College Football Network recently released their top 100 college football players for the 2024 season, with 15 players from the ACC receiving national attention, the third-most of any conference behind only the Big Ten (34) and SEC (29).
Which standouts from the now 17-team league were singled out for significant praise ahead of the 2024 college football campaign? Let’s find out!
Which ACC Players Were Included in the CFN Top 100 College Football Players?
The Atlantic Coast Conference added three new members to the league this offseason, including two from states that border the Pacific Coast in California and Stanford. Together with SMU, these teams will look to carry forward a football tradition for a league that has reached either the College Football Playoff or BCS National Championship Game in eight of the last 11 seasons.
Only one ACC quarterback made our top 100 rankings (Miami’s Cam Ward at 67th), but recent history suggests there is quite the supply of NFL-caliber signal callers in the league. The ACC has had at least one quarterback selected in the first round in five of the last seven NFL drafts – the only conference in FBS who can make that claim since 2018.
Of the 15 players from the conference in the rankings, six are offensive skill position players including the nation’s second-ranked RB in Omarion Hampton out of North Carolina.
Here’s what CFN College Football Analyst James Fragoza had to say about him, as well as the ACC’s other best players.
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina (17th)
While Drake Maye conducted the offense, Omario Hampton was the engine. He rushed for 1,504 yards and 15 TDs, earning first-team All-ACC honors and finishing as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. His 6’0″ and 220-pound build can handle NFL-level volume, and his footwork and vision behind the line of scrimmage capitalize on his athletic gifts.
Kaimon Rucker, EDGE, North Carolina (34th)
Kaimon Rucker has a bit of a tweener build at 6’2″ and 265 pounds, but he was utterly disruptive on the edge, recording 8.5 sacks and 15 TFLs. Returning for his fifth and final season, the UNC EDGE will show opponents what it is like to play at Rucker Park.
Elijah Roberts, EDGE, SMU (38th)
With his neck roll and aggressive play style, Elijah Roberts has shades of 1990’s Dolphin Bryan Cox in his game. Once he gains steam off the edge, Roberts bowls through opposing OTs and finishes with a strike on the QB (10 sacks in 2023). His heavy hands shock linemen and help him keep his chest clean.
Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville (43rd)
Over the last four seasons (first two at Middle Tennessee, last two at Louisville), Quincy Riley has notched 13 INTs and 39 pass deflections. So yeah, there are no concerns over his ball skills. ACC teams tested his side of the field often in 2023 — expect that to change in 2024.
Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech (50th)
One of the top CBs in the ACC, Dorian Strong logged eight PBUs and three INTs. But his impact extends beyond the stat sheet. Last season, he allowed practically nothing into his coverage, and QBs rarely looked his way.
Full List of ACC Players in the CFN Top 100 College Football Players
- Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina (17th)
- Kaimon Rucker, EDGE, North Carolina (34th)
- Elijah Roberts, EDGE, SMU (38th)
- Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville (43rd)
- Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech (50th)
- Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville (54th)
- Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL) (67th)
- Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State (73rd)
- Damien Martinez, RB, Miami (FL) (77th)
- Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford (79th)
- Rueben Bain Jr., DL, Miami (FL) (82nd)
- Jaydn Ott, RB, Cal (83rd)
- Kevin Concepcion, WR, North Carolina State (89th)
- Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson (90th)
- Caullin Lacy, WR, Louisville (95th)
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