Calijah Kancey has been named the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year, it was announced on Wednesday.
Kancey is the second Panther to ever earn the distinction, with the first being Aaron Donald in 2013. He is the fourth Panther to earn either offensive or defensive player of the year honors in the program's ten seasons in the ACC, joining Donald, James Conner (2014), and Kenny Pickett (2021).
“I am extremely thankful and humbled to receive this incredible honor from the ACC,” Kancey said in a news release. “I share this award with all of my teammates and coaches. They make me better every day, on and off the field. I’m so proud to wear the blue and gold with them.”
Kancey is currently a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to college football's best interior offensive or defensive lineman, and for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy, given to the nation's best defensive player.
“Calijah has been absolutely outstanding all season long and is highly deserving of this honor,” head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “As both a run stopper and rushing the passer, he has been tremendous. On behalf of our entire program, I want to congratulate Calijah on receiving this award. He has absolutely earned it.”
Kancey raked up 14.5 tackles for loss to finish in a tie for second, and his 7.5 sacks were one off the pace in the ACC.
