Around the ACC: Winners and Losers from spring football

While Florida State fans were likely focused entirely on the Seminoles’ month-plus of spring practice, all of the other programs in the ACC were conducting their own spring drills.

After checking out each of those other spring games, here’s my look at 5 winners and 5 losers from the spring of 2023.

Spring Winners

Pitt’s Running Game

The Panthers lost star running back Israel Abanikanda to the NFL Draft after a 1,431-yard season, but it looks like his replacements have not missed a beat.

Rodney Hammond Jr., who is coming off of a 2022 season that saw him rush for 459 yards and five touchdowns, broke off a kickoff return for a touchdown in the spring game.

Second-string running back Derrick Davis Jr., an LSU transfer, also looked to be a great asset for the Panthers. While Hammond will be more of a power back between the tackles, Davis looked great catching the ball out of the backfield.

Duke’s Defense

Under defensive-minded head coach Mike Elko, the Blue Devils’ defense was one of the biggest surprises in the ACC last season, forcing 26 turnovers. However, with four players on that side of the ball leaving for the NFL, there were questions about a potential drop-off — especially since the Blue Devils also have a new defensive coordinator in Tyler Santucci.

But if the spring game was any indication, the defensive backfield is picking up where it left off. The Blue Devils recorded two interceptions and had many pass break-ups.

Virginia RB Mike Hollins

Mike Hollins is probably the biggest winner, not only of the spring, but the whole college football season.

Hollins survived a gunshot wound to the stomach last fall, in the same attack that cost three of his teammates their lives. But he was already back on the field for the UVA spring game.

As for his performance, Hollins had 11 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown in the first half. However, the fact that he was on the field competing was the greatest story of all.

Boston College CB Amari Jackson

Going into his second season with Boston College, cornerback Amari Jackson might just become a breakout star for the Eagles.

In 2022, he only had 21 tackles and zero interceptions. In the BC spring game, Jackson hauled in two interceptions and looked like a favorite to grab a starting job.

Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke

The Miami QB and 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year looked healthy for the first time in almost a year during the spring game. His chemistry with wide receiver Xavier Restrepo looked on point as well, and he has to be happy with the change at offensive coordinator.

Another reason Tyler Van Dyke was a winner this spring is he likely got a better NIL deal after rumors surfaced of him considering a departure through the transfer portal.

Spring Losers

Clemson QB Cade Klubnik

With a new offensive coordinator in Garrett Riley, it likely would have been asking too much for young quarterback Cade Klubnik to be firing on all cylinders during the spring.

Not being perfect is one thing, but he didn’t throw a single touchdown pass in the Clemson spring game and was credited with two interceptions (on tipped passes). That’s not ideal.

The Clemson defense forced four turnovers overall, proving that unit might still be elite, but this offense has a lot of work to do before Week 1.  

Syracuse Kicking Game

The good news for Florida State fans is they aren’t the only ones worried about special teams.

Syracuse kicker Brady Denaburg attempted nine kicks during the Orange spring game. He only made four. Denaburg went 1-for-3 from 49 yards, 1-for-3 form 46 yards, and 2-for-3 from 39 yards.

N.C. State QB Brennan Armstrong

This could be partly because of the weather conditions during the N.C. State spring game, but Virginia transfer QB Brennan Armstrong did not look good.

The former Cavalier threw two interceptions and admitted the ball was sailing on him after the game. Wolfpack fans were hoping Armstrong would flourish right away from being reunited with former UVA offensive coordinator Robert Anae, but that was not the case.

UNC Line Depth

The starters for the Tar Heels’ offensive line looked solid in the spring. No complaints there.

The problems might occur if anyone on that line gets injured. The backup line had a lot of trouble in the spring game. Once that group entered the picture, the run game couldn’t get going and the pocket closed rapidly on passing downs.

(Bonus) Florida QB Situation

While not in the ACC, this was too good to leave off the list. There was no offense to speak of in the Blue vs Orange game in Gainesville.

Wisconsin transfer quarterback Graham Mertz did not look great by any stretch, and head coach Billy Napier told the media after the game the Gators would be looking for another QB in the portal.

As for portal targets, former Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner has already committed to Alabama. The best uncommitted QB remaining, according to ON3, is Cincinnati redshirt senior Ben Bryant.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.