Today we are going to look into each ACC team’s early signing class and how they fair for them. We will also explore the best recruited player in that class and what the class is lacking that the team needed. We will start with the Atlantic then move into the Coastal. And a reminder, these are grades that are according to each individual team and what grade is fair for them.
ACC Atlantic Division
Boston College: In this class, we saw the Eagles stick to their roots in pulling in a great running back in Patrick Garwo. This will bring a new sense of that running hope that may be lost with A.J Dillon. Also, we saw Boston College heavily on defensive linemen and they ended up drawing in five that would fit that criteria. However, where we saw this team struggling was with the linebacker spot and offensive linemen. Pretty soon, as much as the Eagles want to ignore it, they will be out of a healthy lineup of linebackers and offensive linemen. This class proved their further weakness to land those big types of players at those positions. Boston College will have their final grade hurt in a big way because of the serious issue that the lack of personnel in certain spots. Grade: B-
Clemson: At this point in their college football tenure, Clemson has made themselves a powerhouse. They are evolving into a top recruitment team year in and year out. In this class they brought in. In this year they improved on their skill positions, as well as, building on some really good defensive bases for Brent Venables. The addition of Andrew Booth helped out a ton with some secondary depth issues. I am sure that we will see Booth play at a high level quick to develop into an NFL talent out of Clemson, South Carolina. And it is hard to put this Clemson recruitment class at anything lower than the talent they preserve for their future college careers. Grade: A
Florida State: The Seminoles, once again, brought in an impressive defensive class. This time their success came under the influences of their new head coach, Willie Taggart. And I think fans and new recruits, alike, are hoping that things will change in Tallahassee. They brought in no top-100 recruits, but will get a great offensive linemen in Dontae Lucas that can help with some of the pocket issues that we saw in 2018. Watch for Taggart to spruce up this Seminole team and will find new light with a great recruitment class. I liked Florida State’s overall signing class, however, their lack of recruitment on the offensive side will show in their final grade. Grade: B+
Louisville: I don’t have much of anything good to say about this signing class. All FIVE of them are three-star recruits that will provide some good depth in a way. They did a good job in bringing in some linemen that they decently needed. One of them, especially in Zach Williamson, will have to fill in a spot in their first year on campus. Overall this one perhaps the worst signing class ever in ACC history. The Cardinals didn’t sign enough for their secondary depth or offensive depth at tight end. Grade: D-
NC State: I think this is a trend we started seeing in Raleigh after Bradley Chubb’s arrival with defense. I think it is nothing new to see strong defensive units at NC State, however, it is only trending upwards for the Wolfpack. Savion Jackson is the newest defensive end brought aboard the Wolfpack and will simulate something we somewhat saw out of Chubb. I hope that we see a true surge from NC State in the future to hopefully shift up the Atlantic side of the conference. I think NC State did great overall, but maybe could’ve done more offensively. Grade: A-
Syracuse: If we were comparing this class to another, I would give it a downgrade to NC State’s. The defensive presence is heavy with Dino this off season and it showed at the defensive box. This team will struggle bad next year when it comes to offense. They didn’t draft enough in the key offensive spots like tight end, quarterback, and offensive linemen. One man in particular, Mikel Jones, will help with the outside linebacker spot that Syracuse has not recruited well in the past. I think we will prove to be a dangerous blitzing threat and coverage threat. I liked this draft class, but definitely not enough on offense to make up for their oncoming issues. Grade: C+
Wake Forest: We saw a good class come out of the works for the Demon Deacons, but nothing special. They filled in some open defensive linemen spots and got some good wide receivers in to complete off some offensive needs. I am liking Donovan Greene at the wide receiver spot with his height and speed being brought in. Wake Forest could have gone in better at the offensive linemen spot and could have done a lot more at the linebacker spot too. The under recruitment of linebackers for the Demon Deacons is really what set this early signing class back upon others and will serve for their lower grade. Grade: C
ACC Coastal Division
Duke: I feel like this Duke Blue Devil signing class hasn’t gotten enough respect for what they’ve brought in. Duke needed more wide receivers and linemen to help produce some scoring for life after Daniel Jones. The Blue Devils should enjoy Tony Davis as he looks to be a great secondary help for Duke. He reminds me of Leonard Johnson that is currently a redshirt player on the team now. Duke needed a bit more at the quarterback and linebacker spot, but other than that, they did a good job. Grade: B
Georgia Tech: It is already hard enough keeping recruits when head coaching changes are on the way, but the Yellow Jackets did a fair job. They have a flux of good receivers coming into Atlanta and few solid running backs to help out the offense. I just think where they ended up lacking was on the defensive side of the ball. They did bring in Wesley Walker at cornerback, but i’m not sure that is enough. Good class, but nothing special. Grade: C+
Miami: I want to apologize to the Hurricane fans in advance. This year for early signing was just so bad. There are talks of it being “good enough” and “decent”, but to think what they could have had is sad. This class went from a nasty ferocious animal to a plush toy. And most of the decommits came from DC Manny Diaz leaving, just for him to return after signing day. Yes, they can still turn it around on general signing, but this was pitiful for Miami. They could have brought in an A-field rating. The Hurricanes get saved by Jeremiah Payton and Keontra Smith. Grade: B-
North Carolina: Considering that this team just had one of its worst years in school history, this was a great class. Mack Brown coming in gave a spark to the recruits and the team. One in Sam Howell who might be the Tarheels answer to their short quarterback drought after Trubisky. I think this draft class was impressive for North Carolina and might be a sign of what is to come under Mack Brown. Grade: B+
Pittsburgh: The Panthers essentially just built up the barracks with this early class. They didn’t land any super big names, but just made sure they built on their depth. I really like Jason Collier at tight end for this draft class because he will bring in many different looks for this offense. It might help spell out this pass struggle we have seen from Pittsburgh for some time. I feel as if this was a good, solid class, but nothing to get crazy about for the fans. Grade: B-
Virginia: This was a class that was needed for Virginia. They didn’t go to far out with a lot of super talented recruits, but upgraded in certain positions. They drafted a good set of linebackers for the year and also got in some good wide receivers. The only thing I am disliking is the amount of wide receivers and lack of offensive weapons. Over recruiting has been a pattern with Virginia and wide receivers, but everything else was just on par. Watch out, though, for the man on the defensive line with Jowon Briggs as he will bring the heat when it is his time. Grade: B
Virginia Tech: The Hokies really filled in what was left after last years crazy defensive recruitment year. They boosted up on offensive weapons at wide receiver and running back. Also, they built up on a secondary that has been hurt in the last couple of seasons. One of the favorites out of this class will have to be Keshawn King due to the hype building around his eventual big start. I think this was nearly perfect for the Hokies aside from a lack of linebackers. Grade: A-
Photo Credits: https://collegefootballnews.com/2017/02/2017-acc-recruiting-national-signing-day-class-rankings
