ACC College Football 2024: 5 Instant Impact Freshmen

ACC College Football 2024

The ACC footprint is as wide as it’s ever been, with a presence now reaching north to Boston, south to Miami, and as far west as Dallas and Silicon Valley. It’s geographically bizarre, but this is our current state of realignment in college football.

With the additions of SMU, Cal, Stanford, the ACC has broadened its overall talent base, which includes incoming high school building blocks. Each of the league’s 17 member schools is ready to turn loose its latest recruits in fall camp, but these five ACC true freshmen are most ready to make instant impacts in 2024.

2024 ACC Team Previews, Breakdowns
Boston College | Cal | Clemson | Duke
Florida State | Georgia Tech | Louisville
Miami | NC State | North Carolina | Pitt
SMU | Stanford | Syracuse | Virginia
Virginia Tech | Wake Forest
College Football Preview 2024: All 134 Teams
2024 CFN All-ACC Team
CFN Top 25 ACC Players

5. Caleb Holmes, OG Pitt

Holmes is determined to continue Pitt’s rich history of developing pile-driving interior blockers. He’s from the same high school in Georgia as current Panther BJ Williams, who started as a true freshman last year. Holmes will be given every opportunity to inject young energy into a line that struggled badly last year.

4. Jordan Shipp, WR North Carolina

The Heels' top recruit of 2024 has been performing like it this offseason. Carolina needs help for JJ Jones now that Tez Walker is gone, and Shipp can be that guy. He'll make life easier for QBs Max Johnson and Conner Harrell with his crisp routes and advanced ball skills.

3. Elija Lofton, TE Miami

Lofton made noise throughout the spring with his versatility and acrobatics. He’s got a little Deebo Samuel in him at 6-3 and 230 pounds and he’s even played some running back in practice. Regardless of where Lofton lines up, he’s a unique playmaker so the Cane staff will have fun devising unique ways to get the ball in his hands.

2. T.J. Moore, WR Clemson

Classmate Bryant Wesco had an impressive spring, but Moore will end up being the best receiver from this class. The 6-3, 190-pounder should become the outside playmaker Clemson has been seeking for years. Beyond his length and smooth athleticism, Moore’s route running and ball skills are already at an elite level.

1. Sammy Brown, LB Clemson

Whatever Dabo misses in the portal, he’s making up for on Signing Day. Clemson landed pillars for both sides of the ball, with Brown being the signature on D. He has an ideal mix of size, closing speed, and intangibles like football IQ and hunger to learn. He’s had a terrific offseason and will be tough to keep on the sidelines, even if he opens on the second team.

Related: College Football Preview 2024: CFN 134 Team Previews, Rankings, Top Players, Win Totals & Schedules