With a disappointing end to the season for the conference, the ACC is hoping to rebound and have a better showing in the College Football Playoffs. With the top 100 returning players in the country featuring the ACC heavily, it’s time to look at the top talent returning specifically to the Atlantic Coast Conference and whether or not Clemson is the resounding favorite.
13) Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU
National Rank: 81
The SMU Mustangs started the season operating a QB1a and QB1b system, but it quickly became apparent that Kevin Jennings gave them the best chance to win. The dual-threat powered the seventh-ranked scoring offense in the country and was a pivotal piece of the program’s run to the ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff.
While his ability to manufacture yardage with his legs is a big part of his game, only four returning quarterbacks averaged more than his 8.5 yards per attempt in 2024.
12) Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh
National Rank: 80
If you look up the definition of an all-purpose running back in the 2025 college football dictionary, there’s a good chance that you’ll find a picture of Pittsburgh Panthers’ Desmond Reid alongside the description.
When Reid wasn’t rushing for 100+ yards in a game (which he did four times, including the bowl game against the Toledo Rockets), he was registering 100+ yard receiving outings (vs. North Carolina and Clemson) and even hit triple digits for rushing and receiving against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
11) Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
National Rank: 74
A former five-star offensive tackle who lived up to his high school billing with a Freshman All-American campaign in 2023, Francis Mauigoa continued to assert himself as one of the top o-linemen in the country last fall.
A top-tier technician, the 6’6”, 315-pound right tackle is also a dangerous mauler with a penchant for pancakes and violence. When he gets up to the second level he forces defenders into making a business decision with his ability to flatten everyone in his path.
10) Isaiah Nwokobia, SAF, SMU
National Rank: 72
The SMU Mustangs added CSN Third Team All-American Robert Rahimi to their defensive backroom this offseason. However, Isaiah Nwokobia should still rule the roost as one of the top safeties in the country. Nwokobia is an elite ball tracker who routinely positions himself to impact the ball at the catch point.
A stellar athlete tracked just south of 20mph, he isn’t afraid to use his speed like a missile working downhill in run support (he’s also difficult to catch and stop when returning an interception).
9) Caleb Weaver, SAF, Duke
National Rank: 64
Caleb Weaver was one of the top defensive players at the Group of Five level in 2024 and a key component of the Sam Houston Bearkats defensive success. After leading CUSA with 69 solo tackles and four interceptions, he makes the leap to the ACC with a Duke Blue Devils defense that should allow him to shine.
At 5’11”, 190, he isn’t the biggest defensive back in the world, but his sideline-to-sideline speed, spring elasticity, and nose for the ball make him a valuable asset in all phases of the game.
8) Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
National Rank: 56
Avieon Terrell is set to follow in the family’s footsteps as a Sunday starter (his brother is Atlanta Falcons standout AJ Terrell), but he graces the college football scene for one last time with his return for the 2025 campaign.
A high-level producer who tallied 12 pass breakups and two interceptions for the Clemson Tigers in 2024, Terrell is a game-changer in every facet of the game, showcasing astonishing coverage capability while having the athleticism and physicality to impact the ground game.
7) Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
National Rank: 50
Cade Klubnik’s return to the Clemson Tigers and Garrett Riley’s offense is huge for the program’s chances of returning to the College Football Playoff. At times, the fourth-year quarterback looked like one of the best in the nation, leading all returning passers with 36 touchdowns (17 more than in 2023 with just 32 more passing attempts) while finishing in the top 10 with 3,639 passing yards.
MORE: Cade Klubnik Reveals What Made Him Stay At Clemson
He also showcased the ability to take a game by the horns on the ground, doubling his career rushing yards and touchdowns in one season. However, his EPA was lower than that of many returning quarterbacks, and there were games last fall (notably Georgia, Louisville, and South Carolina) that demonstrated he’s yet to realize his full potential.
6) Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
National Rank: 47
Kyle Louis experienced a breakout campaign at the heart of the Pittsburgh Panthers defense last season, finishing second on the team with 101 tackles in his third ACC campaign.
After registering 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and four interceptions, he earned CSN Third Team All-American honors while being named CSN’s ACC Linebacker of the Year. His all-encompassing skill set even extends to being an impact maker on special teams, blocking a kick and returning it for a score against the Toledo Rockets.
5) Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville
National Rank: 42
The 2025 college football season will be stacked at the running back position, and Isaac Brown is a name that should be heard a lot during the fall. He’s fresh off a commanding freshman campaign where he paced the Louisville Cardinals offense with 1,173 rushing yards at 7.11 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns.
A true pace back, Brown earned CSN Freshman All-American honors for his performances and is on an upward trajectory.
4) Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson
National Rank: 35
The Clemson Tigers have had a string of elite linebackers in recent years, and after his performances as a true freshman for Dabo Swinney’s team a year ago, Sammy Brown is set to earn his place among the best in the country.
He was named the CSN Freshman Linebacker of the Year and tallied 80 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and five sacks in 2024, more than any other Clemson linebacker. He should be even better in 2025.
3) T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
National Rank: 25
No returning edge players tallied more tackles for loss (19.5) than Clemson Tigers defensive end T.J. Parker in 2024, who also tallied the ninth-most sacks in the nation as a dominant force on a historically elite unit.
He was the only player in college football to rank in the top 10 for tackles for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles. He’s fast, agile, and physical, and downright frightening to face if you’re an offensive lineman.
2) Eric Rivers, WR, Georgia Tech
National Rank: 24
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets lost some receiving talent to the transfer portal but landed one of the top playmakers in the country in Eric Rivers.
The former FIU Golden Panther wins with an incredible release package, adds value after the catch, and is one of the most productive returning receivers in college football (97.7 yards per game, 12 touchdowns, 136.5 EPA), giving Haynes King an elite target.
1) Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
National Rank: 10
Name a better duo than elite defensive tackles and the Clemson Tigers…I’ll wait. Peter Woods is the latest monster on the ACC frontrunner’s defensive front, and he’s back to terrorize the college football world in 2025. The 6’3”, 315-pound behemoth was a top-10 prospect coming out of high school, and he entered his junior season as a top-10 player in college football.
After being named the CSN Freshman Interior Defender of the Year in 2023, Woods continued to elevate his game last fall, logging nine tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble. Combining an impressive first step with devastating play strength and a motor as hot as the surface of the sun, the Clemson defensive tackle is as adept at getting after the passer as he is stopping the run.
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