It’s a rather quiet week as far as headlining matchups go, but the ACC never fails to have its fair share of intriguing matchups and names to highlight each weekend. From Pitt hosting West Virginia to the Big Ten’s Maryland Terrapins revisiting their ACC roots with a visit to Virginia, there are players to circle all over Saturday’s slate of football.
Here are five names to keep an eye on as Week 3 in the ACC kicks off.
Jonas Sanker, SAF, Virginia
vs. Maryland
What To Look For: Part of one of the nation’s most fundamentally sound safeties, the onus is on Jonas Sanker to make plays from sideline to sideline will reach a new level of importance this week against WRs Tai Felton, Kaden Prather, and the Maryland Terrapins. A first-team All-ACC selection last fall, a high-level performance against the Terps will further elevate Sanker among the country’s most underrated defenders.
Desmond Reid, RB, Pitt
vs. West Virginia
What To Look For: A transfer from Western Carolina, Desmond Reid has been must-watch T.V. since his first snaps this fall. In two weeks, he’s amassed more than 400 yards from scrimmage, and remains the hefty straw that stirs the drink for the Panthers offensively. Built in a Keaton Mitchell-esque type of mold, Reid has quickly become one of the country’s most explosive playmakers both on the ground and in space. His biggest test yet will come this week against West Virginia.
DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Florida State
vs. Memphis
What To Look For: It remains to be seen as to what exactly the 2024 campaign will come to be for Florida State. Are they as bad as they’ve looked or will they rapidly improve and put themselves in position for an ACC title? Time will tell, and much of their improvement will center around the QB position. DJ Uiagalelei looks the part and has immense arm strength, but the finer details of his game have simply not been up to par thus far in the 2024 campaign. It’s a massive week not only for the program, but for Uiagalelei as he looks to halt his falling draft stock. The Seminoles will host the 2-0 Memphis Tigers, who have outscored their opponents 78-17 in the first two weeks.
Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
vs. Memphis
What To Look For: I need more from Patrick Payton. One of the most gifted athletes in the upcoming class, Payton has the size and skill set to become a dominant force at the edge spot, yet he’s amassed one pressure in two games (32 pass rush snaps) as a leader along the Seminoles front. It’s not enough considering his fundamental talent. Whether it’s dominating isolated matchups on passing downs or sealing and pursuing in the run game, the performance ceiling for Payton is as lofty as any defender in college football. Now, it’s about putting it all together when it’s time to strap up.
Amari Jackson, CB, Boston College
vs. Missouri
What To Look For: For Amari Jackson, how he approaches each snap is a defensive coordinator’s dream. Aligned primarily as a perimeter corner, Jackson’s competitiveness pops off the screen when you turn on his tape. His fundamental coverage ability and downhill trigger as a fringe defender showcase an experienced corner, and his snaps against Missouri WR Luther Burden III will be one of the marquee matchups of the weekend. Similar to how Elijah Jones’ stock rose for Boston College last year, and at the same position, Jackson is a player whose skill set has the potential to rapidly move him up boards.
