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 the lone head coaching opening in the ACC was filled very quickly. So, what’s going on in the ACC?
Wake Forest Hires Clawson’s Replacement
It didn’t take Wake Forest long to replace long-time head coach Dave Clawson, who abruptly resigned earlier this week. The Demon Deacons announced the hire of Washington State head coach Jake Dickert on Wednesday.
Dickert, 41, spent the last four seasons at Washington State — spending the 2021 season as the interim head coach.
He guided Washington State to an 8-4 record and a Holiday Bowl appearance this season. But as the Cougars are in limbo in the Pac-12, Wake Forest and the ACC offered more long-term security.
Dickert went 23-20 in his four seasons at Washington State, putting together his best record this season, and he’s served as an assistant at Washington State, Wyoming, South Dakota State, Minnesota State and Augustana.
Clawson went 67-68 (32-55 ACC) in his 11 seasons at Wake Forest, with four seasons of at least eight wins — highlighted by an 11-3 season in 2021 in which the Demon Deacons fell to Pitt in the ACC championship game.
Pitt is scheduled to play Wake Forest until the 2028 season.
More Quarterback Movement
Pitt is experiencing some quarterback action of its own, offering a quarterback while he’s currently visiting Pittsburgh, but there’s additional starting quarterback movement around the conference.
Syracuse
Addition: Rickie Collins Jr.
Syracuse is losing starter Kyle McCord, who is out of eligibility after the season, but the Orange have landed LSU transfer Rickie Collins Jr. The former four-star recruit from Baton Rouge, La. completed all five of his pass attempts for 33 yards this season.
Boston College
Addition: Dylan Longergan
Loss: Thomas Castellanos
Boston College benched starter Thomas Castellanos toward the end of the season, and he subsequently left the team and wound up at Florida State. The Eagles added a commitment from Alabama transfer Dylan Longergan. The former four-star recruit from Snellville, Ga. completed 5-of-6 pass attempts for 23 yards this season.
Florida State
Added: Thomas Castellanos
Lost: Luke Kromenhoek
Florida State added former Boston College starter Thomas Castellanos to replace the outgoing DJ Uiagalelei and had former five-star Luke Kromenhoek enter the transfer portal after one season.
Castellanos completed 99-of-161 pass attempts (61.5%) for 1,366 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. But he was way down in rushing, with just 194 yards and a touchdown on 2.1 yards per carry. He racked up 1,113 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground in 2023.
Duke
Added: Darian Mensah
Lost: Maalik Murphy
Duke lost starter Maalik Murphy to the transfer portal and added former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah to replace him the next day.
Murphy had a strong season for Duke — the best in program history. He completed 254-of-421 pass attempts (60.3%) for 2,933 yards with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, adding two more touchdowns on the ground. Mensah is coming off a standout season for the Green Wave, completing 189-of-287 pass attempts (65.9%) for 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding 132 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
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.
