The ACC went through major changes in the offseason. The conference will feature 17 teams in 2024 following the additions of California, SMU, and Stanford. The conference is littered with premium defensive talent as a result.
ACC Media Days are being held from July 22-25. The conference produced two first-round defenders last season in Jared Verse and Nate Wiggins. We've identified 10 ACC defensive prospects with the most upside to impress this campaign.
Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Barrett Carter is an athletic sideline-to-sideline linebacker prospect. He's versatile enough to defend all three downs by making impactful plays versus the run and in coverage. The Suwanee, Georgia native totaled 135 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 9.0 sacks across the previous two seasons. Clemson had five defenders drafted in 2024, and Carter should be the first one selected in 2025.
Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
The ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 is an explosive pass rusher with a pro-ready frame. Patrick Payton took another step forward for the Seminoles in 2023, recording a career-high 7.0 sacks. With Jared Verse no longer in the fold, Florida State is relying on Payton to produce double-digit sacks this season.
Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Louisville's Quincy Riley is one of the best cornerbacks in the nation, period. After previously playing at Middle Tennessee, the six-foot, 195 pound cover-man has proven capable of handling big-conference ball. Riley is a ball magnet that has accumulated 19 pass breakups and six interceptions in two seasons with the Cardinals.
Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia
Virginia safety Jonas Sanker is an active in-the-box defender that plays the game with outstanding instincts. Sanker, a First-team All-ACC selection last season, produced 107 tackles and 11 passes defensed. He's going to be a workhorse for an NFL defense at the next level.
Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville
Ashton Gillotte is a big-bodied pass rusher that can set the edge and rush the quarterback. Gillotte has improved every year at Louisville, culminating in an 11-sack season in 2023. The versatile down linemen is firmly on the NFL draft radar.
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods possesses one of the highest ceilings of any ACC defender heading into the 2024 season. The 2023 Freshman All-American was more dominant than the stat sheet suggests. With Ruke Orhorhoro and Tyler Davis now playing in the NFL, Woods is going to be a breakout star for the Tigers.
Kaimon Rucker, EDGE, North Carolina
Kaimon Rucker is a speedy pass rusher that threatens the outside shoulder of opposing offensive tackles. Rucker had a career-best season in 2023, more than doubling his previous personal-high total with 8.5 sacks. His future as an NFL wide-nine defender is bright.
Tre Freeman, LB, Duke
Duke linebacker Tre Freeman is being underrated by the general public heading into 2024. Freeman led the program and finished sixth in the ACC with 106 tackles last season. He became the first Blue Devils defender since 2019 to register 100-plus tackles in a single campaign.
Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech
Dorian Strong was outstanding in Virginia Tech's secondary after returning from a 2022 injury. Strong was credited with allowing less than 10 receptions and 100 receiving yards despite playing more than 300 snaps in coverage. He recorded 11 pass breakups and three interceptions despite quarterbacks rarely looking his way.
Elijah Roberts, EDGE, SMU
Elijah Roberts and SMU are making their ACC debut in 2024. Both player and program will attempt to make a flawless transition despite the step-up in competition from the AAC. Roberts was dominant last season, totaling 37 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks.
