Say what you will about players having to go to conference media days. But many of them consider it an honor to be chosen by their coach to represent the school in person in front of the national media. They get to go on stage for interviews, sit on press row to do radio and TV interviews, and in some cases, bring out their best wardrobe. It is with that in mind that the ACC has announced attendees for next week’s conference media gathering.
Boston College
Head Coach Bill O’Brien; quarterback Thomas Castellanos; defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku; offensive lineman Drew Kendall
California
Head Coach Justin Wilcox; quarterback Fernando Mendoza; running back Jadyn Ott; quarterback Chandler Rogers; safety Craig Woodson
Clemson
Head coach Dabo Swinney; linebacker Barrett Carter; quarterback Cade Klubnik; running back Phil Mafah; safety R.J. Mickens
Duke
Head coach Manny Diaz; quarterback Grayson Loftis; receiver Jordan Moore; quarterback Maalik Murphy; offensive lineman Justin Pickett; safety Jaylen Stinson
Florida State
Head coach Mike Norvell; defensive tackle Joshua Farmer; defensive end Patrick Payton; offensive lineman Darius Washington;
Georgia Tech
Head coach Brent Key; defensive lineman Zeek Biggers; running back Jamal Haynes; quarterback Haynes King
Louisville
Head coach Jeff Brohm ; defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte; defensive back Quincy Riley; quarterback Tyler Shough;
Miami
Head coach Mario Cristobal; linebacker Francisco Mauigoa; offensive lineman Jalen Rivers; quarterback Cam Ward
North Carolina
Head coach Mack Brown; linebacker Power Echols; running back Omarion Hampton; quarterback Conner Harrell; quarterback Max Johnson; edge rusher Kaimon Rucker
NC State
Head coach Dave Doeren; quarterback Grayson McCall; defensive end Davin Vann; running back Jordan Waters
Pitt
Head coach Pat Narduzzi; tight end Gavin Bartholomew; defensive back Donovan McMillon; quarterback Nate Yarnell
SMU
Head coach Rhett Lashlee; quarterback Kevin Jennings; tight end RJ Maryland; defensive end Elijah Roberts; quarterback Preston Stone
Stanford
Head coach Troy Taylor; receiver Elic Ayomanor; quarterback Ashton Daniels; linebacker Tristan Sinclair
Syracuse
Head coach Fran Brown; running back LeQuint Allen; defensive back Justin Barron; defensive lineman Fadil Diggs; quarterback Kyle McCord
Virginia
Head coach Tony Elliott; defensive end Chico Bennett; linebacker Kam Butler; quarterback Tony Muskett
Virginia Tech
Head coach Brent Pry; quarterback Kyron Drones; defensive lineman Antwaun Powell; cornerback Dorian Strong
Wake Forest
Head coach Dave Clawson; defensive lineman Jasheen Davis; offensive lineman DeVonte Gordon; receiver Taylor Morin
If you are keeping track, there are 17 football schools in the conference and there are 19 quarterbacks attending the conference media event. The fact that some schools are bringing more than one quarterback is a clear sign that with the transfer portal, there is a lot of fluidity in the position.
Florida State transfer quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei had been selected by Norvell. He said he opted not to go. Uiagalelei pointed out that he had been twice, (when he was at Clemson), and he felt this year returning players from last year’s FSU conference championship team should get to go.
ACC Football Kickoff is next Monday through Thursday in Uptown Charlotte.
