ACC FOOTBALL 2025
Florida State followed up their undefeated 2023 ACC title run with a two-win 2024. The Atlantic Coastal Conference now spans across the country to California. Bill Belicheck is coaching North Carolina. Clemson is using the transfer portal.
The ACC is extremely volatile in 2025, but if there’s one constant, it’s Dabo Swinney and the Tigers. Clemson projects to be one of the top teams in the nation behind a bevy of returning veterans and top-notch NFL talent.
Below is the Magic Ball Sports 2025 ACC Preview capsule; complete head-to-toe with evaluations for each position group on every team, players to watch and record predictions for the SEC’s 16 squads.
CEILING: 12-0
FLOOR: 10-2
TRAP GAME: GT
PLAYOFF: PROBABLE
OFFENSE
QB: Cade Klubnik returns as a Heisman favorite and the front runner for ACC POTY. Fresh off the heels of a 36-touchdown, 3,600-yard junior season, Klubnik’s weapons were upgraded this off season as his numbers again project to climb.
WEAPONS: The Tiger receiving corps of Antonio Williams, TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco makes up the best in the ACC. Depth is provided by SEMO transfer Tristan Smith and sophomore Tyler Brown.
The tight end and runningback rooms are the least experienced on the team after the Tigers lost stalwarts Jake Briningstool and Phil Mafah to the NFL. Talented true freshman Gideon Davidson will assume bell cow duties as Christian Bentancur holds down the tight end room.
OL: It’ll be four graduates and one junior across the offensive front for the Tigers, four of whom are entering their second year or more of starting. Right tackle Blake Miller is a potential first round pick and bookends the line for Klubnik.
DEFENSE
DL: Clemson’s defensive line is perhaps the top positional unit in the country, laden with top end draft talent. TJ Parker and Peter Woods are two potential top 10 picks, and Will Heldt (Purdue) adds another explosive threat off the edge for the Tigers.
LB: Senior leader Wade Woodaz returns to anchor the defense alongside the versatile Sammy Brown. This group is again elite and ranks as the top unit in the ACC with two potential draft picks.
S: Boundary corner Avieon Terrell is a buzzsaw in man coverage and will be supported over top by returning safety Khalil Barnes. The Tigers lose a starter at safety but replace him with true sophomore Ricardo Jones and again project to be stout.
STRENGTH: Just about everything. Quarterback, offensive line, wideout, edge, linebacker and coaching — all elite.
WEAKNESS: There are a few holes, particularly at runningback and tight end, which lose draft choices in both rooms.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: POSSIBILITY
OFFENSE
QB: Carson Beck’s health – or lack thereof – will be instrumental to the Hurricanes’ hopes of an ACC title in 2025. Beck injured his elbow in the SEC Championship game and has yet to set a timetable for his return. Beck is set to make north of four million dollars in 2025.
WEAPONS: The Canes reloaded on the boundary with the additions of CJ Daniels (LSU) and Tony Johnson (Cincinnati) to pair with returners Joshisa Trader and Ray Ray Joseph. If this group gels quickly the Canes will have a top group in the conference.
Damien Martinez departed for the NFL this spring, leaving starting duties to the bruising Mark Fletcher Jr. Miami will operate with more of a committee approach with sophomore Jordan Lyle in the mix.
OL: Miami’s offensive line will be made up of four seniors and one junior, two of which are brimming with NFL talent in Francis Mauigoa and James Brockenmeyer. Cristobal will have his best line in his four year tenure with the group being a Joe Moore contender.
DEFENSE
DL: Edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Ahkeem Mesidor make up one of the top pairs in the ACC and should generate consistent pressure on the quarterback. The interior, comprised of Justin Scott and Ahmad Moten Sr., is somewhat inexperienced but vastly talented.
LB: Miami loses its top tackler to the draft but returns No. 2 Wesley Bissainthe and added Rutgers star Mohamed Toure after he tore his ACL last summer. This group should again be stout in the middle but injury concerns are apparent.
S: The Canes lose two full-time starters and replaced them with a collection of six transfers. The group is relatively young (three sophomores and one senior) and is the team’s weakest spot aside from quarterback.
STRENGTH: The roster is laden with talent at every position. Edge and tackle are both superb and rank at the top of the SEC.
WEAKNESS: Beck’s health could create some problems in the early going with a tough opening slate. The secondary is young.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: The Panthers were undefeated with a healthy Eli Holstien last season and winless without one; Holstien’s health is absolutely vital for Pitt’s success. The redshirt sophomore enters year two of the offense and should be even better than he was in his 10 games last season.
WEAPONS: All-purpose Desmond Reid is an All-American candidate and should buoy the Pitt run game. The depth behind Reid is a major question mark and was not addressed this off season, however.
The receivers are new to the starting lineup but not to the program, with returnees Kenny Johnson and Raphael Williams Jr. projected to be the top two options. Finding a new weapon at tight end will be crucial for Pitt.
OL: Keeping Holstien healthy starts with the offensive line, which delt with its fair share of injuries last season as well. Narduzzi went to the transfer portal to address the unit and came away with two starters. This unit should be better in 2025.
DEFENSE
DL: The interior of the defensive front will be new, but the Panthers did well in retaining talent on the edges with junior Jimmy Scott projected to lead the unit. With an elite linebacker room some pressure is off the line to produce.
LB: All-American Kyle Louis returns to pilot the Panther defense and could be the top linebacker picked in next year’s draft. Rasheem Biles and Braylan Lovelace also return to give the Panthers a litany of options behind Louis, making this one of the best linebacking rooms in America.
S: Pitt lost two all-conference selections on the backend this off season and opted to replace them through the portal, bringing in Zion Ferguson and Rashan Murray to round out the room. The starters could be all in-house players, which will help in the cohesion process.
STRENGTH: Holstein is undefeated as a starter when healthy and could emerge as a POTY candidate in the ACC.
WEAKNESS: The receivers have little starting experience, as does the secondary.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: The Blue Devils made headlines after inking Tulane transfer Darian Mensah to an eight million dollar NIL contract this off season. The freshman star guided the Green Wave offense to nine wins while throwing for 22 touchdowns and leading the AAC in completion rate. Mensah figures to be one of the conference’s best in 2025.
WEAPONS: Jaquez Moore was instrumental out of the backfield during Duke’s 2023 run. He’s back after an injury-riddled 2024 and will be the centerpiece of the Blue Devil rushing attack. The depth behind him is a question with the lack of game experience.
Duke’s new look receiver corps gives Mensah a solid group of veterans to throw to. Andrel Anthony and Cooper Barkate will be the top two options, with Anthony making headway as a feature option at times with Oklahoma. This group will be upgraded from last season.
OL: Four starters are back for the Blue Devils including NFL-caliber tackle Brian Parker. This group should be even better than last season with cohesion now formed between the four returners.
DEFENSE
DL: One starter is gone, which leaves defensive guru Manny Diaz with three returning starters from a unit that wrecked havoc in conference play last season. Heading the group is senior Vincent Anthony Jr. on the edge. This group will be stout.
LB: Perhaps the only question mark along the Duke defense in 2025, the Blue Devils return zero starters from last season and didn’t address the issue via the portal. Diaz will bank on in-house talent to develop as he looks for new leaders in the middle.
S: Cornerback Chandler Rivers is garnering first round hype on the boundary and safety Terry Moore is a team leader. Adding All-CUSA corner Caleb Weaver makes this group even better. Pair that with a raucous pass rush and the outlook is better than good for Diaz.
STRENGTH: Mensah offers immense upside at quarterback and the Blue Devils get back their top option back in the run game.
WEAKNESS: The linebackers are all new, which could spell problems for a Manny Diaz defense dependent on an on-field leader.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Sixth year senior Haynes King commands what should be one of the ACC’s most dynamic offenses in 2025. King is threat in the run game and has proven to be a vocal leader under coach Brent Key. King led the ACC in completion rate at 72.9% in 2024 and will only improve on those numbers.
WEAPONS: Sturdy Jamal Haynes returns for his senior season and is projected to be one of the top runningbacks taken next April in the NFL Draft. Haynes is a dangerous big play threat and is vital to this offense’s success out of the backfield.
The departure of Eric Singleton Jr. was tough, but the Yellow Jackets did well in replacing him with the additions of Eric Rivers and Dean Patterson from FIU and the return of Malik Rutherford as the X-type receiver. This unit should be even better than last season.
OL: This unit will be significantly less experienced than last season but coach Key has developed a reputation as an offensive line wizard over the course of his tenure and should have this group playing well. A slight drop off is expected but still should be top notch.
DEFENSE
DL: The defensive front was stripped of all its firepower, including Romello Height who is now playing in Lubbock for Texas Tech. Adding five transfers helps but the Yellow Jackets will be down a few pegs with the loss of so much production from last season.
LB: Focal point Kyle Efford returns to man the middle of the defense and may end up leading the nation in tackles this season. The Jackets added a pair of transfers to bolster an already experienced room. This unit will lead the defense.
S: Losing both safeties from last season means a step back could be in the cards, but the Yellow Jackets poached two cornerbacks from the portal with high upside and return Rodney Shelley on the boundary as the secondary’s anchor.
STRENGTH: The backfield duo of King and Haynes is among the conference’s best. Efford is a stabilizer on defense.
WEAKNESS: The defensive line lost all of its star power this off season, including leader Biggers. Replacing the lost talent will be vital.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Banking on Virginia to be the ACC’s breakout in 2025 all starts with quarterback Chandler Morris. The sixth year senior comes to Charlottesville after one year at North Texas in the air raid system. Morris brings a steady hand to the Hoo’s passing game.
WEAPONS: Losing standout Malachi Fields to Notre Dame was the toughest loss this off season, but UVA returns Trell Harris and will bank on a breakout from Kameron Courtney to make up for the lost pass catcher production.
Xavier Brown is seeping with potential out of the backfield and is always a big play threat, which adds another layer to the revamped Cavalier offense. NC Central transfer J’Mari Taylor rumbled for 1,146 yards in 2024 and rounds out the room nicely.
OL: Four starters transferred into Charlottesville this off season, bringing a bevy of experience with them. This unit will be vastly improved from last season and could be the catalyst for a Cavalier breakout.
DEFENSE
DL: Virginia went hard in the portal for defensive linemen, upgrading the size, speed and experience of the front. Cazeem Moore is in line for a breakout season, and the Hoos could have a salty run defense this season.
LB: The Cavaliers went portaling to revamp the linebacker room, bringing in a pair of FCS standouts to round out an already experienced room. Carmac Fisher and Maddox Marcellus are excellent options off the bench for a very solid unit.
S: This unit lost leader Jonas Sanker to the NFL but welcomes in grad transfer Devin Neal to replace him. The rest of the unit is laden with seniors and experienced transfers, giving this unit a high floor heading into 2025.
STRENGTH: There is experience at the quarterback position and explosiveness at runningback. The offensive line is made of veterans.
WEAKNESS: The Hoos still don’t have a proven No. 1 option at wide receiver. The defensive linemen are all transfers.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: It’ll be the third consecutive season with a veteran transfer quarterback at the helm for the Cardinals. Miller Moss transferred from USC after one year as the starter for the Trojans and will look to find consistency with Jeff Brohm after an up and down 2024.
WEAPONS: Isaac Brown is the nation’s most explosive runningback – and he’s only a sophomore. He’ll be aided by Duke Watson as a No. 2 in what should be a top rushing attack in 2025.
Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy both electing to return was huge for Brohm, who now pairs a veteran quarterback with an elite runner and a pair of experienced wideouts. This could be one of the ACC’s best passing attacks.
OL: Four starters depart, leaving center Pete Nygra as the lone returnee. He’ll be the backbone for a unit that welcomes in six transfers and is chock-full of veterans. This unit could improve from last season’s mark with more experience at every position.
DEFENSE
DL: Team leader Ashton Gillote left for the NFL, which forced Brohm to dive into the portal to repair the unit. Clev Lubin and Wesley Bailey were brought in to start along the edge, but a drop off is nearly inevitable for what was stout unit in 2024.
LB: Both of the Cardinals’ top tacklers are back for 2025 in TJ Quinn and Stanquan Clark. That gives the defense a solid bedrock to build off with all of the turnover at other positions. This group will be the defense’s strength in the early going.
S: Quincy Riley – among all of the other top guys – are gone, which leaves this unit as the most unknown on the team. How the Cardinals account for the loss of three starters will tell what the team’s ceiling really is.
STRENGTH: Moss brings a bevy of experience to Brohm’s QB-friendly scheme. The Cards return both of the top tacklers from a year ago.
WEAKNESS: The offensive line will be brand new and the secondary lost its leader to the NFL.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Kevin Jennings, despite his shortcomings versus Penn State in the College Football Playoff, was brilliant in 2024. The first-year starter threw for 3,245 yards and 23 touchdowns, leading SMU to an impressive 11-3 record and an ACC title game appearance. Jennings will be among the conference’s best at the position again in 2025.
WEAPONS: Do-it-all back Brashard Smith is playing for the Chiefs now, which strips the Mustang offense of a multi-dimensional scorer. Ushered in to replace him was UCLA transfer TJ Harden and Miami’s Chris Johnson. Matching 2024’s production is not in the cards.
The top wide outs are all gone, but the tight end duo of RJ Maryland and Matthew Hibner gives the Mustangs a solid foundation. Romello Brinson projects to be the No. 1 wideout and could be in line for a breakout campaign.
OL: The interior of the SMU line is stout with the return of Logan Parr at guard and Addison Nichols at center. PJ Williams is also back at right tackle which gives the Pony’s a rock-solid front to work off.
DEFENSE
DL: All three starters from last year are gone, which strips SMU of most of its pass rush. Replacing them will be a slew of transfers – who have starting experience elsewhere – including Cameron Robertson and Purdue’s Jeffrey M’ba.
LB: The starters from last season are gone, which leaves a gaping hole in the middle of the Pony defense. All-AAC Zakye Barker was brought in to lead the group, but depth behind him will be a major question.
S: Standout corner Deuce Harmon is back to patrol the boundary, as are safeties Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia, making this unit the unquestioned strength of the defense. Harmon has legit NFL potential and should be an All-ACC corner.
STRENGTH: Jennings will be among the nation’s best quarterbacks. The secondary is elite and brimming with NFL talent.
WEAKNESS: The defensive front was gutted in the off season and RB Smith is off to the NFL — those were two strengths for SMU last season.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: After Grayson McCall’s abrupt departure from the program following a concussion, true freshman CJ Bailey stepped in and threw for 2,413 yards and 17 touchdowns. He’s back for 2025, but he will need to cut down on interceptions (10) to elevate the Wolfpack offense.
WEAPONS: Top threat KC Concepcion is now playing in College Station, leaving No. 2 Justin Joly and No. 3 Noah Rodgers as Bailey’s top options on the boundary. Joly has NFL potential at tight end and should be an all-conference player.
Hollywood Smothers returns after notching 571 on the ground last season and will pair with true freshman Deandre Desinor to make up the Pack running game. This group should match last season’s production despite the loss of Jordan Waters.
OL: Three starters depart, including highly touted tackle Anthony Belton, which may hurt the top end talent of the unit. This group is arguably deeper than last year’s – which flopped – so an improvement is not out of the question.
DEFENSE
DL: The Wolfpack lost two starters this off season but replaced them with in-house talent, abstaining from the transfer portal in favor of homegrown talent. The product: a projected three senior starting front, including breakout candidate Travali Price on the edge.
LB: Sean Brown and Caden Fordham will make up the starting unit but FCS transfer AJ Richardson was an all-conference player at Norfolk State and makes this unit deeper than year’s past. It could be on par with 2023’s room that featured Payton Wilson.
S: All four starters from last year are gone, but Doeren went down the in-house route to replace the lost production, bringing in only two transfers (one projected starter). The Pack will be inexperienced on the backend but the pass rush will be the cologne that covers up the stink in the early going.
STRENGTH: Bailey has an extremely high ceiling at quarterback and the linebacker room is deep and experienced.
WEAKNESS: Inexperience on the defensive front and in the secondary will be felt early. Consistency along the offensive line will be needed.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Bill Belichick was mid-way through spring practice before he had his quarterback. South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez committed to the Tar Heels in April and now projects to be the starter over veteran Max Johnson, who broke his leg last September.
WEAPONS: Matching first round pick Omarion Hampton’s production will be nearly impossible for the Tar Heels, but the staff brought in transfer Benjamin Hall to try, pairing him with Davion Gause to form a committee approach.
The receiving room suffered from the portal exodus, with Belichick relying on eight transfers to revamp the core. Jordan Shipp projects to be the No. 1 wideout and Kobe Paysour offers unique upside on the other end of the field. It’s a solid group lacking top end talent.
OL: For as much turnover as this roster saw, the Tar Heel offensive line welcomes three starters back, including standout guard Aidan Banfield. UNC had one of the best run blocking grades in the ACC last year, but those numbers could go down with the departure of Hampton to the NFL.
DEFENSE
DL: The Tar Heel front seven experienced the most turnover of any department on the team, with all seven starters being replaced by incoming transfers. Seven of the top eight linemen from last season are gone, but doubting Belichick in the trenches seems foolish. This group is an unknown heading into 2025.
LB: The top two are both gone, but the Tar Heels did well enough in the portal to stop the bleeding, bringing in Nebraska starter Mikai Gbayor to take the reins in the middle. Depth behind Gbayor is a huge question mark and may be the Tar Heels’ Achilles’ heel.
S: Two cornerbacks are back for UNC, including true senior Marcus Allen on the boundary. The safety room is completely redone, headed by Thaddeus Dixon in centerfield. The unit could take some time to adjust but has the skill to be a team strength.
STRENGTH: Belicheck brings invaluable coaching experience to Chapel Hill and will upgrade the program throughout the course of the season.
WEAKNESS: The Tar Heels are still cutting their teeth with the Belichick philosophy which may take some time getting used to.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: The Seminoles will look towards Boston College transfer Tommy Castellanos to reignite an offense that was putrid in the passing game last season. Castellanos appeared in eight games for the Eagles last season, throwing for 18 touchdowns and five interceptions before being benched for Grayson James.
WEAPONS: The receiving corps is arguably deeper this season, bolstered by the addition of USC transfer Duce Robinson and Tennessee transfer Squirrel White at the top and a pair of underclassmen in Jayvan Boggs and Lawayne McCoy for depth.
Gavin Sawchuck’s late transfer from Oklahoma gives the Noles a solid one-two punch with Roydell Williams out of the backfield. The run game projects to be way better than 2024.
OL: Last year’s unit was inordinately inconsistent and rendered the offense inept in both phases. Norvell dove into the portal to rebuild the line, picking up four senior transfers who all project to start.
DEFENSE
DL: Losing three NFL caliber players to the transfer portal will inevitably hurt the group, which now projects to start one underclassmen and one transfer. Nose tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. is an interior problem and a team leader.
LB: Blake Nichelson returns to man one linebacker spot, and Elijah Herring comes over from Memphis to start in the other. This group should be improved in 2025 but that isn’t saying much considering last season’s disaster.
S: The Seminoles lost two cornerbacks to the NFL, which will take some adjusting even with both safeties back in the fold. The backend may need to rely on the revamped pass rush to get home as it gets used to the game climate.
STRENGTH: There’s a stable of runningbacks all capable of being the No. 1 option. The linebackers are stout in the middle.
WEAKNESS: Castellanos was wildly inconsistent last season and was benched after eight games — the Noles have all their eggs in his basket.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Third-year starter Kyron Drones played through a litany of lower body injuries in 2024 as the Hokies struggled to find any offensive consistency. He’s back for 2025, which is a good sign for Tech as they take on one of the ACC’s toughest schedules.
WEAPONS: Top threat Bhayshul Tuten departed for the NFL, which leaves a 2,342-yard, 29-touchdown hole to fill. Tech brought in All-MAC Terion Stewart to take on the role of lead back, pairing him with Braydon Bennett (CCU). The rushing attack will not be as potent.
The receiving corps lost most of its top producers from last season and will look towards the duo of seventh-year Donavan Greene and shifty Ayden Greene. Tight end Benji Gosnell started eight games last season and is also back.
OL: Tech loses four starters from last season and adds three WVU offensive linemen to compensate. Montavious Cunningham returns but will move inside to play guard, leaving four relatively inexperienced starters to protect Drones.
DEFENSE
DL: The Hokies lose two all-conference linemen from last season and added five transfers in an attempt to patch up the front. James Djonkam comes over from Eastern Michigan after a career year and will be the line leader.
LB: Jaden Keller and Caleb Woodson were the team’s No. 1 and No. 2 tacklers last season and both return to Blacksburg in 2025. This unit will be the center of the defense, laden with experienced veterans and proven production.
S: All four starters are gone, which raises question marks about the unit’s cohesiveness, but the Hokies did well in the portal by bringing in a handful of experienced starters. Rice transfer Tyson Flowers heads the group at safety.
STRENGTH: Drones gives the Hokies a fighter’s chance in every game. The linebacker room is experienced and there are weapons on offense to like.
WEAKNESS: The defensive front could be significantly worse than last season and the secondary is brand new.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME: UCONN
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Syracuse will have to replace the nation’s leading passer from 2024 in Kyle McCord. Fran Brown went portaling and found Notre Dame backup Steve Angeli and former blue-chipper Rickie Collins (LSU). Angeli played well in limited action and will assume the starting role for the Orange.
WEAPONS: LeQuint Allen is gone, replaced by homegrown Yasin Willis and a trio of unproven Power-level backs. Willis will eat most of the carries.
The top three from last year are all gone, either to the NFL or to the portal. Syracuse secured Johntay Cook from the portal and returns Darrell Gill who had 570 last year. Replacing the versatile Oronde Gadsden will be tough.
OL: Three starters are gone, including stalwart tackle Savion Washington. Cuse looked towards the portal to replace what was lost, adding five this off season. This unit could take a small step back in 2025 with the loss of so much experience but are talented, nonetheless.
DEFENSE
DL: The Orange lose the top three from last season, including freshman All-American Maraad Watson (Texas), but return a bevy of experience and added three former starters via the portal to beef up the trenches. This unit could drop a few notches but will still be reliable.
LB: The linebacker room will be made up of FCS transfers or unproven homegrown talent. South Dakota transfer Gary Bryant had 103 tackles last year and leads the group, but the other starters are not entirely clear yet.
S: Devin Grant and Duce Chestnut form a rock-solid duo on the backend, but the rest of the unit is tremendously inexperienced and has yet to prove anything at the FBS level.
STRENGTH: The secondary should be stingy and is laden with veterans. Chestnut is a team leader and an all-conference candidate.
WEAKNESS: There’s too much turnover at key positions to warrant the hope of a 10-win repeat in 2025. Finding new weapons is an utmost priority.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF:
OFFENSE
QB: Bill O’Brien coaxed Alabama transfer Dylan Longeran to Chestnut Hill to replace the FSU-bound Castellanos. He isn’t guaranteed the starting position, however, with returner Grayson James back in the fold after starting five games last season and throwing for over 1,200 yards. It’ll be another fall camp battle for the starting spot.
WEAPONS: There is a lot for the Eagles to like about the pass catchers heading into 2025. Leading receiver Lewis Bond is back, along with the towering Reed Harris as the starters. Tight ends Jeremiah Franklin and Alabama transfer Ty Lockwood form a solid duo for whoever wins the job to throw to.
The running game will be headed by Turbo Richard and Jordan McDonald, who averaged 5.1 and 6.8 yards per carry last season. The room is about on par with last season’s group.
OL: This unit has been the unquestioned strength of the roster for the better part of the last five seasons. It loses three starters who are now playing on Sunday, including All-American Ozzy Trapillo. Tackle Jude Bowry has NFL potential and could anchor another stout unit on Chestnut Hill in 2025.
DEFENSE
DL: It’ll be a steep drop off on the defensive front for the Eagles with the departure of ACC DPOY Donovan Ezeiraku to the NFL. The unit lost two other starters as well, leaving the cupboard completely barren with FCS transfers ushered in to take starting roles.
LB: Linebacker Daveon Crouch is the leader of the defense and will be on NFL Draft boards come April. The group is experienced but will need to take a step up in the production category to compensate for the defensive line’s shortcomings.
S: It was a middling group in 2024 for the Eagles, but with all four starters back the unit could improve if the depth develops (five sophomores and one freshman behind them).
STRENGTH: The physical, brutish running game will remain on Chestnut Hill with a reloaded offensive line and talented runningback room.
WEAKNESS: The defensive line and pass rush will take a sharp step back with the departure of multiple all-conference caliber players.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME:
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: The Golden Bears will have talent at the quarterback position, but no experience to stack it on. Former Ohio State QB Devin Brown is the projected week one starter, with five star freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagopolutele waiting in the wings.
WEAPONS: The offense was gutted in the spring portal, and it all started with the runningback room. The top five (!) rushers from last season are all gone, including potential All-American Jaydn Ott. SMU transfer LJ Johnson will assume lead duties in a depleted room.
The same can be said for the pass catchers. Tight end Jack Endries left for Texas and Mikey Matthews went south to UCLA. Jacob De Jesus comes over from UNLV to slot in as the No. 1 wideout, and senior returner Trond Grizzell is a reliable second option.
OL: Despite losing three starters from last season (from a unit that ranked 16th in the ACC in run blocking), there are 110 career starts along the offensive line. Cal fortified the unit in the portal with the addition of a brand new interior with hopes of reigniting the run game.
DEFENSE
DL: Cal’s unique 2-4-5 alignment allows for 100% of the starters to return for this unit in 2025. Nose tackle Aidan Keanaaina is a veteran leader and a gap clogging force in the middle. He could take a big step up this year.
LB: Cal returns Cade Uluave and adds highly coveted BYU transfer Harrison Taggart alongside Liberty transfer edge TJ Bush Jr. and returning edge TJ Bollers to form the strongest unit on the team. The Golden Bears will again have a stingy run defense.
S: The secondary lost leader and All-American Nohl Williams to the NFL, which sets the group back a significant amount. The unit then lost three additional starters which left it in shambles after an outstanding 2024. This unit instantly becomes the team’s biggest question mark heading into 2025.
STRENGTH: There is talent on the roster, especially in the quarterback and linebacker rooms. The Bears just don’t have enough of it.
WEAKNESS: The backfield and pass catching units were gutted during the spring portal window, depleting the firepower of this roster tremendously.
CEILING:
FLOOR:
TRAP GAME: DEL
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Transfers are projected to start at eight spots on the Wake Forest offense. Quarterback is one of them. The battle between veteran Robbie Ashford (S. Carolina) and sophomore Deshawn Purdie (Charlotte) for the starting job is speculated to run into fall camp in Winston-Salem.
WEAPONS: Wake Forest’s portal exodus took nearly all of the top weapons from last season away from Winston-Salem. Runningback Demond Claiborne returned, however, and with him over 1,000 yards from last season. He will be the heartbeat of the WF offense and has legit NFL potential.
The receiving corps is made up of nine transfers, mostly the backend of Wazzu’s 2024 depth chart, and will need to develop quickly in order for the WF offense to gain a second dimension. Sterling Berkhalter could have the inside track at the No. 1 spot.
OL: The Demon Deacons sported one of the top lines in the conference last season according to PFF. All five starters from that unit are gone, replaced by a slew of Wazzu starters migrating in with HC Dickert. Expect some troubles in the early going up front.
DEFENSE
DL: Leader Kevin Pointer graduated, meaning the Demon Deacons will need to find a new linchpin on the defensive front. UConn transfer Langston Hardy could be that guy after notching 44 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season. This unit will inevitably take a step back.
LB: Mike backer Dylan Hazen is the defense’s leader and is back after recording 84 tackles and seven TFL in 12 starts last season. Alongside him WF will need a reliable starter to emerge, which may be Aiden Hall (21 games the past two seasons).
S: The duo of DaVaughn Patterson and safety Nick Anderson both return, which gives the unit a solid backbone. Wake also added three year starter Karon Punty from NC A&T in an attempt to gain more experience. This unit could be strong in 2025.
STRENGTH: Claiborne is an explosive threat out of the backfield and will be the lifeline of the offense. Hazen is also back on defense to lead the unit.
WEAKNESS: There was a ton of turnover this off season in Winston-Salem which may prove to be detrimental in a top-heavy ACC.
CEILING: 4-8
FLOOR: 1-11
TRAP GAME: SJSU
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Despite the numerous roster limitations for the Cardinal, the quarterback room is both deep and teaming with experience. Redshirt freshman Elijah Brown, a former four star prospect from Mater Dei, is projected to start, with Oregon State transfer Ben Gulbranson backing him up for his fifth year.
WEAPONS: The runningback room is quite deep but lacks top end talent, with sophomore Micah Ford and redshirt freshman Cole Tabb projected to lead the group. The Cardinal averaged just 133.9 yards per game on the ground in 2024 and will need to take a step up.
Stalwart Elic Ayomanor is playing in the NFL now, which means the Cardinal lose their top pass catcher who accounted for 1,844 yards across two seasons. Who replaces him will be a mystery, with tight end Benji Blackburn the top candidate.
OL: Stanford will welcome three starters back from an offensive line that ranked near the bottom of the conference in 2024. Sophomore Kahlil House will anchor the unit, looking to take a step up from an inconsistent freshman season.
DEFENSE
DL: The defensive front will be veteran laden but will lack the production needed to succeed in the ACC. David Bailey, the team’s prized edge rusher, skipped town for Texas Tech, which means Stanford will be in search of a reliable threat in its pass rush.
LB: The Cardinal lost the starters from last year’s unit but will rely on in-house development in Tevarua Tafiti to lead the unit. Tafiti has recorded 88 tackles and 12 TFLs across two starting seasons.
S: This unit returns the most intact from last season, with all four starters back and capable depth behind them. This will be Stanford’s defensive strength if the pass rush can become more consistent. The unit will be led by cornerback Collin Wright on the boundary.
STRENGTH: Stanford returns a lot of production from last season, particularly in the secondary and across the offensive line.
WEAKNESS: A rocky mid-spring coaching change has the potential to set the program back years in recruiting. Overall talent is not superb.