The transfer portal is in full swing, entering the second week, and moves are being made all across the ACC.
There are tons of quarterbacks entering the conference, tons leaving the conference and one of the most notable athletes in the history of an ACC program (who didn’t actually play in the ACC) is nearing his first head coaching job.
So, what’s going on in the ACC?
Michael Vick in Contention for HC GigsÂ
Michael Vick is in discussion with Sacramento State to be the Hornets’ next head coach, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported. He added that the SSU is planning to move to the FBS, building a new stadium and would have over $50 million to spend in NIL (which is almost certainly not true).
Sacramento State currently plays in the Big Sky Conference in the FCS, coming off a 3-9 season that led to former head coach Andy Thompson taking an assistant job at Stanford.
The Virginian-Pilot reported Monday that Vick spoke with Norfolk State about its head coach opening.
Vick is a former Virginia Tech and NFL quarterback who was selected first overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He led the Hokies to the national championship game in 2000, losing to Florida State.
He finished top six in Heisman Trophy voting in both of his seasons at Virginia Tech and spent 13 seasons in the NFL (with four Pro Bowl nods and 2010 NFL Comeback Player of the Year), but his NFL career was marred by a 21-month prison sentence for his involvement with an illegal dog fighting ring.
Vick’s only coaching experience is his stint as an advisor in the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019.
More Quarterback MovementÂ
There’s been more quarterback movement in the ACC since Pittsburgh Sports Now initially updated quarterback rooms around the conference.
Louisville
Added: Miller Moss
Louisville is losing starting quarterback Tyler Shough due to a loss of college eligibility, and the Cardinals have added former USC quarterback Miller Moss as his replacement.
Moss was a first-year starter at USC, after impressing in his bowl game start last season, and he completed 233-of-362 pass attempts (64.4%) for 2,555 yards with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in nine games.
Virginia
Added: Chandler Morris
Lost: Anthony Colandrea
Virginia lost this season’s starter, Anthony Colandrea, to the transfer portal and has replaced him with North Texas transfer Chandler Morris.
Morris, who has spent time at Oklahoma, TCU and North Texas, is coming off the best season of his career, completing 322-of-512 pass attempts (62.9%) for 3,774 yards with 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions — adding 242 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Colandrea entered the transfer portal after two on-and-off seasons as the starter. He completed 198-of-320 pass attempts (61.9%) for 2,125 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, adding 277 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Virginia Tech
Retained: Kyron Drones, Pop Watson
Virginia Tech announced that starting quarterback Kyron Drones and backup Pop Watson will both return next season.
Drones had a down season (after many predicted a breakout season), completing 136-of-224 pass attempts (60.7%) for 1,562 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions — adding 336 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
Watson started the regular season finale against Virginia for the Hokies, completing 14-of-21 pass attempts (66.7%) for 254 yards and a touchdown, with 48 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
