Syracuse running back Jerome Smith, defensive tackle Jay Bromley and linebacker Dyshawn Davis all made Athlon Sports Preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference Teams. Smith was named to the first-team offense, while Bromley and Davis found a spot on the third-team defense.

Smith rushed for 1,171 yards in 2012, exploding onto the scene as one of the Orange’s premier playmakers. He became one of just 16 SU running backs to reach the 1,000-yard plateau in a single season, averaging 90.1 yards per game. Smith is expected to once again get significant carries for Syracuse along with Prince-Tyson Gulley and George Morris II.

After a successful sophomore season at nose tackle, Bromley earned the starting nod again last season. He finished with 16 tackles, 23 assists and 2.5 sacks. Bromley started 10 games and appeared in all 13. His field goal block against West Virginia helped propel the Orange to a 38-14 blowout win in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Davis started all 13 games for the Orange last season, ranking fifth in the Big East in tackles for loss at just more than one per game. His 69 tackles ranked third on the team behind seniors Shamarko Thomas and Siriki Diabate. With Thomas and Diabate gone, Davis will help anchor Syracuse’s defense, a unit that finished fifth in the Big East in 2012.

All three players also earned a spot on Phil Steele’s 2013 Preseason All-ACC teams. Davis was named to the first team, while Smith earned a spot on the second team and Bromley was assigned to the fourth team.

The trio of Smith, Bromley and Davis will lead the Orange when it takes on Penn State in the team’s season opener at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 31 at 3:30 p.m.