The Big Ten and SEC may reign supreme as the king conferences of the college football world, but every few years, an ACC program rises above the fray and emerges as a national title contender.
This is also true on the recruiting front.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementACC programs have become notorious for stealing particular top prospects from the clutches of top Big Ten and SEC programs. Entering the NIL era, this trend should continue, as seen with a few notable ACC programs in the 2026 class. Perhaps even more so now, when adding names like Bill Belichick and former Penn State coach James Franklin to the mix.
Over the last month, we've taken a look at the top 2026 prospects already committed to Big Ten and SEC programs. Now it's time to check out the ACC and each program's top pledge entering the early signing period rush.
Boston College: Mason Leak
Sep 28, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; A Boston College Eagles helmet sits on an equipment case before the first half against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesHigh School: Avon Old Farms (Conn.)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPosition: Edge
Height: 6-4
Weight: 230
247Sports Ranking: No. 190 nationally, No. 20 Edge
California: Taimane Purcell
High School: Kamehameha (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Position: Tight End
Height: 6-3
Weight: 225
247Sports Ranking: No. 16 Tight End
Clemson: Leo Delaney
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Clemson Tigers helmet against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2016 CFP semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsHigh School: Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.)
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6-6
Weight: 290
247Sports Ranking: No. 105 nationally, No. 6 Offensive Tackle
Duke: Sean Stover
Sep 24, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; A general view of a Duke Blue Devils helmet against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half of the game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Denny Medley-USA TODAY SportsHigh School: Prosper (Texas)
Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 275
247Sports Ranking: No. 17 Interior Offensive Lineman
Florida State: Chauncey Kennon
A Florida State Seminoles helmet on the sidelines.High School: Booker (Sarasota, Fla.)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPosition: Cornerback
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
247Sports Ranking: No. 28 nationally, No. 2 Cornerback
Georgia Tech: Jaedyn Terry
Nov 21, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets helmet is seen on the sideline in the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY SportsHigh School: Manchester (Ga.)
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6-3
Weight: 175
247Sports Ranking: No. 241 nationally, No. 22 Cornerback
Louisville: Jarvis Strickland
Nov 1, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; A Louisville Cardinals football helmet is seen before the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn ImagesHigh School: Paducah Tilghman (Ky.)
Position: Interior Offensive Lineman
Height: 6-6
Weight: 294
247Sports Ranking: No. 212 nationally, No. 17 Interior Offensive Lineman
Miami: Jackson Cantwell
Oct 14, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami Hurricanes helmet sits on bench as the Hurricanes play against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY SportsHigh School: Nixa (Mo.)
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6-7.5
Weight: 325
247Sports Ranking: No. 9 nationally, No. 3 Offensive Tackle
NC State: D'Various Surratt
High School: Crest (Shelby, N.C.)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPosition: Safety
Height: 6-0
Weight: 185
247Sports Ranking: No. 57 Safety
North Carolina: Travis Burgess
Sep 12, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; A North Carolina Tar Heels helmet during the second half of the game against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Tar Heels defeated North Carolina A&T Aggies 53-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY SportsHigh School: Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-5
Weight: 205
247Sports Ranking: No. 66 nationally, No. 6 Quarterback
Pittsburgh: Damon Ferguson
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 4: A Pittsburgh Panthers helmet is seen on the bench in the second half during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Acrisure Stadium on November 4, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)High School: Milford Mill Academy (Gwynn Oak, Md.)
Position: Running Back
Height: 5-11
Weight: 190
247Sports Ranking: No. 16 Running Back
SMU: Aljour Miles
Aug 30, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of an Southern Methodist Mustangs helmet before the game between the Southern Methodist Mustangs and the East Texas A&M Lions at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.High School: Kaufman (Texas)
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-2.5
Weight: 205
247Sports Ranking: No. 154 nationally, No. 19 Wide Receiver
Stanford: Lasiah Jackson
Nov 20, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; General view of the Stanford Cardinal helmet during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY SportsHigh School: Lee County (Leesburg, Ga.)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPosition: Safety
Height: 6-3
Weight: 175
247Sports Ranking: No. 130 nationally, No. 14 Safety
Syracuse: Calvin Russell
Nov 26, 2022; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; The logo of the Syracuse Orange is seen on a helmet during the second half of their game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY SportsHigh School: Northwestern (Miami, Fla.)
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-5
Weight: 195
247Sports Ranking: No. 23 nationally, No. 3 Wide Receiver
Virginia: Dylan Cope
Nov 5, 2022; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; A general view of a Virginia Cavaliers helmet on the sideline during the game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY SportsHigh School: Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.)
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-2
Weight: 170
247Sports Ranking: No. 79 Wide Receiver
Virginia Tech: Cole Bergeron
Nov 11, 2023; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; A Virginia Tech Hokies helmet rest on a table during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY SportsHigh School: St. Thomas More (Lafayette, La.)
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6-4.5
Weight: 210
247Sports Ranking: No. 28 Quarterback
Wake Forest: Fletcher Turk
Sep 9, 2023; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Wake Forest helmet during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsHigh School: Hebron Christian Academy (Dacula, Ga.)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPosition: Interior Offensive Lineman
Height: 6-6
Weight: 280
247Sports Ranking: No. 58 Interior Offensive Lineman
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: 5-star OT Jackson Cantwell headlines Early Signing Period for ACC
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