Preseason College Football 2024 All-ACC Team & Awards: Clemson and Miami Overtake Florida State
Clemson and Miami have the most talent in the ACC
The ACC recently welcomed Cal, SMU, and Stanford in an effort to secure the conference’s future. The new programs have some talented football players, but Clemson, Florida State, and Miami are still the class of the ACC. Louisville and Virginia Tech will also be involved in the mix this season as both teams reap the benefits of multi-year building processes.
Aside from Kenny Pickett’s 2021 Pitt Panthers, Clemson and Florida State have won every ACC Championship since the start of the 2011 season. Miami finally has the stability at quarterback to make a push, but the Seminoles and Tigers are well-positioned to defend their dominance.
Please note that these teams don’t reflect how I view players as NFL prospects. Talent plays a role in these evaluations, but projected on-field performance and production are more meaningful.
*Indicates 2024 transfer
^Indicates true freshman
ACC Offensive Player of the Year: Cameron Ward, QB Miami
ACC Defensive Player of the Year: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge Miami
ACC Newcomer of the Year: Cameron Ward, QB Miami
ACC Coach of the Year: Brent Pry, Virginia Tech
Cameron Ward easily claims Offensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. He has improved every year in college and is coming off a year with 3,736 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns. Ward posted those numbers with a bad Washington State supporting cast, suggesting he’s in for a bump with Miami’s talented squad.
Speaking of talented Hurricanes, Rueben Bain Jr. applied pressure on 12.7% of his rush attempts as a true freshman. That’s not an elite number, but it’s a great showing for the former four-star. His flashes of dominant play suggest he’ll reach new heights in 2024.
Brent Pry isn’t the best coach in the ACC, but his Hokies are poised to reach heights they haven’t since the mid-2010s. There are other competitive programs in the conference, but Pry could secure this award by helping his team overachieve compared to previous expectations.
First Team Offense
Quarterback: Cameron Ward, QB Miami*
Running Back: Omarion Hampton, RB North Carolina
Running Back: Damien Martinez, RB Miami
Wide Receiver: Elic Ayomanor, WR Stanford
Wide Receiver: Kevin Concepcion, WR North Carolina State
Wide Receiver: Xavier Restrepo, WR Miami
Tight End: Oronde Gadsden II, TE Syracuse
All-Purpose: Jaydn Ott, RB Cal
Left Tackle: Anthony Belton, LT North Carolina State
Right Tackle: Blake Miller, RT Clemson
Left Guard: Michael Gonzalez, LG Louisville
Right Guard: Anez Cooper, RG Miami
Center: Brian Stevens, C Virginia
First Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge Miami
Defensive End/Edge: Ashton Gillotte, Edge Louisville
Defensive Tackle: Joshua Farmer, IDL Florida State
Defensive Tackle: Aeneas Peebles, IDL Virginia Tech*
Linebacker: Barrett Carter, LB Clemson
Linebacker: Francisco Mauigoa, LB Miami
Linebacker: Kaimon Rucker, OLB/Edge North Carolina
Cornerback: Quincy Riley, CB Louisville
Cornerback: Dorian Strong, CB Virginia Tech
Safety: Jonas Sanker, S Virginia
Safety: Justin Barron, DB Syracuse
Miami separates from all ACC programs on the First Team. The Hurricanes placed six players on the unit. Louisville finished second with three players. Six programs, including Clemson, finished with two First Team selections. Cal, Florida State, and Stanford avoided being shut out with one selection apiece while Boston College, Duke, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, SMU, and Wake Forest were not represented.
Xavier Restrepo and Houston transfer Samuel Brown were in a battle for the last wide receiver spot. Either Miami receiver could’ve claimed it. Brown has more physical potential and upside, but Restrepo is the more consistent separator who closely mirrors the skill sets Cameron Ward has played alongside in the past.
The former Pac-12 schools each contributed their star player to the mix. Elic Ayomanor gave Colorado superstar Travis Hunter all he could handle last year, while Jaydn Ott tied for 17th in the nation in yards from scrimmage. Omarion Hampton was the only ACC player to finish above Ott.
Oronde Gadsden II is a tight end in name only. He doesn’t play in-line because Syracuse uses him as a big slot receiver who provides mismatch opportunities. His 2023 season was cut short after less than two games because of a Lisfranc foot injury, but he posted 975 yards in 2022.
Unlike other platforms, I usually refrain from including edge rushers in my linebacker accolades. However, there was no off-ball linebacker who deserved First Team honors above Kaimon Rucker. It would’ve been criminal to leave him off the team after he finished eighth in the FBS in pressures among all defenders last season (60 total).
Speaking of pressure leaders, Ashton Gillotte finished tenth (58) in the FBS. Other leading ACC defenders who ranked nationally included Elijah Roberts in second (71), Xavier Carlton tied for 14th (55), Antwaun Powell-Ryland tied for 24th (48), Jasheen Davis tied for 28th (46), Rueben Bain Jr. tied for 33rd (45), and Patrick Payton tied for 39th (44). Recent Miami transfer portal addition Tyler Baron also ranked in the top 50 nationally (tied for 50th) with 41 pressures.
Dorian Strong might be the ACC’s best 2025 draft prospect at cornerback, but no one takes the ball away like Quincy Riley. In the past three seasons, Riley has 11 interceptions and 23 passes defensed. For reference, the other three defensive backs on the First Team have seven total interceptions across their 11 combined seasons in college football.
Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Kryon Drones, QB Virginia Tech
Running Back: LeQuint Allen, RB Syracuse
Running Back: Phil Mafah, RB Clemson
Wide Receiver: Samuel Brown, WR Miami*
Wide Receiver: Da'Quan Felton, WR Virginia Tech
Wide Receiver: Caullin Lacy, WR Louisville*
Tight End: Jake Brinningstool, TE Clemson
All-Purpose: Bhayshul Tuten, RB Virginia Tech
Left Tackle: Jalen Rivers, LT Miami
Right Tackle: Francis Mauigoa, RT Miami
Left Guard: Logan Parr, LG SMU
Right Guard: Willie Lampkin, RG North Carolina
Center: Maurice Smith, C Florida State
Second Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Elijah Roberts, Edge SMU
Defensive End/Edge: T.J. Parker, Edge Clemson
Defensive Tackle: DeMonte Capehart, IDL Clemson
Defensive Tackle: Darrell Jackson Jr., IDL Florida State
Linebacker: Power Echols, LB North Carolina
Linebacker: DJ Lundy, LB Florida State
Linebacker: Marlowe Wax, LB Syracuse
Cornerback: Aydan White, CB North Carolina State
Cornerback: Avieon Terrell, CB Clemson
Safety: Devin Neal, S Louisville
Safety: R.J. Mickens, S Clemson
The Second Team is championed by six Clemson products. Florida State, Miami, and Virginia Tech are the next most represented programs, but they only have half as many selections as the Tigers (three apiece). Louisville, North Carolina, SMU, and Syracuse had multiple selections while North Carolina State got one player on the board. Boston College, Duke, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Virginia, and Wake Forest were not represented.
All of Virginia Tech’s selections are on offense. Dual-threat quarterback Kyron Drones leads the way followed by former Norfolk State receiver Da'Quan Felton and former North Carolina A&T running back Bhayshul Tuten. Tuten offers upside as a pass catcher and is a star return man. He was a Second Team All-ACC all-purpose selection last season.
The ACC lacks depth at quarterback compared to the Big Ten and SEC. Drones is not a polished passer, but he has one of the strongest arms in the country. He and Cameron Ward could go toe-to-toe with any conference’s leading duo in a throwing distance competition. Drones’ mobility and supporting cast ultimately put him over the top against other ACC options.
The First Team features mostly proven superstars, but the Second Team relies more on flashy, up-and-coming talents. Avieon Terrell (brother of NFL All-Pro A.J. Terrell), T.J. Parker (applied pressure on 12.87% of his pass rush reps), and Francis Mauigoa (allowed pressure on 4.81% of his pass sets) were all true freshmen in 2023.
There are also talented veterans DeMonte Capehart, DJ Lundy, Phil Mafah, and R.J. Mickens who will see significant increases in volume after talented players above them transferred or entered the NFL. Darrell Jackson Jr., a former Maryland and Miami transfer, has barely played for Florida State because the NCAA denied his hardship waiver last year. All of these players project as star contributors for their teams.
Third Team Offense
Quarterback: Preston Stone, QB SMU
Running Back: Jamal Haynes, RB Georgia Tech
Running Back: Roydell Williams, RB Florida State*
Wide Receiver: Malachi Fields, WR Virginia
Wide Receiver: Eric Singleton Jr., WR Georgia Tech
Wide Receiver: Jordan Moore, WR Duke
Tight End: RJ Maryland, TE SMU
All-Purpose: Jordan Waters, RB North Carolina State*
Left Tackle: Darius Washington, LT Florida State
Right Tackle: Ozzy Trapilo, RT Boston College
Left Guard: Marcus Tate, LG Clemson
Guard: Walker Parks, RG Clemson
Center: Luke Petitbon, C Wake Forest
Third Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Jasheen Davis, Edge Wake Forest
Defensive End/Edge: Patrick Payton, Edge Florida State
Defensive Tackle: Simeon Barrow Jr., IDL Miami*
Defensive Tackle: Ricky Correia, IDL Cal
Linebacker: Kam Robinson, LB Virginia
Linebacker: TJ Quinn, LB Louisville
Linebacker: Ahmad Walker, LB SMU
Cornerback: Mansoor Delane, CB Virginia Tech
Cornerback: Jaylen Stinson, NB Duke
Safety: Donovan McMillon, S Pittsburgh
Safety: Khalil Barnes, NB Clemson
Clemson, Florida State, and SMU tied with three selections apiece on the Third Team. Duke, Georgia Tech, Virginia, and Wake Forest had two players earn Third Team honors. Boston College, Cal, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech were also represented. North Carolina, Stanford, and Syracuse were shut out.
The Third Team is a mix of players from all sorts of production backgrounds. Khalil Barnes earned Freshman All-American honors in 2023 from several outlets while Darius Washington and Jordan Waters wrapped up their fifth seasons in college football. Roydell Williams was overshadowed at Alabama while RJ Maryland tied for the second-most receiving touchdowns by a tight end in the FBS. It’s a nice mix.
Jamal Haynes, who ranked fifth in yards from scrimmage in the ACC last year, and Jasheen Davis, who finished one tackle for loss behind Payton Wilson and Francisco Mauigoa for the conference lead, are the Third Team’s heavy hitters. Mansoor Delane, Malachi Fields, and Patrick Payton have the potential to graduate to that level of play in 2024.
Final Outcome and Recap
Clemson and Miami were the only programs with double-digit selections this year. The Tigers led the way with 11 players, and Miami finished in second place with ten. For reference, Florida State led the way last year with 14 preseason All-ACC selections, and Clemson and Miami tied at nine.
The Seminoles didn’t dominate this year, but they still had a quality showing. Florida State placed seven players on my Preseason All-ACC Teams. Louisville and Virginia Tech tied for the fourth-most players with six each, followed by SMU with five, and a four-way tie between North Carolina, North Carolina State, Syracuse, and Virginia with four selections.
Cal, Duke, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest all had two selections. Boston College, Pittsburgh, and Stanford avoided being blanked but only mustered one selection.
Despite several bottom-of-the-barrel teams, these All-ACC bids are distributed pretty well. Things are certainly more even than last year, and that’s taking into account three new teams joining the conference.
Only seven players across the three teams were transfers who joined their current programs this offseason. No true freshmen made the teams.
There were quite a few players I wasn’t happy about leaving off the Preseason All-ACC Teams. A slew of edge rushers top the list, including Tyler Baron, Xavier Carlton, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Antwaun Powell-Ryland, and potential breakout star Peter Woods.
Florida State cornerback Fentrell Cypress II, Miami wide receiver Jacolby George, North Carolina tight end Bryson Nesbit, Syracuse safety Alijah Clark, and Wake Forest offensive tackle DeVonte Gordon are also on that short list.
Five Additional Breakout Candidates
1. Jaylin Lane, WR Virginia Tech
2. Peter Woods, Edge Clemson
3. Justin Joly, WR/TE North Carolina State*
4. Fadil Diggs, Edge Syracuse*
5. Tyler Brown, WR Clemson
Honorable Mentions: Offense
Thomas Castellanos, QB Boston College
Haynes King, QB Georgia Tech
Grayson McCall, QB North Carolina State*
Kyle McCord, QB Syracuse*
Maalik Murphy, QB Duke*
Tyler Shough, QB Louisville*
D.J. Uiagalelei, QB Florida State*
Jaylan Knighton, RB SMU
Jaquez Moore, RB Duke
Kye Robichaux, RB Boston College
Lawrance Toafili, RB Florida State
Treshaun Ward, RB Boston College*
Gavin Bartholomew, TE Pittsburgh
Corey Dyches, TE Cal*
Jack Endries, TE Cal
Nick Gallo, TE Virginia Tech
Jackson Hawes, TE Georgia Tech*
Kamari Morales, TE Boston College*
Bryson Nesbit, TE North Carolina
Mark Redman, TE Louisville*
Sam Roush, TE Stanford
Malik Benson, WR Florida State*
Lewis Bond, WR Boston College
Jerand Bradley, WR Boston College*
Ja'Corey Brooks, WR Louisville*
Tyler Brown, WR Clemson
Jacolby George, WR Miami
Donavon Greene, WR Wake Forest
Trond Grizzell, WR Cal
Trell Harris, WR Virginia*
Ali Jennings, WR Virginia Tech
Justin Joly, WR/TE North Carolina State*
J.J. Jones, WR North Carolina
Jaylin Lane, WR Virginia Tech
Nate McCollum, WR North Carolina
Jayden McGowan, WR Boston College*
Taylor Morin, WR, Wake Forest
Konata Mumpfield, WR Pittsburgh
Noah Rogers, WR North Carolina State*
Chris Tyree, WR Virginia*
Antonio Williams, WR Clemson
DeVonte Gordon, LT Wake Forest
Tristan Leigh, LT Clemson
Monroe Mills, LT Louisville*
Robert Scott Jr., LT Florida State
Branson Taylor, LT Pittsburgh
Logan Taylor, LT Boston College
Jeremiah Byers, RT Florida State
Brian Parker II, RT Duke
Jacarrius Peak, RT North Carolina State
T.J. Session, RT Cal
Da'Metrius Weatherspoon, RT Syracuse*
Joe Fusile, LG Georgia Tech
Will McDonald, LG Cal
Rush Reimer, LG Cal*
Montavious Cunningham, RG Virginia Tech*
Zach Carpenter, C Miami
Zeke Correll, C North Carolina State*
Terrence Moore, C Pittsburgh
Pete Nygra, C Louisville*
Honorable Mentions: Defense
Kendy Charles, IDL Duke*
Brandon Cleveland, IDL North Carolina State
Anthony Franklin, IDL Stanford
Thor Griffith, IDL Louisville*
Clay Patterson, IDL Stanford*
Kevin Pointer, IDL Wake Forest
Elijah Alston, Edge Miami*
David Bailey, Edge Stanford
Tyler Baron, Edge Miami*
Chico Bennett Jr., Edge Virginia
Kam Butler, Edge Virginia
Xavier Carlton, Edge Cal
Fadil Diggs, Edge Syracuse*
Desmond Evans, Edge North Carolina
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge Boston College
Romello Height, Edge Georgia Tech*
Marvin Jones Jr., Edge Florida State*
Tramel Logan, Edge Louisville*
Sione Lolohea, Edge Florida State*
Nate Matlack, Edge Pittsburgh*
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Edge Virginia Tech
David Reese, Edge Cal
Mason Reiger, Edge Louisville
Isaiah Smith, Edge SMU
Davin Vann, Edge North Carolina State
Wesley Williams, Edge Duke
Peter Woods, Edge Clemson
Kam Arnold, LB Boston College
Gaethan Bernadel, LB Stanford
Sean Brown, LB North Carolina State
Teddye Buchanan, LB Cal*
Dylan Hazen, LB Wake Forest
Keli Lawson, LB Virginia Tech
Tristan Sinclair, LB Stanford
Keye Thompson, LB Pittsburgh*
Cade Uluave, LB Cal
Kobe Wilson, LB SMU
Wade Woodaz, LB Clemson
Marcus Allen, CB North Carolina
Marcellus Barnes Jr., CB Syracuse^
Damari Brown, CB Miami
Fentrell Cypress II, CB Florida State
Tre'shon Devones, CB Duke*
Marcus Harris, CB Cal*
Ahmari Harvey, CB Georgia Tech
Alijah Huzzie, CB North Carolina
Shelton Lewis, CB Clemson
Tahveon Nicholson, CB Louisville*
Daryl Porter Jr., CB Miami
Mishael Powell, NB Miami*
Chandler Rivers, CB Duke
Cale Sanders Jr., NB SMU
Kendren Smith, CB Virginia*
Azareye'h Thomas, CB Florida State
Corey Thomas Jr., NB Virginia*
Corey Thornton, CB Louisville*
Nohl Williams, CB Cal
Charles Woods, CB SMU
Collin Wright, CB Stanford
Devan Boykin, S North Carolina State
LaMiles Brooks, S Georgia Tech
Shyheim Brown, S Florida State
Duce Chestnut, DB Syracuse*
Alijah Clark, S Syracuse
Devin Grant, S Syracuse*
Kylon Griffin, S Clemson
Antavious Lane, S North Carolina
Jonathan McGill, S SMU
Javon McIntyre, S Pittsburgh
Isaiah Nwokobia, S SMU
Craig Woodson, S Cal