Herzlich named ACC Defensive POY

Boston College junior linebacker Mark Herzlich has been named Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, the league's sports media organization, ACSMA, announced Wednesday.

Herzlich, a finalist for the Butkus Award, was named to the All-ACC first team earlier this week. On a team that leads the nation in interceptions, Herzlich leads the team with six picks and has returned two of those for touchdowns. He leads the Eagles in tackles with 98 (74 solos) and has notched 10 tackles-for-loss (35 yards), three sacks (14 yards), seven pass break-ups and two forced fumbles.

Herzlich will receive his award at Friday's ACC Coaches' Luncheon in Tampa, a day before the Eagles take on Virginia Tech in the Dr. Pepper ACC Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. The Eagles won the ACC's Atlantic Division title and advanced to the championship for the second consecutive year. It also will mark the second consecutive year an Eagle will be honored at the luncheon; last year, quarterback Matt Ryan received the ACC Player of the Year award.

Other ACC award recipients announced this week include Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech (Offensive and overall Player of the Year), Russell Wilson of NC State (Offensive and Overall Rookie of the Year), Sean Spence of Miami (Defensive Rookie of the Year) and Paul Johnson of Georgia Tech (Coach of the Year).