Ishmael Highlights Syracuse's Five All-ACC Selections

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Led by senior wide receiver Steve Ishmael, Syracuse placed five players on the 2017 All-ACC Football Teams, released by the conference Monday, Nov. 27.

Ishmael, the top vote-getter at his position with 164 points, was named to the first team. Senior wide receiver Ervin Philips and senior linebacker Parris Bennett were second-team selections. Senior placekicker Cole Murphy was named to the third team, while senior linebacker Zaire Franklin received honorable mention.

A voting panel of 45 media members and the league's 14 head coaches cast ballots for the all-conference teams, with three points awarded for each first-team vote, two points for each second-team vote and one point for each third-team selection.

Ishmael is the third Syracuse player to earn All-ACC First Team kudos since the Orange joined the conference in 2013, and the second receiver to do so (Amba Etta-Tawo, 2016). SU punter Riley Dixon was a first-team choice in 2015.

Ishmael leads the ACC and ranks in the top three nationally in receptions (105), receptions per game (8.8), receiving yards (1,347) and receiving yards per game (112.3). He also caught seven touchdowns. Remarkably consistent throughout the year, Ishmael posted a school-record eight 100-yard receiving games and tallied at least 70 yards receiving in 10 out of 12 contests. The Miami, Fla. native had at least 10 receptions in six different games, and his 105 season catches ranks second in ACC history. In 49 career games for the Orange, Ishmael caught 219 passes for a school-record 2,891 yards and 18 touchdowns.

An All-ACC Honorable Mention choice last season, Philips was promoted to the all-league second team after making 89 receptions for 904 yards and four touchdowns in 2017. He also rushed 11 times for 76 yards and a score. Syracuse's all-time leading receiver with 223 catches, Philips is currently second in the ACC behind Ishmael in receptions and receptions per game (7.4). He also ranks fifth in the league with 75.3 receiving yards per contest. On Sept. 30 at NC State, Philips set the conference single-game record with 17 catches for 188 yards against the Wolfpack.

Like Philips, Bennett was an All-ACC Honorable Mention selection in 2016 before earning second-team honors this year. Bennett led the Orange with 115 tackles in 2017, his second consecutive 100+ tackle season. Bennett also carded a team-best 11 tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and six quarterback hurries. He logged six double-digit tackle games and was named the ACC Linebacker of the Week twice for his performances against LSU and Clemson. Bennett currently ranks fourth in the conference in tackles per game (9.6).

A semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top placekicker, Murphy connected on 20 of his 27 field-goal attempts and 34-of-35 PATs in 2017. His 20 made field goals are a Syracuse single-season record, and he leads the ACC in field goals made per game (1.67). A four-year starter, Murphy holds the Syracuse career record with 59 made field goals. He also ranks third on the program's all-time scoring list with 295 points.

Franklin notched 85 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two pass breakups in his final season. The second three-time captain in the history of Syracuse football, Franklin closed his career with 311 tackles in 48 games. He also tied for ninth all-time at Syracuse with 31.5 career tackles for loss.

For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).

Syracuse University Athletics

Ishmael Highlights Syracuse's Five All-ACC Selections

Related News

Players Mentioned

Parris Bennett

Zaire Franklin

Steve Ishmael

Cole Murphy

Ervin Philips

Related Videos