ACC Football: Spring 2026 Power Rankings
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Spring practice is already underway or will soon start for all 17 teams in the ACC for the 2026 college football season. Although it’s tough to get an accurate or in-depth read on teams from practices in the spring, this is the first set of official workouts and provides some insight into rosters, coaching outlooks, transfers or impact freshmen for the upcoming year. And with no spring transfer portal this year, the rosters should largely be set for upcoming workouts and for the battle to settle positions on the depth chart.
Miami fell short of a national title after a close loss to Indiana, but the Hurricanes are primed for another run in ’26. Coach Mario Cristobal landed one of the top impact transfer quarterbacks in Duke‘s Darian Mensah, and the program’s standout recruiting will restock both sides of the ball. Miami is a significant favorite atop the ACC entering spring practice, with a wide-open battle behind Cristobal’s program. Louisville, SMU, Clemson, and Virginia Tech are the early contenders in the second tier. However, Georgia Tech, Pitt, Virginia, and NC State aren’t far behind. Florida State aims to get back on track in a crucial year for coach Mike Norvell.
What are the early storylines to watch and how do the teams stack up in the ACC going into ’26? Here are Athlon’s top things to watch and the storylines in the conference going into spring practice:
ACC Football: Spring 2026 Power Rankings
17. Boston College
After last year’s disappointing 2-10 season, this spring is crucial for coach Bill O’Brien to find the right answers to show the program is back on track. Saginaw Valley State quarterback Mason McKenzie is intriguing, but the offense brings back only one returning starter. A defense that allowed 32.8 points a game last season needs to show marked improvement under veteran coordinator Ted Roof.
16. Stanford
New coach Tavita Pritchard inherits 10 returning starters and a roster that features plenty of question marks for 2026. A ground game leaning on an offensive line returning largely intact (four returning starters) and running back Micah Ford should emerge as the strength of Pritchard’s first squad.
15. Syracuse
Quarterback Steve Angeli’s return from a torn Achilles should help Syracuse rebound back into bowl contention. Replacing receivers Johntay Cook (45 receptions) and Darrell Gill (32) top the list of spring priorities on offense for coach Fran Brown. Defensive coordinator Vince Kehres is one of the ACC’s top assistant hires for the ‘26 season.
14. North Carolina
The Tar Heels should show improvement in coach Bill Belichick’s second season. New coordinator Bobby Petrino will help an offense that managed only 19.3 points a game last season, while transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (Wisconsin) is a good fit for the new scheme. This spring is also a chance for Belichick’s defense to build on a solid finish after limiting ACC teams to 4.8 yards a play in ‘25.
13. Duke
The Blue Devils suffered a late setback when quarterback Darian Mensah and receiver Cooper Barkate transferred to Miami. The process of replacing both standouts starts this spring, with the quarterback battle between Walker Eget and Dan Mahan under the spotlight. Coach Manny Diaz’s defense brings back three starters and faces a significant overhaul up front.
12. Wake Forest
A couple of standouts – lineman Mateen Ibirogba, linebacker Dylan Hazen and defensive backs Karon Prunty and Nick Andersen – will be missed on defense. However, with eight starters back, this side of the ball should be a strength for coach Jake Dickert. A rebuilt offense is under the microscope this spring. Running back Demond Claiborne’s production won’t be easy to replace.
11. California
New coach Tosh Lupoi’s tenure is already off to a good start by keeping quarterback Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele in Berkeley. Also, Lupoi restocked the skill talent around Sagapolutele by landing running back Adam Mohamed (Washington) and receivers Ian Strong (Rutgers) and Chase Hendricks (Ohio). Improving a defense that allowed 31.5 points in ACC play last year is a top spring priority for Lupoi.
10. Florida State
With coach Mike Norvell facing a make-or-break ‘26 campaign, this spring is all about finding the right answers to get Florida State back to a winning record. The question marks are significant on both sides of the ball with just six returning starters. All five starters are gone along the offensive line, but new quarterback Ashton Daniels still has one of the nation’s top receivers in Duce Robinson to throw to next fall.
9. NC State
With a favorable schedule, along with the return of quarterback CJ Bailey, NC State is a wild-card contender to watch in the ACC in ‘26. But coach Dave Doeren’s team will be busy this spring. Just five starters are back, and the defensive front is an area of concern with a major overhaul underway.
8. Pitt
After taking over the starting job in the fifth game and giving the offense a much-needed spark, quarterback Mason Heintschel should benefit from a full spring practice to work as the starter. Heintschel’s growth this offseason is crucial, but coach Pat Narduzzi also needs to restock the skill talent around his young quarterback. Additionally, the Panthers suffered key losses at every level on defense. The linebacker unit was hit especially hard with Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles departing.
7. Georgia Tech
Quarterback Haynes King – the heart-and-soul of Georgia Tech’s program over the last couple of seasons – is out of eligibility. Coach Brent Key landed Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza to replace King, with the offense under new coordinator George Godsey likely to lean heavily on the one-two punch of running back Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley. Change is also underway on defense. This spring will give Key plenty of insight into a unit bringing back five starters under new play-caller Jason Semore.
6. Virginia
The Cavaliers return eight starters off a team that won 11 games (the best single-season mark under coach Tony Elliott) and played for the ACC Championship Game. Missouri transfer Beau Pribula is the frontrunner to replace Chandler Morris under center, while Elliott has to restock the skill positions this spring. A line that returns three starters should be a strength. The Cavaliers also have holes to fill at every level on defense.
5. Virginia Tech
With 14 returning starters and a standout transfer class to go with the arrival of new coach James Franklin, the Hokies could be the ACC’s most-improved team in ‘26. This spring is the first opportunity to see how all of the new pieces are fitting together in Blacksburg, especially on defense where former coach Brent Pry returned to work under Franklin as coordinator.
4. Clemson
Last year’s 7-6 season was a major disappointment. Can coach Dabo Swinney turn things around in ‘26? Swinney didn’t sit idle after last year’s seven-win campaign, shaking up the coaching staff with a couple of changes, including bringing back Chad Morris to call plays. Also, the Tigers added 10 transfers from the portal. This spring is the first window into how this team has turned the page from last season.
3. SMU
Quarterback Kevin Jennings returns, but this spring is all about restocking a supporting cast that loses receivers Jordan Hudson and Romello Brinson and tight ends Matthew Hibner and RJ Maryland. Two starters also depart the offensive line. New defensive coordinator Maurice Crum Jr. has work to do up front and in the secondary to keep SMU’s defense among the best in the ACC.
2. Louisville
Inconsistent quarterback play was a problem for Louisville’s offense last season. Coach Jeff Brohm hopes the position was upgraded by bringing in Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz to start in ‘26. He’s supported by one of the top backfields in the nation with Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown returning. The Cardinals return five starters on defense, but this unit is undergoing some transition with Mark Ivey and Steve Ellis taking over as co-coordinators.
1. Miami
The Hurricanes open spring as a heavy favorite to win the ACC in ‘26. Transfer quarterback Darian Mensah (Duke) is one of the top portal acquisitions by any team this offseason, and rising star receiver Malachi Toney is back after a standout freshman campaign. The offensive and defensive lines will be retooled. However, coach Mario Cristobal continues to land elite talent on the recruiting trail and through the portal to ensure those groups won’t miss much of a beat.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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