Let’s take a look at how your favorite team in the ACC is recruiting during the national pandemic.
Boston College, ACC Rank, No. 9
Newly hired head coach Jeff Hafley has an uphill battle ahead of him, but in time he will prove he’s the man for the job. As of now, Boston College has 4 commits, highlighted by three-star LB Owen McGowan, who has a composite score of .8577.
Clemson, ACC Rank, No. 2
Dabo Swinney continues to prove he is one of the elite recruiters in the country. As of now, the Tigers hold the second ranking in the ACC and they are fourth nationally. Depending on the week, the Tigers and Tar Heels will joust for ACC supremacy. If we are looking at history, this class will not fall lower than third in the country and atop of the ACC when the class of 21 commences. This class is highlighted by Korey Freeman, and he has a composite score of .9997. In addition to Freeman, Clemson has five other top 100 recruits.
Duke, ACC Rank, No. 7
The Duke Blue Devils sit at 7th in the ACC in recruiting. They are in a position to have their highest ranking since 2016. Three-star LB Cole Bishop highlights the 2021 class. Bishop has a composite score of .8516.
Florida State, ACC Rank, No. 5
New head man Matt Norvell has a huge task in getting Florida State back to relevancy. The program sputtered during the Willie Taggart era. At one point, it was so bad that wide receivers didn’t know how to line up. Once upon a time, the Seminoles were one of the blue bloods of college football and the only way they can get back to that level is through recruiting. The Seminoles currently sit at the No. 5 spot in the conference. They have ample time to improve given they only have five commits. The class is highlighted by OLB Branden Jennings who has a composite score of .9657. If players of Jennings caliber take their talents to Tallahassee, the program will be on the right track to win the ACC in a few years.
Georgia Tech, ACC Rank, No. 11
Geoff Collins and the Yellow Jackets are fresh off a top-5 recruiting class in the ACC in 2020. The 2021 recruiting class hasn’t gained much steam as they only have 4 commits, but in time they will improve. The 2021 class is highlighted by WR Malik Rutherford who has a composite score of 0.8577.
Louisville, ACC Rank, No. 10
Scott Satterfield and the Cardinals are currently at the No.10 spot in ACC. Despite only having four commits, things are heating up as they have had all four commits pledge commitments this spring. The class is highlighted by Victoine Brown, who has a composite score of .8789.
Miami, ACC Rank, No.3
Hurricanes fans are partying like its 2001 with them being ranked in the top 3 in recruiting in the ACC. The 2021 class has a whopping 13 commits, which is highlighted by running back Thad Franklin, who has a composite score of .9180. Franklin looks to join the long lineage of great Hurricane RBs. While it’s still early in the class, the Hurricanes have yet to receive a commit from a quarterback, but on the bright side, they have a lot of talented prospects on the offensive and defensive line. Miami won’t be “The U” that terrorized college football, but it seems like Manny Diaz is on the right track. While recruiting seems to be on the up, the next facelift that has to come is switching from Adidas back to Nike.
NC State, ACC Rank, No. 12
When it comes to recruiting it’s never flashy with the Wolfpack, but Dave Doeren has compiled 47 wins, including four bowl victories. The 2021 class currently sits at No.12, and their class is highlighted by speedy wide receiver Julian Gray, who has a composite score of .8678.
North Carolina, ACC Rank, No. 1
Mack Brown has completely changed the culture in Chapel Hill. Now, if we keep the dance videos to a minimum, that would be great. The Tar Heels are top of the ACC in recruiting yet again. At this point, it shouldn’t come as a surprise as Brown is one of the best coaches in the past twenty-five years. The 2021 class has the makings to be the best in school history as they currently sit at No.2 in the country. This class has a total of 14 commits, and they have an average composite score of .9159, led by QB Drake Maye who’s composite score is .9758.
Pittsburgh, ACC Rank, No. 5
Pat Narduzzi continues to build a solid program, but it’s time for them to take the next step as a program. To no surprise, Pitt’s 2021 class is fifth-best in the conference. They have seven total commits, highlighted by Nahki Johnson who has a composite score of .9360.
Syracuse, ACC Rank, No. 13
Dino Babers & Co. hasn’t had much to celebrate during this off-season. The Orangemen only have three commits thus far, but Syracuse has been active in the transfer portal over the past few seasons. That said, don’t be surprised if they land a few transfers when football resumes. The 2021 class is highlighted by defensive lineman Terry Lockett who has a composite score of 0.8477.
Virginia, ACC Rank, No. 4
Bronco Mendenhall has had some success recruiting, and it’s starting to translate on the field. The Cavaliers are in fourth place in the ACC and their 2021 class is highlighted by defensive lineman, Josh McCarron who has a composite score of .8958.
Virginia Tech, ACC Rank, No. 6
The Hokies come in with the sixth-best class in the ACC. The 2021 class has six commits highlighted by dual-threat quarterback Dematrius Davis who has a composite score of .9419. Davis will have a lot of pressure on him as he’s the fourth-highest (Tyrod Taylor, Marcus Vick, and Bryan Randall) rated QB recruit in VT history.
Wake Forest, ACC Rank, No. 14
For those who may not know it, but Wake Forest has a football team. Dave Clawson is one of the most underrated football coaches in the country. His 30 wins over the past four seasons is a testament to the work he’s putting in. Despite that, the Demon Deacons are dead last in the conference in recruiting. The 2021 class is highlighted by Santino Marucci who has a composite score of .7819.