Davion Gause - 2024 Charlotte Game
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Four North Carolina football student-athletes have been named to the 2025 Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC Teams, announced recently by the publication. Defensive back Thaddeus Dixon earned a spot on the second team, while offensive lineman Daniel King and long snapper Spencer Triplett were third-team selections. Running back Davion Gause was named to the fourth team.
Nationally known as one of the best football analysts in the country, Phil Steele is best known for his preseason magazine, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of every FBS college football team. Steele's knowledge has landed him on the voting committee for every major postseason award, including the Heisman Trophy.
Dixon, who transferred into the program in January, was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection last season at Washington. He played in all 13 of the Huskies' games in 2024, making 12 starts. Dixon had 43 tackles, including 26 solo stops, and tallied 10 pass breakups. The Los Angeles native recorded an interception against Washington State and returned it 21 yards.
He put together one of his best performances of the season versus No. 1 Oregon, logging a season-high eight tackles with a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Following the season, he was voted UW's defensive skill player of the year.
Hailing from Cairo, Georgia, King earned All-Sun Belt Team honors in each of the past two seasons at Troy before transferring to Carolina. In 2024, he was a team captain and member of the leadership council, while starting all 12 games either at right tackle or right guard. He graded out as the fourth-best blocker in the Sun Belt, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). King helped pave the way for a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver, just the third time Troy had a player reach those milestones in the same season.
Triplett has served as the Tar Heels' long snapper in each of the past three seasons, helping anchor Carolina's special teams units. Last year, he helped kicker Noah Burnette connect on 16-of-22 field goals and 46-of-47 PATs.
Gause turned in an electric first season in Chapel Hill, as he appeared in all 13 contests at running back, earning the start against UConn in the Fenway Bowl. He finished the year with 67 carries for 326 yards and four touchdowns. Gause's best game of the season came in the win over Charlotte when he logged 16 rushes for 105 yards and a touchdown.
Carolina officially kicks off the 2025 season on Monday, Sept. 1, against TCU at 8 p.m. on ESPN at Kenan Stadium. The Tar Heels' schedule features six home games and six away contests, with three of those road matchups in-state.