The spring observe schedule is off and working within the ACC, and the 17-team league is trying to construct on a number of the successes that included placing two groups within the School Soccer Playoff in 2024. The league welcomes a pair new head coaches with Invoice Belichick taking on at North Carolina and Jake Dickert stepping in at Wake Forest, however there’s additionally huge coordinator turnover all through the league and loads of NFL Draft expertise to interchange.
Let’s dive in with one query for all 17 ACC groups.
Is the secondary going to be the very best within the ACC?
The Eagles are excited concerning the move protection heading into 12 months 2 of the Invoice O’Brien period as they return a powerful core of the group that completed tied for seventh nationally with 17 interceptions on the season. Now the problem for the subsequent step comes because the line of defense loses probably the greatest gamers within the nation in Donovan Ezeiruaku (16.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss) and one other key piece with defensive sort out Cam Horsley (seven tackles for loss). So was the younger secondary sturdy due to the defensive entrance? Or can they now carry the load for the protection as the brand new line rounds into form? For the reason that Eagles have quarterback largely settled with Grayson James persevering with to construct off his late-season expertise when he took over Thomas Castellanos, numerous consideration in Chestnut Hill shall be on the defensive facet of the ball.
Cal
Will the Bears go together with expertise or youth at quarterback?
Justin Wilcox reunites with a well-known face, bringing Bryan Harsin in as the brand new offensive coordinator, and the pair of former Boise State assistants will information an attention-grabbing quarterback competitors heading into 2025.
On one hand, there’s the joy of an enormous recruiting win, flipping four-star Oregon signee Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele, but when Cal is not prepared to show the reins over to the rookie they’ve the veteran presence of Ohio State switch Devin Brown, who noticed restricted taking part in time with the Buckeyes partially attributable to harm however has proven the athleticism and ability that made him a blue chip prospect popping out of highschool. Both participant can have a powerful supporting solid, with star working again Jadyn Ott again and 5 of the highest eight receiving choices, together with tight finish Jack Endries, who led the crew in receptions (56) and receiving yards (623) as a sophomore in 2024.
Is Tom Allen the difference-maker that may return the Tigers to nationwide title rivalry?
Clemson reasserted itself as the category of the ACC over the past couple of years, however there’s one other step earlier than the Tigers are going to be thought-about nationwide title contenders. Dabo Swinney acknowledged a number of the shortcomings on the defensive facet of the ball in 2024 and made one of many largest coordinator splash hires of the offseason, hiring Tom Allen away from Penn State.
Allen had an attention-grabbing tackle the group he inherited, telling reporters that it was observe footage, not recreation footage, that caught his consideration. He did not like the way in which he the crew was approaching run-of-the-mill drills and observe, and Swinney says Allen has been a “rolling ball of butcher blades” in spring observe as he rides and calls for probably the most from the protection on the subject of fundamentals like open-field tackling. If an already-talented unit tightens up on the small print, and the addition of some new faces like Purdue switch Will Heldt find yourself elevating the group’s ceiling, then we might see Clemson’s protection elevate from being adequate to win the ACC to being adequate to make a run within the School Soccer Playoff.
Can Duke hit on the QB within the portal once more?
When Riley Leonard left for Notre Dame, Duke changed him with Maalik Murphy and acquired what was statistically probably the greatest seasons from a Blue Devils quarterback with 2,933 yards and a school-record 26 passing touchdowns serving to lead the crew to a 9-3 common season in 12 months 1 of the Manny Diaz period.
Murphy transferred to Oregon State after the yr, and that opened the door for former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah to step in and take over as QB1. Duke’s employees was environment friendly with concentrating on and touchdown Mensah, a lot in order that he dedicated quickly after being wooden by the Cameron Crazies at a Duke basketball recreation. Jonathan Brewer is a revered offensive thoughts and he ought to be capable of construct round Mensah’s expertise, however hitting on QB actually comes right down to creating the remainder of the ability positions, and people contributors are a little bit of a query mark unto themselves.
Does rebooting the employees change the outcomes?
Mike Norvell led Florida State to the peak of all heights, it appeared, with a 13-0 marketing campaign in 2023 that concluded with this system’s first ACC championship since 2014. Then the Seminoles had been snubbed from the School Soccer Playoff, blown out in historic style by Georgia within the Orange Bowl, and proceeded to have a 2-10 exhibiting in 2024 that resulted within the first-ever seventeenth place end within the ACC standings.
Norvell’s response was to reboot the employees, with probably the most notable modifications coming at each coordinator spots with Gus Malzahn coming in because the offensive coordinator and Tony White arriving because the crew’s new defensive coordinator. Each hires convey well-respected experience to the employees, however the query stays whether or not the roster is able to get the Seminoles again to being an actual contender within the ACC. Florida State’s use of the switch portal helped Norvell construct the crew right into a winner shortly, however portal misses had been a transparent trigger for the downfall of 2024. Malzahn has a brand new quarterback that appears to suit his type with Boston School switch Thomas Castellanos, however there’s much more that each he and White should get sorted to get Florida State again to the place it needs to be within the nationwide image.
The quarterback is about with depth, however what concerning the pass-catchers?
Georgia Tech is in an incredible place with Haynes King returning at quarterback and Aaron Philo sticking with this system after exhibiting some promise as a backup throughout his freshman season. They’re competing, however there appears to be an understanding that King is the QB1 with Philo pushing him each day within the hopes of creating each gamers higher. Now, catching the passes would require gifted ability gamers, and the Yellow Jackets misplaced an incredible one when Eric Singleton hit the switch portal and landed at Auburn. Malik Rutherford is again, and coach Brent Key hit the switch portal for a few different promising choices, however the competitors at large receiver might be extra urgent given the necessity to have a number of starter-quality gamers whereas the crew might need two starter-quality gamers at quarterback.
Has Jeff Brohm pulled collectively one other successful portal class?
Brohm’s first two offseasons at Louisville resulted in bringing in a mixed 52 gamers from the switch portal, and it seems the Cardinals are going to once more be carrying one of many bigger portal courses with 21 gamers dedicated from the portal with one other spring window to come back in late April. The group features a handful of four-star switch prospects, in keeping with 247Sports, and is headlined by former USC quarterback Miller Moss. Apparently sufficient, Moss’ massive debut as a starter was towards Louisville within the Vacation Bowl when he threw for six touchdowns as the subsequent man up behind Caleb Williams. Louisville’s heavy switch portal exercise hasn’t impacted the outcomes — Brohm has 19 wins throughout his first two seasons — however it should take one other spring of getting the brand new faces acclimated to this system to maintain up that customary in 2024.
Will Carson Beck return wholesome and in high kind?
There are many notable modifications that can have an effect on Miami’s 2024 outlook, like how new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman would possibly be capable of shore up a gaggle that finally prevented the Hurricanes from being within the type of ACC title and School Soccer Playoff rivalry that was attainable given their offensive prowess in 2024. However to disregard the quarterback place can be disrespectful to influence that Cam Ward made on this system and the potential of what Georgia switch Carson Beck may be if he returns to full well being after present process elbow surgical procedure on his throwing arm. Beck started final season within the Heisman Trophy dialog with an outlook that included being within the combine as the highest quarterback within the 2025 NFL Draft, however a midseason stretch of poor play and the season-ending harm within the SEC Championship Recreation have modified the state of affairs dramatically.
Now after a switch, Beck has the prospect to indicate, at Miami, that he nonetheless is able to being probably the greatest quarterbacks within the nation in an offense that has up Cam Ward to be the highest quarterback possibility within the NFL Draft. Beck will not be a full participant in spring observe as he continues to get well from his harm, however his involvement with the crew shall be key to establishing chemistry as he works to put the muse for a season wherein he hopes to regain the standing he carried as one of many high quarterbacks within the sport not too way back.
North Carolina
Can the Belichicks flip the Tar Heels right into a dependable defensive crew?
Invoice Belichick’s rent introduced numerous consideration to North Carolina soccer, and the continued offseason storylines about potential “Exhausting Knocks” remedy (not taking place) or who will get what emails have actually distracted the dialog from what precisely we’re going to see when the Tar Heels take the sphere for the primary time in 2025. To that finish, one key query for spring observe shall be whether or not the inflow of expertise and training from Washington might help bolster a protection that may be a part of the Belichick id at UNC. Invoice Belichick first received Tremendous Bowls as a defensive coordinator, routinely leaned on his protection to win as a Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach in New England, and now has two of his sons on the defensive employees in Chapel Hill.
Invoice Belichick introduces first employees at North Carolina: Relations, ex-players amongst names to know
Shehan Jeyarajah
Defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, coming off a one-year stint because the defensive coordinator at Washington, introduced with him a handful of key contributors from Seattle that determine to be key items of constructing out the protection that may should be a cornerstone of North Carolina’s crew in 2025. That is attention-grabbing for 2 causes, first that the Tar Heels have struggled defensively for a big portion of the final two teaching tenures, and that the offense has enormous query marks after an exodus of notable ability place expertise throughout the final two seasons. North Carolina would possibly want a powerful protection to remain in video games towards the higher groups on its schedule, and whereas that is the id of the Belichick teaching household, it has not been the DNA of North Carolina soccer.
Can C.J. Bailey be probably the greatest quarterbacks within the ACC?
After two seasons of spending spring observe getting accustomed to a brand new quarterback from the switch portal — and in every case not seeing the very best hopes repay the next fall — the Wolfpack have a possible star with sophomore C.J. Bailey. Thrust into motion as Grayson McCall’s profession got here to a detailed attributable to accidents and concussions, Bailey confirmed why he was in a position to be a multiple-year starter at certainly one of South Florida’s high highschool packages in Chaminade-Madonna. It took simply 9 begins for Bailey to achieve 22 whole touchdowns (17 passing, seven speeding), which was good for eighth within the ACC, and he completed seventh amongst all FBS freshmen with 2,413 passing yards.
That type of breakout from an underrated and ignored quarterback brings some concern within the switch portal period, however NC State made a dedication to ensure he was retained and again to steer the Wolfpack in 2025. And whereas NC State does have a brand new offensive coordinator with Robert Anae being relieved of his duties, the promotion of quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper to the OC function retains his relationship with Bailey constant because the crew spends this spring trying to construct on final season’s success.
Pitt
Will new additions assist strengthen the protection round star linebacker Kyle Louis?
An All-ACC and All-American choice (together with second-team honors right here at CBS Sports activities), Louis was a dynamic playmaker in 2024 who not solely led the crew in tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (seven), but in addition shined with interceptions, pick-sixes, blocked kicks and extra game-changing performs. He is probably the greatest gamers within the sport heading into the autumn, however Pitt is on the lookout for some contributors to step up round him to ensure the protection is able to be a key piece of this crew’s id.Former Utah State defensive finish Blaine Spires Oregon switch Jaeden Moore shall be counted on to raise the move rush from the road, and former Ohio State security Jayden Bonsu arrives trying to take his recreation to the subsequent degree by serving to the Panthers out within the secondary.
From 2018-22, Pitt completed within the high 5 of the ACC in whole protection, however that standing slipped within the final two seasons and final yr noticed the Panthers end twelfth. A few of that was an adjustment to the crew’s new offensive scheme (Pitt’s yards per play common was a lot nearer to this system customary), however as the underside fell out within the again half of the season and a 7-0 begin was a 7-6 end, defensive depth is a spot the place Pat Narduzzi’s crew would possibly be capable of construct a crew that may put collectively a stronger end in 2025.
Will the offense preserve manufacturing after some key losses?
The return of quarterback Kevin Jennings units a common expectation that SMU shall be on model with a high-powered offense in 2025, however wanting underneath the hood showcases some spots that make spring observe vital to get the group able to sustain that customary. Essentially the most essential goes to be the subsequent man up at working again after the lack of Brashard Smith and his 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns. SMU has recruited working again effectively for a pair years, so a number of the harm points for former blue-chip highschool prospects like Jaylan Knighton and Camar Wheaton have not derailed the complete run recreation, however now it is time to see if these gamers are able to step up with Smith gone.
One other key a part of the equation would be the offensive line, which loses some items from final yr’s unit and shall be a significant factor in whether or not SMU can have one of many ACC’s greatest offenses towards in 2025. With the tempo that the Mustangs make use of, it is essential that SMU would not simply have starters that it trusts up entrance, however some actual depth to deal with the additional snaps that include an up-tempo offense.
Can Elijah Brown assist get Stanford nearer to bowl eligibility?
When Stanford landed a dedication from four-star quarterback Elijah Brown, the anticipation started for what the previous Mater Dei starter and state champion might do to convey glory again to a place that had not delivered star energy lately. Brown noticed some motion in 2024 when coach Troy Taylor benched starter Ashton Daniels, however the plan has lengthy appeared to be for him to take the reins of the offense in 2025. This was one of many high quarterback abilities on the West Coast in his cycle, carrying affords and curiosity from USC and UCLA earlier than committing to the Cardinal, in order Stanford is trying to take a step up after back-to-back 3-9 finishes, the event of Brown turns into a transparent focus.
Now, if for some motive Brown can’t dwell as much as the expectations, hold your eye on the potential for freshman dual-threat quarterback Bear Bachmeier to push for enjoying time. The youthful brother of Hank (Wake Forest and Boise State quarterback) and Tiger (Stanford large receiver), Bachmeier is a participant who expertise evaluators consider might have the very best ceiling of the three brothers partially attributable to his athleticism.
How does the offense get rebuilt after a mass exodus of expertise?
Fran Brown had a dynamic debut that included 10 wins, a victory towards top-10 Miami and a end within the closing AP High 25 ballot of the season. However after exploding again onto the nationwide scene, Syracuse will spend this spring trying to reload after the losses of a number of key stars from final yr’s crew. Quarterback Kyle McCord completed first within the ACC with 4,779 yards passing, working again LeQuint Allen was seventh within the convention with 1,021 yards speeding, and the Orange had three move catchers (large receiver Jackson Meeks, tight finish Oronde Gadsden and large receiver Trebor Pena) with at the very least 900 yards.
Since McCord, Allen, Meeks and Gadsden are actually making ready for the NFL Draft, Syracuse has so much to interchange this spring on offense. Fortunately, Pena is again, however who shall be throwing him the soccer? Michael Johnson Jr. was the first backup for McCord final season and LSU switch Rickie Collins seems to be within the combine, however getting quarterback settled is a big piece of Syracuse constructing on final season’s success.
Who wins the quarterback battle?
After two seasons of Tony Muskett and Anthony Colandrea battling it out in Charlottesville, coach Tony Elliott has reset the deck with two new transfers set to compete this spring for the QB1 duties. Chandler Morris arrives as a redshirt senior for his fourth college in 5 years after beginning at Oklahoma, spending three seasons at TCU and final yr serving because the starter for North Texas. Although the Imply Inexperienced went simply 6-6, it was the productive season of his profession, totaling 31 touchdowns and three,774 yards en path to incomes second crew All-AAC honors. He is anticipated to be the starter, however he’ll be pushed by Nebraska switch Daniel Kaelin, who was formally the third-string quarterback in Lincoln however redshirted the season and didn’t seem in a recreation. For both quarterback, there’s additionally the problem of pass-catcher. Virginia misplaced large receiver Malachi Fields to Notre Dame after he turned in back-to-back 800-yard seasons for the Cavaliers.
Can Philip Montgomery unlock the very best of Kyron Drones?
New offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery arrives with a longtime popularity as an offensive thoughts due to his rise within the trade that included offensive coordinator stops at Houston and Baylor, the place he helped coach up game-changing quarterbacks like Robert Griffin III, Bryce Petty and Case Keenum. However crucial piece of this equation, and the one which makes Montgomery’s monitor file notable, is what’s in retailer for Drones’ third yr as Virginia Tech’s beginning QB. Drones had 17 passing touchdowns to only three interceptions and was second amongst all ACC quarterbacks with 818 yards speeding in 2023, however accidents and inconsistencies in efficiency stored Virginia Tech from delivering on any preseason “ACC darkish horse” speak final yr. If Montgomery can benefit from Drones’ ability set, this Virginia Tech offense might be harmful and the Hokies would possibly be capable of lastly break via past being only a bowl crew in 2025.
Wake Forest
What does the Jake Dickert period appear to be?
That is extra stylistic than personnel-driven, as Dave Clawson’s tenure in Winston-Salem largely introduced a glance that followers got here to count on. The Demon Deacons had a crew that may get outdated and keep outdated, leaning on veterans, and an offensive type that helped them acquire a bonus with the slow-mesh and RPO ideas that stored defenses on their heels. With Jake Dickert arriving from Washington State, there are some issues we are able to take from his time in Pullman to create expectations, however this can be a a lot totally different roster and common college make-up than what he had with the Cougars. Clearly, the coach who had Cam Ward and John Mateer goes to need a difference-maker at quarterback, so hold your eyes on that battle as Robbie Ashford arrives following his stops at South Carolina, Auburn and Oregon and appears to beat out former Charlotte quarterback Deshawn Purdie for the QB1 duties.
