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

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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Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Syracuse Orange: Transfer, Alijah Clark  (Rutgers):

The Orange lost a ton in their secondary the last couple of seasons. Rutgers Transfer Alijah Clark can help fill that void. The Camden native gives the Orange a versatile defender on the back end. Clark can cover the slot, the boundary, or the deep half as a safety.

A four-star recruit coming out of high school, Clark was the first recruit signed in Rutgers’ 2021 class. Syracuse gets Clark for at least two seasons. Transferring to the Orange reunites Clark with Camden High School teammate Darian “Duce” Chestnut in the same secondary.

11. Virginia Cavaliers: Transfer, Mac Hollensteiner (Georgetown)

New head coach Tony Elliot has suffered some attrition this offseason. The offensive line lost three offensive linemen to the transfer portal. Interior offensive lineman Victor Oluwatimi, one of the most coveted portal o-linemen, signed with Michigan.

Tackles Bobby Haskins and Joseph Bissinger transferred to USC and SMU, respectively. Georgetown transfer Mac Hollensteiner and Dartmouth transfer John Paul Flores give the Cavaliers much-needed depth. However, depth is still a concern in the trenches.