ACC Football: 5 Teams That Outdid Themselves on National Signing Day

2011 was a resounding disappointment for the ACC. The league's champion ended the season with four losses and not one team appeared in the top 20 of the final AP poll. A poor showing to say the least for a once-proud conference.

However, these poor showings may be a thing of the past as several schools reeled in impressive recruiting classes on 2012 National Signing Day.

Let's take a look at five teams that not only signed spectacular classes, but also closed with a bang on signing day...

5: Maryland

The overall quality of the Terps recruiting class isn't anything to write home about (2.91 average star rating). However, that number would have been far lower if it weren't for Stefon Diggs, a 5-star wide receiver, who elected to stay home and play for Maryland nearly two weeks after signing day.

The Terps failed to hit on any other signing day splashes, but Diggs more than makes up for that. An exceptional talent with blinding speed and uncanny quickness, Diggs has the ability to to play all over the field for Randy Edsall.

A big factor in Diggs' decision was the opportunity to play with Wes Brown, a 4-star running back who played high school football with Diggs at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, MD. Brown is a good prospect in his own right, as he possesses a nice combination of size (6'1" 200 lbs) and speed (4.5 40-yard dash).

Maryland had a tremendously disappointing 2011 season, limping to a miserable 2-10 record in Edsall's first year.

Thankfully for Terps fans, help is on the way. Diggs will undoubtedly step in contribute immediately in a big way. Look for the dynamic athlete to be a major player for Maryland for years to come.

4: Virginia Tech

The Hokies received a commitment on signing day from 4-star Ken Ekanem, the 15th best outside linebacker in the nation. Ekanem was an important in-state get for Frank Beamer.

The 6'3" 226 lbs linebacker from Clifton, VA is the eighth-ranked player in the state and it was imperative Virgina Tech kept him out of the grasps of out of state foes Notre Dame and Boston college.

However, the star of the Hokies class is another signing day pledge, Joel Caleb, a versatile 4-star athlete from nearby Midlothian, VA. Caleb played quarterback in high school but projects best as a wide receiver at the next level.

It remains to be seen at exactly which position Caleb will see the field, but the 6'2" 201-pound athlete surely gives Beamer some nice options.

Other highlights of the Hokies class include a trio of in-state 4-star recruits: RB J.C. Coleman, LB Deon Clarke and LB Trey Edmunds. It's clear Virginia Tech made it a priority to secure the in-state talent, and Beamer and company achieved just that.

The Hokies are poised for a stellar season in 2012, and with the help of some of these recruits, Virginia Tech could claim the ACC Coastal crown yet again.

3: Clemson

Dabo Swinney is coming into his element as Clemson's head coach. Just months after leading the Tigers to an ACC title and an Orange Bowl berth, the third-year coach signed one of the top classes in not only the conference, but the entire country.

Although Clemson landed the 14th-ranked class nationally according to Rivals.com, the Tigers managed only one commit on signing day, 3-star offensive guard D.J. Reader.

Reader is a massive prospect (6'3", 306 lbs) from Greensboro, NC who is rated as the 19th best guard in the country. Reader is one of five offensive linemen who will help Clemson immensely in the trenches during the next few years.

But, the Tigers class is defined not by what happened on signing day, but what happened before it. The prize of 2012 for Clemson is the fourth-rated 4-star safety Travis Blanks. Swinney plucked Blanks out of Florida State's backyard of Tallahassee, FL.

Blanks has all the skills you look for in a safety, great vision and cover skills coupled with superior tackling ability. He also owns top-notch speed and has the ability to return kicks for Clemson.

Add Blanks to other 4-star prospects WR Germone Hopper, DT Carlos Watkins and OL Isiah Battle, and you are looking at one of the best classes in the ACC.

It may not have the star-power of Clemson's 2011 class, which included first team 2011 All-American Sammy Watkins, but the Tigers 2012 class will surely help Clemson build upon the momentum of a successful season.

2: Miami

Despite the fact that sanctions may be looming in Coral Gables, the Hurricanes had a solid, well-rounded class heading into singing day led by 5-star running back Randy Johnson and 4-star safety Deon Bush.

But on signing day, Al Golden's class went from good to great thanks in large part to the addition of one player's signature, Tracy Howard. Howard is the top cornerback in the nation, and he is the crown jewel of the Canes class.

Howard was highly sought after by many of the top programs in the nation including Florida, Florida State, LSU and USC. The fact that he landed in Miami speaks wonders to Golden's recruiting abilities.

The only other signing day commitments for Miami came from a pair of 3-stars, Jawand Blue and Dequan Ivery. Their commitments were overshadowed by Howard's decision, but this defensive duo is very talented in their own right and shouldn't be overlooked.

It's worth noting that 4-star defensive end Tyriq McCord also stayed true to his pledge and signed with the Hurricanes after taking a late trip to USC. He raved about the Trojans after returning home, but thankfully for Miami distance was a factor for Tampa, FL native, and he elected to stay close to home.

It was imperative for Miami to sign a deep and talented class in 2012, especially with the NCAA decision awaiting. The Canes did just that thanks to a solid signing day finish.

1: Florida State

It's no secret that the Seminoles landed the top class in the ACC, but it took a fantastic finish by Jimbo Fisher and company to earn that title.

Florida State locked up four commitments on signing day, all 4- or 5-star prospects, according to Rivals.com.

Among these commitments are 5-star defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, a 6'4" 317-pound prospect from Washington, DC. The addition of Goldman gives the Noles the best defensive line class in the nation as he joins 5-star Mario Edwards, 4-star Justin Shanks and 4-star Chris Casher.

Florida State also received a signature from the No. 2 cornerback in the nation in Ronald Darby. The 4-star from Oxon Hill, MD, who was previously committed to Notre Dame, is regarded as one of the fastest players in the country as he owns a blazing 4.37 40-yard dash.

Two defensive prospects, 4-star linebacker Reggie Northup and 4-star cornerback Colin Blake, also announced for Florida State on signing day.

Northup is ranked as the 30th best outside linebacker in the nation, and Blake is the 13th best cornerback. Both players will provide added depth to an exceptional defensive class.

Perhaps the biggest news out of the Florida State camp came after signing day when Jameis Winston, the top-ranked quarterback and 10th best prospect in the country, inked with the Noles.

Winston, who is also an elite baseball prospect, took a late visit to Stanford and was considering signing with the Cardinal. In the end, Fisher was able to close the deal and barring a high selection in the MLB first player draft, Winston should be in Tallahassee in the fall.

Florida State already had a phenomenal class before signing day. Despite a late defection by 5-star defensive end Dante Fowler, Jr., the Noles still boast the best class in the conference and can make a strong case for the best in the country.