Next year’s slate isn’t all sunshine and rainbows (part-two)
Here is the second-half of our Syracuse Orange football way-too-early 2025 season preview, which looks at the ACC teams. If you missed it, here’s a look at the non-conference opponents.
ACC home games-
Date TBA vs. Boston College Eagles
Record in ‘24: 7-6 (4-4 in ACC)
Notable departures: RB Kye Robichaux (graduation), DL Donovan Ezeiruaku (graduation), QB Thomas Castellanos (transferred to Florida State), C Drew Kendall (NFL Draft), OT Ozzy Trapilo (graduation), DL Cam Horsley (graduation), TE Kamari Morales (graduation), DB Khari Johnson (graduation)
Notable returning players (projected): QB Grayson James, RB Jordan McDonald, WR Lewis Bond, WR Reed Harris, DB KP Price, LB Daveon Crouch, DB Carter Davis, DE Quintayvious Hutchins, DT Owen Stoudmire
Key transfers in: TE Ty Lockwood (transferred from Alabama), QB Dylan Lonergan (transferred from Alabama)
2025 high school recruiting class ranking (On3 Rankings): 58th nationally, 14th in ACC
Under first-year head coach Bill O’Brien, Boston College won seven games, including three of its last four, to reach bowl eligibility for the second straight season. The Eagles finished top-five in the ACC in scoring defense (23.8) and total defense (360.7 yards), despite the departure of former BC head coach Jeff Hafley (who left to become the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers) at the end of the 2023 season. BC will be without QB Thomas Castellanos and RB Kye Robichaux in the backfield, and two of its best offensive linemen in Drew Kendall (NFL Draft) and Ozzy Trapilo next fall, but returns a large chunk of its defense — minus the obvious gaping hole left by First Team All-ACC DE Donovan Ezeiruaku. SU has split the last 10 matchups with BC going back to 2015.
Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images
Date TBA vs. Duke Blue Devils
Record in ‘24: 9-4 (5-3 in ACC)
Notable departures: QB Maalik Murphy (transferred to Oregon State), RB Star Thomas (transferred to Tennessee), OG Caleb Krings (graduation), WR Jordan Moore (graduation), WR Eli Pancol (graduation), LB Ozzie Nicholas (graduation), LB Alex Howard (graduation), S Jaylen Stinson (graduation), LB/CB Cameron Bergeron (graduation), DT Kendy Charles (graduation), DE Michael Reese (graduation), DT Aaron Hall (graduation), CB Joshua Pickett (graduation)
Notable returning players (projected): OT Brian Parker II, WR Que’Sean Brown, WR Sahmir Higgins, S Terry Moore, LB Tre Freeman, CB Chandler Rivers, DE Wesley Williams, DE Vincent Anthony Jr., DE Ryan Smith
Key transfers in: QB Darian Menseh (transferred from Tulane), WR Cooper Barkate (transferred from Harvard), CB Jaiden Francois (transferred from Utah State)
2025 high school recruiting class ranking (On3 Rankings): 36th nationally, 7th in ACC
Duke exceeded all expectations last season under first-year head coach Manny Diaz. The Blue Devils finished the season 9-4 before losing to Ole Miss 52-20 in the Gator Bowl. Duke hired Diaz, formerly the Defensive Coordinator at Penn State, after Mike Elko left Durham to become the head coach at Texas A&M at the end of the 2023 season. The Blue Devils made a splash in the transfer portal landing Tulane QB Darian Mensah after starting QB Maalik Murphy, who set program records at Duke this fall, decided to transfer to Oregon State. Duke returns seven All-ACC players from its team last year, including First-Team All-ACC corner Chandler Rivers and Second-Team All-ACC safety Terry Moore, but will be without its top three offensive contributors in Star Thomas, Eli Pancol, and Jordan Moore. Diaz’s group should be very competitive next year despite some of the more notable departures.
Date TBA vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Record in ‘24: 6-7 (3-5 in ACC)
Notable departures: RB Omarion Hampton (NFL Draft), OG Willie Lampkin (graduation), DT Jahvaree Ritzie (graduation), LB Power Echols (graduation), CB Alijah Huzzie, DL Travis Shaw (transferred to Texas), QB Jacolby Criswell (transferred to East Tennessee State, OT Andrew Rosinski (transferred to Georgia Tech), OT Howard Sampson (transferred to Texas Tech), WR JJ Jones (graduation), DE Kaimon Rucker (graduation), DL Desmond Evans (graduation), DL Kevin Hester Jr. (graduation), DB Jakeen Harris (graduation)
Notable returning players (projected): RB Davion Gause, DB Antavious Lane (graduation), LB Amare Campbell, DL Beau Atkinson, DB Kaleb Cost, DB Marcus Allen
Key transfers in: EDGE Pryce Yates (transferred from UConn), CB Gavin Gibson (transferred from Eastern Carolina), OL Miles McVay (transferred from Alabama), OL Chad Lindberg (transferred from Rice), S Peyton Waters (transferred from Washington), LB Khmori House (transferred from Washington), WR Azaiah Johnson (transferred from Michigan State), OT Daniel King (transferred from Troy), CB Thaddeus Dixon (transferred from Washington)
2025 high school recruiting class ranking (On3 Rankings): 64th nationally, 15th in ACC
Everything about North Carolina will look different in 2025. New coaching staff, headlined by the addition of legendary NFL head coach Bill Belichick (and his son, Stephen Belichick), an overhaul of new additions and departing players, and seemingly a new culture around North Carolina football. The Tar Heels (6-7, 3-5 in ACC) finished 10th in the ACC this past season, winning three of their last four games to reach bowl eligibility before losing to UConn 27-14 in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. North Carolina’s biggest loss is starting RB Omarion Hampton, who finished the season with more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns before declaring for the NFL Draft. The Tar Heels also saw the departure of starting QB Jacolby Chiswell, who recently committed to East Tennessee State. North Carolina will likely hit the transfer market for a new QB or go to freshman four-star QB, and top-100 prospect, Bryce Baker. Belichick’s son, Stephen, brings four Washington players with him, including B1G honorable mention CB Thaddeus Dixon — who led the Huskies with 10 pass break ups last uear.
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Date TBA vs. Pitt Panthers
Record in ‘24: 7-6 (3-5 in ACC)
Notable departures: S Donovan McMillon (graduation), WR Konata Mumpfield (graduation), TE Gavin Bartholomew (graduation), LB Jordan Bass (transferred to Virginia Tech), EDGE David Ojiegbe (transfer portal), DL Elliot Donald (transfer portal), EDGE Sincere Edwards (transferred to UCF), DL Nate Matlack (graduation)
Notable returning players (projected): RB Desmond Reid, LB Kyle Louis, LB Rasheem Biles, QB Eli Holstein, WR Raphael Williams Jr., DL Jimmy Scott, LB Braylan Lovelace. DB Rashad Battle, DB Taymon Lynum, DT Nick James
Key transfers in: S Jayden Bonsu (transferred from Ohio State), WR Andy Jean, DL Joey Zelinsky (transferred from Eastern Michigan), OT Kendall Stanley (transferred from Charlotte)
2025 high school recruiting class ranking (On3 Rankings): 52nd nationally, 11th in ACC
Pitt’s season was derailed after starting QB Eli Holstein suffered a series of injuries towards the end of year — Holstein had a promising season with 2,177 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions, showcasing significant potential as a redshirt freshman. The Panthers started the year 7-0 and were ranked as high as 18th in the nation before losing their final six games, including a 48-46 loss in six overtimes to Toledo in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. There’s been some controversy over whether Pitt head coach Patt Narduzzi will be back next season after a disappointing end to the 2024 campaign. Over the past 10 seasons, Narduzzi is 72-56 and 46-36 in conference play, but is 2-5 in bowl games. If Holstein remains healthy and continues to develop as a QB, there’s evidence that Pitt could be a competitive team next year. The Panthers return much of their roster, including First-Team All-ACC utility player Desmond Reid and LB Kyle Louis, minus a few exceptions on the defensive line.
ACC away games-
Date TBA at Clemson Tigers
Record in ‘24: 10-4 (7-1 in ACC)
Notable departures: WR Troy Stellato (transferred to Kentucky), DL Tre Williams (transferred to Michigan), DL AJ Hoffler (transferred to Georgia Tech) LB Barrett Carter (graduation), OG Marcus Tate (graduation), RB Phil Mafah (graduation), OL Walker Parks (graduation), DT Payton Page (graduation), TE Jake Briningstool (graduation), S RJ Mickens (graduation)
Notable returning players (projected): QB Cade Klubnik, WR Antonio Williams, OL Blake Miller, DE TJ Parker, CB Avieon Terrell, OT Tristan Leigh, C Ryan Linthicum, DL Peter Woods, DT DeMonte Capehart (potentially NFL Draft), LB Wade Woodaz, S Khalil Barnes, WR Bryant Wesco, WR TJ Moore
Key transfers in: EDGE Jeremiah Alexander (transferred from Alabama), EDGE Will Heldt (transferred from Purdue)
2025 high school recruiting class ranking (On3 Rankings): 23rd nationally, and 3rd in ACC
Clemson is easily one of the favorites to repeat and win the ACC next year — coming off of a 10 win season, an ACC championship, and birth to the 2024 College Football Playoff. Clemson loses RB Phil Mafah to the NFL, but returns a strong receiving core between Bryant Wesco, T.J. Moore, and Antonio Williams led by QB Cade Klubnik, who announced he’s returning for his senior year. Klubnik made a huge leap in year two as the starter for the Tigers and should be one of the favorites for the ACC Player-Of-The-Year in 2025: career highs in passing yards (3,639), passing touchdowns (36) and rushing touchdowns (7). Clemson will be without First-Team All-ACC LB Barrett Carter but returns most of its key defenders, including rising star DE T.J. Parker (19.5 TFL). Former Penn State defensive Coordinator Tom Allen will replace Wes Goodwin on Dabo Sweeney’s staff, after Goodwin was fired on Jan. 6. Note: Syracuse football has never beaten Clemson on its home turf.
Ken Ruinard – staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Date TBA at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Record in ‘24: 7-6 (5-3 in ACC)
Notable departures: OL Weston Franklin (graduation), DL Romello Height (transferred to Texas Tech), S Taye Seymore (transferred to Auburn), WR Eric Singleton Jr. (transferred to Auburn), OT Corey Robinson II (transferred to Arkansas), LB Trenilyas Tatum (graduation), OL Jordan Williams (graduation), DL Sylvain Yondjouen (graduation), DL Zeek Biggers
Notable returning players (projected): QB Haynes King, RB Jamal Haynes, WR Malik Rutherford, LB Kyle Efford, DB Ahmari Harvey, DB Clayton Powell-Lee, OL Keylan Rutledge, DL Jordan van den Berg
Key transfers in: DL AJ Hoffler (transferred from Clemson), WR Eric Rivers (transferred from Florida International)
2025 high school recruiting class ranking (On3 Rankings): 24th nationally, 4th in ACC
Georgia Tech had a relatively successful season for its standards, aside from its Birmingham bowl loss to Vanderbilt 35-27. The Yellowjackets played the most ranked opponents (5) this season among ACC teams, going 2-3 in those games — nearly beating No. 7 Georgia, in Athens, in eight overtimes. GT brings back a solid nucleus of its core players from last season, including QB Haynes King, who missed a few games due to a shoulder injury he suffered against North Carolina. But, the real question is who will block for King next year with three of his five starting offensive linemen leaving the program. And, one of the answers, in addition to First-Team All-ACC OL Kelyan Rutledge, very well could be incoming four-star freshman offensive tackle Josh Petty from Roswell, GA — the third highest-rated prospect to ever commit to Georgia Tech.
Date TBA at Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Record in ‘24: 10-3 (6-2 in ACC)
Notable departures: QB Cam Ward (graduation), OT Jalen Rivers (graduation), WR Xavier Restrepo (graduation), WR Jacolby George (graduation), WR Isaiah Horton (transferred to Alabama), RB Damien Martinez (NFL Draft), TE Elijah Arroyo (NFL Draft), LB Francisco Mauigoa (graduation), DE Tyler Baron (graduation), DL Simeon Barrow Jr. (graduation), DB Mishael Powell (graduation), CB D’yoni Hill (transferred to Wisconsin), DB Jaden Harris (transferred to Georgia)
Notable returning players (projected): RB Mark Fletcher Jr., RB Jordan Lyle, OT Markel Bell, OG Matthew McCoy, DE Rueben Bain Jr., CB OJ Frederique Jr., OT Francis Mauigoa
Key transfers in: QB Carson Beck (transferred from Georgia), OL James Brockermeyer (transferred from TCU), CB Ethan O’Connor (transferred from Washington State), WR CJ Daniels (transferred from LSU), CB Charles Brantley (transferred from Michigan State)
2025 high school recruiting class ranking (On3 Rankings): 13th nationally, 1st in ACC
After starting the season 9-0, Miami hit a wall in November, losing two of its final three games and falling out of contention for the ACC Championship and the College Football Playoff. The name that sticks out among Miami’s notable departures is QB Cam Ward, a Heisman Trophy finalist who won’t be easily replaced, except by maybe Georgia’s Carson Beck. The Hurricanes bring in a Top-15 recruiting class nationally (1st in the ACC) and the 4th-ranked transfer class to replace what they’re losing from last year. Miami will be without its six best pass catchers from last year, including the Canes’ all-time leader in receptions (200), receiving yards (2,844), and touchdowns (21) in Xavier Restrepo, but get some help at the wideout position from LSU’s CJ Daniels and incoming four-star freshman Joshua Moore from Pembroke Pines, FL. On ESPN’s way-too-early top-25 watchlist, Miami comes in at No. 23, which I think is fair considering the uncertainty surrounding the roster next year. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal has also hired Minnesota’s Corey Hetherman to replace defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, who was fired at the end of this year. Syracuse has not beaten Miami in the state of Florida since 1997.
Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
Date TBA at SMU Mustangs
Record in ‘24: 11-3 (8-0 in ACC)
Notable departures: RB Brashard Smith (graduation), DL Jared Harrison-Hunte (graduation), C Jakai Clark (graduation), DE Elijah Roberts (graduation), LB Kobe Wilson (graduation), WR Key’Shawn Smith (graduation)
Notable returning players (projected): QB Kevin Jennings, S Isaiah Nwokobia, G Logan Parr, OT Savion Byrd, OT PJ Williams, S Ahmaad Moses, CB Jaelyn Davis-Robinson
Key transfers in: CB Marcellus Barnes (transferred from Syracuse), C Addison Nichols (transferred from Arkansas), DE Deshawn Warner (transferred from Kansas), QB Tyler Van Dyke (transferred from Wisconsin)
2025 high school recruiting class ranking (On3 Rankings): 31st nationally, 5th in ACC
After being picked to finish 7th in the ACC preseason poll, SMU finished 1st in the conference and earned a bid to the College Football Playoff. The Mustangs exceeded all expectations in its first year in the ACC. Third-Team All-ACC QB Kevin Jennings will be back in Highland Park next year, but his job will be a lot tougher without leading rusher Brashard Smith (First-Team All-ACC) and leading receivers Roderick Daniels Jr. and Key’Shawn Smith. SMU coach Rhett Lashlee has his work cut out for him next year to get back into contention for another bid to the CFP, but it’s not impossible. The Mustangs landed at No. 15 on ESPN’s way-too-early Top 25. SU played two of the three new additions to the ACC last year (Stanford and Cal) and will travel to Texas in 2025 for what will be a very difficult matchup.
The specifics of the 2025 ACC football schedule will be revealed during a special two-hour “ACC Huddle: Football Schedule Release” on Monday, Jan. 27, from 9-11 p.m. ET on the ACC Network, according to the ACC.