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In the college football recruiting world, two leagues have largely dominated over the past decade: the Big Ten and SEC. In 2025, more than 75 percent of the blue-chip prospects in the class signed with schools in those leagues. But in 2026, it’s been a bit of a different story. Led by a recruiting resurgence from Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina and SMU, the ACC has cut out its own share of the talent pie. As of publication, 73 of the nation’s top 400 prospects are committed to one of the 17 ACC schools, up from just 51 a year ago. That includes 12 of the 17 having at least one blue-chipper, too. It’s exactly the kind of talent infusion the league needs as it tries to keep pace with the big boys. Ahead of signing day in exactly six weeks, Rivals breaks down each of the top commits for every ACC team: Boston College — EDGE Mason Leak Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 326 NATL. (No. 34 EDGE) School: Bacon Academy (Conn.) About: One of the top prospects in the Northeast, regardless of position, Leak chose head coach Bill O’Brien and the Eagles last October directly after landing an offer from the program. He’s currently the lone blue-chipper in the BC class to date. Virginia, Wake Forest and Syracuse have also offered since, but Leak looks to be locked in following an official visit to Chestnut Hill at the end of June. California — EDGE Cam Brooks Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 442 NATL. (No. 49 EDGE) School: Thomas County Central (Ga.) Notable Quote: “I feel like the plan they (the Bears) have for me is really good,” Brooks told Warchant on in May. “They have been recruiting me the hardest since Day One. They were my first offer. The plan they have for me, there’s no way I can lose.” Clemson — WR Naeem Burroughs Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 74 NATL. (No. 8 WR) School: Bolles School (Fla.) Scout’s Take: “Naeem Burroughs has continued to show why he’s an outlier for us at the wide receiver position. Watching him move and cut in his route running while flashing his body control and balance at the catch point and at the top of his routes was a treat to watch at the Rivals 5-Star event. He’s a truly gifted athlete consistently hitting the 10.6 mark in the 100m and sub-22.00 in the 200m during his junior track and field season. Combine that with his natural ball tracking downfield and his natural hands and you have a three-level pass catcher who can score from anywhere on the field.” Duke — IOL Sean Stover Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 335 NATL. (No. 29 IOL) School: Prosper (Texas) About: Head coach Manny Diaz and the Blue Devils infiltrated Texas last fall and landed an early pledge from Stover at the end of November. Michigan has made a late push in recent weeks, but he’s currently set to head to Durham at the next level. He’s the lone blue-chipper in the class to date. Florida State — CB Chauncey Kennon Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 27 NATL. (No. 2 CB) School: Booker (Fla.) Scouting Summary: “Fluid corner with size, movement skills, and coordination. Measured at 6-foot-1.5, 185 pounds with 32-inch arms, and big hands before his senior season. Has good speed in the track and combine setting, running an 11.08 mark in the 100 meters as a junior, while also qualifying for the state finals in the 200 meters (21.85). Lines up at corner and receiver for his high school team. A loose mover, especially at his size. Shows the ability to trigger and make plays on the ball. Plays with quality instincts. Got his hands on a bunch of passes as a junior, with 16 pass breakups. Also shows the playmaking ability on offense, scoring six touchdowns. Will need to continue cleaning up his technique in coverage. May not overwhelm in one area, but is a well-rounded prospect.” Georgia Tech — CB Traeviss Stevenson Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 304 NATL. (No. 30 CB) School: Brooks County (Ga.) On the decision: ”I made my decision a couple of days ago I chose Georgia Tech because it is the best place for me and for the education,” Stevenson told Rivals’ Chad Simmons in April. “The coaching staff, the culture and how they practice are other things I love about Georgia Tech. I didn’t commit to Georgia Tech over any other schools because they were the school always in my heart.” Louisville — CB Jaydin Broadnax Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 276 NATL. (No. 27 CB) School: West Boca Raton (Fla.) On the decision: “I committed to Louisville because of the scheme they run,” Broadnax told Rivals. “The system fits me. Coach Steve Ellis is a great coach too. He puts guys into the NFL year after year. Coach Ellis is a developer. Coach Brohm was also part of the reason why I chose Louisville. He is a Louisville guy and he’s not leaving there any time soon. The whole staff is genuine. It is a winning program. I see myself playing early there too.” Miami — OT Jackson Cantwell Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 3 NATL. (No. 1 OT) School: Nixa (Mo.) Scouting Summary: “Big-framed offensive tackle with eye-popping athleticism and functional strength as a high school underclassman. Measured at over 6-foot-7, 305 pounds prior to his sophomore season. Has solid length with 33.5-inch arms and big hands. Owns a phenomenal athletic profile as one of the top shot put throwers in the country for his age group. Posted a personal best throw of over 64 feet as a freshman. Also posted strong testing numbers in the college camp setting. Transfers those gifts over to the football field where he shows strong coordination and function strength. Moves well laterally and plays with a good anchor. Initially began his career as a tight end and has grown into an offensive tackle. Has deep athletic bloodlines with both parents being Olympic track and field athletes as throwers. Younger for the cycle with a May birthday.” NC State — CB Jordyn Best Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 556 NATL. (No. 51 CB) School: Ridge View (S.C.) About: The No. 10 prospect in the Palmetto State this cycle, Best committed to the Wolfpack this summer, choosing it over a host of other ACC offers, including Boston College, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Louisville and Georgia Tech. He took an official visit to Raleigh in the beginning of June and is one of six defensive backs in the NC State class to date. North Carolina — ATH CJ Sadler Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 128 NATL. (No. 5 ATH) School: Cass Technical (Detroit, MI) On the decision: “Their play style. Coach Bill Belichick, of course,” Sadler said. “Coach (Armond Hawkins) Mondo, the DB coach, Coach McGee, the receivers coach and the special teams coach. Those guys were big in my decision. So it’s the coaching staff in the building. Plus how much I liked the area when I was out in the city.” Pittsburgh — RB Damon Ferguson Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 242 NATL. (No. 19 RB) School: Milford Mill Academy (Md.) On the decision: “It’s been the relationship I was able to build with Coach (Lindsey) Lamar mainly as well with Coach Narduzzi and most recently Coach (Kade) Bell,” Ferguson told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “The potential to get developed and everyone’s commitment to challenging you and pushing you to be a better player as a better man and person.” SMU — RB Christian Rhodes Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 193 NATL. (No. 15 RB) School: Lake Highlands (Texas) Notable quote: “It was very exciting. This is actually my second time being up here. I went to last time’s junior day. Whenever I was here (first), I was the only running back here. Going through it and seeing it a second time really like made me like realize to narrow down some of the choices I want to make for college.” — Rhodes to Rivals’ Billy Embody on visiting before he committed in February. Stanford — CB Lasiah Jackson Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 90 NATL. (No. 13 CB) School: Lee County (Ga.) On the decision: “The biggest reason I chose Stanford is the combination of elite academics and top-level football is unmatched,” Jackson told Rivals. “Stanford is a place that truly pushes you on and off the field. Something else that set them apart was the culture there is built around development, both as a person and a player. The people I met on campus, from coaches to students, had a real drive and a purpose too, so that helped them with me.” Syracuse — WR Calvin Russell Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 37 NATL. (No. 4 WR) School: Northwestern (Fla.) On the decision: “Coach Fran (Brown), he’s a great leader,” Russell told Rivals’ Marcus Benjamin. “He does everything the right way. He’s changing the culture. He’s changing everyone’s mentality. He does everything he has to do. The conversations I had with Coach Fran, I trust him, I know he’s going to do right by me and my family.” Virginia — CB Alex Dunn Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 650 NATL. (No. 62 CB) School: Rustburg (Va.) About: The 6-foot-1, 175-pounder is the No. 17 player in Virginia this cycle. He committed to the local Cavaliers on May 21, just a few days after landing an offer from Tony Elliott and the UVA staff. Dunn is one of five in-state commits in the class to date and also one of two corners in the mix in Charlottesville. Virginia Tech — IOL Adrian Hamilton Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 611 NATL. (No. 61 IOL) School: St. John’s College (Washington, DC) About: Hamilton committed to the Hokies in July over an impressive offer list, but his recruitment has taken a new turn with the firing of VT head coach Brent Pry. Michigan is the latest school to show interest in him, though he told Rivals’ EJ Holland that he remains solid on his pledge to Virginia Tech for now. Hamilton is planning to make an official visit to Michigan on November 29 for the game against Ohio State. Wake Forest — QB Grant Lawless
