Joe Thuney & AJ Cole Pick Up More Postseason NFL Honors

Two former NC State football standouts, Offensive Lineman Joe Thuney and Punter AJ Cole have picked up more postseason accolades. Both Thuney and Cole were recently named to the Pro Bowl.

PFF recently named Thuney to their 2023 All-Pro Team.

Offense

QB: LAMAR JACKSON, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Second Team: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
RB: CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Second Team: Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
FB: MICHAEL BURTON, DENVER BRONCOS
Second Team: Hunter Luepke, Dallas Cowboys
WR: TYREEK HILL, MIAMI DOLPHINS; CEEDEE LAMB, DALLAS COWBOYS; BRANDON AIYUK, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Second Team: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions; A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles; DJ Moore, Chicago Bears
TE: GEORGE KITTLE, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Second Team: T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
LT: TRENT WILLIAMS, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Second Team: Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles
LG: JOE THUNEY, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Second Team: Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys
C: FRANK RAGNOW, DETROIT LIONS
Second Team: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
RG: CHRIS LINDSTROM, ATLANTA FALCONS
Second Team: Kevin Dotson, Los Angeles Rams
RT: PENEI SEWELL, DETROIT LIONS
Second Team: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

Defense

EDGE: MYLES GARRETT, CLEVELAND BROWNS; MICAH PARSONS, DALLAS COWBOYS
Second Team: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers; Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
DI: DEXTER LAWRENCE, NEW YORK GIANTS; AARON DONALD, LOS ANGELES RAMS
Second Team: Quinnen Williams, New York Jets; Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers
LB: FRED WARNER, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS; DEMARIO DAVIS, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Second Team: Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens; C.J. Mosley, New York Jets
CB: JAYLON JOHNSON, CHICAGO BEARS; DARON BLAND, DALLAS COWBOYS; SAUCE GARDNER, NEW YORK JETS
Second Team: Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks; Kendall Fuller, Washington Commanders; Trent McDuffie, Kansas City Chiefs
S: ANTOINE WINFIELD JR., TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS; JESSIE BATES III, ATLANTA FALCONS
Second Team: Jevon Holland, Miami Dolphins; Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens
K: CHASE MCLAUGHLIN, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Second Team: Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles
P: BRADLEY PINION, ATLANTA FALCONS
Second Team: Bryan Anger, Dallas Cowboys
KR/PR: KAVONTAE TURPIN, DALLAS COWBOYS
Second Team: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Carolina Panthers
LS: ROSS MATISCIK, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Second Team: Mitchell Fraboni, Denver Broncos
ST: MATTHEW ADAMS, CLEVELAND BROWNS
Second Team: J.T. Gray, New Orleans Saints

(PFF)

Here’s what PFF had to say about Thuney:

While he didn’t dominate as a run blocker in 2023, Thuney offset that with his work as a pass blocker. His 83.4 PFF pass-blocking grade was the best among all guards after he let up 33 quarterback pressures from 740 pass-blocking snaps. (PFF)

The NFL Players Association released their 2023 All-Pro Team for the 2nd year. Every NFL player is eligible to cast one vote. The NFL players believe that AJ Cole was the best punter in the NFL this season.

THE 2023-24 PLAYERS’ ALL-PRO FIRST TEAM

Quarterback: Lamar Jackson (Baltimore)
Running back: Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco)
Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk (San Francisco)
Wide Receiver (2): CeeDee Lamb (Dallas), Tyreek Hill (Miami)
Tight End: Travis Kelce (Kansas City)
Left Tackle: Trent Williams (San Francisco)
Left Guard (tie): Joel Bitonio (Cleveland), Tyler Smith (Dallas)
Center: Jason Kelce (Philadelphia)
Right Guard: Zack Martin (Dallas)
Right Tackle: Lane Johnson (Philadelphia)

Edge Rusher (2): Myles Garrett (Cleveland), Max Crosby (Las Vegas)
Nose Tackle: Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants)
Interior Defensive Lineman (2): Chris Jones (Kansas City), Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams)
Off-Ball Linebacker (2): Roquan Smith (Baltimore), Fred Warner (San Francisco)
Cornerback (2): DaRon Bland (Dallas), Pat Surtain II (Denver)
Free Safety:  Jessie Bates III (Atlanta)
Strong Safety: Kyle Hamilton (Baltimore)

Kick Returner: Keisean Nixon (Green Bay)
Punt Returner: Derius Davis (Los Angeles Chargers)
Core Teamer (2): Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Detroit), Brenden Schooler (New England)
Kicker: Brandon Aubrey (Dallas)
Punter: AJ Cole (Las Vegas)
Long snapper: Ross Matiscik (Jacksonville)

(NFLPA)