ACC Football: Post-Spring 2024 Power Rankings
Spring practice is over for all 17 teams in the ACC for the 2024 college football season. Although it's tough to get an accurate read on teams from practices in the spring, the first set of official workouts provide some insight into rosters, coaching outlooks, transfers or impact freshmen for the upcoming year. With every team set to have some attrition or more freshmen/transfers added for '24, it's dangerous to read too much into everything that happens in the spring.
Things in the spring should be taken with a grain of salt, but the ACC pecking order for '24 has started to form. Although Florida State and Clemson are the early favorites, the gap between the Seminoles and Tigers and the rest of the league is relatively small. Miami, NC State, Louisville, Virginia Tech, and SMU will be a factor in the conference title race.
How do the teams stack up in the ACC after spring practice going into '24? Here are Athlon's post-spring power rankings:
ACC Football: Post-Spring 2024 Power Rankings
1. Florida State
Expect a close race atop the ACC in '24, but the Seminoles get the early nod as the conference favorite. Coach Mike Norvell's team needs hefty contributions from a few transfers to repeat, including quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (Oregon State), receiver Malik Benson (Alabama), edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr. (Georgia), and defensive back Earl Little (Georgia).
Related: College Football Post-Spring Top 25 for 2024
2. Clemson
Even though the Tigers lost a ton of talent off last year's defense, this season's group will be once again rank among the top in the nation. Look for TJ Parker and Peter Woods to be the next stars up front. Quarterback Cade Klubnik needs to take the next step in his development, and freshman receivers Bryant Wesco and TJ Moore must make an impact right away if Clemson's offense is to improve in '24.
3. Miami
New quarterback Cam Ward (Washington State) and running back Damien Martinez (Oregon State) arrive from the transfer portal to boost a Miami offense that averaged 31.5 points a game last season. Even though the Hurricanes have reeled in a solid portal haul for their defense, question marks remain in the secondary. Can coach Mario Cristobal turn the potential into on-field success this fall?
Related: 6 Teams Winning College Football's Spring Transfer Window
4. NC State
The Wolfpack averaged only 22.6 points a game in ACC contests last year but expect a much-improved attack behind transfer quarterback Grayson McCall and dynamic sophomore receiver Kevin Concepcion. The defense will miss linebacker Payton Wilson.
5. Louisville
If quarterback Tyler Shough stays healthy, the Texas Tech transfer should thrive in coach Jeff Brohm's high-powered offense. The Cardinals also have one of the ACC's top defenses returning, headlined by lineman Ashton Gillotte and standout cornerback Quincy Riley.
6. Virginia Tech
The Hokies are a dark horse title contender in the ACC after finishing 2023 by winning five out of their last seven games. Coach Brent Pry's team doesn't lose much personnel from last year's squad and brings back rising star quarterback Kyron Drones.
Preston Stone is a big reason why SMU will be competitive right away in its debut in the ACC. Stone ranks among the ACC's top returning signal-callers for '24.
Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
7. SMU
The Mustangs rank seventh here but not much separates coach Rhett Lashlee's program from a few teams just ahead in the early power rankings. SMU is equipped to push for a spot in the top 25 thanks to 14 returning starters off a team that won 11 games last fall. Quarterback Preston Stone should be among the best in the ACC.
8. Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets must navigate a tough schedule in '24, but coach Brent Key's team has the pieces in place to return to a bowl game. Quarterback Haynes King ranks among the best in the ACC, and new defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci should improve a unit that allowed 29.5 points a game last fall.
Related: College Football's Top 10 Wide Receivers for 2024
9. North Carolina
After a stint at Arkansas, transfer quarterback Jacolby Criswell is back in Chapel Hill, adding to a quarterback competition that was unsettled in the spring between Max Johnson and Conner Harrell. For the Tar Heels to challenge for a higher finish in the ACC, new coordinator Geoff Collins must fix a defense that allowed 27.3 points a game and ranked 11th in the ACC against the run.
10. Syracuse
New coach Fran Brown is known for his recruiting ability, so it was no surprise the former Georgia assistant and New Jersey native made an instant splash in talent acquisition. Ohio State transfer Kyle McCord should be one of the ACC's top quarterbacks in '24, and the offense also regains the services of tight end Oronde Gadsden II. A couple of portal additions also solidified the defensive front this spring.
11. California
Running back Jaydn Ott (1,315 rushing yards and 10 scores) is among the nation's most underrated playmakers. He headlines an offense under new coordinator Mike Bloesch that left spring with an unsettled quarterback battle between Chandler Rogers and Fernando Mendoza. The Golden Bears need to get better on defense after giving up 37.8 points a game in Pac-12 play last season.
12. Boston College
New coach Bill O'Brien inherits a solid foundation to work with in 2024, including dynamic quarterback Thomas Castellanos and seven returning starters on defense. The Eagles have a tough slate to navigate this fall with eight of their 11 FBS opponents going to bowl games last season.
Related: College Football's Top 15 Running Backs for 2024
13. Pitt
After a disastrous 2023 season by the offense, coach Pat Narduzzi hit the reset button on that side of the ball. New coordinator Kade Bell brings a new scheme and uptempo approach in hopes of sparking this group. But there are questions outside of the scheme, as the Panthers need to sort out a quarterback battle featuring Alabama transfer Eli Holstein and Nate Yarnell. Pitt also returns only three starters on defense and lost two key linemen (Dayon Hayes to transfer and Nate Temple to injury) in the spring.
14. Duke
New coach Manny Diaz will have a tough time matching last year's eight wins with just eight returning starters. The Blue Devils have big-time concerns on the offensive line and must replace a couple of defensive standouts, including tackle DeWayne Carter, linebacker Dorian Mausi, and tackle Aeneas Peebles. Texas transfer Maalik Murphy brings intriguing upside at quarterback.
15. Wake Forest
Coach Dave Clawson's track record suggests the Demon Deacons should rebound in '24 after a disappointing 4-8 record last fall. But for Wake Forest to do so, the offense needs better quarterback play - potentially Louisiana Tech/Boise State transfer Hank Bachmeier - to go with a receiving corps that ranks among the best in the ACC. The post-spring transfer of cornerback DaShawn Jones was a setback to a secondary with major concerns.