2024 ACC WR Rankings: NC State’s Kevin Concepcion Isn’t a Gadget Player; He’s WR1

    The additions of Stanford, Cal, and SMU deepen the 2024 ACC WR Rankings, but NC State's 2023 true freshman phenom takes the top spot.

    This offseason, exhausted eligibility, NFL Draft declarations, and the transfer portal decimated the receiver position in the Atlantic Coast Conference. However, as the 2024 ACC WR Rankings show, the conference has no lack of talent. In fact, the top five is comprised of pass catchers with All-American potential.

    ACC 2024 WR Rankings

    10) Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh Panthers

    On his fourth quarterback in as many seasons, Konata Mumpfield — and the Panthers’ offense in general — has struggled to find success. Still, he has shown the ability to line up anywhere and route up DBs at any level of the field. Pittsburgh simply needs to get the ball into Mumpfield’s hands, which should be easier with Nate Yarnell at the helm.

    9) Lewis Bond, Boston College Eagles

    Despite catching passes from a QB primarily known for his rushing ability in Thomas Castellanos, Lewis Bond proved to be a dangerous weapon from the slot or outside. He is at his best in space, where he can use his speed and elusiveness to juke defenders out of their cleats.

    If Castellanos can improve his accuracy and HC Bill O’Brien continues to call screens, RPOs, and crossing routes to get Bond open, Boston College will have no issue putting up points.

    8) Malik Benson, Florida State Seminoles

    No Keon Coleman or Johnny Wilson, no problem? Florida State’s offense will look vastly different in 2024, as QB Jordan Travis and RB Trey Benson are also gone, but Alabama transfer Malik Benson has the skill set to thrive catching passes from DJ Uiagalelei.

    MORE: 2024 ACC Regular-Season Win Totals

    Benson was one of the only FSU WRs to routinely create separation during the spring and showed a good rapport with his new QB. Of course, we’ll need to see it on the field first before placing him any higher on the list, but he could crack the top five in the 2024 ACC WR Rankings when all is said and done.

    7) Jordan Moore, Duke Blue Devils

    Jordan Moore had a decent season as a full-time starter in 2022, but he proved his mettle in 2023. He recorded 835 yards and eight scores on 62 receptions and proved difficult to bring down.

    Although Riley Leonard is off to Notre Dame, Texas transfer Maalik Murphy has all the tools to torment ACC defenses. If he puts it all together as a first-year starter, Moore will challenge for a first-team All-ACC bid.

    6) Jacolby George, Miami Hurricanes

    HC Mario Cristobal said Miami has “gotta keep finding ways to get him the ball” when talking about Jacolby George, and he’s right. He doesn’t have the best hands or come down with a ton of contested catches, but that’s not his role.

    George’s explosiveness takes the top off defenses and creates separation before and after the catch. With Cam Ward now slinging him the rock, the ceiling is the roof, as a famous UNC grad once said (Michael Jordan).

    5) Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse Orange

    After an impressive 61-975-6 campaign in 2022, a Lisfranc injury requiring multiple surgeries knocked Oronde Gadsden II out for most of 2023. If he is 100% in 2024, he’ll use his 6’5″ and 223-pound frame to box out defenders downfield and cause havoc up the seam. And with Ohio State’s Kyle McCord now under center, Gadsden should have no issue surpassing 1,000 yards.

    4) Caullin Lacy, Louisville Cardinals

    Last season, Caullin Lacy had double the amount of games with 100+ yards (eight) than with less than 100 (four). He had his fun torching Sun Belt teams at South Alabama and decided to transfer to Lousiville this offseason for a step up in competition.

    Lacy’s ability to stretch defenses both vertically and horizontally will open up the offense, increasing production for those around him.

    3) Xavier Restrepo, Miami Hurricanes

    Xavier Restrepo is a quarterback’s best friend and will quickly become Washington State transfer Cam Ward’s favorite target. Of his 85 catches in 2023, 53 went for first downs or touchdowns, highlighting his chain-moving prowess from the slot.

    With George and Houston WR Sam Brown operating on the outside, Restrepo should have even more room to widdle defenses down on the inside.

    2) Elic Ayomanor, Stanford Cardinal

    Elic Ayomanor was Stanford’s offense last season, and he proved it by generating 294 yards and three TDs against Travis Hunter and Colorado. However, the Buffaloes weren’t the only team that felt his wrath, as the Stanford WR also passed the century mark against Oregon State and Washington.

    His high average depth of target and WR1 status resulted in a low catch rate last season, and he isn’t much of a YAC threat. But Ayomanor produces “AYO!” worthy catches in an efficient manner.

    1) Kevin Concepcion, North Carolina State Wolfpack

    Fresh off ACC Rookie of the Year and consensus Freshman All-American campaign, Kevin Concepcion is primed to prove he is more than a gadget. In 2023, he took 41 carries for 320 yards, caught 71 passes for 839 yards and 10 scores, and threw a 17-yard TD.

    KEEP READING: 2024 ACC QB Rankings

    With Grayson McCall now under center, Concepcion will receive higher-quality targets and presumably more opportunities to score.

    2024 ACC WR Rankings | 11-20

    11) Malachi Fields and Chris Tyree, Virginia
    12) Eric Singleton Jr. and Malik Rutherford, Georgia Tech
    13) Sam Brown, Miami
    14) Da’Quan Felton, Jaylin Lane, and Ali Jennings, Virginia Tech
    15) J.J. Jones, North Carolina
    16) Trond Grizzell, Cal
    17) Taylor Morin and Donavon Greene, Wake Forest
    18) Romello Brinson and Jake Bailey, SMU
    19) Ja’Corey Brooks, Louisville
    20) Jerand Bradley and Jayden McGowan, Boston College

    College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!

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