Intriguing Players to Watch - ACC Edition
By Rory-Joe Daniels
The wait for the new college football season is nearly over. It’s time to focus on who the major players in each division are going to be.
Throughout four articles, I will give you one player from every team that intrigues me. That doesn’t mean they are simply the most talented. It could be a player who has big boots to fill, a young player I think could break out, and yes, it still could be one of the top QBs in the nation. There are no rules here!
So without further ado, here are the names I will be keen to keep an eye on in the ACC.
Boston College - Quintayvious Hutchins, EDGE
Replacing the 16.5 sacks that Donovan Ezeiraku recorded in 2024 will be a stiff task for Boston College’s defense. One of the main members of the defensive front who will hope to fill in is Hutchins. He flashed in 2024 as Ezeiraku’s running mate, but the pressure is on to increase his tally of 3.5 sacks. He did show plenty of potential, recording a pass-rush win rate over 15% and highlighting his athleticism when dropping into coverage vs Louisville to nab an interception. They’re big boots to fill, but Hutchins appears to have the potential.
Clemson - Avieon Terrell, Cornerback
NFL bloodlines mean something. Clemson’s junior cornerback Avieon Terrell will be seeking to follow in his brother AJ’s footsteps. He stands a good chance considering the quality across the board on the Clemson defense. In 2024, Terrell had 13 pass breakups and two interceptions. Those numbers should only increase given that Peter Woods and TJ Parker are likely to put opposing QBs in a spin. It’s certainly an opportunity to cement his first-round billing.
Duke - Darian Mensah, Quarterback
It’s difficult to ignore the headline act in Duke. Transfer QB Mensah was a star at Tulane and now makes the step up into the Power 4. At 6’3, 200lbs, he has the required build along with a powerful arm and being elusive in and out of the pocket. The Duke production line has developed Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard, who have been drafted by NFL teams, and Mensah will hope a productive year in the ACC can boost his stock.
Florida State - Roydell Williams, Running Back
Off the back of a disastrous 2024 season, the Seminoles need to find some stability on offense. This is a transfer-heavy group, so they will be looking to one of the few returning talents to help establish the running game. Williams never worked his way up to lead back at Alabama and was injured early last year. He gets one final shot here, and even more intriguing is that he kicks the season off against his old team.
Georgia Tech - Eric Rivers, Wide Receiver
It’s the revolving door of Eric’s at Georgia Tech. Out goes leading receiver Eric Singleton Jr, who gets an opportunity at SEC powerhouse Auburn. Coming the other way is Florida International’s Eric Rivers, the fourth leading receiver in the Group of 5 with 1172 yards. With an unofficial 4.38 forty-yard dash time, it’s clear that Rivers will bring a speed element to this offense and should develop an instant connection with veteran QB Haynes King.
Louisville - Makylan Pounders, Offensive Tackle
Louisville made finding an experienced left tackle a priority, considering they will also be bedding in a new face at QB (USC’s Miller Moss will replace Tyler Shough). Makylan Pounders is now on his third college team and has the requisite size to be a physical presence on Moss’s blind side. In the SEC last year for Mississippi State, Pounders allowed only three sacks and 19 pressures. His presence on the East-West Shrine Game watchlist suggests NFL teams will likely be interested in his performance.
Miami - Francis Mauigoa, Offensive Tackle
A bit of an obvious one here, but Mauigoa is possibly going to be one of the elite talents of this draft group. At only 20, he is young and features on Bruce Feldman’s well-renowned Freaks List. In 2024, he had a stellar season, only allowing one sack of star quarterback Cam Ward. New incumbent starter Carson Beck is less mobile in the pocket, so Mauigoa will be forced to hold protection for longer, a good test before the pros beckon next season.
North Carolina - Thaddeus Dixon, Cornerback
This North Carolina defense is projected to have nine new starters as Bill Belichick rebuilds the Tar Heels in his image. One of the more talented additions is Washington transfer Thad Dixon. Dixon is a long-armed boundary corner who is not scared to mix it up in the tackle. His closing speed means he is always in and around the ball, logging 10 pass breakups and one interception. It might not be pretty in Chapel Hill with so many new faces, but Dixon could be a highlight.
NC State - Justin Joly, Tight End
Losing receiver KC Concepcion to the transfer portal will put the returning group of pass-catchers at NC State under more pressure in 2024. However, Concepcion took a step back last year, and it was UConn transfer tight end Joly who led the team in receiving yards. He will once again need to shoulder a heavy load, but he could end up being one of the premier tight ends in the nation.
Pittsburgh - Desmond Reid, Running Back
Reid will be looking to break the 1,000 rushing yard mark this year, having been 34 yards short in 2024. The diminutive back (5’8, 175lbs) possesses a devastating change of direction and true breakaway speed that makes him a weapon as a kick returner as well. That’s to be expected from the ‘scat-back’ style, but don’t doubt Reid’s physicality; he certainly has an all-round skillset that should translate to the next level.
SMU - Kevin Jennings, Quarterback
I’m not going to get cute with my SMU selection. Jennings was the catalyst at QB that propelled the Mustangs to a playoff berth. His blend of elite arm talent and escapability made him a must-watch each Saturday. He will remain that in 2025, and we can all look forward to watching him connect regularly with elite tight end RJ Maryland. Another playoff run may be challenging to repeat, but Jennings has the potential to develop further.
Stanford - Elijah Brown, Quarterback
Landing the former Mater Dei QB and four-star prospect Brown in 2024 was quite the boon for the Cardinal. They allowed him to redshirt his first year, appearing in only three games, but 2025 should be the year when he becomes the starter. Can he live up to his lofty recruiting ranking? It won’t be easy with the surrounding talent, but Brown has bags of talent.
Syracuse - Johntay Cook, Wide Receiver
Here’s a wildcard. Cook is perhaps one of the most naturally gifted players in the ACC. A consensus 5-star recruit, Cook has so far failed to live up to the hype. Having left Texas in November, Cook had a 17-day stay in Washington before being arrested twice in the offseason. Can Syracuse head coach Fran Brown tease the best from Cook by pairing him with Notre Dame transfer QB Steve Angeli? It feels like the final roll of the dice for sure.
Virginia - Mitchell Melton, Edge Rusher
The Ohio State defense of 2024 was stacked. It was a group designed with enough depth to ensure a Championship run. That’s why you can’t hold it against guys like Melton, who struggled to get snaps to shine. The former Buckeye is a commanding 6’4, 261lbs and the Cavaliers hope his experience can make him a leader off the field but also on the stat sheet. Given a shot at a starting role, Melton could be a suprise package.
Virginia Tech - Ben Bell, Edge Rusher
Keep your eyes peeled for a flash of curly red hair making its way to opposing QBs down in Blacksburg, Virginia, this year. Bell is not your typical defensive end, considering his 6’1 build, but he was ultra productive two years ago for Texas State. He had 10 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 2023 but suffered a season-ending injury early last season. Can he regain his previous form, as well as stepping up to the Power-4 level?
Wake Forest - Fa'alili Fa'amoe, Offensive Tackle
It’s difficult to know what to expect from new Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert. He had made steady progress with Washington State until the Pac-12 disintegrated; now he has to start from scratch with the Demon Deacons. He has, however, brought across a key building block in Fa’amoe. He will be crucial at the left tackle spot, providing a solid base for dual-threat QB Robby Ashford to work his magic.
Rory-Joe DanIELS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL ANALYST
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.