Hurricanes punter Justin Vogel selected to All-ACC team

It’s not often that schools bring their punter as a representative to a media day event like last week’s ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, but Miami did just that. And while there, Hurricanes football coach Mark Richt had nothing but high praise for Justin Vogel.

Turns out the media members covering the ACC have just as much respect for Vogel.

The senior, a former walk-on transfer from Florida, was voted Miami’s lone representative on this year’s preseason All-ACC team. He finished 2015 as an All-ACC third team selection after a round of media voting and an All-ACC honorable mention selection after a vote by the league’s coaches.

“Justin, in my opinion, he’s one of the best punters I’ve ever seen. I’ve only seen him in practice in the spring, but this guy is super talented,” Richt said last week. “He can bomb it high and deep, he can directional kick. When you’re kicking in, he can pooch it in there and land it where he wants to land it. He’s going to be one of our greatest weapons.

“I hope we don’t have to use him a lot. ... I just think the guy, if he punts like I think he can, like I know he can, I’d be shocked if he’s not in line for a national award.”

Last season, Vogel averaged 42.5 yards per punt. His 73-yarder against Clemson was the longest of any conference punter in 2015.

Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya received one vote for the preseason team, as Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, the reigning ACC Player of the Year, earned both the first-team quarterback spot and preseason Player of the Year honors.

Clemson placed a leaguehigh10 players on the team.

Florida State had five — running back Dalvin Cook, receiver Travis Rudolph, offensive tackle Roderick Johnson, defensive end DeMarcus Walker and safety Derwin James.