ACC: Biggest position of need for each program
As spring camps start up this month, there are still plenty of ACC teams with holes at different spots in their rosters. Here’s a look at each program’s biggest position of need from the transfer portal.
*****
FIVE KEY POSITION BATTLES: ACC | Big Ten | SEC | Big 12 | Pac-12
BEST AVAILABLE: QB | RB | WR | OL | DT | DE | LB | DB
BIGGEST IMPACT TRANSFERS: ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC | Pac-12
TRANSFER SUPERLATIVES: SEC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12
RIVALS TRANSFER PORTAL: Transfer portal team rankings formula explained | Transfer portal player ranking | Transfer Tracker | Latest news | Message board
*****
BOSTON COLLEGE
OFFENSIVE LINE — Boston College ranked last in the nation in rushing yards per game (63.25) and was tied for third to last in sacks allowed (46) last season. The Eagles return star guard Christian Mahogany, but they still need help up front.
*****
CLEMSON
WIDE RECEIVER — Clemson hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver in either of the past two seasons and could use more weapons for quarterback Cade Klubnik in his first year as the starter. The Tigers have talent in their receiving corps, but returning a proven playmaker would go a long way toward opening up the offense.
*****
DUKE
SAFETY — Duke struck gold last year when it added Western Illinois transfer Darius Joiner, who led the team with 98 tackles and two interceptions while ranking second with eight stops for loss. Now that the graduate transfer is gone, the Blue Devils might hope lighting strikes twice with a new portal addition.
*****
FLORIDA STATE
SAFETY — Florida State returns nine starters on defense but loses safety Jammie Robinson, who led the team with 99 tackles last season. The addition of Virginia transfer cornerback Fentrell Cypress opens up possibilities in the secondary, but the Seminoles could stand to add a proven veteran in the back end of their defense.
*****
GEORGIA TECH
OFFENSIVE LINE — Georgia Tech will focus more on trimming its roster than adding to it this spring. However, the Yellow Jackets could use a veteran offensive lineman. A former offensive line coach like Brent Key won't shy away from bulking up the position he knows best if given the opportunity to do so.
*****
LOUISVILLE
LINEBACKER — Louisville lost Monty Montgomery and Dorian Jones, who were both projected to start at inside linebacker this season. If first-year defensive coordinator Ron English wants to build on last season’s improvement, he might need to fortify his unit through the portal.
*****
MIAMI
RUNNING BACK — Henry Parrish Jr. returns after leading the Hurricanes with 616 rushing yards over 10 games last season, but at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds the junior isn’t suited to be a bell-cow back. The Hurricanes lost their next two rushers — Jaylan Knighton and Thad Franklin Jr. — to the transfer portal. Meanwhile, Donald Chaney Jr. is returning from a hip injury that limited him last season. A sturdy veteran in the backfield would be a welcomed addition.
*****
NORTH CAROLINA
LINEBACKER — Cedric Gray and Power Echols will be North Carolina's starting middle linebackers. However, the Tar Heels don't have much experience behind them in the depth chart. Depending on how second-year players Sebastian Cheeks and Deuce Caldwell do this spring, North Carolina could add a veteran to the unit.
*****
NC STATE
WIDE RECEIVER — NC State struggled to make big plays in the passing game last season. Things won’t be any easier this year as it loses its starting quarterback in Devin Leary as well as its top receiver in Thayer Thomas. The Wolfpack brought in Clemson transfer receiver Dacari Collins this offseason, but a more proven big-play threat would help the offense.
*****
PITTSBURGH
RUNNING BACK — Israel Abanikanda is heading to the NFL after rushing for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. While Pittsburgh returns a capable replacement in Rodney Hammond Jr., it’d be nice to provide some experienced competition for the junior.
*****
SYRACUSE
RUNNING BACK — Syracuse is also losing a 1,000-yard back in Sean Tucker. The Orange are set to hand the starting role over to LeQuint Allen but likely wouldn’t say no to a more proven option if given a chance to upgrade.
*****
VIRGINIA
CORNERBACK — Virginia lost its top two cornerbacks in Fentrell Cypress and Anthony Johnson, a duo that combined for 25 pass breakups last season. While the Cavaliers brought in North Carolina transfer Cam’Ron Kelly and Iowa State transfer Tayvonn Kyle more help may be needed at the cornerback position.
*****
VIRGINIA TECH
DEFENSIVE LINE — The Hokies are crying out for an impact edge rusher as their returning defensive ends combined for just four sacks last season. There’s an opportunity for instant playing time, which should be a strong selling point to possible transfers once the window opens back up.
*****
WAKE FOREST
OFFENSIVE LINE — Mitch Griffis should be a capable replacement for Sam Hartman at quarterback. However, that’s only if Wake Forest can keep the sophomore on his feet. The Demon Deacons are replacing three starters up front and could possibly look to shore up their offensive line through the portal.