ACC Football Recruiting Update: Can the Conference Regain Its National Footing?
It’s no secret that the ACC has been playing catch-up in the ever-evolving arms race of college football. While the SEC and Big Ten continue to dominate the headlines-and the recruiting trail-the Atlantic Coast Conference is fighting to stay in the national conversation.
The last time an ACC team hoisted the national championship trophy? Clemson, back in 2018.
Since then, it’s been a steady slide in both playoff presence and recruiting firepower.
And now, as the 2026 early signing period gets underway, the numbers tell a story the ACC can't ignore.
A Mixed Bag in the Rankings
As of Wednesday evening, only four ACC programs cracked the top 20 in the 247Sports Composite team rankings for the 2026 class. Just one-Miami-made it into the top 10, landing at No. 10 overall. That’s a solid spot for the Hurricanes, who continue to recruit well even as they work to translate talent into wins on the field.
Florida State, despite back-to-back losing seasons, managed to claw its way into the top 15 at No. 14.
That’s a testament to the program’s brand power and the recruiting chops of its staff, even amid on-field struggles. North Carolina and Clemson round out the ACC’s top-20 presence, sitting at No. 17 and No. 18, respectively.
For Clemson, the recruiting dip is especially notable. This marks the third straight year the Tigers have landed outside the top 10. Dabo Swinney is still at the helm, but the program that once set the standard in the ACC is clearly navigating a more competitive recruiting landscape.
Virginia Tech’s Surge and the Rest of the Field
One of the biggest surprises this cycle? Virginia Tech.
The Hokies have surged into the top 25, landing at No. 22 after bringing in former Penn State head coach James Franklin. His arrival has already made waves on the trail, and it’s clear recruits are buying into the new vision in Blacksburg.
SMU, a new face in the ACC, checks in at No. 24-an encouraging sign as the program adjusts to life in a Power Four conference. Syracuse (No. 29) continues to build quietly, while Stanford (No. 40), Pittsburgh (No. 43), and Wake Forest (No. 45) all find themselves in the middle of the pack.
At the lower end, Duke (No. 64) and Virginia (No. 92) have some ground to make up. For the Cavaliers, it’s a particularly tough look, especially with the program’s future direction still uncertain.
Here’s how the full ACC recruiting rankings stack up nationally:
ACC 2026 Recruiting Class Rankings (as of Dec. 3, 6 p.m. ET)
- Miami
- Florida State
- North Carolina
- Clemson
- Virginia Tech
- SMU
- Syracuse
- Stanford
- Pittsburgh
- Wake Forest
- Georgia Tech
- Louisville
- Boston College
- NC State
- California
- Duke
- Virginia
Star Power: Who’s Coming to the ACC?
When it comes to elite talent, the ACC is still lagging. Of the top 50 recruits in the nation, only two have pledged to ACC schools so far. That’s a tough pill to swallow when you’re trying to compete with the likes of Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Oregon, who routinely stockpile blue-chip talent.
Still, there are some bright spots.
Miami landed a massive get in Jackson Cantwell, the No. 4 overall recruit and a dominant offensive tackle. That’s the kind of cornerstone piece Mario Cristobal can build around. The ‘Canes also added Somourian Wingo, a dynamic wide receiver ranked No. 59 nationally.
Florida State secured two top-100 players in Chauncey Kennon (No. 41, cornerback) and Izayia Williams (No. 78, linebacker), giving the Seminoles some much-needed help on defense.
Clemson brought in Naaem Burroughs (No. 61, wide receiver) and Kentavion Anderson (No. 85, safety), both of whom could be early contributors in a program looking to reignite its championship spark.
Syracuse, not typically known for landing top-tier talent, made a splash with Calvin Russell, a wide receiver ranked No. 70 nationally. As of Wednesday, Russell had not yet signed his letter of intent, but his commitment alone is a sign of progress for the Orange.
ACC Top 100 Commitments (National Ranking)
(4) OT Jackson Cantwell - Miami
(41) CB Chauncey Kennon - Florida State
(59) WR Somourian Wingo - Miami
(61) WR Naaem Burroughs - Clemson
(70) WR Calvin Russell - Syracuse*
(78) LB Izayia Williams - Florida State
(85) S Kentavion Anderson - Clemson
*Not yet signed as of Dec. 3
What’s Next?
The early signing period for the 2026 class runs from Wednesday, Dec. 3 through Friday, Dec. 5.
It’s a key window for programs to lock in their top targets before the transfer portal frenzy begins. The NCAA moved the dates up this year to avoid overlap with portal activity, giving coaches a cleaner runway to close out their high school recruiting classes.
For the ACC, this window is about more than just names on a list-it’s about momentum. The conference needs flagship programs like Clemson, Florida State, and Miami to not only sign elite talent but also develop it and win with it. That’s how you change the narrative.
Because right now, the ACC isn’t just behind in the rankings-it’s behind in perception. And in college football, perception matters just as much as performance.