Like the opposite Energy 4 conferences, the ACC is increasing in 2024 with the addition of Cal, SMU and Stanford. Nonetheless, that is not the one offseason growth that can change the complexion of the league. Robust switch lessons — headlined by a bunch of high-profile quarterbacks — have an opportunity to shake up the convention hierarchy getting into the primary 12 months of the expanded Faculty Soccer Playoff. 

Florida State and Miami introduced in switch hauls ranked within the high 10, in line with 247Sports. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, Clemson was the one non-service academy FBS program that did not add a single switch.

FSU landed former Clemson and Oregon State sign caller DJ Uiagalelei, whereas Miami additionally went out West to seize Cameron Ward from Washington State. Each gamers have one season of eligibility left to boost their inventory forward of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Sticking to the quarterback theme, NC State introduced in ex-Coastal Carolina standout Grayson McCall. McCall missed most of final 12 months with a head harm however threw for at the very least 24 touchdowns in every of his first three seasons.

Syracuse and Duke additionally landed big-name switch quarterbacks in Kyle McCord (Ohio State) and Maalik Murphy (Texas). Listed below are some gamers poised to make a right away impression this season within the ACC.

Miami QB Cameron Ward

Ward’s journey to South Seaside was a curler coaster. Ward entered the switch portal on the finish the 2023 season, then declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and eventually recended his draft declaration to decide to Miami. It was an enormous win for Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal, who’s below immense stress to win in Yr 3. Ward was the No. 15 total participant and the No. 4 quarterback obtainable within the portal. He is additionally the highest-ranked participant to switch to an ACC faculty. 

Ward lit up defenses to start out 2023 however hit a wall because the season wore on. After throwing for 1,393 yards with 16 touchdowns and nil interceptions in his first 4 video games, he accomplished solely 63.3% of his makes an attempt for two,342 yards with 17 whole touchdowns and 7 interceptions in his last eight contests. Ward already has NFL upside due to his dynamic dual-threat capability. If he can discover extra consistency, he might considerably increase his draft inventory in 2024.

Florida State QB DJ Uiagalelei

ACC followers are already acquainted with Uiagalelei. He began his profession at Clemson, however his time with the Tigers got here to an finish after he was benched in favor of Cade Klubnik. He took his skills to Oregon State final 12 months and helped information the Beavers to an 8-5 mark. Uiagalelei will now don the uniform of a former convention rival, the place he hopes to fill the sneakers of the departing Jordan Travis. 

In 2023 Uiagalelei threw for a career-high 2,638 yards however completed with a career-low completion share of 571.%. A former five-star recruit, Florida State is hoping that is the 12 months DJU lastly places all of it collectively and cashes in on his large potential. With FSU shedding receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman to the NFL, will probably be as much as former highly-touted recruit Hykeem Williams and Alabama switch Malik Benson to emerge as dependable targets for Uiagalelei

Duke QB Maalik Murphy

Murphy is a former four-star recruit who made two begins at Texas final season. With Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers returning and Arch Manning ready within the wings, Murphy noticed the writing on the wall and elected to hit the portal after the season concluded. He discovered a touchdown spot at Duke, the place he tasks because the sure-fire starter in Yr 1 of the Manny Diaz period. It is as much as Blue Devils offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jonathan Brewer to refine Murphy’s abilities and benefit from his stellar arm expertise. Murphy was the No. 6 quarterback obtainable within the switch portal.

Syracuse QB Kyle McCord

New Syracuse coach Fran Brown made a splash when he landed McCord from Ohio State. The previous OSU starter had an up-and-down marketing campaign within the post-CJ. Stroud period and completed with 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns and solely six interceptions in 2023. Whereas McCord’s stats indicated proficient play, he was usually tormented by sluggish begins.

Regardless of Syracuse bringing in former FAU and Penn State quarterback Michael Johnson Jr. late within the cycle, McCord is predicted to be the starter in 2024. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if the previous four-star recruit will flourish away from the evident highlight that got here with enjoying quarterback for the Buckeyes. McCord was the No. 14 quarterback obtainable within the switch portal.

NC State QB Grayson McCall

 NC State landed former Virginia beginning quarterback Brennan Armstrong within the switch portal final offseason, but it surely did not go as deliberate. Armstrong completed with 1,785 yards with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and was benched halfway by means of the season in favor of MJ Morris. 

When he is at his greatest, McCall is among the greatest quarterbacks within the nation. He recorded three consecutive seasons with at the very least 2,400 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and fewer than three interceptions from 2020-22. If he can rebound from a brutal 2023 harm, NC State will likely be in enterprise. McCall was the No. 20 quarterback obtainable within the switch portal.

High transfers for remaining ACC groups 

Boston Faculty RB Treshaun Ward: New Boston Faculty coach Invoice O’Brien discovered a veteran playmaker in Ward, who rushed for 643 yards and 5 touchdowns whereas splitting carries at Kansas State final season. He’ll have an opportunity to tackle an expanded position within the BC offense this fall.

Cal CB Marcus Harris: After spending his first two seasons at Oregon State, Harris transferred to FCS-Idaho the place he appeared in 40 video games over the past three years. He was a first-team All-Massive Sky choice in 2023 after racking up 51 tackles with three interceptions. Harris ranked because the No. 36 total participant within the switch portal and can give the Bears a lift of their secondary forward of the transition to the ACC.

Clemson N/A: Clemson was considered one of 4 FBS applications that did not absorb a single switch this cycle. The Tigers will depend on their  2024 recruiting class (ranked No. 15) for rapid contributions.

Georgia Tech EDGE Romello Peak: Peak began his profession at Auburn and appeared in 10 contests earlier than transferring to USC. After struggling a season-ending harm simply two video games into the 2022 season, he bounced again by recording 20 tackles and 4 sacks final 12 months.

Louisville WR Ja’Corey Brooks: The previous Alabama standout will likely be searching for a bounce-back season in a brand new location after recording solely three catches for 30 yards final fall. Brooks had his greatest season in 2022, ending with 39 catches for 674 yards and eight touchdowns.

North Carolina TE Jake Johnson: UNC received a two-for-one by touchdown each Jake and Max Johnson from Texas A&M. Whereas the latter will likely be in a quarterback competitors to interchange former star Drake Maye, Max must be a right away contributor at tight finish. He completed with 24 catches for 235 yards and 4 touchdowns as a sophomore with the Aggies.

Pitt EDGE David Ojiegbe: The previous four-star prospect transferred to Pitt after spending his true freshman season at Clemson. Ojiegbe performed solely 11 whole snaps and could have 4 seasons of eligibility remaining. He was Pitt’s highest-ranked switch.

SMU OT Savion Byrd: It is uncommon for high quality offensive linemen to hit the switch portal. SMU was capable of snag one of many high obtainable gamers on the place in Byrd, who ranked because the No. 6 participant at his place. Byrd spent the final three seasons at Oklahoma and appeared in 9 video games (with 4 begins) in 2023.

Stanford LB Jahsiah Galvan: Stanford landed one of many high linebackers within the FCS in Galvan. He appeared in all 11 video games in 2023 and led Northern Iowa with 77 tackles. The Cardinal solely accepted 4 transfers this 12 months — due largely to the college’s strict tutorial requirements — however all have an opportunity of serving to the workforce. 

Virginia WR Chris Tyree: Tyree confirmed off his versatility throughout his 4 seasons at Notre Dame by placing up numbers as a operating again, extensive receiver, or returner. He’s coming off a career-high in receiving yards (484).

Virginia Tech DL Aeneas Peebles: Peebles recorded a career-high in tackles (44) and sacks (5) final season at Duke. He ranked because the No. 21 switch defensive lineman and may give VT’s protection a lift as a move rusher and run stopper.

Wake Forest QB Hank Bachmeier: Bachmeier threw for two,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in his lone season with Louisiana Tech final 12 months. The previous Boise State sign caller must be within the operating to win the beginning job at Wake Forest after throwing for greater than 300 yards within the Demon Deacons’ spring sport.