The 2024 ACC Football Preview Capsule;
How west coast expansion may be a harbinger of conference-chaos in the coming years.
22 June 2024
Jake McCreven
Florida State and Clemson are suing the ACC, and the “Atlantic Coast Conference” now includes teams from California and Texas — the product of conference re-allignment in 2024. Still, however, football will be played, and championships will be won. Florida State opens the year as the early favorite, with Clemson, NC State, and Louisville in a close, second tier. Sneaky teams like Virginia Tech and SMU are garnering attention as possible dark horses for the conference title, and with the new twelve team playoff format in effect, the ACC may send two or three teams to NY6 Bowl Games this season.
1. Florida State, 11-1 (8-0)
Seminoles at a Glance:
Ten starters return to a team that won 13 consecutive games to begin 2023. Gone, however, are quarterback Jordan Travis and runningback Trey Benson — replaced by transfers DJ Uiagalelei (OREST) and Roydell Williams (ALA). The defensive front possesses three potential All-Americans, while the talent in the secondary is palpable. The offensive line is anchored by bookend tackles Darius Washington and Jeremiah Byers, who will look to aid a run game that flopped in the latter half of the 2023 season. The Seminoles are not challenged until Clemson visits Tallahassee in late September, a game which favors the Noles as odds stand right now. A three game stretch of Miami, UNC, and Notre Dame is the only tough part of the schedule, as FSU gears up to defend their ACC crown for the first time since 2013-2014. With a reliance on transfers and a look towards a more run-oriented offense, FSU is relying on unproven pieces to develop in 2024.
EDGE Patrick Payton; 247 Sports
QB DJ Uiagalelei (S), RB Roydell Williams (S), WR Malik Benson (S), T Darius Washington (S), G TJ Ferguson (J), ED Marvin Jones Jr. (J), ED Patrick Payton (J), IDL Josh Farmer (J), S Fentrell Cypress II (S), S Shyheim Brown (J), S Conrad Hussey (So)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 12-0
Floor: 9-3
2. Clemson, 10-2 (7-1)
Tigers at a Glance:
Clemson was one of four schools to not have any players transfer into the program this offseason (the other three being the service academies). Questions have been raised about Dabo Swinney’s adaptability in the new free-agency model age of college football, and sputtering offensive play has wrecked the Tigers’ last three seasons altogether. The good news is that it’s still Clemson, and the defense will still be elite, as it always is. Quarterback Cade Klubnik’s return does warrant a sense of optimism, and with weapons including runningback Phil Mafah (pictured), WR Troy Stellato, and TE Jake Briningstool, the Tigers possess one of the most lethal offenses since the Trevor Lawrence years in Tigertown. A season-opener against Georgia (in Atlanta) does not favor the Tigers, but a pivotal matchup against NC State in late September may swing Clemson into the ACC Championship with a win. Look for Clemson to slow down the game with a potent run attack, spearheaded by stalwart tackle Blake Miller.
RB Phil Mafah; Clemson Athletics
QB Cade Klubnik (J), RB Phil Mafah (S), WR Antonio Williams (J), WR Tyler Brown (So), WR Troy Stellato (J), WR Bryant Wesco Jr. (Fr), TE Jake Briningstool (S), T Blake Miller (J), LB Barrett Carter (S), ED Peter Woods (So)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 10-2
Floor: 8-4
3. NC State, 11-1 (7-1)
Wolfpack at a Glance:
An early season visit to Clemson is the only thing preventing the Wolfpack from going to the ACC Championship for the first time in program history. The Wolfpack have not won at Clemson in 22 years, despite winning two of the last three matchups. Coastal Carolina transfer quarterback Grayson McCall opens a new dimension for OC Robert Anae, one that can utilize McCall’s legs and arm to find freshman All-American Kevin Concepcion frequently. Duke transfer Jordan Waters is a stable presence in the backfield, and the offensive line returns four starters. An early season neutral site game against Tennessee will be the defining game for the Wolfpack, as a win may lift coach Dave Doeren’s guys to the College Football Playoff with an at-large bid. With only two starters on 2023’s vaunted front seven returning, NC State will need to find production from younger players to compete agains the ground games of Clemson and VT.
WR Kevin Concepcion; 247 Sports
QB Grayson McCall (S), RB Jordan Waters (S), WR Kevin Concepcion (So), WR Noah Rogers (Fr), T Anthony Belton (S), ED Davin Vann (S), LB Caden Fordham (J), CB Brandon Cisse (So), S Sean Brown (J)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 12-0
Floor: 10-2
4. Miami, 10-2 (6-2)
Hurricanes at a Glance:
Quarterback Cam Ward is one of the nation’s best. Runningback Damien Martinez is one of the nation’s best. The tackle duo of Rivers and Mauigoa is one of the nation’s best. Rueben Bain Jr. was a freshman All-American in 2023. Mario Cristobal is the Hurricanes’ coach. The talent on Cristobal’s rosters has never been the question, the former FIU and Oregon head coach has historically had an elite ability to recruit his guys. His teams, however, struggle to win “the big ones.” Despite numerous All-Americans on the roster last season, the Hurricanes crawled across the finish line with a 7-6 record, including a bowl game loss to Rutgers. The schedule is highlighted by three games, including Virginia Tech, Louisville, and Florida State. Miami has the talent to contend with the Seminoles, and is an overall better squad than VT and Louisville, but Cristobal’s coaching record leads me to believe that a slip up will happen somewhere during the season. I believe the Golden Bears of Cal steal one from Miami, who will be coming off an emotional game against VT and will be looking toward the bye week the following weekend.
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.; Miami Athletics
QB Cam Ward (S), RB Damien Martinez (J), WR Xavier Restrepo (S), WR Jacolby George (S), T Jalen Rivers (J), T Francis Mauigoa (So), ED Rueben Bain Jr. (So), LB Francisco Mauigoa (S), CB Damari Brown (So)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 10-2
Floor: 8-4
5. Virginia Tech, 10-2 (6-2)
Hokies at a Glance:
The schedule is not particularly challenging for a Hokies team returning 17 starters and over 90% of its production from 2023. Headlined by dual threat quarterback Kyron Drones, the Hokies offense will be as explosive as it ever as been under Brent Pry. Weapons such as RB Bhayshul Tuten and Da’Quan Felton provide Drones with field-stretching options, while the offensive line returns four starters with the fifth slot being plugged by coveted transfer guard Montavious Cunningham. The entirety of the defense returns aside from the interior defensive line, patched up by transfer Aeneas Peebles. The schedule is highlighted by two games; Miami and Clemson. While I am a firm believer in the Hokies this season, defeating two ACC juggernauts will be a tall task. Miami and Clemson have the edge talent wise, but even with two losses, the Hokies may still be alive for a NY6 Bowl bid.
QB Kyron Drones; VT Athletics
QB Kyron Drones (J), RB Bhayshul Tuten (S), WR Da’Quan Felton (Gr), ED Antwaun Powell-Ryland (S), LB Keonta Jenkins (S), CB Dorian Strong (Gr), ED/LB Cole Nelson (S)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 10-2
Floor: 9-3
6. North Carolina, 10-2 (6-2)
Tar Heels at a Glance:
One of the nation’s easiest schedules benefits SEC transfer Max Johnson as the former Texas A&M and LSU quarterback looks to take the reigns in Chapel Hill. Aside from an opening week game at Minnesota, the Tar Heels do not meet another P4 program until Duke in mid-October — a Duke team that will more than likely be underwater by then. Runningback Omarion Hampton is one of the FBS’s top rushers, with returning guard Willie Lampkin leading the charge up front. On defense, the Tar Heels are led by senior linebacker Power Echols under the new defensive scheme of Geoff Collins. Six starters return on a defense that ranked 94th in the country last season, as the Tar Heels expect continuity and a change of scheme to fix their defensive woes from 2022 and 2023. The offense can bring home the bacon, but will the defense step up and avoid a bottom-40 national ranking? With an easy schedule on hand, the Tar Heels have a favorable run to reach double digit wins.
RB Omarion Hampton; UNC Athletics
QB Max Johnson (S), RB Omarion Hampton (J), WR JJ Jones (S), TE Bryson Nesbit (S), LB Power Echols (S)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 10-2
Floor: 8-4
7. California, 9-3 (6-2)
Golden Bears at a Glance:
Cal is one of my sleeper teams nationally. Returning two key pieces on offense, the Golden Bears feature both quarterback Fernando Mendoza and runningback Jaydn Ott, a duo that terrorized PAC-12 defenses last season and ranked top-50 nationally. Cal returns 16 starters from last season, including eight defensive players, and the entire secondary. Three offensive linemen return — the whole right side of the line — and Notre Dame transfer Tobias Merriweather averaged over 20 yards a catch in 2023. With a relatively easy schedule after NC State visits Berkley, the Golden Bears need to avoid the four game losing streak from last season (remember, Mendoza was a freshman in 2023), to finish above .500 for the first time since 2019. With offensive line coach Mike Bloesch being promoted to offensive coordinator, look for the Golden Bears to utilize Ott in order to set up the play action with Mendoza and transfer Mikey Matthews.
RB Jaydn Ott; Cal Athletics
QB Fernando Mendoza (So), RB Jaydn Ott (J), WR Tobias Merriweather (J), CB Nohl Williams (S), S Matthew Littlejohn (S)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 9-3
Floor: 5-7
8. Louisville, 8-4 (5-3)
Cardinals at a Glance:
The Cardinals were one of 2023’s biggest national surprises, going 10-4 and making the ACC Championship in Jeff Brohm’s first season as head coach. Anchored by a top-twenty-five defense nationally, Louisville relied on runningbacks Jawhar Jordan and Isaac Guerrero, both of whom are gone in 2024. Gone too is quarterback Jack Plummer, replaced by Texas Tech transfer Tyler Shough. Brought in at receiver was one of the best available players in the portal; South Alabama’s Caulin Lacy, who will pair nicely with Chris Bell. The defense returns six starters, including premier pass rusher Ashton Gillotte. Cornerback Quincy Riley is the ACC’s top rated corner by PFF, and Devin Neal is a stalwort at safety. The reason I have the Cardinals slipping by two games in 2024 is the fact that the running game will simply not be as effective with the absence of Guerrero and Jordan, as well as a downgrade at quarterback from Plummer to Shough. Regression to the mean, is that the saying?
IOL Michael Gonzalez; Almany Stock Photo
WR Chris Bell (J), WR Caulin Lacy (S), G Michael Gonzalez (S), T Jonathan Mendoza (S), DL Ashton Gillotte (S), S Devin Neal (S)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 10-2
Floor: 7-5
9. SMU, 7-5 (4-4)
Mustangs at a Glance:
Everybody is high on the Mustangs entering 2023, as Rhet Lashlee’s guys are coming off of an 11-3 season and an AAC championship. Yet, I find myself hesitant to rank SMU so high, as worries regarding the health of quarterback Preston Stone and the inevitable transition-fever from G5 to P4 lead me to believe SMU will not reach double digit wins in 2024. The defense, which ranked 12th nationally last season, returns six starters and brings in two highly touted transfers in edge Elijah Roberts and linebacker Justin Medlock. With surefire difference makers littered across the defensive line, rushing the passer will not be a problem. What will be a problem is when SMU’s newly put-together offensive line travels to Louisville after hosting FSU the week prior. While the Mustangs have talent, acclimating to the Power-4 takes time. Look for the Mustangs to keep every game close, and rely mostly on the play of their stellar defense to win games against lower-tier conference foes.
QB Preston Stone; SMU Athletics
QB Preston Stone (J), WR Jordan Hudson (J), WR Jake Bailey (S), C Justin Osborne (S), ED Elijah Roberts (S)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 9-3
Floor: 6-6
10. Syracuse, 7-5 (3-5)
Orange at a Glance:
The return of NFL-talent Oronde Gadsden II at tight end, the transfer of Kyle McCord at quarterback, and the return over half of 2023’s defensive production will benefit Fran Brown as he migrates over from Georgia in year one. The Orange were go-getters during portal season, with the kingpin being the transfer of McCord from Ohio State, and other additions including four offensive linemen and three receivers to replenish an offense that ranked 97th in the country last season. The defense returns most of the front seven, including standout linebacker Marlowe Wax and safeties Justin Barron and Alijah Clark. The schedule is, however, tricky, and full of trap games, which include Miami after UConn, and VT after Pitt. I am a huge fan of the culture Fran Brown has already established under the dome, but first year head coaches tend to see problems in Power conferences. Look for Gadsden to become one of the nation’s best tight ends.
TE Oronde Gadsden; Syracuse Athletics
QB Kyle McCord (S), RB LeQuint Allen (J), TE Oronde Gadsden II (J), TE Dan Villari (J), LB Marlowe Wax (S), S Justin Barron (S)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 9-3
Floor: 6-6
11. Boston College, 5-7 (3-5)
Eagles at a Glance:
After head coach Jeff Hafley left abruptly for an NFL job, BC found football-journeyman Bill O’Brien to be their next head coach. O’Brien has seen more success at the collegiate level than professional, and has shown his offensive ingenuity consistently throughout his stints at Brown and Penn State. He inherits one of the nation’s top rushing attacks, spearheaded by quarterback Thomas Castellanos. Runningback Kyle Robichaux returns following a bowl win to end 2023, and WR Lewis Bond steps into the WR1 role. On defense, the Eagles return seven starters, including six of seven front seven players and team leader Kam Arnold at linebacker. An inexperienced secondary and first year head coach does raise concern, and while I am a fan of BC’s style of play, I look at 2024 as a building year for the Eagles.
QB Thomas Castellanos; 247 Sports
QB Thomas Castellanos (J), RB Kyle Robichaux (S), T Ozzy Trapilo (S), C Drew Kendall (J), LB Kam Arnold (S)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 6-6
Floor: 4-8
12. Stanford, 5-7 (2-6)
Cardinal at a Glance:
Troy Taylor has done something no other Stanford coach has ever done thus far; use the transfer portal. The Cardinal, who’s 2023 season was highlighted by a comeback victory against Colorado, leveraged the return of wide receiver Elic Ayomanor and linebacker Gaethan Bernadel to portal higher tier FCS players to come play for coach Taylor. The offense did not receive the spoils of the portal, as nine starters return, including quarterback Ashton Daniels and four offensive linemen. The defense, which returns six starters from 2023, will rely on the standout play of linebackers Bernadel and Sinclair, as well as the experience of the secondary. Still, however, 2024 will be a building year in Taylor’s second season amongst the trees. the opener of ACC play against Syracuse may swing in favor of the Cardinal, swinging them into bowl status, but I aired on the side of caution while picking the schedule.
WR Elic Ayomanor; Stanford Athletics
QB Ashton Daniels (J), WR Elic Ayomanor (So), T Connor McLaughlin (S), LB Tristan Sinclair (S), LB Gaethan Bernadel (S)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 6-6
Floor: 3-9
13. Georgia Tech, 4-8 (2-6)
Yellow Jackets at a Glance:
Even if the Yellow Jackets finish 4-8, they will still be as qualified a team as any in the ACC. The talent on the roster is plentiful, the coaching has accelerated in their progress to restoring the GT program, and Haynes King is one of the ACC’s best quarterbacks. The problem? Look at the final seven games for GT. All seven teams I project to have double digit wins. Everybody is raving at the difficulty of Florida’s schedule, but the Yellow Jackets, who ranked 4th on Phil Steele’s list of hardest schedules, possess one of the hardest stretches in all of CFB with consecutive games against NCST, UGA and FSU. From a roster perspective, I view GT as a top eight team in the conference, with Jamal Haynes and Eric Singleton Jr. being legitimate weapons for King, and newcomer Jackson Hawes providing an excellent red zone catch radius. On defense, seven starters return including most of the front seven, led by IDL Zeek Biggers. I really hope this GT team proves me wrong, but I just can’t see this team reaching bowl status with this type of schedule.
QB Haynes King; Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com via The Atlanta Journal Constitution
QB Haynes King (J), RB Jamal Haynes (J), WR Eric Singleton Jr. (So), DL Zeek Biggers (S), CB Ahmari Harvey (J)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 6-6
Floor: 4-8
14. Pitt, 5-7 (2-6)
Panthers at a Glance:
Pitt is coming off its worst season since 1995 and head coach Pat Narduzzi sits firmly on the hot seat if 2024 does not get off to a fast start. The good news is that, aside from a week three Backyard Brawl against WVU, the Panthers will more than likely enter the bye week 3-1. Tight end Gavin Bartholomew is a dynamic weapon for whoever starts at quarterback (presumably Yarnell) to use. Runningbacks Rodney Hammond Jr. and Desmond Reid are a problem out of the backfield, and offensive line returns three starters. The defense, however, returns just two starters, both at safety. Against the potent ACC offenses, Pitt stands no chance, as their 114th ranked offense in 2023 cannot take a step up that significantly to contend with the likes of Clemson and WVU.
TE Gavin Bartholomew; Pitt Athletics
RB Rodney Hammond Jr., TE Gavin Bartholomew
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 6-6
Floor: 4-8
15. Duke, 4-8 (1-7)
Blue Devils at a Glance:
Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was lured from Happy Valley to Durham following the departure of Mike Elko for Texas A&M. Riley Leonard departed for Notre Dame, leaving the Blue Devils without a quarterback until Texas transfer and former five star prospect Maalik Murphy left the Forty Acres following Quinn Ewers’s choice to return. Surrounding Murphy are runningbacks Jaquez Moore and Star Thomas, as well as standout receiver Jordan Moore. On defense, leaders Jaylen Stinson and Tre Freeman look to improve on last season’s 41st ranked unit overall. Unfortunately, the middle of the schedule is tough, and Murphy, both inexperienced and not very technically sound, sits behind one of the conference’s worst offensive lines. Look for Duke to build under Manny Diaz a hard-nosed defense before the fireworks go off in Durham.
QB Maalik Murphy; Duke Athletics
QB Maalik Murphy (So), RB Jaquez Moore (S), RB Star Thomas (GD), WR Jordan Moore (S)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 5-7
Floor: 3-9
16. Wake Forest, 4-8 (1-7)
Demon Deacons at a Glance:
Aside from an experienced and talented defensive front, the Demon Deacons return little production from last season. Led by Kevin Pointer, the defense returns under 50% of 2023 production, a unit that ranked 74th nationally. Louisiana Tech transfer quarterback Hank Bachmeier takes the reigns of an offense returning marginal experience on the line, and, aside from its receiving room, little anywhere else. Number one receiver Taylor Morin is a fine option for Bachmeier, but the depth outside of the senior is in question. A hard back end of the schedule including Clemson, Cal, UNC, and Miami will not favor a Demon Deacons team that struggled heavily on offense without the guide of Sam Hartman last season. For WF to succeed in a bloodthirsty ACC, an elite quarterback is required, and Bachmeier, while experienced, is not that.
DL Kevin Pointer; Wake Forest Athletics
WR Taylor Morin (S), DL Kevin Pointer (S), LB Dylan Hazen (J)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 6-6
Floor: 4-8
17. Virginia, 1-11 (0-8)
Cavaliers at a Glance:
UVA may be the team I am lowest on nationally. There are no true difference makers on the offensive side of the football aside from Notre Dame transfer Chris Tyree. I do see potential in sophomore quarterback Anthony Colandrea (as a freshman threw for 1,958-13-9), but reports are certain that Tony Muskett will start for the Cavaliers. Tony Elliot is 6-16 in two years as head coach, and has won just three conference games and four FBS games. The defense, which returns less than 50% of production from 2023, ranked 101st nationally last season, gashed by the run game all year. Disorganization and overall poor recruiting has led to a decline of the UVA football program, and with 2024 offering a loaded conference schedule, look for UVA to struggle mightily, on both sides of the ball.
RB Koby Pace; Kris Wright/TheSabre.com
WR Chirs Tyree (S), FS Jonas Sanker (S)
Schedule:
Players to Watch:
Ceiling: 5-7
Floor: 1-11
Championship Game Prediction:
vs.
Clemson
(10-2, 7-1)
Florida State
(11-1, 8-0)
The Five Best Regular Season Games:
vs.
The Hokies could be 9-0 when Clemson visits Blacksburg in November. The Tigers are looking to continue their six game win streak against VT dating back to 2011.
vs.
A preview of the ACC Championship between the two crown jewels of the ACC. Florida State defeated Clemson last season, but Clemson returns more production.
vs.
Two incontestable top ten teams battle in early November, with CFP hopes at stake. Notre Dame’s only chance at the fifth seed relies on a win against the Seminoles.
vs.
A revamped Miami squad looks to defeat FSU for the first time in four years behind the captainship of Cam Ward. The winner of Florida will more than likely be the winner.
vs.
NC State has not won an away game in this series since 2002. Clemson has lost two of the last three games. Grayson McCall pilots a hungry Wolfpack team.