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ACC Football: Newcomers who’ll have the biggest impact in 2022

By Dante Pryor

Dec 4, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) holds up the championship trophy as head coach Pat Narduzzi looks on after winning the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) holds up the championship trophy as head coach Pat Narduzzi looks on after winning the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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These players will have the most significant impact on ACC football this season.

Hope springs eternal this time of year. Both signing days are over, the transfer portal has cooled, and it won’t ramp up again until after spring practice. The coaching staff sets their two-deep depth charts for next season and hits the recruiting trail for the 2023 cycle.

The 2021-22 season was a wild one in the ACC. The Pittsburgh Panthers won the conference title; Wake Forest won 11 games for the first time since the 2006 Orange Bowl season.

The winds of change blew around the conference. David Cutcliffe retired as head coach at Duke after 13 seasons, with former Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko taking the helm. Bronco Mendenhall shockingly stepped down at Virginia. Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliot takes over in Charlottesville.

Virginia Tech fired Justin Fuente with Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry taking over.

Alongside new coaching staffs, these programs welcome new players via high school recruiting and the transfer portal. Clemson has once again claimed the best recruiting class in the conference, with Mack Brown and the Tar Heels second.

Duke surprisingly comes in seventh, with Pitt bringing up the rear in the conference in the 2022 recruiting cycle. Every team expects some new faces to impact this fall; here are every team’s most impactful newcomers in 2022.

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