Recently we put together our Top 5 ACC players at each position. These are the players you probably know about.
What about 5 under the radar ACC players to keep an eye on?
We can’t include everyone, but here are a few to keep an eye on. Keep in mind their best online casino bonuses are just lofty dreams.
Dontae Smith, RB – Georgia Tech
You don’t just replace the uber-talented RB Jahmyr Gibbs who moved on to Alabama, but Georgia Tech has RB in Dontae Smith that could soften the blow. Smith is an athletic RB with good speed that actually led Georgia Tech with a 5.6 yards per rush average last season. He averaged nearly 7 yards per rush in 2020. Nationally he’s regarded high enough to be named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker award.
Ruke Orhorhoro, DL – Clemson
The amount of talent Clemson has along their defensive line will is mind-boggling. With all that skill and ability you might forget about the Clemson 2nd teamers. Well, that would be a group that most teams would want as their starting front 4. Ruke Orhorhoro is one of those talented backups. Last season filling in for the injured DT Bryan Bresee, Orhorhoro had 42 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He might not be a starter, but he’s a draftable NFL prospect.
Dax Hollifield, LB – Virginia Tech
The ACC has a ton of returning talent at linebacker. NC State is loaded at the position. Clemson has Trenton Simpson, and All-ACC LBs like Virginia’s Nick Jackson and Syracuse’s Mikel Jones are back too. Virginia Tech’s Dax Hollifield can get lost in the shuffle, but he is a good one. He’s expected to be one of the leaders of the defense for new coach Brent Pry. He’s coming off a 92 Tackle with 9 tackles for loss 2021 season. He plays with a chip on his shoulder, and while he didn’t make many 1st or 2nd All-ACC pre-season lists, he could find himself there at the end of the season.
Jordan Travis, QB – Florida State
Jordan Travis isn’t exactly under the radar, but in a conference stacked with talented QBs Travis’s name doesn’t come up very often as one of the conference’s best QBs. In that regard, we tend to forget during the 2nd half of last year Travis was playing some of the best football of his career. He completed nearly 63% of passes last year, and his decision-making took a leap forward. He’s a true dual-threat quarterback, and if he continues improving at the rate he did last year FSU could be one of the ACC’s surprise teams. The Noles are his team in 2022.
Jared Wayne, WR – Pittsburgh
When Jordan Addison bolted for USC, a lot of people wondered unfamiliar with Pittsburgh wondered who was going to be the Panther’s go-to receiver. Jared Wayne is ready to step into that role. He had 47 catches for 658 yards last year. At 6-3 210 lbs, he’s a big target for new QB Kedon Slovis. He could shine in 2022 leaving Pitt fans to forget about Addison.
