Overview on the 2020 ACC Recruiting Classes and QB Commits

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Since the 2015 season, it has been a game of catch-up for ACC teams chasing after Clemson. The Tigers have captured five-consecutive conference titles winning two of the school’s three national championships (2016 and ’18) over that duration with an opportunity for a third this season as the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff. As the national recruiting rankings look, Clemson is not ready to relinquish control of one of college football’s premiere conferences or their spot in the national limelight.

Even though Alabama holds a tenuous spot atop the Class of 2020 rankings, the Tigers have put together a class that is unfathomable if not real. Of the 21 commits, six are five-star recruits followed by nine four-stars, and six three-star prospects. For their efforts, Alabama and LSU have done a fantastic job landing three five-stars each, put that pails in comparison to Clemson. Within those six players ready to play at Frank Howard Field is the top-rated pro-style quarterback in the nation, St. John Bosco gunslinger DJ Uiagalelei.

The rest of the ACC may not have an embarrassment of riches in five-star recruits, but there are some great classes being put together by Miami, North Carolina, and Georgia Tech. With 20 commits, 11 four-stars, Miami has the nation’s 15th ranked class followed by North Carolina at No. 17, Georgia Tech at No. 22, and Florida State closing out the top-25. Louisville is near completion with 24 commits, ranked 30th overall. Pitt (17), NC State (18), and Wake Forest (18) are pushing towards the finish line racking up the recruits. Squads like Syracuse (16), Boston College (14), Duke (12), Virginia (11) and Virginia Tech (11) have a lot of work ahead before National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

As quarterbacks get the lion’s share of the headlines, coupled with DJ Uiagalelei, there are some very talented quarterbacks headed to the ACC next season. The two that will get the most attention, Louisville four-star dual-threat Chubba Purdy, brother of Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy, and North Carolina four-star commit Jacolby Criswell. Prudy had a big season for Perry High School throwing for 3,369 yards with 33 touchdowns while rushing for 1,054 with 19 trips into the end zone. Criswell was on point for Morrilton High School completing 65 percent of his passes covering 2,869 yards with 27 touchdowns while running past 5A Arkansas competition with 1,282 rush yards and 24 more scores posted on the board.

Looking ahead on the recruiting trail within the ACC, of the 14 teams six are without a committed quarterback. An overall look at the offensive sets and what coordinators are looking for out of the high school ranks, seven pro-style quarterbacks are committed and four dual-threats.

ACC

Boston College – no QB commit

Clemson – DJ Uiagalelei – St. John Bosco (CA) – pro-style No. 1

Duke – Luca Diamont – Venice (CA) – pro-style No. 18

Florida State – no QB commit

Georgia Tech – Tucker Gleason – Plant (FL) – pro-style No. 32

Louisville – Chubba Purdy – Perry (AZ) – No. 6 dual-threat

Louisville – Tee Webb – Cartersville (GA) – pro-style No. 28

Miami – Tyler Van Dyke – Suffield Academy (CT) – pro-style No. 9

North Carolina – Jacolby Criswell – Morrilton (AR) – No. 11 dual-threat

North Carolina State – Ben Finley – Paradise Valley (AZ) – pro-style No. 29

Pittsburgh – no QB commit

Syracuse – no QB commit

Virginia – no QB commit

Virginia Tech – no QB commit

Wake Forest – Mitch Griffs – Broad Run (VA) – dual-threat No. 21

Recent Decommitments

Florida State – Jeff Sims – Sandalwood (FL) – pro-style No. 15 – 12-11-2019

Top Recruit Spotlight – DJ Uiagalelei

There is a reason DJ Uiagalelei is the No. 1 rated pro-style quarterback in the country – he is a rare overall talent. At 6-5, 245, he is built like a linebacker, and runs like one too, but has a million-dollar arm and a great understanding of the game. To close out his high school career, Uiagalelei has his Los Angeles area St. John Bosco team rated No. 1 in the country (MaxPreps) with one more game left to play against De La Salle to claim a California and potential national championship. The Braves have played a brutal schedule, that also includes colliding twice against the No. 1 rated dual-threat quarterback Bryce Harper (Alabama), posting a 12-1 record. Uiagalelei has thrown for 3,815 yards with 44 touchdowns and has only two interceptions in 315 pass attempts. For the Clemson fans worrying about life after Trevor Lawrence, Uiagalelei has you covered.