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| Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech |
10. Syracuse Orange
I don't think even the most optimistic of Syracuse fans expected what Fran Brown was able to do in Year One with the Orange. They were one of the best stories in college football last fall, winning ten games total, capped off with a bowl victory in the Holiday Bowl. Now, the challenge for Brown and staff evolves - can he maintain the momentum and turn this longtime basketball school into a legitimate football contender?
Syracuse will be without the quarterback who got them there last season, as Kyle McCord departs after a 2024 in which he racked up the accolades. He finished as the nation's leading passer, the program's first-ever 4,000-yard passer, and the highest Heisman finish for the Orange since Dwight Freeney in 2001. Needless to say, whoever steps into the starting role has big shoes to fill, whether it's Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli or LSU transfer Rickie Collins. Angeli, who came in during the spring, seems to have the edge right now.
The new quarterback won't have McCord's favorite target back to throw to, after Trebor Pena hit the portal during the spring. Instead, Syracuse will lean on a host of talented, but inexperienced options, while hoping former Texas wide out Johntay Cook II finally fulfills his vast potential. There are lots of new faces on the offensive line, too, although former UNC transfer Zach Rice lays a strong foundation at center.
The defense took their lumps in 2024 and has to replace several important pieces. The front seven in particular was hit hard by attrition over the offseason, with linebacker Derek McDonald one of the few proven commodities still around up front.
Things are in better shape on the back-end, as senior safety Duce Chestnut will play a leading role, as will veteran corner Devin Grant. There's also palpable excitement buzzing around true freshman Demetres Samuel Jr., who could start at cornerback and also play both sides depending on how the Orange choose to deploy him in 2025.
Bottom Line: Replicating the magic of last season will be difficult with so many losses on both sides of the ball, especially with the schedule getting trickier. Yet, Brown seems like the right guy for the job, to be able to handle the adversity and move forward. If he can keep the Orange from backtracking too far and still get to a bowl game, it could set the stage for greater things on the horizon in 2026.
11. Boston College Eagles
It was a bit of a strange debut campaign for Bill O'Brien in Chestnut Hill. The Eagles won four of their first five games, then lost four of their next five, and finished with a pair of wins to close out the regular season. The hope for the team in 2025 is that there is more consistency, and they can continue to ascend the ACC pecking order.
Things are unsettled at quarterback, with Grayson James competing with former Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan. Lonergan has the pedigree as a former blue-chip recruit who originally joined O'Brien in Tuscaloosa but last year, it felt like the team played best with James. Whoever does secure the job will have the luxury of throwing to wide out Lewis Bond on the perimeter.
The offensive line saw two players get drafted over the season in Ozzy Trapilo and Drew Kendall, so there is likely some shuffling that will need to go on up front. They'll have to gel quickly if the ground game is to be effective, with sophomore Turbo Richard the likely feature back after rushing for 278 yards in 2024.
There's both good and bad news on the defensive side of the ball. On one hand, the trio of J.P. Price, Carter Davis, and Max Tucker all returning in the secondary should mean Boston College defends the pass far better after being one of the worst in power conference football in that category last season.
On the other hand, it can't be overstated how big of a loss defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku is, a guy who is now playing on Sundays with the Dallas Cowboys. Ezeiruaku was not just a sack machine, his mere presence captured the attention of blockers, and helped other Eagles get after the passer. There's still some nice pieces back up front, but Boston College is still almost assuredly going to take a step back in their pass rush.
Bottom Line: The Eagles just have the feeling of a middle-of-the-pack team in the ACC this fall. They have enough on both sides of the ball to be a tough out, but not enough right now to be considered a true contender. The schedule is tricky, with dates against Michigan State and Notre Dame in the non-conference, but matching last season's seven wins seems within the realm of possibility. Who knows, if the quarterback can take off, perhaps the Eagles are primed for a big upset or two.
12. Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech was a popular preseason darling heading into 2024, thanks to the return of Kyron Drones at quarterback, a lot of returning defensive talent, and a favorable schedule. Unfortunately, they were not quite able to live up to that billing, instead going 6-6 before being dismantled by Minnesota in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
Now, Brent Pry will enter Your Four with a roster in transition. Drones still gives them a great starting point, as the veteran signal-caller can be one of the best in the ACC when healthy. He should form an interesting pairing with new offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery, who has led high-scoring offenses at several previous stops.
Drones needs more help around him this fall, and the Hokies are hopeful several newcomers will be able to do just that. Bowling Green transfer Terion Stewart is set to take over for the departed Bhayshul Tuten at running back, while Donovan Greene arrives at wide receiver after a long career with Wake Forest.
The offensive line is a major concern, as Virginia Tech must replace all five starters to a unit that wasn't very good for much of last season. In an ACC that has a bevy of elite pass rushers, that could be the types of Achilles Heel that kills VT's season.
The defense also has a new coordinator, as Sam Siefkes takes over after coming over from the NFL. He's tasked with improving a unit that was fine across the board in 2024, but must get even better if the Hokies are to reach their goals.
The front seven is in a great spot, as veteran Kelvin Gilliam Jr. sets the tone on the interior defensive line, and linebackers Jaden Keller and Caleb Woodson clean things up from sideline to sideline. The secondary could be a different story with heavy losses, although the Hokies were active in the portal finding replacements, including Isaiah Brown-Murray from East Carolina and Tyson Flowers out of Rice.
Bottom Line: This is a huge year for Pry and his future at Virginia Tech. There have been some flashes, but a 16-21 mark through three seasons isn't going to cut it at a school that saw years of consistent success under Frank Beamer. A healthy Drones makes the offense at least interesting, especially with a new coordinator and some interesting new pieces. But, this still just feels like an average Virginia Tech team, one who will likely hover around .500 again unless something drastic changes. The August 31 opener against a South Carolina team with lofty goals, in Atlanta no less, will tell us a lot about what type of fall it will be for the Hokies in 2025.
13. Virginia Cavaliers
A 4-1 start had Virginia dreaming of their first bowl game since 2019, but the final two months of 2024 proved to be their undoing. They would go on to lose six of their next seven games, most of them being blowouts, en route to a disappointing 5-7 finish. Despite the conclusion of the season, head coach Tony Elliott was brought back for a fourth year, which the program hopes will finally be the breakthrough.
A new quarterback will run the show for Elliott and offensive coordinator Des Kitchings, as Chandler Morris transfers in from North Texas. It's been a strange college career for Morris, the son of former Arkansas head man Chad Morris, as he's spent time at Oklahoma, TCU, and North Texas. He put up huge numbers in the American Athletic, but will it translate to the ACC?
Morris will have to make do without Virginia's top receiver from last season, as Malachi Fields transferred to Notre Dame. There are also questions on the offensive line, as the group was hit hard by defections over the offseason and then saw Louisville transfer Monroe Mills go down with a season-ending injury in the spring.
The good news is that the ground game could be quite effective after struggling for most of last season. Xavier Brown is likely to get the first crack as feature back as the holdover on the roster, but transfers like Isaiah Augustave from Colorado and Harrison Waylee from Wyoming should make an impact.
The defense must be better if Virginia is to make the postseason. They were especially bad against the pass in 2024, surrendering over 263 yards per game, which ranked 120th nationally. It's not encouraging that there was significant turnover in the secondary this offseason, although there is hope the fresh faces could be a good thing for the unit.
The Cavaliers should be fine up front, as they return plenty of veteran leadership and strategically filled holes through the portal. The interior defensive line duo of Jahmeer Carter and Anthony Britton should be stout and lead a physical rush defense.
Bottom Line: It's been a slow build for Elliott and the Cavaliers, a program that was competing for ACC Titles not long ago under Bronco Mendenhall. This team still has holes, but there is reason to believe they can make their first bowl trip under Elliott. Morris is a capable quarterback, there's just enough playmaking, and potential for improvement on defense. Add in the fact they have a good shot at going 3-0 in the non-conference, six wins seems attainable.
14. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
It's a new day in Winston-Salem, as Jake Dickert is set to take over at Wake Forest after a successful run at Washington State. Dickert replaces Dave Clawson, who completely turned around the program but was doomed by two consecutive 4-8 records to conclude his tenure.
There is a transition for the offense away from Clawson and former coordinator Warren Ruggiero's unique scheme. Tailback Demond Claiborne will certainly be the priority after totaling 13 touchdowns in 2024, but the Demon Deacons need new faces to emerge.
The expectation is that well-traveled Robby Ashford may start at quarterback, although former Charlotte transfer DeShawn Purdie looks ready to push him. Ashford, who is on his fourth school, can make things happen with his legs and does have power conference experience, but he's one-dimensional and limited in what he can do. Purdie at least gives Wake some options, even if he will likely need time to adjust to ACC action.
Things didn't go great for Wake Forest defenses during the end of Clawson's tenure, but Dickert is going to come in with a fresh perspective. He brings in Scottie Hazelton as coordinator, who has held the same position at Michigan State and Kansas State, but spent 2024 as an assistant at Texas.
There are some pieces for Hazelton to work with on this side of the ball. Safety Nick Andersen is a steady veteran who led the conference in tackles last season and provides key leadership in the locker room. Senior linebacker Dylan Hazen is also an important returnee who should give the rush defense a fine starting point.
Bottom Line: Dickert knows how to win at places with limited resources, but this is will not be an easy build. Clawson did a great job here, but the challenge gets more difficult in the NIL and transfer portal era. There's enough on the 2025 roster to think the Demon Deacons could at least be feisty, but their ceiling feels rather low. Returning to a bowl game after two seasons without one would be a reasonable goal - especially with a buttery soft non-conference slate.
15. North Carolina Tar Heels
It always felt like Mack Brown was so close to a breakthrough at UNC but despite all the NFL talent that came through Chapel Hill his second stint in town, it never quite happened. So, who did the Tar Heels get as a replacement? None other than Bill Belichick, the winningest Super Bowl coach in NFL history, who has never coached in the college ranks.
Belichick has overhauled things here at UNC, and things will look quite different on both sides of the ball. Former NFL head coach Freddie Kitchens is set to run the offense, as he oversees a quarterback battle between Max Johnson, who missed nearly all of 2024 with a broken leg, and South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez, considered the up-and-comer. Whoever does win the job will have more pressure on them this fall, not only with Belichick but also without star back Omarion Hampton in the backfield.
The pass-catchers appear at least interesting, with the potential to be a fun offense if things click. Kobe Paysour has flashed when healthy, and there is hope rising sophomore Jordan Shipp can put it all together. At tight end, Jake Johnson, the younger brother of Max, came into school with high expectations but is still trying to put together a full season as a junior.
The defense was an Achilles Heel throughout Mack Brown's tenure, but Belichick is hoping his son Steve can turn around the culture on this side of the ball. There's a whole lot newcomers, and the Tar Heels received disappointing news in the spring when Beau Atkinson, their top defensive end, transferred out to Ohio State.
The secondary is primed to be the most experienced and likely best unit on this defense in 2025. Marcus Allen, Will Hardy, and Kaleb Cost are all familiar names that should ensure a semblance of continuity for this team this fall. Veteran Gavin Gibson also arrives from East Carolina, and could see starting snaps right away.
Bottom Line: The Tar Heels simply weren't very good last season at 6-7, and the Belichick hire just feels... strange. The program has long had potential, but they are now hitching themselves to a 73-year-old head coach whose off-the-field drama could weigh heavy in 2025. Perhaps things are able to come together and this ranking will be far too low, but I lean more into the camp that this has potential disaster written all over it. It would not surprise me if there is a new head coach on the sidelines in 2026.
16. California Golden Bears
Justin Wilcox enters Year Nine at the helm in Berkeley after a 6-7 mark in 2024. Wilcox has faced challenge after challenge with the Golden Bears, from COVID through realignment forcing them into a difficult travel situation in ACC, but has still done a fine job keeping the program consistent.
That stability with Wilcox was put to the test this spring, as Cal saw a mass exodus through the transfer portal. QB Fernando Mendoza had already left, but he was joined by star tailback Jadyn Ott, who left for Oklahoma, and several other likely starters for the 2025 team. Needless to say, the program enters 2025 with question marks.
With Mendoza gone, Ohio State transfer Devin Brown is expected to take over at quarterback. We know Brown can run, but his passing ability is still very much in question after playing sparingly in Columbus. He will have a talented wide out to throw to in Trond Grizzell, and UNLV transfer Jacob De Jesus should bring playmaking.
The ground game already struggled a year ago with Ott, and now must break in a new starter behind a new-look offensive line. Kendrick Raphael comes over from ACC foe NC State and is likely to be the starter, at least to being the year.
Wilcox has long had strong defenses in Berkeley, but the 2025 group has significant questions. The defensive backfield in particular will be leaning on a slew of transfers as they move forward without their best player, Nohl Williams, who led FBS in interceptions before going on to become a third round selection by Kansas City.
The front seven has more familiar faces, including guys like Cade Uluave and T.J. Bollers, that should keep this defense from taking too far of a step backwards. Uluave is the team's best tackler, making 71 stops a season ago, but Cal needs more consistent pass rush from a defensive line that was mediocre for much of last fall.
Bottom Line: Cal is already at a disadvantage with their travel schedule, and the mass exodus over the offseason leaves the program in a weird spot as they prepare for 2025. There's still enough on the roster to believe that the Bears won't completely bottom out, but it's difficult to see a route for them as ACC contenders, either. Simply getting back to a bowl game may be a challenge, a worrying sign for Wilcox and his future after nearly a decade at the helm.
17. Stanford Cardinal
Andrew Luck has returned to his alma mater and made sweeping changes in his new general manager position. First among them was firing head coach Troy Taylor, who went 6-18 with the program, and was under investigation into alleged bullying of member of the Stanford athletic department.
To replace Taylor, Luck brought in Frank Reich to serve as the head coach, in a role that will likely only be for one season. Luck and Reich know each other going back to their days with the Indianapolis Colts, but Reich has never coached at the college level. He also inherits a Cardinal team still figuring out their identity in the post-David Shaw era.
First things first for Reich will be figuring out the quarterback situation after incumbent starter Ashton Daniels transferred out. Redshirt freshman Elijah Brown appears to be the favorite, although former Oregon State starter Ben Gulbranson will also factor in. Whoever starts will have to work with a talented, but unproven, receiver corps.
The backfield may not be at the level it once was in the early to mid 2010s, but this could be a strength of the team. Micah Ford, Sedrick Irvin Jr., and Chris Davis Jr. gives Stanford an abundance of options to choose from.
The defense has been a persistent problem in recent years, but there is hope this group can figure it out in 2025. There's a lot of experience returning at all three levels, including proven veterans like edge rusher Tevarua Tafiti and defensive back Collin Wright.
Linebacker play was once one of the defining aspects of Stanford's football program, but this group has taken a real dive during the lean last few years. It doesn't help that there is turnover in this group once again heading into 2025, although Jahsiah Galvin and Matt Rose look ready to start on the inside.
Bottom Line: Between the program struggling to find an identity and the unique factors going against them in the NIL and portal era, it's no surprise that Stanford has fallen out of national contention. 2025 is likely going to be more of the same as the team spends time near the cellar of the ACC, but there is hope on the horizon. Luck seems like the right guy to lead the program, and there are some young pieces on this roster that may begin to emerge. If they can make some progress this fall, perhaps 2026 and 2027 could yield even greater things.
All-ACC Teams
First Team
QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
RB Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
RB Isaac Brown, Louisville
WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
WR T.J. Moore, Clemson
TE Justin Joly, NC State
OL Blake Miller, Clemson
OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami
OL James Brockermeyer, Miami
OL Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
OL P.J. Williams, SMU
DL T.J. Parker, Clemson
DL Peter Woods, Clemson
DL Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
LB Kyle Efford, Georgia Tech
LB Sammy Brown, Clemson
CB Aveion Terrell, Clemson
CB Chandler Rivers, Duke
S Terry Moore, Duke
S K.J. Kirkland, Florida State
Second Team
QB Carson Beck, Miami
RB Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech
RB Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
WR Bryant Wesco Jr., Clemson
WR Malik Rutherford, Georgia Tech
TE R.J. Maryland, SMU
OL Brian Parker, Duke
OL Walker Parks, Clemson
OL Zach Rice, Syracuse
OL Micah Pettus, Florida State
OL Tristan Leigh, Clemson
DL Will Heldt, Clemson
DL Akheem Mesidor, Miami
DL Nick James, Pittsburgh
DL Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke
LB Rasheem Biles, Pittsburgh
LB T.J. Quinn, Louisville
LB Wade Woodaz, Clemson
CB O.J. Frederique, Miami
CB Dante Lovett, Virginia Tech
S Isaiah Nwokobia, SMU
S Nick Andersen, Wake Forest
The Five Most Important Games
1. Clemson vs. LSU (August 30) -- Is Clemson ready to contend for National Titles again? The season opener against LSU will tell us a lot about both teams, but Clemson is eager to prove themselves after being blown out by an SEC foe to begin the year last fall. No matter who wins, the QB matchup between Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier should provide plenty of reason to tune in.
2. SMU @ Clemson (October 18) -- A rematch of last year's ACC Championship Game, this one should have important implications inside the league once again in 2025. The Mustangs gave the Tigers all they could handle last season, and should be out for vengeance as they go on the road here.
3. Notre Dame @ Miami (August 31) -- This rivalry game seems to always have high stakes, and it's particularly interesting this year considering it will be the start of the season for both teams. Miami will be breaking in a new quarterback, Carson Beck, and a whole bunch of new faces on both sides of the ball, while the Irish are out to prove their run to the National Championship Game this past January was no fluke.
4. Clemson @ South Carolina (November 29) -- Another game that is always a good one, this is a rivalry that will be taken up a notch in 2025. South Carolina came away with a thrilling win last fall and the architect of that win, LaNorris Sellers, is back. With both teams angling for a College Football Playoff berth, this could serve as a play-in game.
5. Florida @ Miami (September 20) -- The two in-state rivals collide again this fall after Cam Ward and the Hurricanes pounded Florida in "The Swamp" last fall. Ward is gone, but being in Coral Gables for this one should be crucial for a Miami team looking for a key win here before a difficult October stretch.
Superlatives
Offensive Player of the Year: Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson
Coach of the Year: Brent Key, Georgia Tech
Freshman of the Year: Kevin Wynn, DL, Florida State
Transfer of the Year: Carson Beck, QB, Miami
ACC Championship Game: Clemson over Miami
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