 2019 campaign. It marked the first time in Richardson's career he earned All-ACC accolades.

Richardson leads the ACC in solo tackles and ranks third in the conference with 108 tackles. His 72 solo tackles rank fifth nationally.

The Georgia native leads BC in tackles (108), TFLs (14.5) and sacks (3.5). He is 30th nationally with 14.5 TFLs and totaled five games with 10+ tackles in 2019.

Two Eagles were named to the All-ACC third-team for the first time in their respective careers.

Redshirt sophomore Alec Lindstrom was named All-ACC third-team center. In his first year as a starter, Lindstrom was a vital part of a BC offensive line that is fourth nationally in sacks allowed (0.92 per game) and seventh nationally in rushing offense (267.8 yards per game).

He played 900 snaps at center, missing only one snap during the regular season when the starters were in the game.

Redshirt sophomore tight end Hunter Long was named to the All-ACC third-team. Long's 89.2 receiving grade from Pro Football Focus ranks first among ACC tight ends.

Long totaled 26 receptions for 464 yards and two touchdowns in 2019 and averaged 17.8 yards per reception.

A pair of Eagles were named All-ACC honorable mention as well for the first time.

Sophomore running back David Bailey captured All-ACC honorable mention accolades after a breakout season.

The Maryland native is seventh in the ACC with 73.2 rushing yards per game against ACC competition. Bailey is fifth in the ACC with six rushing touchdowns in ACC play.

The power back averaged 5.8 yards per carry on the season and his 6.0 yards per carry in ACC games ranks second in the conference.

Redshirt freshman Tyler Vrabel was named All-ACC honorable mention. One of the top freshmen in the nation, Vrabel was the starter in all 12 games at left tackle in 2019.

Vrabel has not yielded a sack on 314 pass blocks in 2019 and allowed just one QB hit and eight hurries this season.

His 81.7 pass block grade per Pro Football Focus ranks fourth among ACC tackles and he totaled six clean sheet performances (zero pressures allowed) during the regular season.

Boston College Athletics

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Players Mentioned

David Bailey

AJ Dillon

Zion Johnson

Alec Lindstrom

Hunter Long

Ben Petrula

John Phillips

Max Richardson

Tyler Vrabel

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