The ACC conference for college football was highly anticipated last year due to Florida St who were led by Jamesis Winston, who is a very controversial quarterback heading to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This year it is Deshaun Watson, the Clemson quarterback who is ready to have a breakout season once again. Here is the entire ACC conference breakdown of who will rise to the top and grab national attention.
Boston College- Myles Willis and Jon Hilliman lead the powerful backfield of the Eagles into contention of a bowl game potentially. BC was 15th in the nation last year in rushing so it only makes sense to continue the rushing attack called by Coach Addazio and company. Steven Daniels will anchor the linebacker position and use his 6′ 257 pound frame to stop the run. Darius Wade is most likely to start as QB as he redshirted last year as a freshman.
Clemson- Clemson lost LB Vic Beasley to the draft (Atlanta Falcons) but they are loaded for 2015. QB’s Deshaun Watson and Cole Stoudt are projecting for great seasons. OT Mitch Hyatt who was rated #18 on the 2015 ESPN 300, is projected to be a great signing for Clemson but a great career beyond college. Clemson was 3rd in the nation last year in points against defense according to ESPN. Mike Williams is the sophomore wide receiver who had over 1,000 yards receiving last year and is poised to have another productive year. The 6’4 wide receiver uses his long frame to grab passes from Watson or Stoudt.
Duke- Jamison Crowder was Duke’s primary source of speed and returns last year as they rose to a 9-4 record. Now it’s time to focus on Shaq Powell who was a huge contributor to rushing and is ready for his breakout season. The 6′ 220 pound back out of Vegas worked with Crowder and is ready to break away with breaking records.
Florida St.- Winston, Williams Jr, Greene, O’Leary, Darby and several others entered the NFL leaving gaps for the Seminoles. Holes are being filled for Jimbo Fisher like recruiting athlete George Campbell who is a top tier athlete from the 2015 recruiting class. Everett Golson was the main replacement for the Seminoles after the departure of Winston. Golson is a transfer from Notre Dame who brings dual threat abilities to a team based on passing and running.
Georgia Tech- Justin Thomas is one of the most underrated players in the ACC. The native of Alabama is a incoming junior and is ready to exceed last year’s numbers. Throwing 18 touchdowns last year doesn’t seem to strike you as surprising but throwing 18 touchdowns and running for 8 touchdowns as well can prove you can be a dual threat quarterback. Those numbers will double this year for Thomas.
Louisville- DeVante Parker accounted for a big chunk of Louisville’s offense. What Louisville fans know and most other people don’t is that Brandon Radcliff is a bulldozer. the 5’9 215 pound back was a huge bright spot for this Cardinals team and should be a highlight reel this year. The question is who will replace Parker? James Quick is a reliable option for this club and was the second best receiver on the roster behind Parker.
Miami (FL)- Duke Johnson and Phillip Dorsett anchored the Hurricanes while maintaining high statuses which got them both into the NFL (Dorsett with Colts, Johnson with Browns). Now the focus is on QB Brad Kaaya who had a marvelous season with the U. Kaaya threw for 26 touchdowns as a freshman and threw 12 picks which for a freshman isn’t extremely alarming but a good amount. TE Michael Irvin Jr. has also committed to the U just like his hall of fame father Mike Irvin who played with Dallas.
NC State- QB Jacoby Brissett is the bright spot for the hungry Wolfpack as he threw 23 TD’s last year with a amazing 5 picks last year. Despite having a great ratio of TD’s/INT’s, Brissett also threw for over 2600 yards. Brissett will be entering his senior year with potential to topple records at NC State.
North Carolina- Another great quarterback, Marquise Williams is a true definition of a dual threat quarterback. Williams threw for 21 TD’s and 9 picks which is a great ratio. A 63% completion rate according to ESPN, makes Williams a quarterback with great accuracy. North Carolina also has a reliable wide receiver in Ryan Switzer. 750 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns along with 61 receptions makes Switzer a target for more yards and touchdowns.
Pittsburgh- James Connor is all the talk in Steel City. Connor ran for a incredible 26 touchdowns last year with 298 attempts which makes Connor deadly. At 6’2 and a huge 250 pounds, Connor is a Pittsburgh version of LeGarrette Blount. Connor I believe should be in he talks for the Heisman Trophy if he keeps up what he accomplished last year which will be a difficult task but Connor has the fans on his side and scouts who will be watching lots of tape of this guy.
Virginia- Despite having a great basketball team, the football team had it’s moments. The first game won’t be easy for the Cavaliers as they play at UCLA. The Cavs have Greyson Lambert at QB who should make great and more contributions to this interesting squad.
VT- The Fullers have a endless family! Kendall Fuller is one of the many VT cornerbacks who had excellent years on the gridiron. Kendall’s older brother Kyle plays on the Chicago Bears while Corey Fuller plays on the Detroit Lions. Corey plays WR on the Lions. Kendall Fuller will have to fill big shoes as he will have a breakout year and many others.
Wake Forest- At 3-7, it wasn’t the year of the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest lost Kevin Johnson to the draft (Texans) who was by far the best corner never the less best player on Wake Forest. This team is a pass first team who has potential of making TE Cam Serigne’s stats double this year as Serigne had 5 TD’s last year on 530 receiving yards.
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