Winston-Salem, NC – Redshirt junior wide receiver A.T. Perry headlined a host of Demon Deacons who received preseason honors from Phil Steele magazine, as announced by the publication on Wednesday.
For the third consecutive season, a Wake Forest player has been named a Preseason All-American by Phil Steele with Perry being named a Second Team All-America honoree.
Perry, who was also ranked as the No. 9 wide receiver in the country by the Lindy’s, is coming off one of the greatest single seasons by a Wake Forest wide receiver in program history, setting the single-season record with 15 touchdown receptions, three more than any other play in the program’s history.
Additionally, the total was tied for the fifth most in ACC history and the third highest total since 1997.
The Lake Worth, Fla. native also ended the year as just the ninth player in Wake Forest history to cross over the 1,000-yard barrier, tallying 1,293 receiving yards, ranking second and just 37 yards shy of the program record.
Along with Jaquarii Roberson, the duo are the second pair of Wake Forest receivers to both go over 1,000 yards in the same season (2019: Sage Surratt, Kendall Hinton).
A 2021 Belitnikoff Semifinalist, Perry found the endzone in 11 of the 14 games while having 100-plus yards in seven contests. His most memorable moment of the season came at Syracuse when all three of Perry’s catches (137 receiving yards) went for touchdowns including the game winner in overtime to secure a 40-37 win for the Deacs and a 6-0 start to the season.
Preseason All-ACC
In addition to Perry’s All-America recognition, nine Demon Deacons were named preseason All-ACC by Phil Steele.
Perry and redshirt sophomore Taylor Morin were placed on the first team. Morin made the first team as a punt returner. In 20 returns a season ago, Morin averaged nearly 10 yards per punt including a key 35-yard return in the Demon Deacons home finale against No. 16 NC State that helped the Deacs finish a perfect 6-0 in home contests.
Two Beef Boys made the second team in redshirt senior offensive lineman Sean Maginn and redshirt junior offensive lineman Michael Jurgens. Additionally, redshirt junior defensive lineman Rondell Bothroyd made the second team defense.
Redshirt junior quarterback Sam Hartman and sophomore running back Justice Ellison were placed on the third team while redshirt sophomore wide receiver Donavon Greene and redshirt sophomore punter Ivan Mora were Fourth Team Preseason All-ACC selections.
Preseason Honors
- Athlon First Team All-ACC (Quarterback)
- Lindy’s First Team All-ACC (Quarterback)
- Lindy’s Preseason ACC MVP
- Phil Steele Third Team All-ACC (Quarterback)
- Phil Steele Second All-America (Wide Receiver)
- Phil Steele First Team All-ACC (Wide Receiver)
- Athlon First Team All-ACC (Wide Receiver)
- Lindy’s First Team All-ACC (Wide Receiver)
- Athlon Second Team All-ACC (Center)
- Lindy’s Second Team All-ACC (Center)
- Phil Steele Second Team All-ACC (Center)
- Athlon First Team All-ACC (Punt Returner)
- Phil Steele First Team All-ACC (Punt Returner)
- Athlon Second Team All-ACC (Wide Receiver)
- Lindy’s Third Team All-ACC (All Purpose)
- Athlon Second Team All-ACC (Defensive Line)
- Phil Steele Second Team All-ACC (Defensive End)
- Lindy’s Third Team All-ACC (Defensive Line)
- Athlon Second Team All-ACC (Offensive Line)
- Phil Steele Second Team All-ACC (Guard)
- Athlon Third Team All-ACC (Defensive Back)
- Athlon Fourth Team All-ACC (Defensive Line)
Ryan Smenda Jr.
- Athlon Fourth Team All-ACC (Linebacker)
Donavon Greene
- Phil Steele Fourth Team All-ACC (Wide Receiver)
Ivan Mora
- Phil Steele Fourth Team All-ACC (Punter)