To the surprise of no one, Clemson has positioned itself for another monster recruiting class in 2019. When it comes to the ACC, much like the action on the field, no one can really stack up with the Tigers in terms of recruiting rankings.
As the 2018 Early Signing Period opened up on Wednesday (Dec. 19), Clemson added another layer to the sturdy foundation in Death Valley. However, plenty of other ACC programs — like NC State, for instance — did well, too. Let’s take a look at where the class for each ACC team stands. (Note: Stars, national rankings from 247 Sports.)
Boston College — 16
Patrick Garwo — Running back, 3-stars, No. 391
Sam Johnson — Quarterback, 3-stars, No. 602
Shitta Sillah — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 650
Spencer Bono — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 763
Bryce Sebastian — Wide receiver, 3-stars, No. 912
Jack Conley — Offensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 925
Jackson Ness — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 945
Iziah Henderson — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 968
Josh DeBerry — Cornerback, 3-stars
Jalen Williams — Safety, 3-stars
Ethon Williams — Wide receiver, 3-stars
Zay Flowers — Wide receiver, 3-stars
Blerim Rustemi — Offensive guard, 3-stars
Connor Grieco — Safety, 3-stars
Ireland Burke — Defensive tackle, 3-stars
Steve Lubischer — Safety, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 2
Romain Mungin — Athlete, 3-stars
Mike Ciaffoni — Defensive tackle, 3-stars
ACC Rank: No. 10
BC Lands Commitment From MA DT Mike Ciaffoni, Previously Committed To UMass https://t.co/aaaSyIZhO0
— BC Interruption (@bcinterruption) December 19, 2018
Clemson — 25
Andrew Booth — Cornerback, 5-stars, No. 19
Frank Ladson — Wide receiver, 5-stars, No. 27
Sheridan Jones — Cornerback, 4-stars, No. 121
Bryton Constantin — Linebacker, 4-stars, No. 127
Joseph Charleston — Safety, 4-stars, No. 148
Tyler Davis — Defensive tackle, 4-stars, No. 161
Taisun Phommachanh — Quarterback, 4-stars, No. 176
Kane Patterson — Linebacker, 4-stars, No. 205
Chez Mellusi — Running back, 4-stars, No. 210
Vonta Bentley — Linebacker, 4-stars, No. 279
Jaelyn Lay — Tight end, 4-stars, No. 305
Jalyn Phillips — Safety, 3-stars, No. 441
Keith Maguire — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 454
Etinosa Reuben — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 464
Hunter Rayburn — Offensive guard, 3-stars, No. 474
Tayquon Johnson — Defensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 481
Logan Cash — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 564
Ray Thornton — Safety, 3-stars, No. 604
Brannon Spector — Wide receiver, 3-stars, No. 607
Ruke Orhorhoro — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 720
Lannden Zanders — Safety, 3-stars, No. 755
Kaleb Boateng — Offensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 916
Davis Allen — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 922
Greg Williams — Safety, 3-stars, No. 939
Aidan Swanson — Punter, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 1
Joe Ngata — Wide receiver, 4-stars, No. 51
ACC Rank: No. 1
Don't think you can understate the significance of this one. 5-star a huge, huge get for #Clemson https://t.co/TQiynEEKQu
— Paul Strelow (@PaulStrelowTI) December 19, 2018
Duke — 20
Tony Davis — Cornerback, 4-stars, No. 282
Jacob Monk — Offensive guard, 3-stars, No. 471
DeWayne Carter — Defensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 511
Eli Pancol — Wide receiver, 3-stars, No. 580
Ron Carr — Offensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 673
Isaiah Kemp — Cornerback, 3-stars, No. 741
Ahmad Craig — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 744
Darrell Hardig — Wide receiver, 3-stars, No. 754
Jalen Alexander — Cornerback, 3-stars, No. 867
RJ Oben — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 872
Christian Rorie — Defensive end, 3-stars
Jaylen Coleman — Running back, 3-stars
John Gelotte — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Caleb Oppan — Defensive end, 3-stars
Jalon Calhoun — Wide receiver, 3-stars
Jordan Waters — Wide receiver, 3-stars
Matthew Smith — Tight end, 3-stars
Sayyid Stevens — Linebacker, 3-stars
Elijah Wroten — Offensive guard, 3-stars
Charlie Ham — Kicker, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 1
Porter Wilson — Punter, 3-stars
ACC Rank: No. 7
Tied with the O-Line for second-biggest position group in #DukeGang19: https://t.co/puOhgfnzWP https://t.co/6ZU0rLTM3g
— Adam Rowe (@AdamRoweTDD) December 19, 2018
Florida State — 13
Jaleel McRae — Linebacker, 4-stars, No. 200
Kalen DeLoach — Lineback, 4-stars, No. 243
Curtis Fann — Defensive end, 4-stars, No. 286
Raymond Woodie III — Athlete, 4-stars, No. 316
Maurice Goolsby — Wide receiver, 3-stars, No. 383
Derrick McLendon — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 392
Renardo Green — Cornerback, 3-stars, No. 475
Jarvis Brownlee — Cornerback, 3-stars, No. 532
Tru Thompson — Defensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 630
Kevon Glenn — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 883
Jay Williams — Offensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 68 (JUCO)
Maurice Smith — Offensive guard, 3-stars
Malcolm Ray — Defensive tackle, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 7
Akeem Dent — Cornerback, 5-stars, No. 33
Nick Cross — Safety, 4-stars, No. 76
Brendan Gant — Safety, 4-stars, No. 116
Dontae Lucas — Offensive guard, 4-stars, No. 118
Travis Jay — Cornerback, 4-stars, No. 172
Quashon Fuller — Defensive end, 4-stars, No. 203
Derick Hunter — Defensive end, 4-stars, No. 277
ACC Rank: No. 2
Big signing for FSU https://t.co/UQHbi9QjS6
— Bud Elliott 🔌 (@BudElliott3) December 19, 2018
Georgia Tech — 14
Wesley Walker — Cornerback, 3-stars, No. 575
Kalani Norris — Wide receiver, 3-stars, No. 645
Jordan Huff — Athlete, 3-stars, No. 715
Zach Owens — Wide receiver, 3-stars, No. 882
Kenan Johnson — Cornerback, 3-stars, No. 964
Jordan Yates — Quarterback, 3-stars, No. 998
Tony Amerson — Running back, 3-stars
Chico Bennett Jr. — Linebacker, 3-stars
Devin Ellison — Running back, 3-stars
Dylan Deveney — Tight end, 3-stars
Jeremiah Smith — Safety, 3-stars
Demetrius Knight — Quarterback, 3-stars
D’Quan Douse — Defensive end, 3-stars
Jamal Camp — Defensive tackle, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 3
Briton Allen — Safety, 3-stars, No. 394
Larry Dowdy — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Joshua Black — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
ACC Rank: No. 12
Linebacker Ahdarrious Gee from Crisp County has decommitted. Had been committed since June. He had been recruited by Andy McCollum. https://t.co/lKWNtyI8sH
— Ken Sugiura (@ksugiuraajc) December 19, 2018
Louisville — 4
Aidan Robbins — Running back, 3-stars, No. 743
Zach Williams — Offensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 745
Dorian Jones — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 870
Evan Conley — Quarterback, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 1
Ty Murray — Offensive guard, 3-stars, No. 959
ACC Rank: No. 14
✍️: Dorian Jones
🏈: LB
📍: Plantation, FLWelcome @newera22_ to the family! #VilleGang19 pic.twitter.com/iGOm2oae76
— LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) December 19, 2018
Miami — 10
Jeremiah Payton — Wide receiver, 4-stars, No. 69
Keontra Smith — Safety, 4-stars, No. 185
Jahfari Harvey — Defensive end, 4-stars, No. 220
Te’Cory Couch — Cornerback, 4-stars, No. 302
Jason Blissett — Defensive tackle, 4-stars, No. 318
Larry Hodges — Tight end, 3-stars, No. 574
Samuel Brooks — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 726
Jalar Holley — Defensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 750
Jakai Clark — Center, 3-stars
Zion Nelson — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 4
Avery Huff — Linebacker, 4-stars, No. 222
Cameron Williams — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 484
Jason Munoz — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 818
Louis Hedley — Punter, 2-stars, No. 259 (JUCO)
ACC Rank: No. 5
Let’s check in on Miami and see how everything is going…
Lineman from Butler a huge get !! Omg what have we become??
— PJ Fan 1 (@crherman1969) December 19, 2018
NC State — 19
Savion Jackson — Defensive end, 4-stars, No. 93
C.J. Clark — Defensive tackle, 4-stars, No. 212
Joshua Harris — Defensive tackle, 4-stars, No. 283
Shyheim Battle — Cornerback, 3-stars, No. 411
Ty Evans — Quarterback, 3-stars, No. 467
Khalid Martin — Safety, 3-stars, No. 490
Ikem Ekwonu — Offensive guard, 3-stars, No. 601
Bailey Hockman — Quarterback, 3-stars, No. 38 (JUCO)
Terrell Dawkins — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 609
Drake Thomas — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 613
Timothy McKay — Offensive guard, 3-stars, No. 647
Zonovan Knight — Running back, 3-stars, No. 657
Jaylon Scott — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 736
Dylan McMahon — Center, 3-stars, No. 765
Jalen Frazier — Cornerback, 3-stars, No. 822
Chris Toudle — Wide receiver, 3-stars
Keyon Lesane — Wide receiver, 3-stars
Jakeen Harris — Safety, 3-stars
Zovon Lindsay — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 3
Jamious Griffin — Running back, 4-stars, No. 366
Kam Walker — Tight end, 3-stars
Joe Shimko — Long snapper, 2-stars
ACC Rank: No. 3
#NSD is the beginning of the journey. THIS is the destination 🎓
Congratulations to the newest graduates of @NCState #1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/obwvyQGO9S
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) December 19, 2018
North Carolina — 16
Triston Miller — Offensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 381
Emery Simmons — Wide receivers, 3-stars, No. 518
Josh Henderson —Running back, 3-stars, No. 578
Giovanni Biggers — Safety, 3-stars, No. 688
Welton Spottsville — Wide receiver, 3-stars, No. 835
Kevin Hester — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 860
Asim Richards — Offensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 877
Kamari Morales — Tight end, 3-stars, No. 971
Tomari Fox — Defensive end, 3-stars
Storm Duck — Cornerback, 3-stars
Justin Olson — Wide receiver, 3-stars
Kristian Varner — Defensive end, 3-stars
Wyatt Tunall — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Obi Egbuna — Cornerback, 3-stars
Ben Kiernan — Punter, 2-stars
Drew Little — Long snapper, 2-stars
Unsigned Commits — 3
Sam Howell — Quarterback, 4-stars, No. 87
Khafre Brown — Wide receiver, 4-stars, No. 218
Khadry Jackson — Safety, 3-stars, No. 828
ACC Rank: 9
Howell, a four-star prospect, is the No. 3 Pro-style quarterback in the country by 247sports. The No. 2 player in North Carolina, and the No. 87 player overall. This was a huge get for Mack Brown in his first year.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) December 19, 2018
Pittsburgh — 20
Daniel Carter — Running back, 3-stars, No. 500
Davis Beville — Quarterback, 3-stars, No. 546
Brandon Mack — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 625
Brandon Hill — Safety, 3-stars, No. 629
Brandon George — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 753
Calijah Kancey — Defensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 820
Vincent Davis — Running back, 3-stars, No. 826
Bryce Nelms — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 839
Deandre Jules — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 942
Jason Collier — Tight end, 3-stars, No. 976
Bam Brima — Defensive end, 3-stars
Matt Goncalves — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Will Gipson — Athlete, 3-stars
Kyi Wright — Linebackers, 3-stars
Nick Malone — Offensive guard, 3-stars
Leslie Smith — Linebacker, 3-stars
AJ Woods — Athlete, 3-stars
Jared Wayne — Wide receiver, 3-stars
Liam Dick — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Nate Temple — Defensive end, 3-stars
ACC Rank: 8
Have had folks tell me that Pitt's latest signee, Florida safety Brandon Hill, could be one of the best in this class. He had five picks this season and should be able to make plays on the ball, but also come help in the box in Pitt's scheme on defense: https://t.co/uUkFP96jpE
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) December 19, 2018
Syracuse —16
Mikel Jones — Linebacker, 4-stars, No. 375
Lee Kpogba — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 412
Cornelius Nunn — Safety, 3-stars, No. 522
Geoff Cantin — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 592
Darius Tisdale — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Matthew Bergeron — Offensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 927
Aman Greenwood — Safety, 3-stars
Courtney Jackson — Athlete, 3-stars
Cooper Dawson — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Joe Rondi — Defensive tackle, 3-stars
Andrew Tuazama — Defensive end, 3-stars
Garrett Williams — Cornerback, 3-stars
Anthony Red — Offensive guard, 3-stars
Luke Benson — Tight end, 3-stars
Adrian Cole — Cornerback, 3-stars
Ishmael Goulbourne — Defensive end, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 1
Dorian Hewett — Safety, 3-stars
ACC Rank: 13
Add three-star South Carolina DL Cooper Dawson (@Cooper15Dawson) to the signee list. A silent commit over the last couple weeks, Dawson recently picked up offers from Clemson, UCLA & Virginia. Impressive pickup for the Orange.
Story from @MinkNate: https://t.co/HDE0Cq2PZ5
— Stephen Bailey (@Stephen_Bailey1) December 19, 2018
Virginia — 16
Jowon Briggs — Defensive tackle, 4-stars, No. 68
Hunter Stewart — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 547
Ben Smiley — Defensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 561
Ja’quay Hubbard — Offensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 567
Mike Hollins — Running back, 3-stars, No. 802
Antonio Clary — Athlete, 3-stars, No. 908
Fentrell Cypress — Cornerback, 3-stars, No. 926
D’Sean Perry — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 987
Josh Ahern — Linebacker, 3-stars
Zachary Teter — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Dorien Goddard — Wide receiver, 3-stars
Jonathan Leech — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Chayce Chalmers — Safety, 3-stars
RJ Harvey Jr. — Quarterback, 3-stars
Dontayvion Wicks — Wide receiver, 3-stars
Tenyeh Dixon — Cornerback, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 6
Nick Jackson — Linebacker, 3-stars, No. 540
Seneca Milledge — All-purpose back, 3-stars, No. 670
Kariem Al Soufi — Offensive guard, 3-stars
Major Williams — Cornerback, 3-stars
Luke Wentz — Quarterback, 3-stars
Jairus Satiu — Linebacker, 3-stars
ACC Rank: 6
At #UVA, recruiting class rankings continue to climb with each year under Bronco Mendenhall. Cavs' class ranked 13th in ACC in 2016, 12th in 2017, 11th for 2018. This year's group is rated No. 6 going into early signing day. https://t.co/5WJnlhxM35
— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) December 19, 2018
Virginia Tech — 19
Jaden Payoute — Athlete, 4-stars, No. 177
Bryan Hudson — Offensive guard, 4-stars, No. 236
J.R. Walker — Athlete, 4-stars, No. 321
Tayvion Robinson — Athlete, 4-stars, No. 341
Keshawn King — Running back, 4-stars, No. 362
Nyquee Hawkins — Safety, 3-stars, No. 388
Jacoby Pinckney — Wide receiver, 3-stars, No. 416
Jesse Hanson — Offensive guard, 3-stars, No. 635
Elijah Bowick — Wide receiver, 3-stars, No. 644
Nick Gallo — Tight end, 3-stars, No. 758
Tahj Gary — Running back, 3-stars, No. 779
Norell Pollard — Defensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 808
William Pritchard — Offensive guard, 3-stars, No. 892
Mario Kendricks — Defensive tackle, 3-stars, No. 941
Dean Ferguson — Safety, 3-stars, No. 946
Amare Barno — Linebacker, 3-stars
Dashawn Crawford — Defensive tackle, 3-stars
Brion Murray — Cornerback, 3-stars
Joshua Fuga — Defensive tackle, 3-stars
Unsigned Commits — 1
Jahad Carter — Athlete, 3-stars, No. 768
ACC Rank: 4
With three junior college signings this year, Fuente has now had six since becoming the #Hokies' head coach.
That's how many Frank Beamer signed from the JUCO ranks in his last 18 years from 1998-2015. (VT still went heavy on the prep route at Hargrave or Fork Union, however.)
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) December 19, 2018
Wake Forest —20
Nolan Groulx — Wide receiver, 4-stars, No. 198
Donavon Greene — Wide receiver, 4-stars, No. 238
Shamar McCollum — Defensive end, 4-stars, No. 421
Jeremiah Gray — Defensive end, 3-stars, No. 762
Kendrell Flowers — All-purpose back, 3-stars, No. 823
Trey Rucker — Safety, 3-stars, No. 990
CJ Elmonus — Offensive tackle, 3-stars
Cameron Hite — Tight end, 3-stars
Isaiah Chaney — Defensive end, 3-stars
Chase Jones — Linebacker, 3-stars
Zach Ranson — Athlete, 3-stars
Michael Kern — Quarterback, 3-stars
Jaylen Hudson — Linebacker, 3-stars
Will Smart — Defensive end, 3-stars
Taylor Morin — Athlete, 3-stars
Ivan Mora — Kicker, 3-stars
AJ Williams — Athlete, 3-stars
Drelyn Ford — Tight end, 3-stars
Kenneth Walker — Running back, 3-stars
ACC Rank: No. 10
Wake Forest will have 6 January enrollees. They are:
QB Michael Kern
WR Donavon Greene
WR Nolan Groulx
DE Shamar McCollum
DT Miles Fox (grad transfer from ODU)
OL Devonte Gordon (grey-shirted because of senior year injury)— Conor O'Neill (@ConorONeillWSJ) December 19, 2018