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Cristobal Cooking, Seminoles Reloading in 2024 ACC Recruiting Rankings
© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Cristobal Cooking, Seminoles Reloading in 2024 ACC Recruiting Rankings

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports  |  By Mike Lilly  |  Last updated 2/16/24

By Mike Lilly

The ACC made necessary additions to the conference on the forefront of expansion by giving Cal, Stanford, and SMU new homes. In the world of recruiting, exposure and who you play against certainly plays a factor in all decisions and expansion will certainly play a factor. In what seems to be a top-heavy conference, here are some of the highs and lows on the recruiting trail: 

17. Boston College

13 Signees

Thirteen 3-Stars

On the surface, the 2024 recruiting class coming to Chestnut Hill is perceived as a down year. Was it the uncertainty of former coach Jeff Hafley and his future, or is it becoming harder to recruit at Boston College in the NIL era?

Even in a down year the Eagles had some highlights including Pape Abdoulaye Sy (#36 OT), the top prospect from England. Getting a future edge-protector is a slam dunk for any recruiting class, but new coach Bill O'Brien needs to rebound quickly heading into the 2025 cycle.

16. SMU

10 Signees

One 4-Star, Nine 3-Stars

It's hard to think of a team that needs a successful season in 2024 than SMU. The jump to the ACC combined with a strong transfer portal class is certainly enough pressure on coach Rhett Lashlee and the Mustangs, and a great season would get the recruiting momentum rolling. 

Despite a small class in 2024, SMU landed a talented playmaker in Derrick McFall (#19 RB), a nice in-state recruiting win that will compete for early playing time. As stated before, this season could not be more important for the longterm trajectory for SMU as a program - particularly in recruiting.

15. Virginia

13 Signees

Thirteen 3-Stars

It's noteworthy that the 'Hoos ranked last in the FBS in team sacks in 2023, and signed 3 edge rushers in the 2024 class. Coach Tony Elliott faces a season where he needs to produce on the field results, and quickly, to not only gain momentum in recruiting but likely to secure his future as head coach.

A player that could make an early impact is Tyler Simmons (#58 EDGE), one of the aforementioned edge rushers in the class as Virginia will need to utilize any option they can on the defensive line. Positive results this season could help Virginia tremendously, it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

14. Duke

16 Signees

One 4-Star, Fifteen 3-Stars

Losing coach Mike Elko in December was never going to benefit recruiting as the Blue Devils constructed their 2024 class, but they made the most of it. New head coach Manny Diaz is just what the program needed to bridge the gap from the Elko era, known as a good recruiter dating back to his Miami days.

A key signing in the Blue Devils' class is Chase Tyler (#26 WR), which going back even in the last decade, you will not find a higher-rated wide receiver prospect signed by Duke. Diaz will have his work cut out for him just as coaches in the past at Duke, but momentum and trajectory are looking great heading into the 2025 cycle.

13. Cal

19 Signees

One 4-Star, Seventeen 3-Stars

Another example of a team making the move to play in the ACC next season, coach Justin Wilcox will certainly have his work cut out for him on the recruiting trail. I was underwhelmed by the collection of overall talent in the class, but the Bears brought in 19 signees and won a late recruiting battle on signing day for Houston-native Khamani Hudson (#154 CB)  (against the local Cougars) which is a pretty nice win.

Looking at signings in the class, EJ Caminong (#47 QB) stands out. Cal landed a top-50 quarterback, with a huge arm, in the class and could look to continue to build around him. The key factor to look at in the future of recruiting for Cal will be how players handle playing less regional games and the psychology of their schedule in the eyes of future talent considering the Bears.

12. Wake Forest

21 Signees

Twenty-one 3-Stars

Things need to change, and quickly in Winston-Salem. Coming off a 4-8 season, coach Dave Clawson still managed to put together a fairly respectable class but it's hard to keep recruiting momentum when the results don't come with it.

When looking at recruiting classes, bringing top-50 players at offensive tackle and quarterback stand out. The two in the Deacons' class include Jeremy Hecklinski (#40 QB) and Clinton Richard (#41 OT), by default making those two of the more important signings in the class. Hecklinski was an early commit for the class, and possesses unique arm talent that could make him an asset to keep the recruiting trajectory high.

11. Louisville

15 Signees

Two 4-Stars, Twenty-one 3-Stars

Not sure how others might feel about this one, but even with a light amount of players coach Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals have put together a class that fits what's the roster needs. Combined with a great transfer portal class, Louisville landed great offensive talent, including two dynamic young running backs in the 2024 class - a position that sees more of a platoon approach in modern-day college football.

A player with candidacy for early playing time is Duke Watson (#27 RB) after the departure of running back Jawhar Jordan, as Louisville will be looking to replace that production with a dynamic playmaker. Brohm and company are pushing all of the right buttons in terms of personnel, and I look for things to keep getting better heading into the 2025 cycle.

10. Pittsburgh

21 Signees

Two 4-Stars, Eighteen 3-Stars

When looking at a the class constructed by coach Pat Narduzzi, you have to be impressed with the emphasis on the offensive line. The Panthers used the most offensive line combinations out of any team in the country (5) in 2023. Whether or not by design or injury, it's imperative that they bring in as much talent at the position as possible.

Outside of the offensive line, a player that is worth keeping an eye on is Julian Dugger (#57 QB), an early-enrollee in the class. Dugger is a Pittsburgh native and a dynamic athlete that can hurt you through the air or with his legs. I would expect the result of the 2024 season to play a big factor in how the 2025 class shapes up for the Panthers.

9. Syracuse

21 Signees

Four 4-Stars, Fifteen 3-Stars

The immediate impact of coach Fran Brown cannot be overstated. The Orange have their highest-rated recruiting class of the modern-era and combined with a great portal class, things could be looking up quickly. The class in 2024 has both some great national players from the south, and a solid regional haul from both New York and New Jersey.

A late-cycle flip in Emanuel Ross (#44 ATH) and second best player in New Jersey from Stanford is one of the bigger wins in the cycle from a future conference opponent(Man, that still feels weird to say). I do not see things slowing down for Brown and the Orange, expecting them to be a force for years to come on the recruiting trail.

8. Virginia Tech

16 Signees

Four 4-Stars, Twelve 3-Stars

The 2024 class for the Hokies is built on getting a great deal of quality regional players. Coach Brent Pry has to be happy landing the two highest-rated receivers in the state of Virginia, with a passing attack that ranked in the bottom half of college football in the 2023 season.

The receiver I could see pushing for early playing time is Keylen Adams (#37 WR), a player with great size that was sought-after by teams including South Carolina, and Ohio State which makes it a great accomplishment to keep him home with the Hokies. Coach Pry will look to build off of a solid end to the 2023 season and keep momentum in the 2025 recruiting cycle.

7. Stanford

25 Signees

Three 4-Stars, Twenty-two 3-Stars

The last addition to the ACC to review is Stanford, who is coming off of a 3-9 season. For a team with abysmal results, coach Troy Taylor could not ask for a better way to catapult into the new conference and opportunity to bounce back in 2024.

Landing presumed future QB1 in Elijah Brown (#11 QB) certainly gives the Cardinal a future to look forward to by landing a talented in-state quarterback. I would have to imagine that the results of the 2024 season will determine the trajectory of the 2025 class, after a great class in 2024.

6. Georgia Tech

23 Signees

Four 4-Stars, Nineteen 3-Stars

Recruiting in your own state is hard when your in-state competition is Georgia. Coach Brent Key and the Yellow Jackets still did fairly well recruiting regionally, including a great tight end prospect in Luke Harpring (#9 TE) in what looks to be a well-rounded recruiting class.

Something to keep an eye on in this class is the addition of two top-50 quarterbacks in the same cycle, Graham Knowles (#46 QB) and in-state Aaron Philo (#47 QB). With this being a rarity to have two guys who could secure the spot as signal-caller of the future, competition could only help both players. Seeing how coach Key and company can build off the 2024 recruiting momentum is certainly something we should all pay attention to.

5. NC State

24 Signees

Five 4-Stars, Nineteen 3-Stars

Another school that has another solid competitor in-state for recruiting in North Carolina, coach Dave Doeren is ready to go to war against the school that he called "elitist" on the recruiting trail. The Wolfpack did well, bringing in eight players from their home state, including two from the top-6.

The signing of Terrell Anderson (#20 WR), holding off a November flip from Georgia is in my eyes, the most impressive signing of the class. Winning battles regionally will continue to be important as the ACC grows into a national brand through expansion, and I believe Doeren and company recognize that.

4. North Carolina

27 Signees

Six 4-Stars, Twenty-one 3-Stars

When you look at the numbers in coach Mack Brown and the Tar Heels' class, it's apparent there's an emphasis on winning in-state battles (just as it is for NC State). North Carolina made the secondary a priority by signing five defensive backs, which makes sense given their bottom-half ranking in 2023 pass yards allowed.

Landing Malcolm Ziglar (#14 S) is a great addition in the aforementioned secondary signings, giving the Heels a dynamic in-state athlete that was thought by many to end up at South Carolina. It will be important for North Carolina to keep momentum in recruiting by winning on the field, including beating in-state rival NC State.

3. Florida State

23 Signees

Sixteen 4-Stars, Seven 3-Stars

Coach Mike Norvell and the 'Noles fresh off a playoff snub did a great job reloading in not only the 2024 class, but the transfer portal. Looking at the incoming class it's important to note that they landed players that may not be expected to fill gaps early, but they have the potential to.

The two signings that have my attention are Charles Lester III (#8 CB) and in-state Luke Kromenhoek (#4 QB). Any time you can land a highly sought-after player in the secondary and a potential future QB1, it's something to be celebrated. With the playoff expanding, the 'Noles should have no trouble selling against the playoff snub they experienced and prove to be a mainstay for years to come.

2. Clemson

22 Signees

Two 5-Stars, Eleven 4-Stars, Nine 3-Stars

A team that does not rely on the transfer portal often, coach Dabo Swinney and the Tigers have done it again in terms of talent acquisition in the 2024 class. What's most impressive about the class is only one player from the state of South Carolina showing the draw on a national level despite what is a down season for Clemson's standard.

A position where Clemson could have recently used a playmaker is wide receiver, and the signing of TJ Moore (#5 WR) might just be what the Tigers need to fill that void. I will be interested to see if momentum carries into the 2025 class, and how Swinney and company handle the evolution of the college football personnel model.

1. Miami

27 Signees

Three 5-Stars, Eleven 4-Stars, Thirteen 3-Stars

One day, there should be case studies written about the draw of coach Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes. The Canes have not won ten games since 2017 but have managed back-to-back top-10 recruiting classes in 2023 and 2024. Is it the advantage of being in the state of Florida, the draw nationally, or both?

The fourteen players from Florida are great, but no bigger signings can be found than Justin Scott (#3 DL) and Marquise Lightfoot (#6 EDGE). Both players from Illinois were both foregone Ohio State conclusions at one point. In the modern college football, stacking players and keeping them away from elite programs is a large part of the game. Will the appeal in recruiting slow down if the results aren't there after the 2024 season? I wouldn't count on it, but it's worth keeping an eye on.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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