Power Ranking Every ACC Team's 2015 Recruiting Class
On this national signing day, the rich got richer in the ACC. The league boasted two top-10 classes in 247Sports’ national rankings, but no other ACC squad cracked the top 25.
Florida State and Clemson are recruiting at a very high level—a different level than the rest of the league. The Seminoles snagged the nation’s No. 3 class, per 247Sports, and their Atlantic Division rivals, Clemson, came in at No. 8 nationally.
The Tigers and Seminoles combined to sign seven 5-star players and 19 4-star players. By comparison, the other 12 ACC teams combined signed no 5-star players and 21 4-star players between them.
In other words, the talent gap between the Atlantic’s best teams and the rest of the league only widened on Wednesday. Here’s a look at the ACC’s 2015 signing classes, ranked from No. 14 all the way to No. 1.
14. Syracuse
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Following a seven-win season and a Texas Bowl win in 2013, Syracuse took a hard step back in 2014. The Orange slipped to three wins, putting coach Scott Shafer firmly on the hot seat entering 2015. Shafer’s recruiting class reflects that turmoil.
It’s the ACC’s worst, rated by 247Sports as No. 61, and has no 4- or 5-star signees. The top signee is Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, athlete Dontae Strickland.
This isn’t a class which will lift Syracuse from the ACC basement, and it will only make it tougher to keep up with Florida State and Clemson in the ACC Atlantic.
13. Pittsburgh
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This offseason, Pittsburgh went through what feels like a familiar story: coaching upheaval. Following a pair of six-win seasons, Paul Chryst bolted to Wisconsin to take over as the Badgers’ head coach.
He was replaced by Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, a well-regarded hire. But transitioning staffs are never a recipe for recruiting success.
Pitt signed just 14 players after losing a pair of commits to rival Penn State. That said, the Panthers have talent at the top of the class with 4-star cornerback Jordan Whitehead (the nation’s No. 13 corner) and 4-star Youngstown, Ohio, tailback Darrin Hall, rated as the nation’s No. 24 tailback prospect.
Better days are ahead for Narduzzi and the Panthers, but this class can be chalked up to transition. It won’t be a game-changer.
12. Boston College
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Boston College coach Steve Addazio has become known on the recruiting trail for his mantra of “be a dude.” Addazio has enjoyed solid success at BC, leading the Eagles to consecutive bowl berths. But BC will never be a national recruiting hot spot, which is shown in its 2015 recruiting results.
The Eagles have no 4-star players—just a group of solid 3-star recruits who’ll likely outperform their recruiting rankings in the ACC.
The highest-ranked recruit, appropriately, is an offensive guard in Bradenton, Florida, native Wyatt Knopfke. That sounds about right for the Eagles’ run-based attack.
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11. Wake Forest
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Under Jim Grobe, Wake Forest was known for getting more with less, taking recruits that other programs might have passed over, redshirting them and building them up so they could compete with more highly touted players.
Following a 3-9 debut in 2014, it is a pattern that Dave Clawson would be wise to follow. Clawson does not have a 4-star prospect in the class. Pleasanton, California, quarterback Kyle Kearns and Kendall Hinton of Durham, North Carolina, are the class headliners, and cornerback Dionte Austin could also contribute early.
But this isn’t a class which will immediately vault the Demon Deacons back into bowl contention.
10. Duke
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Duke is far from a traditional ACC power, but the Blue Devils have still found tremendous recent success under David Cutcliffe, winning the ACC Coastal Division in 2013 and following it up with a nine-win season in 2014.
The Blue Devils are undertaking a massive renovation of Wallace Wade Stadium, and while their 2015 class doesn’t look impressive by national standards, it certainly passes muster in Durham.
The Devils’ class is a top-50 class by 247Sports, and it is the highest-ranked class in Cutcliffe’s Duke tenure. It is headlined by Santa Ana, California, linebacker Ben Humphreys, a top-25 recruit in the state of California and the nation’s No. 10 inside linebacker recruit.
The 18-member class doesn’t necessarily stack up with ACC powers, but if Duke’s recent results are any indication, Cutcliffe’s staff will get everything it can out of the new recruits.
9. Virginia
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One year ago, Virginia coach Mike London inspired confidence coming off a 2-10 season with a star-studded recruiting class that featured eventual ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Quin Blanding, an immediate star at safety.
The Cavaliers just missed a bowl game at 5-7, and London’s job status is no more secure. He’ll enter 2015 with a must-win mandate.
That pressure is reflected in UVA’s class of 2015, which is far from spectacular. It features only one true standout player in Virginia Beach linebacker Jahvoni Simmons, rated as a 4-star prospect and the nation’s No. 4 inside linebacker prospect.
West Chester, Ohio, inside linebacker C.J. Stalker (who has a name built for defense) and Washington, D.C., quarterback Matt Johns are intriguing prospects. But as a whole, this isn’t a class which will sell any season tickets in Charlottesville.
8. Georgia Tech
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With the way recruits now build relationships earlier and earlier with coaches, choosing to commit months in advance of national signing day, it can take a full cycle for on-field success to be reflected in a team’s recruiting results.
That appears to be the case with Georgia Tech. Following a run of mediocre seasons, the Yellow Jackets broke through in 2014 with an 11-win season that included an ACC Coastal Division title and an Orange Bowl win over Mississippi State.
But it isn’t really reflected in the recruiting class that Paul Johnson’s staff reeled in. In fact, it’s in the second half of the ACC. Tech’s 27-man class doesn’t include any 4-star recruits.
The top recruit is Tallahassee wide receiver Christian Philpott, rated as the nation’s No. 57 wide receiver prospect. Jacksonville, Florida, linebacker Victor Alexander is rated as the No. 18 inside linebacker prospect, and Suwanee, Georgia, defensive end Anree Saint-Amour is the No. 24 weak-side end prospect.
This group won’t make headlines on paper, but Johnson will certainly get the most he can out of them.
7. Louisville
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Louisville hopes to compete with Florida State and Clemson for ACC Atlantic Division superiority. And in the first season of Bobby Petrino’s second stint, the Cardinals pressed both of the Atlantic heavyweights before falling.
But if his 2015 recruiting class is any indication, Petrino, much like he did before, will have to learn to develop and do more with less. The class simply doesn’t measure up to the Tigers' or Seminoles’ top-rated groups.
In fact, the top signee is a player with major baggage. Louisville signed former TCU defensive end Devonte Fields, who has major talent but spent a season in junior college after being dismissed from the Horned Frogs program following domestic assault charges. He is seriously talented but will come with questions.
Four-star linebacker Darius Smith of Florence, Alabama, is rated as the nation’s No. 24 outside linebacker prospect.
Dual-threat quarterback Lamar Jackson is an intriguing prospect from South Florida, especially given the program’s ongoing questions under center. But as a whole, the class is middle-of-the-pack for the ACC, which won’t inspire celebration in Louisville.
6. N.C. State
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Dave Doeren made a huge improvement in his second season at North Carolina State, going from three wins to an 8-5 record, capped by a St. Petersburg Bowl victory.
The Wolfpack didn’t necessarily recruit at a nationally elite level, but this was a very solid group that finished inside the top 30 of the 247Sports rankings.
N.C. State had a strong year within the Old North State’s borders, garnering 13 in-state signees. By comparison, Triangle rival North Carolina had seven. Doeren’s staff signed four 4-star players and significantly bolstered the backfield in the process.
Princeton, North Carolina, tailback Johnny Frasier is rated as the nation’s No. 7 tailback prospect, and Garner’s Nyheim Hines is rated as the nation’s No. 2 all-purpose back.
In addition, in-state defensive end Darian Roseboro is rated among the nation’s top 10 defensive ends, which should bolster the Pack’s offensive line. And local product Emanuel McGirt is among the nation’s top 20 offensive tackle prospects.
N.C. State also picked off talented prospects in the final week, flipping defensive end Tyrone Riley from Kentucky and defensive end Emmanuel Olenga from East Carolina. Doeren’s staff has given Pack fans a reason to be excited.
5. Miami
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Miami wants to compete with Florida State to find its former glory as one of the nation’s top programs and one of the ACC’s best programs. But recruiting classes like this won’t do it. The effects of a 6-7 season were felt on the field, as the Hurricanes failed to truly capitalize on talent-rich South Florida.
Al Golden’s staff signed five 4-star players. They were led by local product Mark Walton, a Miami tailback who is rated by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 10 tailback. He should be able to find time in a backfield that will need star power following Duke Johnson’s departure to the NFL.
Miami safety Jaquan Johnson, rated as the nation’s No. 13 safety prospect, was one who’ll stay home. He could also see immediate playing time in the secondary.
California offensive tackle Bar Milo stands 6’6”, 270 pounds and has excellent potential. And junior college tight end Jerome Washington could be an excellent target early for reigning ACC Rookie of the Year Brad Kaaya.
4. Virginia Tech
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On the field, Virginia Tech’s 2014 season was rather uneven. The Hokies upset eventual national champion Ohio State, but they struggled just to reach a bowl game, needing a late rally over rival Virginia to get bowl-eligible at 6-6. They finished with a flourish by routing Cincinnati in the Military Bowl.
That said, Frank Beamer’s staff managed to put together a very solid class, with four 4-star players. Defensive tackle Tim Settle of Manassas, Virginia, is a mountain of a man at 6’2”, 361 pounds, and he should be able to contribute early on the Hokies defensive line.
Tampa, Florida, quarterback Dwayne Lawson is rated by 247Sports as the nation’s No. 9 pro-style QB prospect and could be the VT quarterback of the future.
Offensive tackle Austin Clark of Lexington, Virginia, is rated as one of the nation’s top 30 tackle prospects and has a college-ready body at 6’6”, 297 pounds.
Defensive tackle Yosuah Nijman is a prep school product who could team with Settle to give an already-solid defensive line a boost. Bud Foster is rubbing his hands together with glee.
3. North Carolina
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2014 was a year to forget on the field for North Carolina and Larry Fedora. The Tar Heels failed to build on a strong end to 2013, finishing 6-7 following a disappointing Quick Lane Bowl defeat at Rutgers' hands.
However, Fedora’s staff was recruiting strong off the field. UNC pulled in the ACC’s No. 3 class, a group that ranks among 247Sports’ top 30 classes nationally.
The Heels inked four 4-star players, led by Forsyth, North Carolina, weak-side defensive end Jalen Dalton, rated among the nation’s top 60 players.
Offensive tackle William Sweet of Jacksonville, Florida, adds heft and talent to the offensive front. And Sumter, South Carolina, tailback Ty’Son Williams adds depth to a backfield badly in need of it.
In addition, Montvale, New Jersey, center Tommy Hatton, rated among the nation’s top four center prospects, should team with Sweet to shore up the line in short order.
The Tar Heels didn’t get the star power of Clemson or Florida State, but given a 13-13 record over the past two seasons, it’s a pretty good haul that could really give the program a big boost on the field.
2. Clemson
13 of 14Dabo Swinney has recruited very well at Clemson. The proof shows on the field in the form of four consecutive 10-win seasons—including an ACC championship in 2011—and bowl wins over the likes of LSU, Ohio State and Oklahoma.
But 2015 is his best class yet. The Tigers finished strong and closed out with the nation's No. 8 class, per 247Sports, just missing the ACC’s top class behind Florida State.
Clemson likes to start its classes early with a strong commitment, and it did just that on 2014’s national signing day, gaining a pledge from 5-star offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt, the nation’s No. 22 player overall and No. 2 offensive tackle. He’s a future rock of the offensive line who could play early.
The Tigers didn’t stop there. They continued their strong run of Florida receivers with Tampa’s Deon Cain, a 5-star wideout who signed with Clemson despite a strong push from Auburn.
Also, 5-star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, rated as the nation’s No. 24 player, was a major pull from Suffield (CT) Academy. He could contribute early on a depleted defensive line.
The Tigers signed nine 4-star players, loading up in the trenches with in-state defensive tackle Albert Huggins; Tampa offensive tackle Jake Fruhmorgen; Richmond, Virginia, end Clelin Ferrell; and Thomasville, Georgia, end Austin Bryant.
In addition, Tampa athlete Ray-Ray McCloud III could also contribute early as an athlete. The Tigers also fortified their depth chart with a pair of quarterback signees in Kelly Bryant and Tucker Israel. It’s hard to imagine how the class could have been much better.
1. Florida State
14 of 14Since arriving at Florida State, Jimbo Fisher has built the Seminoles back into a national power. This fall, Fisher and his staff capitalized on the momentum built from a BCS National Championship and what extended to a 29-game winning streak before it was snapped by Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
The Seminoles garnered the nation’s No. 3 class, per 247Sports, and the ACC’s top class.
Florida State signed four 5-star players. They included Haines City, Florida, safety Derwin James, the nation’s No. 5 overall player; Chesapeake, Virginia, defensive end Josh Sweat, the nation’s No. 9 overall player; in-state receiver George Campbell of Tarpon Springs, the nation’s No. 2 receiver; and Fort Lauderdale cornerback Tarvarus McFadden, the nation’s No. 15 overall player.
Following Jameis Winston’s departure to the NFL, Fisher also signed a pair of talented quarterbacks in Deondre Francois and De’Andre Johnson.
They also picked up a key signing day addition in defensive back Marcus Lewis. Fisher told Brendan Sonnone of the Orlando Sentinel that he was very pleased with the late pickup.
"Marcus Lewis really helped out,” Fisher said. “He is a great player. Reminds me a lot of Terrence Brooks in a lot of ways, plays corner, plays safety, can do a ton of things. Long guys.”
The Seminoles addressed needs on both lines and at linebacker, areas of concern following recent draft departures. It’s the kind of class that will keep FSU at or near the top of the ACC for the near future.
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