No Syracuse players were named to the 2013 preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team released Wednesday. Orange running back Jerome Smith, center Macky MacPherson and placekicker Ross Krautman each received votes from the media.

Smith finished third in the voting for running backs with 17 votes, behind Miami’s Duke Johnson and Florida State’s James Wilder Jr. MacPherson was second among centers with 15 votes, behind FSU’s Bryan Stork. Krautman received two votes, which tied him with Boston College’s Nate Freese for fourth place.

My goal isn’t to be the best in the ACC but to be the BEST in the NATION #motivated

— Jerome Smith (@RomeSmith45) July 24, 2013

Clemson star quarterback Tajh Boyd and wide receiver Sammy Watkins highlight the offensive preseason team. Boyd was named on 59 of 65 ballots, while Watkins gathered 57 votes. The duo is joined by Miami’s Johnson, North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron and Florida State offensive guard Tre’ Jackson, among others.

Georgia Tech defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu, Virginia Tech linebacker Jack Tyler and Duke cornerback Ross Cockrell are three members of the defense. Clemson placekicker Chandler Catanzaro, Duke punter Will Monday and Maryland return specialist Stefon Diggs are also on the team.

For SU, Smith, a junior, led the Orange in rushing last year with 1,171 yards. He added three rushing touchdowns and his 90.1 rushing yards per game ranked third in the Big East. Smith was named to Athlon Sports’ preseason first team.

MacPherson started all 13 games last season and earned a spot on the 2012 Capital One Academic All-District team. He blocked for Smith and Prince-Tyson Gulley, among other Orange rushers. MacPherson represented Syracuse at ACC Football Kickoff in Greensboro, N.C. with defensive tackle Jay Bromley.

Krautman ranks second on Syracuse’s career field goal percentage record list, converting 78.7 percent of his kicks. He is also fourth on SU’s career field goals made list with 48. Krautman made two field goals from more than 40 yards out last season, including one from 47 yards out in a 40-10 win over Connecticut.

Smith, MacPherson, Krautman and the rest of the Orange open training camp on Aug. 5. They start the regular season against Penn State at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 31 at 3:30 p.m.

Published on July 24, 2013 at 3:36 pm

Contact Trevor: tbhass@syr.edu | @TrevorHass