ACC ROSTER BREAKDOWNS

The ACC is last not but not least...I think? The ACC now stretches coast to coast adding teams like Stanford and Cal after the breakdown of the PAC12. But they still rely on the big dogs up top like Clemson and Florida State to maintain their relevance in the national conversation. This year there will be some other teams that might catch your eye and some new conference title contenders as well. Let's break it down and find out who to look out for in the ACC...

*The following list is in no particular order. These summaries are to give you a peek into roster changes for upcoming year and a preview at how they may fare against their schedule. If you don’t like it… leave a comment why!

CLEMSON

Dabo has heard enough from the haters and is looking to shut everyone up this season. Dabo receives a ton of criticism about his philosophy on the transfer portal and NIL but has done nothing but produce at Clemson. He’ll be looking to return to form and play in an ACC Championship and the CFB playoff this season. QB Cade Klubnik returns with a full year of starts under his belt and looks to rise up as one of the ACCs best QBs. RB Shipley departs for the NFL but leading rusher Mafah returns. Antonio Williams and Cole Turner return from injuries that sidelined them for most of last season. They’ll also be joined by highly rated recruits and true freshmen TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco. The OL returns 4 starters with 106 starts and has a ton of depth. On the DL they lose all 4 starters but return 2 freshmen AA’s in Parker and Woods. Dabo has historically recruited the DL position very well and I expect their DL to be one of the best in the country again. They also lose AA LB Trotter and 2 starting CBs but return some DBs with starting experience and 3rd team all conf. FS Khalil Barnes. The Tigers open up against Georgia in Atlanta but will also face off against NC State, FSU, Louisville, and VA Tech. The schedule isn’t a cake walk but also isn’t a gauntlet. Clemson will look to return to ACC Champ status and get another shot at the playoff.

SMU

Rhett Lashlee returned SMU to double digit wins last year for just the second time in 10 years. SMU might be one of the best positioned teams for joining a P4 conference. Lashlee has recruited well and developed strong offensive talent allowing SMU to enter the conference as a contender! The Mustangs are amidst the “Stone Age” with QB Preston Stone returning after throwing for over 3K yards LY. The entire RB room also returns as a three headed monster of Knighton, Johnson, and Wheaton. Also the top 7 WRs return, giving Stone some experienced weapons. The OL loses 3 starters but adds four P4 transfers and total 120 starts with what they feel is good depth. The Mustang offense should hit the ground running even with a P4 schedule. The DL loses 3 starters but adds EIGHT P4 transfers, so I’m curious to see how this unit plays out. The entire LB corps returns including the #1 and #2 tacklers Kobe Wilson and Ahmad Walker. While the secondary loses 2 DBs, Lashlee is confident in the unit. SMU has a favorable schedule with their toughest matchups being a visit from FSU and a trip to Louisville. If Lashlee can take advantage of this schedule, the Mustangs could find themselves competing for a chance at the ACC title.

UNC

The Tar Heels are back and this time without a star QB. For the past few years Mack Brown has relied on Sam Howell and Drake Maye to lead a high scoring offense and for the most part they’ve done it. This year things will be a bit different with 2x transfer Max Johnson who joins UNC after playing QB for LSU and Texas A&M. Johnson is an experienced starter with a decent floor but hasn’t proved he has a high ceiling. Johnson will look to last years ACC leading rusher Omarion Hampton for some support. Hampton returns along with big bodied back Caleb Hood. The WR room also loses Tez Walker but 7 of the top 8 pass catchers return including a loaded TE room. The OL will be the true question mark for this Tar Heel team. The OL loses 5 guys with experience but returns Willie Lampkin who accounts for 49 of the 59 starts totaling the OL. Brown has added some transfers and they expect highly ranked OL Zach Rice to step up this year. If this OL can step up and be what Brown thinks they are, then the offense won’t miss a beat. On the DL they lose 2 DTs but return sack leader and 2nd team ACC DE Kaimon Rucker. Behind him is a slew of highly ranked recruits who haven’t had much opportunity to prove their talent and that includes DT Travis Shaw. If the DL can play up to their ranking on paper, they can be dangerous, but we’ll see. The LB unit returns #2 tackler Power Echols and Amare Campbell but lack depth. The secondary loses 4 DBs but Huzzie, Lane, and Boykins all return along with a few transfers. The secondary should be an improved unit from where they were last year. UNC will have a favorable schedule with their toughest games being a non con at Minnesota, a trip to FSU, and a visit from NC State. I don’t have UNC as an ACC contender to win the championship but with this favorable schedule might get a shot to play in it. They’re currently flying under the radar a bit but don’t be surprised if they visit Tallahassee undefeated.

PITT

Pat Narduzzi in ‘21 brought Pitt its first 10 win regular season since Dan Marino in 1980! Since then the roster has experienced quite a few changes and he’s needing to rebuild this team. After missing on some transfer QBs, this year Yarnell returns and will have to compete with Alabama transfer Holstein and redshirt FR Dieffenbach. They’ll be competing for a spot under new OC Kade Bell who looks to speed up the tempo and simplify the offense. This will be a big change for those Narduzzi Pitt teams we’re used to. Bell brings over some horses from Western Carolina like Desmond Reid at RB and a few WRs. The WR room also returns #2 #3 and #4 pass catchers from last season. With Bell brining his guys over, they’ll know the offense and be able to contribute right away. The OL loses 3 and drops to be 58 starts but its between 8 guys. If they can remain healthy unlike previous seasons, they will be an improved unit. On the DL they lose 4 DT and a starting DE along with long time DL coach Partridge. Narduzzi claims to like the depth but they lack experience so it will be question mark for me. As will the LB unit that loses 3 starters but has 5 with playing experience. In the secondary they lose 3 CBs but return both starting safeties. The defense will have to play above expectation if Pitt wants to go bowling this year. However, with a favorable schedule Pitt will most definitely beat last years wins.

GEORGIA TECH

Brent Key has really turned things around in Atlanta. Now that the triple option is long gone, Key and team look to modernize their offense and score at will. Key is 4-0 against ACC ranked teams, what a turn around for Georgia Tech. He’ll have to pull some more magic off this year if they want to go bowling again. QB Haynes King returns after earning 3rd team ACC honors last season along with being 1 of 2 QBs with 2700+ pass yds, 600+ rush, 25 pass TDs and 5 rush TDs, the other was Jayden Daniels. King is expected to improve again and will do so by limiting his turnovers this year. Leading rusher Jamal Haynes returns with RB Trey Cooley. The WR room returns everyone but Blaylock (#3 WR) and the TEs. But they are expecting big things from sophomore leading receiver Eric Singleton. The OL loses a RG but is replaced by a transfer and the career starts sit at 128 including 2 All ACC OL. Key has proven he can develop a great OL and it gives me reason to expect this unit to improve. The DL returns 2 starters and gets DE Yondjouen back from injury. They also add transfers from PSU, Miami, and USC who will make an impact in the run game immediately. The back 7 loses a few but fills the holes with transfers, leaving them about where they were last year. The schedule is grueling for the yellow jackets opening with FSU in Dublin, and taking trips to Louisville, VA Tech, and Georgia. They’ll also face Notre Dame, Miami, and NC State. Key has proven he’s the guy for the job and can make something happen in Atlanta. He’ll need to continue this streak of beating ranked teams this year if he wants to improve again with such a difficult schedule. However, expect the offense to be extremely fun to watch.

CAL

Cal in the ACC will always be weird, I don’t know if I can get over it. However, they do seem to be a fit for the conference in terms of style and on field play. Justin Wilcox looks to improve on the Golden Bears 6-7 season last year and win a bowl game this time around. The QB spot is up for grabs between Fernando Mendoza, who performed well in 8 starts last year as a freshman, and journeyman Chandler Rogers who’s played for a few schools but most recently had a dominant season at North Texas. The competition is good and will push for improved play. Jaydn Ott also returns at RB after leading the PAC12 in rushing last year with over 1300 yds. The WR room is full of transfers from schools like ND, Utah, New Mexico State, and even Ohio State. This unit will definitely improve on the back of the transfer portal as will the OL. The OL loses 3 starters but adds an all conf RT from Temple, an FCS all american and a few others totaling for 112 starts between 7 guys. With Ott behind them, this unit will still be productive. The DL returns 2 starters but has 4 DL with experience. Cal doesn’t play a ton of big guys up front and will lean on the LBs and secondary for defense. PAC 12 Frosh POY Cade Uluave returns ready to compete in a new conference along with sack leader David Reese. The secondary returns the 3rd team PAC12 and #3 tackler Craig Woodson along with the addition of 1st Team FCS all american Marcus Harris. This unit along with the LBs will help anchor the defense for what could turn out to be a tough schedule. Wilcox and the Golden Bears will take trips to Auburn, FSU, and SMU and also match up against Miami and NC State. Wilcox has been steadily improving and with more experience and talent on his roster than usual he’ll be looking to finish this season with a bowl win.

FLORIDA STATE

Mike Norvell and the Seminoles have a lot to say after the end of last season. After going 13-0 and winning the ACC they were left out of the playoff. We’re not going to rehash all of that now but I’m sure that is more than bulletin board material for them this season. Jordan Travis is gone and DJ Uiagalelei steps in after a short stint at Oregon St. I don’t think DJ will have the offense humming the way Travis did but there’s at least a very high floor with him and you know what you’re going to get. Roydell Williams comes over from Alabama to lead the RB room and Lawrance Toafili returns. Coleman, Wilson and Bell all depart but Williams and Douglas return and are joined by Malik Benson from Alabama and LSU transfer Jalen Brown. The WR room will have a hard time keeping up with last years unit but should still be very productive. After great OL play last year, they only lose 2 OL and add one from Florida, the career starts is still at 190. The DL loses stars Verse and Fiske but add a few transfers. Last season the DL was on constant rotation so they all got great experience. Even though they lose 2 stars to the NFL the DL should remain in top shape. FSU also loses 2 LBs and 2 DBs but with good depth return as strong units. The Seminoles will be tested on a sneaky trip to SMU, while also running into Clemson, Miami, ND, and Florida this year. As I said earlier, Norvell and crew is fired up after last season and aim to be ACC Champs again with a guaranteed shot at the playoff this time.

NC STATE

I say this every year but Dave Doeren might be one of the most underrated coaches out there and it’s because he’s at NC State. Doeren does a great job developing talent and getting his boys fired up to play anyone at anytime. This year he brings in long time Coastal QB Grayson McCall who over his career has 10K pass yds, 88-14 TD/INT ratio and can use his legs effectively. He’ll be joined by Jordan Waters, RB from Duke, as some serious upgrades to the Wolfpack offense. The WR room also returns star freshman back for year 2 in Kevin Concepcion and adds Noah Rogers (Ohio State) and Wesley Grimes (Wake Forest). With some new threats on offense Concepcion won’t have to do it all himself, opening him up for an explosive year 2. The OL loses 3 but returns guys with starting experience and adds a ND transfer to total 95 starts. The OL should improve a bit and with solid playmakers will get more out of the offense this season. NC State always has a tough defense but this year some question marks arise. Only 1 starter on the DL returns and Peyton Wilson leaves for the NFL. The bright spot on this defense is the secondary who added 3 transfers with experience including Ja’Had Carter a 3yr starter at Syracuse. If the defense performs as a typical NC State/Doeren unit they’ll be just fine. The Wolfpack are blessed with easiest ACC schedule by avoiding Miami, VA Tech, SMU, and FSU. Their biggest tests will come in Charlotte against Tennessee and at Clemson. The schedule allows for this NC State team to be dangerous and possibly end up with a 10 win season. Honestly even though they haven’t won it in decades, I’ll never count out Dave Doeren and NC State, they’re always a contender.

SYRACUSE

Fran Brown kicks down the door in Syracuse and gets to work right away!! I have to say I have excitement to see what Fran Brown, former DB coach at Georgia, is able to do when given the reins to a program. The first splash was securing former OSU QB Kyle McCord! While he did get flak for his season last year, he was playing injured and was still capable of throwing for 3000+ 65.8% with a 24/6 TD/INT ratio. This year his weapons will consist of LeQuint Allen, who rushed for 1000+ LY, and a few transfers from Georgia & Colorado State in Zeed Haynes, Jackson Meeks, and Justus Ross-Simmons. The Orange also get back stud FLEX/TE Oronde Gadsden who was just short of 1000 receiving yds in ‘22 and missed LY with injury. Those are all exciting weapons for OC Jeff Nixon, whos son also joins the team from Washington. The OL should be vastly improved with 4 starters returning and 3 OL who were injured LY are back. They also add 4 OL transfers including Da’Metrius Weatherspoon and Savion Washington who are going to make an impact right away. This offense should improve a ton after last seasons QB struggle. The DL loses all 3 starters but swaps to a 4-3 this year. They add 5 transfers including Fadil Diggs (12 starts A&M) and Dion Wilson from NM State. The real anchor of the defense will be the LB unit that returns the top 3 tacklers and switches to a 3 man unit. While they lose a couple DBs, Duce Chestnut returns after his short time at LSU and 1st ™ MAC CB from Buffalo Devin Grant joins the team. The secondary is experienced and should definitely improve. Syracuse has a soft early schedule which will allow them the opportunity to build some momentum before they take a trip to NC State. The only other dangerous games are VA Tech and Miami but both will be in the dome. Fran Brown looks to go bowling in year 1 with the Orange.

BOSTON COLLEGE

Bill O’Brien took over this team late after planning to be Ohio State's OC. Luckily he returns a pretty experienced roster and some decent tools to work with, especially at QB. Thomas Castellanos rushed for 1100+ and threw for over 2200 last season. If he can remain healthy, he will light up the ACC again this year behind an experienced OL that returns 3 starters. O’Brien believes his returning OL all have NFL ability. The WR room returns 2 of the top 3 and adds a couple transfers while the RB room returns the #2 rusher and adds a few transfers as well. The key to the ground game is really Castellanos behind this experienced OL. On the DL they return 7 of the top 9 including 4 starters and NFL prospects DT Horsley and DE Ezeiruaku. The LB unit loses the #1 tackler DePalma but returns the #3 tackler and has 6 guys with starting experience including Cameron Martinez, Ohio state transfer. The secondary last year suffered from the injury bug but returns with more experience and a couple transfers. Unfortunately for O’Brien in year 1 they’ll have a tough schedule. The Eagles open at FSU, play at Mizzou and see Michigan State in non con, while finishing conference play with trips to VA Tech and SMU. They’ll also get Louisville at home. I have a hard time seeing BC over 6 wins but with the experience on the roster they could come close.

DUKE

Mike Elko was doing great things for the Blue Devils but moved on to Texas A&M. Manny Diaz comes in with a similar defensive mind and looks to pick up where Elko left off, but it will be tough. Maalik Murphy from the highly coveted Texas QB room joins Duke and he is big, athletic, and has a rocket arm. He will be a serious bright spot on this Blue Devil offense. The RB room returns #2 rusher Moore and some young talent but is not very experienced. The WR room is in decent shape returning 3 of the top 4. While the OL only returns 1 starter, they add 7 transfers. With a new OL coach and only 5 OL available for spring practice, this unit will be the biggest question mark on the team. The DL will also be a question as they lose the top 5. However they have 4 DEs with experience but lack DTs. The LB unit returns the leading tackler in Tre Freeman and will need to anchor this defense. The secondary loses 3 Dbs but having 5 with starting experience and Manny Diaz as the coach, they should be solid. Duke faces the toughest ACC schedule drawing FSU, SMU, Miami, NC State, and VA Tech. It’s rebuild mode for Manny Diaz but let’s see what he can do with some young talent like Murphy and the secondary.

MIAMI

Miami has been trying to go back to its glory days for quite some time and Mario Cristobal is working his way there but is it fast enough? The Canes landed the most sought after QB in the portal, Cam Ward, and look to him to be a playmaker on offense. They also added FCS passing leader Reese Poffenbarger as a backup. Damien Martinez comes over from Oregon St to provide a much needed spark in the RB room and is joined by returner Mark Fletcher. Even though they lose 2 WRs, difference makers Restrepo and George return in addition to Houston transfer Samuel Brown. 3 starters return on the OL and they add transfer Carpenter for a total of 121 career starts. Cristobal played OL at Miami and will keep this unit in good shape. While the DL has some new faces, outstanding true FR Rueben Bain returns for his sophomore year along side Akheem Mesidor and a slew of transfers. Bain is one of the best DL in the country and this unit will continue to be a bright spot for Miami. The defense also returns 1st all conference LB and leading tackler Francisco Mauigoa while hitting the portal to fill out the secondary. Miami will face off against Florida, VA Tech, Louisville and FSU with two of them being at home. If the offense can get rolling under Ward there’s absolutely not reason this Miami team can’t compete with Clemson or FSU for an ACC title.

VIRGINIA TECH

The Hokies might be the dark horse candidate for the ACC. Brent Pry made a jump from 3 wins in year one to 7 wins last season in year two. Now he enters year three looking to make another jump up and potentially compete for the ACC title. Kyron Drones returns at QB as a dynamic playmaker who isn’t afraid to use his legs. Last season threw for over 2K yards with a 58% completion pct along with a 17-3 TD/INT ratio and 800+ on the ground. He returns along with both RBs Tuten and Thomas providing a strong ground game for the Hokies. But that’s not all, 4 of the top 5 pass catchers return and guys who missed last season with injury like Jennings and Gallo are back. The OL performed well after Drones was established as the starter and all 5 OL return for what should be a strong unit. On the other side of the ball they lose a few DL but return 2nd team ACC DE Powell-Ryland along with a few quality transfers. The LB unit loses Tisdale but returns 3 LBs and adds Middle Tenn starter Brumfield. This unit is deep and will help anchor the defense. Lastly, the secondary loses two DBs but have 4 returning with 7+ starts LY including SS Jalen Stroman. Virginia Tech has a favorable schedule avoiding the top of the conference in FSU, SMU, Louisville, and NC State. They will face Rutgers, Clemson and take a trip to Miami for their toughest tests. The Hokies will need to steal a win from Clemson or Miami and they could be battling for an ACC Championship this year.

STANFORD

Coach Troy Taylor has been working overdrive for the Cardinals. He inherited a very young and inexperienced team last year that finished 3-9. This year they return a ton with a lot more experience and are looking to improve. QB Ashton Daniels returns along with Justin Lamson, as they were the leading rushers last season. The RB room departs but Irvin returns with 3 true freshman. It would be hard not to improve on last years run game for Stanford. The WR room is in great shape returning break out Elic Ayomanor along with Tiger Bachmeier and Sam Roush. The offense will need to lean on the strong WR room and OL. All 5 starters return on the OL, who were young highly rated guys that got experience early. Returning all 5 will help them improve a lot this year. The DL loses a few but returns enough experience plus new additions to slightly improve. All 3 LBs return including the top 2 tacklers, making them the best unit on the team. The secondary should improve after being one of the worst pass defenses in the country last year. They return 6 DBs with starting experience and add a Washington transfer. Unfortunately, they do have a tough schedule opening with TCU, facing off against VA Tech, and Louisville and lastly taking trips to Clemson, ND, and NC State. While signs are pointing up this schedule is going to make it really difficult for Stanford to compete.

WAKE FOREST

Dave Clawson is battling back from last years 4-8 season. He dealt with graduating a very experienced roster and having to develop some young talent. After QB issues, Hank Bachmeier from Boise/LA Tech joins the team and will most likely start. RB Ellison leaves for Indiana but Claiborne and Carney return with a couple of young guys who’ve gained a year in the system. While they lose 3 of the top 4 WRs, #2 Morin is back and Greene returns from injury. Clawson always develops WRs well and last year just didn’t hit, I expect improvement from this unit overall with a new QB. The OL returns 3 starters combining for 69 starts but will need to avoid the injury bug this year to stay productive. However, the DL returns 7 of the top 8 including 5 seniors and 2nd team ACC Jasheen Davis who’s looking to improve his draft stock. LB unit loses the #2 tackler and WLB but returns everyone else and adds some a strong transfer from Southern Illinois. The secondary loses 4 starters but remains strong at safety. The secondary was so down last year that they should definitely improve this year. As far as the schedule for the Demon Deacons, they’ll have to face Ole Miss & the Rajun Cajuns in non con play, while taking trips to NC State and Miami and receiving a visit from Clemson. I think Clawson is still developing this roster but should improve on last years 4 win season. I can foresee a bowl game as a serious possibility for Wake.

LOUISVILLE

Jeff Brohm is no stranger to taking down giants and he’ll be trying to do it again this year with the Cardinals. Brohm is known for his time at Purdue upsetting Ohio State and Iowa and he’ll be looking to add Clemson or Miami to that list. In year one as the HC Brohm helped lead Louisville to a 10-4 season and doesn’t plan on looking back. QB Tyler Shough joins the roster from Tex Tech and is an experienced leader. Shough has proven he can play but unfortunately is injured quite often. Brohm will have Brady Allen, Harrison Bailey, and Pierce Clarkson battling for that coveted back up spot with a chance to play. However, they look to keep Shough healthy as Brohm loves his OL. The OL lost 3 but added 7 transfers and the career starts jumps to 172, making this a strength of the team. Both RBs depart for the NFL but Turner returns and Chaney comes over from Miami. They also lose the #1, #3, and #4 WRs but return #2 Bell along with transfers Ja’Corey Brooks (Alabama), Caullin Lacy (South Alabama) and Mark Redman (SD State). On defense they return 3rd team all american DE Ashton Gillotte and add 6 transfers including NFL prospect DT Thor Griffith. The LB returns the #1 tackler but still needs improvement. The secondary loses 4 but adds 4 P4 transfers and could arguably be better. Louisville will have to get past Notre Dame, SMU, Miami, and Clemson if they want a shot at the ACC. Luckily, ND and Clemson are home. Louisville is another dark horse candidate for the ACC this year especially with Brohm at the helm.

VIRGINIA

Tony Elliott enters year 3 with Cavs in a tough spot. They finished 3-9 last year but coaches typically trend upward in year 3 of a new program. Both Muskett and Colandrea return providing for solid QB play either way but Muskett is the assumed starter. The rush game was weak last year but Pace returns and they add some young talent. It will be hard not to improve on last years numbers. The WR room loses #1 WR Washington but Malachi Fields returns and is joined by a few transfers from ND, UNC, and Kent St. The OL returns everyone as the career starts jump to 81. LY the OL was young and inexperienced but should improve returning the whole unit, this will also help the RB room. On defense they return Chico Bennett and Kameron Butler along the edge. The LB corps returns the top 2 and adds a few transfers. The secondary loses 3 DBs but returns Sanker 1st ™ ACC and leading tackler. The defense should improve a bit this year but the DL will need to bring the sacks up. UVA has a tough schedule ranking 11th toughest in the country. I think there will be improvement for the Cavs but it may not show much in their record.