ACC Football: Spring 2025 Power Rankings

1. Clemson

The Tigers are a heavy favorite to win the ACC in 2025. Quarterback Cade Klubnik returns after throwing 36 touchdowns last season, and the defense brings back six starters under the direction of new coordinator Tom Allen. 

2. Miami

With transfer quarterback Carson Beck on the mend from elbow surgery, the focus in spring practice for coach Mario Cristobal’s team is on defense. How will new coordinator Corey Hetherman mesh with the personnel to help deliver improvement in ’25?

3. SMU

The Mustangs won't sneak up on the rest of the ACC in '25. Also, coach Rhett Lashlee's squad has several holes to fill on both sides of the ball. However, with quarterback Kevin Jennings returning, SMU is poised for another run at the College Football Playoff.

4. Louisville

The Cardinals are 19-8 since coach Jeff Brohm returned to his alma mater prior to the '23 campaign. Just four starters are back on defense, but Brohm's high-powered offense should reload behind transfer quarterback Miller Moss (USC) and a standout backfield led by running back Isaac Brown. 

5. Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets have won seven games in back-to-back seasons and could be the ACC's sleeper contender in '25. Quarterback Haynes King, running back Jamal Haynes, and receiver Malik Rutherford all return from an offense that averaged 31.1 points a game last year. The defense lost coordinator Tyler Santucci to the NFL and has holes to fill at every level. 

6. Duke

The Blue Devils' nine-win season in coach Manny Diaz's debut was one of the biggest surprises in the ACC from 2024. Darian Mensah (Tulane) is one of the top quarterback transfers for '25, and a defense that held opponents to 24.5 points a game last season brings back six starters.

7. Pitt

After a 7-0 start, the Panthers stumbled with a six-game losing streak to close '24. Optimism should be high for a quick rebound in '25, especially with quarterback Eli Holstein and running back Desmond Reid returning to pilot an offense that averaged 32.9 points a contest last season. 

8. Florida State

The Seminoles bottomed out last year with a surprising 2-10 record. A revamped coaching staff - including former Auburn and UCF head coach Gus Malzahn working as offensive coordinator - and a hefty haul of transfers should give coach Mike Norvell a chance for a quick turnaround in '25.

9. North Carolina

North Carolina might be one of the most intriguing teams to watch this spring, as this is the first chance to get a look at Bill Belichick’s first squad in Chapel Hill.

10. Virginia Tech

The Hokies were a trendy sleeper team in the ACC last preseason but finished with a disappointing 6-7 mark. Quarterback Kyron Drones battled injuries for most of '24 and a return to full strength should help Virginia Tech's chance of a rebound this fall. Coach Brent Pry's team is slated to also have new coordinators on both sides of the ball. 

11. Syracuse

Quarterback Kyle McCord leaves big shoes to fill for second-year coach Fran Brown. With a tough schedule on tap in ’25, solidifying the quarterback spot right away is crucial.

12. Boston College

Quarterback Grayson James showed promise late in the 2024 season for coach Bill O'Brien's debut. A revamped offensive line (just two starters back) and defensive improvement (5.9 yards a play allowed in ACC games) top the list of spring priorities. 

13. NC State

Last year's six-win campaign snapped a streak of four consecutive winning seasons for the Wolfpack. New coordinator Kurt Roper needs to get the most out of quarterback CJ Bailey for NC State to challenge for a finish in the top half of the conference. Also, new defensive signal-caller DJ Eliot has major voids to fill in the secondary.

14. California

A healthy year from dynamic running back Jaydn Ott (116 carries in '24) would provide a huge boost for a California offense that averaged only 25.1 points a game last season. Standout cornerback Nohl Williams (seven picks) departed to the NFL.

15. Virginia

The '25 season should be a make-or-break year for coach Tony Elliott's tenure in Charlottesville. Transfer quarterback Chandler Morris (North Texas) is a crucial pickup after the Cavaliers averaged only 22.7 points a contest in '24.

16. Wake Forest

New coach Jake Dickert has a major rebuilding project on his hands with just six returning starters. Keeping running back Demond Claiborne (1,049 yards) in the fold was huge for an offense returning no starters up front and navigating a quarterback battle this offseason. 

17. Stanford

Can the Cardinal show marked improvement in coach Troy Taylor’s third season? How redshirt freshman quarterback Elijah Brown develops looms large, but Stanford also needs to make big-time gains on defense.