Well, here we go. It’s time to start ranking the best players in the ACC for the 2025 season.
As usual, we hope you enjoy the rankings.
Previous and Upcoming Rankings
Quarterbacks | Wide Receivers | Offensive Linemen | Tight Ends | Defensive Linemen | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties | Special Teams
1) Isaac Brown, Louisville
The leading returning rusher in the ACC is Louisville’s Isaac Brown, who had a sensational freshman seaso,n rushing for 1,132 yards and a sterling 7.1 yards per rush average. There are even whispers of Brown being a Heisman Trophy candidate going into this season. The versatile Brown also had 30 catches last year. He was the ACC Rookie of the Year and the ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year. The rest of the nation is about to discover how good Brown is.
2) Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech has the best 1-2 QB/RB Punch in the ACC, maybe the country. It’s certainly one of the best nationally. Haynes King is already returning as a top 3 ACC QB, now RB Jamal Haynes gives Georgia Tech one of the best RB’s in the ACC. Haynes is coming off a 2024 season that saw him total over 1100 yards rushing and receiving. He had 944 yards on the ground to go along with 28 receptions. He was a 1000-yard rusher in 2023. He’s shown consistent production in the Georgia Tech offense, and some college football observers consider him one of the top 10 RBs in the country going into his junior season.
3) Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has one of the best all-around players in the nation in Desmond Reid. Athlon Sports has him as their first-team All-American All-Purpose offense player. He amassed 1,700 yards rushing, receiving, and returning punts. His 154 total yards per game landed him in the top 5 in the country in that category. The transfer from Western Carolina was a major find by Pittsburgh, and he paid dividends right away. There may not be a better player in space in the conference.
4) Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest
Wake Forest’s Demond Clairborne is coming off a strong 1,049 rushing season. As with several of the backs on this list, he is a threat as a pass catcher. He caught 23 passes for 254 yards and 2 TDs. That went along with the 11 TDs he had running the ball. He is getting NFL draft buzz as well. Considered a later-round draft choice going into the season, he has the potential to become a day 2 prospect. Wake Forest has a fine player to build their offense around.
5) Hollywood Smothers, NC State
While Isaac Brown was the premier freshman running back in the ACC, NC State’s RS FR Hollywood Smothers flashed some real potential in the 2nd half of the 2024 season. He had 571 yards and 263 yards receiving and accounted for 8 TDs. He had a solid 6.4 yards per rush average while displaying explosiveness in the run game. Smothers is a player who, with a full season, could put up some eye-popping stats.
