MLB mock draft 2025: Will College World Series shake things up in first round?
While the lack of a consensus No. 1 – let alone a top 5, 10, 20 – will rob the proceedings of a Paul Skenes-like anointment, the Choose Your Own Adventure element of this selection meeting should be evident throughout the first round.
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COLLEGE WORLD SERIES: 8 MLB draft prospects to watch in Omaha
With only the College World Series remaining among amateur competition and MLB's Draft League revving up, USA TODAY Sports takes aim its second mock draft:
1. Washington Nationals: Ethan Holliday, INF, Stillwater (Okla.) HS
He's not No. 1 with a bullet. Yet it's difficult to justify moving Holliday off here even as there's plenty of smoke around 1/1 alternatives. The crop of majors-ready arms did little to harm their stock in the postseason. Seth Hernandez may possess the dudeliest arm out there. Eli Willits visited Nationals Park last week. But we're not yet prepared to envision a world where someone other than Holliday kicks off this chain reaction. Stay tuned.
2. Los Angeles Angels: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State
In the name of consistency, we're keeping Arnold at 2, even as fellow college lefties Liam Doyle and Kade Anderson lurk. While both may possess greater upside and miss more bats, Arnold has shown an ability to get deep in games against elite competition, and better fits the 'now' ethos of the Angels' recent draft history.
3. Seattle Mariners: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
Oregon State's Aiva Arquette during the NCAA super regionals.
At the risk of getting too static, it's nonetheless tough to move this 6-foot-5, 220-pound shortstop specimen out of the three hole, particularly with plenty of elite college arms the Mariners develop so well available. But it's also tough to pass on a potential 10-year cog in a lineup that needs one.
4. Colorado Rockies: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) HS
Kinda wild that two legacy players who squared off throughout high school will affect the other's fate so much. It's not that the Rockies face a Holliday/Willits binary when they're on the clock, but in this simulation, taking a potential cornerstone who doesn't turn 18 until December will be too tough for the need-everything Rockies to bypass.
5. St. Louis Cardinals: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
The Cardinals are almost guaranteed to get one of the elite college lefties and in this universe, it's Anderson, who has sparred with Doyle for the NCAA strikeout lead all year and will take his 163 punchouts in 103 innings into at least one more start, in Omaha.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona (Calif.) HS
Volatility, thy name is Seth. Who wouldn't want a 6-foot-4 high schooler whose fastball sits in the high 90s with advanced secondary offerings and has dominated against elite prep competition? Yet the trepidation of 'high school right-hander draft history' may be a headwind all the way up to Manfred's stroll to the podium. Still, this figures to be the floor, or close to it, for a fireballer on the periphery of the 1/1 conversation.
7. Miami Marlins: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona (Calif.) HS
It's the 909's time to shine, with a pair of Panthers popped in succession. The Marlins stumble upon a nice building block here, as Carlson's elite arm and bat speed will get him to Miami's infield quicker than most prep draftees.
8. Toronto Blue Jays: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
While there are a few spoilers out there, this looks like the top eight, in one order or another. In this scenario, Doyle tumbles a bit; like Hernandez, his wait could be much shorter on July 13.
9. Cincinnati Reds: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma
Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns… Witherspoon? Sounds like the makings of a nice rotation thanks to draft capital spent on advanced college arms. The math checks out that an arm of that ilk will be available. Witherspoon cut his walk rate nearly in half – from 14.2% to 7.2% - making his high-upside and unpredictive repertoire even more effective.
10. Chicago White Sox: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M
From 1/1 favorite to who knows, LaViolette's slide stops with the White Sox, whose revamped hitting program could be the panacea for a slugger whose platform junior year fizzled. LaViolette regressed from .305, 29 homers, 1.175 OPS to .257, 18 and 1.003, and his K rate nudged upward, to 25.2.
11. Athletics: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest
The glut of prep shortstops are all still on this board, but the Athletics opt for a guy who can impact their lineup before they depart Yolo County for Las Vegas. A nice infield complement to shoo-in Rookie of the Year Jacob Wilson.
12. Texas Rangers: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson (Texas) HS
The Rangers amble down I-35 for their choice, a mature high school bat with solid Team USA bona fides and a commitment to Texas. Let the run on prep shortstops begin.
13. San Francisco Giants: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis (Miss.) HS
Parker could easily be gone by now, but his power from a premier position at a young age is too much for the Giants to bypass here in the first draft overseen by the Buster Posey regime.
14. Tampa Bay Rays: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) HS
He doesn't turn 18 until a week after the draft and has significant power potential and all-around athletic ability that guarantees he'll play somewhere up the middle, a versatile skill set the Rays value.
15. Boston Red Sox: Gavin Kilen, INF, Tennessee
Tennesse's Gavin Kilen during the NCAA regionals against Wake Forest.
A 13th-round Red Sox draftee out of high school, Kilen leveled up at Louisville and then with the Vols, with whom he slugged 15 homers with a 1.112 OPS this season. Struck out just 27 times in 245 plate appearances, a solid K rate given the elite level of pitching in the SEC.
16. Minnesota Twins: Tyler Bremner, LHP, UC Santa Barbara
Bremner probably shouldn't be slept on to this extent; a consensus top five pick a few months ago, he started slowly but posted double-digit strikeout games in six of his final seven starts, and is a nice value here.
17. Chicago Cubs: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas
Sure, Arquette owns the title of 'Best Hawaiian Shortstop In the College World Series,' but Aloy looks up to few of his peers. The SEC player of the year slugged 20 home runs and is sound enough defensively to stick at shortstop.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek (Ga.) HS
The Georgia commit is advanced in both age – he turns 19 in August – and acumen, though there remains some power upside.
19. Baltimore Orioles: Ethan Conrad, OF, Wake Forest
Until proven otherwise, the Orioles stick with their advanced college bat template in the first round, with Conrad flying under the radar thanks to season-ending shoulder injury after an outfield dive. Before he got hurt, Conrad was raking (.372/.495/.744 in 97 plate appearances) for the Demon Deacons.
20. Milwaukee Brewers: Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn
Another club that tends to lean college bat, the Brewers get a nice piece in Irish, whose .364, 19-homer platform season looks even better if he sticks at catcher professionally. But Irish caught just 12 games for the Tigers this year, spending 45 games in the outfield.
21. Houston Astros: Andrew Fischer, INF, Tennessee
This is perhaps too much helium for Fischer, whose physical profile may not support the sort of power to slug as a first baseman might be expected at the big league level. But there's still onramp for Fischer to establish himself at another infield position and the Astros can figure that out as he builds off his exuberant 25-homer, 1.205 OPS platform year on Rocky Top.
22. Atlanta Braves: Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP, Sunset (Ore.) HS
A lefty with Schoolcraft's big arm should slot much higher, but the current industry lean toward collegiate talent in the top of the first round drops him in Atlanta's lap. At 6-8 and with a 97-mph fastball, Schoolcraft has a significant floor that the Braves can work with.
23. Kansas City Royals: Gavin Fien, INF, Great Oak (Calif.) HS
A Texas commit whose future position is subject to change, Fien's bat stands up against the prep shortstops projected to go ahead of him.
24. Detroit Tigers: Xavier Neyens, INF, Mt. Vernon (Wash.) HS
We'll keep Neyens right here, even as his tantalizing upside and 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame could inspire clubs to jump sooner. There are worse players to dream on than a potential left-handed swinging Austin Riley.
25. San Diego Padres: Sean Gamble, INF/OF, IMG (Fla.) Academy
Should add plenty of power and could end up playing anywhere on the diamond – in a good way. Gamble took his talents from Iowa to Bradenton and developed a strong baseball IQ at IMG, and possesses several traits the Padres value.
26. Philadelphia Phillies: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina
Does not possess the current offensive profile that Irish offers, but Stevenson is a pure catcher, with an athletic 6-foot-1, 210-pound frame that hit 19 homers for the Tar Heels this season.
27. Cleveland Guardians: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona
A nice value this deep in the first round, Summerhill offers the ability to play all three outfield positions and takes a .358/.477/.585 line into the CWS.
28. Kansas City Royals*: Anthony Eyanson, RHP, LSU
You came to Baton Rouge for Kade Anderson, but stick around for Eyanson, who transferred from UC San Diego and struck out 135 in 93 ⅔ innings with a 2.50 ERA in his only season in the SEC. Not an overwhelming repertoire but would benefit in the Royals' burgeoning pitching program.
29. Arizona Diamondbacks**: Alex Lodise, SS, Florida State
Florida State's Alex Lodise in the NCAA super regionals.
More glue guy than toolbox, Lodise nonetheless produced a .394/.462/.705 line in his second year in Tallahassee, earning ACC player of the year honors. Hit 17 homers and has potential to add more power, but has value with his ability to play virtually anywhere.
30. Baltimore Orioles**: Cam Cannarella, OF, Clemson
We'll keep slotting ACC outfielders to Camden Yards until they tell us differently. Yet with his superior defensive ability, speed and extra-base pop, Cannarella fits the Orioles ethos, and a .453 career OBP doesn't hurt.
31. Baltimore Orioles**: Dean Curley, INF, Tennessee
Lots of power potential packed into a versatile infielder, Curley produced nearly as many walks (45) as strikeouts (47) this season. Concerns about defense.
32. Milwaukee Brewers: Mason Neville, OF, Oregon
Should be a first-day selection and perhaps hits the outskirts of the first round if things break his way. Neville offers 30-homer power in a 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame that for now has stuck in center field.
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*- Prospect promotion incentive pick
**-Free agent compensation pick. Note: The Dodgers, Mets and Yankees each received a 10-pick penalty on their first picks for exceeding the second threshold of the competitive balance tax.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB mock draft 2025: College World Series could shake up first round
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ACC Football 2025 Predictions
ACC Football 2025 Predictions originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 college football season marks the second year of the ACC's 17-team alignment. Although last season produced two playoff teams (Clemson and SMU), the intrigue in this conference is significantly higher for '25. At the top of the ACC predictions is a familiar team: Clemson. The Tigers are a heavy favorite this fall thanks to the return of quarterback Cade Klubnik and a dynamic offense. Clemson is a threat to win the national title if coach Dabo Swinney's team continues to develop off last year's performance. Outside of the teams at the top, coaching storylines are another source of intrigue. North Carolina's hire of Bill Belichick is one of college football's biggest storylines, and Florida State coach Mike Norvell is on the hot seat after a 2-10 campaign in '24. Advertisement Miami aims to return to playoff consideration behind transfer quarterback Carson Beck, while SMU hopes to replicate last year's surprising success. Louisville and Georgia Tech headline the list of sleeper teams in the conference for '25. How does Athlon Sports project ACC for 2025? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks all 17 teams in ACC for this fall: ORDER NOW: Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Guide ACC Football 2025 Predictions Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik © Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images ACC Championship: Clemson over Miami 1. Clemson Clemson snapped a streak of three years without a playoff trip in 2024. Coach Dabo Swinney's team returns nearly all of its main contributors and necessary pieces to make a run at the program's first national title since '18. Advertisement Quarterback Cade Klubnik showed massive growth in his second full season as the starter. Over 14 games, Klubnik threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns and ran for 463 yards and seven scores. The senior is among the Heisman frontrunners this fall and will benefit from the development of a promising trio of receivers. TJ Moore, Bryant Wesco, and Antonio Williams headline one of the top groups of pass catchers in the nation. Clemson should also have one of the nation's top lines with four starters returning. True freshman Gideon Davidson could lead the backfield in '25. Clemson's defense has slipped a bit since the departure of coordinator Brent Venables to Oklahoma. Coach Dabo Swinney took steps to return the Tigers' defense to the top of college football by hiring veteran coordinator Tom Allen away from Penn State. Allen takes over a loaded group. Up front, TJ Parker and Peter Woods will contend for All-America honors, and the second level is stacked with Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz returning. Cornerbacks Avieon Terrell and Ashton Hampton and safety Khalil Barnes are back to anchor the back end. Related: College Football Top 25 for 2025 2. Miami Miami's 10-3 record in 2024 was the program's best mark under coach Mario Cristobal. However, the season was also a missed opportunity. A late November loss to Syracuse cost the 'Canes a chance to play for the ACC Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Thanks to Cristobal's outstanding recruiting, Miami has the potential to erase last year's disappointment with another run at the postseason. Advertisement Miami must replace its top quarterback (Cam Ward), leading rusher (Damien Martinez), and its top five statistical receiving options from '24. However, this unit may not miss a beat if Georgia transfer quarterback Carson Beck is healthy after suffering a season-ending elbow injury in the SEC Championship. The Hurricanes can also lean on a standout offensive line and deep stable of running backs (headlined by Mark Fletcher). The receiving corps is expected to be a work in progress during the '25 season, but transfers CJ Daniels (LSU), Keelan Marion (BYU), and Tony Johnson (Cincinnati), and promising sophomore Joshisa Trader give Beck a solid group. After giving up 30.8 points in ACC play and struggling to stop the pass, Cristobal revamped the defense this offseason by hiring Minnesota coordinator Corey Hetherman. Additionally, a handful of defensive backs from the portal were added to shore up a leaky secondary. A healthy year from defensive end Rueben Bain should make a big difference in the pass rush and overall play of the front. Optimism is high in Coral Gables for improvement on this side of the ball. Related: ACC Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 3. SMU SMU QB Kevin Jennings Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images SMU won't sneak up on the rest of the ACC after a surprising 11-3 finish and a trip to the College Football Playoff last year. However, coach Rhett Lashlee's team has plenty of staying power - even against a tougher schedule and significant personnel turnover. Advertisement Quarterback Kevin Jennings is a big reason why the Mustangs can make another run at the ACC title. After taking over for Preston Stone early in the '24 campaign, Jennings emerged as one of the top signal-callers in the ACC by averaging 257.1 total yards a contest. With standout running back Brashard Smith and three key receivers departing, Jennings will have to shoulder more of the offensive focus in '25. Tight end RJ Maryland's return from a season-ending injury is a boost to the passing attack. With just two starters back, replicating last year's defensive performance (No. 1 in the ACC in fewest points allowed) will be a huge challenge for coordinator Scott Symons. Reinforcements for the front are coming from the transfer portal, while Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia form one of the top safety duos in the nation. 4. Louisville Coach Jeff Brohm has returned Louisville to the top tier of the ACC with a 19-8 record over the last two seasons. The Cardinals are also 12-4 in conference play in that span. Despite some significant roster turnover (eight returning starters), Brohm's ability to mesh transfers with returning personnel and a manageable schedule should allow this program to push for a spot in the ACC Championship. Advertisement Brohm's track record of getting the most out of his quarterbacks will be put to the test once again in '25. USC transfer Miller Moss is talented but was also inconsistent at times last season. A fresh start in Louisville and the opportunity to learn from Brohm should aid in his development. Also, the Cardinals return one of college football's deepest backfields with Isaac Brown and Duke Watson leading the way. Chris Bell, Caullin Lacy, and a handful of transfers form the foundation of a strong receiving corps. Brohm's biggest concern on offense is up front on a rebuilt line. However, there's a good mix of experience and potential impact additions from the portal. Louisville has room to improve on defense after giving up 5.6 yards per play and struggling with big plays allowed in the secondary (19 completions allowed of 40-plus yards). Coordinator Ron English is counting on a handful of transfers to provide help on the back end. The strength of this unit is at linebacker with TJ Quinn and Stanquan Clark back in the mix. Related: Ranking the ACC's Coaches for 2025 5. Georgia Tech The Yellow Jackets have posted back-to-back winning records (5-3) in ACC play for the first time since 2013-14. With the program on stable footing and nine returning starters, coach Brent Key's team has its sights set on contending for a spot in the conference championship game. Advertisement Quarterback Haynes King battled injuries for a good chunk of the '24 season but still averaged 245.5 total yards a game under coordinator Buster Faulkner. With a full offseason to return to full strength, King is entrenched as one of the ACC's top signal-callers. And he's got plenty of help at the skill spots despite receiver Eric Singleton's transfer to Auburn. Key landed a pair of receivers - Dean Patterson and Eric Rivers - from FIU in the portal to support Malik Rutherford on the outside. Also, the ground game is in great shape with first-team Athlon Sports' All-ACC running back Jamal Haynes. A revamped line (three new starters) is the biggest concern. Change on the defensive side is Georgia Tech's biggest unknown for 2025. New coordinator Blake Gideon is a first-time play-caller, and there are holes to fill with only four returning starters. Linebacker Kyle Efford (64 tackles) and tackle Jordan van den Berg anchor the front. How Gideon handles some turnover in the secondary and develops the pass rush will determine just how much this unit can improve this fall. 6. Duke Duke coach Manny DiazSam Navarro-Imagn Images The Blue Devils exceeded all preseason expectations last season with a 9-4 finish in coach Manny Diaz's debut. Improving on nine victories won't be easy with a schedule featuring non-conference games against Illinois and Tulane, along with ACC road trips to Syracuse, California, North Carolina, and Clemson. However, Duke has plenty of staying power in '25. Advertisement Tulane transfer Darian Mensah was one of the top quarterback additions of the offseason and is a big reason why the Blue Devils should improve on last year's production (5.2 yards a play). A healthy Jaquez Moore will boost the ground attack after being limited to five games in '24. Four starters are back to form one of the ACC's top offensive lines. Despite dealing with major personnel turnover, Diaz maintained Duke's solid level of defensive play from former coach Mike Elko. The Blue Devils held ACC teams to 5.01 yards a snap and tied for the conference lead in sacks (43) last year. With six starters back, expectations are high for this unit. Cornerback Chandler Rivers and safety Terry Moore are among the top returning defensive backs in the nation. 7. Florida State From 13-1 and winning the ACC in 2023 to 2-10 last season, Florida State has experienced a crazy swing of performance in just two years. Last season's disaster prompted coach Mike Norvell to make major staff changes and another hefty portal class is coming to Tallahassee to get the program back on track. Advertisement A lackluster offense (15.4 points a game) was primarily to blame for the 'Noles decline. Whether it was lackluster play by the quarterbacks, poor performance by the offensive line, or receivers failing to get open, every area of the offense played a role. Solving all of the issues in one offseason is impossible, but Norvell took steps to find improvement by landing UCF head coach Gus Malzahn as the new play-caller and picked quarterback Thomas Castellanos (Boston College) from the portal to direct the offense. Expect transfers (Duce Robinson and Squirrel White) to improve the receiving corps, while portal additions from '25 could take four starting spots on the offensive line. The offense wasn't the only area Florida State underachieved last season. After limiting teams to 19.3 points a game in 2023, the Seminoles allowed 28 a contest and struggled to get off the field on third downs. New coordinator Tony White is one of the offseason's top hires and won't lack talent to generate improvement. Up front, Darrell Jackson and James Williams should be All-ACC performers. The linebacker play should improve thanks to transfers and the development of Omar Graham. Cornerback Jeremiah Wilson was a key spring pickup out of the portal. Related: College Football Top 25 for 2025 8. Pitt A promising 7-0 start for the Panthers quickly fell apart in 2024. Injuries to quarterback Eli Holstein and running back Desmond Reid played a major role in the team finishing on a six-game losing streak. With both players back this fall, exceeding last year's win total is a reasonable expectation for coach Pat Narduzzi's team. Advertisement Holstein and Reid form a dynamic duo for coordinator Kade Bell, but they should have help from a line returning three starters, along with a receiving corps that returns Kenny Johnson and Raphael Williams Jr. Taking better care of the ball (20 lost turnovers in '24) is a priority for this unit. Narduzzi's defenses are usually solid and that should be the case again in '25. Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles are back to form one of the nation's top linebacker tandems. Junior Jimmy Scott (12.5 TFL in '24) anchors the edge, with Sean FitzSimmons and Nick James back to man the interior. After allowing only 5.2 yards a snap last year, concerns about this unit are minimal. But the Panthers must replace two starters in the secondary, including All-ACC safety Donovan McMillon. 9. North Carolina North Carolina coach Bill BelichickJim Dedmon-Imagn Images All eyes in college football will be on Chapel Hill this season thanks to Bill Belichick's arrival. Watching how Belichick's lack of collegiate experience (especially in the portal and NIL era) and his x's and o's ability to get the most out of the roster is easily one - if not the No. 1 - storyline in the nation this year. The 73-year-old coach also reshaped the roster through the portal by bringing in over 40 transfers and has a favorable schedule for his debut in Carolina Blue. Advertisement When you combine the coaching change and significant roster turnover, this team is full of unknowns entering '25. One of the few certainties is likely to be at quarterback with South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez, while three starters are back up front. The Tar Heels will miss running back Omarion Hampton. Transfers must emerge at receiver to take the pressure off of Kobe Paysour. The unknown theme continues on defense. Belichick's ability to get the most out of the roster should shine here, especially as the Tar Heels bring back only two starters and are counting on a handful of transfers to make an instant impact. Related: ACC Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 10. NC State Last season's 6-7 record was NC State's first losing mark since 2019, but coach Dave Doeren still guided the program to its fifth straight bowl appearance. With new coordinators on both sides of the ball, along with the development of promising quarterback CJ Bailey, could the Wolfpack make a big jump in the ACC standings? Advertisement Sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey is Doeren's biggest reason for optimism in '25. As a true freshman last year, Bailey threw for 2,413 yards and 14 touchdowns and finished sixth among ACC signal-callers in completion rate (64.9 percent). New play-caller Kurt Roper aims to take Bailey's game to the next level and having talented pass catchers in tight end Justin Joly and receivers Noah Rogers and Justin Grimes can aid in that development. Running back Hollywood Smothers (571 yards in '24) is poised for a breakout year. New coordinator D.J. Eliot inherits a defense that ranked 15th in the ACC in points allowed per contest (29.7) and is navigating significant offseason turnover in the secondary. Linebackers Caden Fordham and Sean Brown form a solid second level, while Temple transfer Tra Thomas could boost a pass rush that generated only 16 sacks in ACC play last season. 11. Virginia Tech The Hokies entered 2024 with high expectations and optimism following a 7-6 season. But instead of a step forward, injuries hit this team hard and coach Brent Pry's team needed a late victory over Virginia on Nov. 30 just to get bowl eligible. Is a large transfer haul and staff changes enough for the program to show improvement in what could be a make-or-break year for Pry? Advertisement After battling injuries throughout the '24 season, a healthy year from quarterback Kyron Drones should be a huge boost for this offense under new coordinator Philip Montgomery. Additionally, the portal brought help for the skill spots. Running backs Terion Stewart (Bowling Green), Brayden Bennett (Coastal Carolina), and Marcellous Hawkins (Central Missouri), and receivers Cam Seldon (Tennessee) and Donavon Greene (Wake Forest) are impact pickups. How dynamic this offense is likely hinges on a line with five new starters. Former NFL assistant Sam Siefkes takes over the defensive play-calling duties and a lengthy offseason to-do list. The Hokies bring back only two starters but added several intriguing pieces from the portal, including linemen Ben Bell (Texas State) and James Djonkam (Eastern Michigan) and defensive back Tyson Flowers (Rice). Virginia Tech allowed only 22.8 points a game last season but gave up too many big plays and struggled to get off the field on third downs. Related: College Football Top 25 for 2025 12. Boston College Bill O'Brien's return to the college ranks resulted in a solid 7-6 debut for the Eagles last year. With a schedule that features nine bowl games, exceeding preseason expectations once again and challenging for a finish in the top half of the conference won't be easy. Advertisement FIU transfer Grayson James took over the starting quarterback job in November last season and played well in his first extended action at Boston College. However, James isn't guaranteed the job in '25, as Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan impressed in the spring and the battle will continue into the fall. A rebuilt offensive line with three new starters looms as O'Brien's biggest concern. The Eagles have capable weapons at the skill spots, including running backs Turbo Richard and Jordan McDonald, along with receivers Lewis Bond and Reed Harris. The linebacker unit and defensive backfield should be the strength of Boston College's '25 defense. Getting cornerback Amari Jackson back in the lineup after missing a chunk of '24 due to a knee injury is a huge plus for coordinator Tim Lewis. Question marks remain up front with the departure of standout end Donovan Ezeiruaku (16.5 sacks in '24). 13. Syracuse Syracuse coach Fran Brown© D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images First-year coach Fran Brown brought a much-needed spark to Syracuse last year and delivered one of the best seasons by a coach in his debut in '24. The Orange won 10 games for the first time since '18 and capped the year with a victory over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl. With arguably the toughest schedule in the ACC, replicating 10 wins again won't be easy. Advertisement In addition to a brutal schedule, losing quarterback Kyle McCord to the NFL is another factor in a projected decline for Syracuse in '25. LSU transfer Rickie Collins won the battle to replace McCord in the spring, but Steve Angeli will arrive from Notre Dame to push for the job in the summer. Yasin Willis is poised for a breakout year as the team's No. 1 back, with transfers expected to restock the offensive line and receiving corps. Losing top target Trebor Pena to Penn State in the spring was a setback. Brown's defense is also in transition with only three starters returning. Linebacker Derek McDonald and defensive backs Devin Grant and Duce Chestnut headline the top returners for coordinator Elijah Robinson. True freshman cornerback Demetres Samuel Jr. is poised to emerge as a key contributor on the back end. Improving the rush defense (5.3 yards a carry allowed in ACC games) is a priority. Related: ACC Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 14. Virginia Virginia is coming off its best season (5-7) under coach Tony Elliott. However, with an 11-23 overall mark, the '25 campaign could be a make-or-break year for this staff. Fortunately for Elliott, the Cavaliers had a successful offseason with additions through the transfer portal to fortify the roster and make a push for six wins. Advertisement The list of impact transfers starts with quarterback Chandler Morris. The Texas native ranked seventh nationally (308.9 total yards a game) at North Texas in total offense a contest in '24 and should be the best quarterback for this program since Brennan Armstrong. North Carolina Central transfer J'Mari Taylor should team with Xavier Brown to form a solid one-two punch out of the backfield. Portal additions in Jayden Thomas (Notre Dame) and Jahmal Edrine (Purdue) restock a receiving corps looking to replace No. 1 target Malachi Fields. For this unit to take off, improvement is needed up front - a task made more difficult with a season-ending injury to tackle Monroe Mills in spring practice and a late transfer by Blake Steen. Six starters return on a defense that allowed 30.8 points a contest in ACC play last year. Top safety Jonas Sanker will be missed, but the Cavaliers added help at every level through the portal. Adding talent and depth to the secondary was a priority with several additions joining the team in the spring. Improving a pass rush that managed only 19 sacks last season is also crucial. 15. California The 2024 season provided plenty of roller coaster moments for California. The program won six games in their ACC debut last season but also lost five contests by one score. The in-season chaos carried into the offseason with a handful of key players transferring out of Berkeley, new coordinators on both sides of the ball, and former NFL coach Ron Rivera hired as general manager of the program. Advertisement New coordinator Bryan Harsin won't have the luxury of working with quarterback Fernando Mendoza (transferred to Indiana) or running back Jaydn Ott (transferred to Oklahoma). But the Golden Bears still have plenty of intriguing pieces. Ohio State transfer Devin Brown will battle touted freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to start in '25. Wilcox and Harsin rebuilt the skill positions through the portal, adding running backs LJ Johnson (SMU) and Kendrick Raphael (NC State) and receivers Jayden Dixon-Veal (Purdue), Jacob De Jesus (UNLV), Mark Hamper (Idaho/Wisconsin), and Quaron Adams (South Dakota). Portal additions will also be counted upon to improve a line that allowed 50 sacks in '24. Defense wasn't California's problem last year. The Golden Bears held teams to 4.99 yards a snap and 22.3 points a contest. However, standout linebacker Teddye Buchanan leaves big shoes to fill on the second level, and cornerback Nohl Williams (seven interceptions in '24) will be missed. Just three starters are back, and similar to the offense, Wilcox landed a handful of transfers to push for snaps. 16. Wake Forest Wake Forest running back Demond ClaiborneNeville E. Guard-Imagn Images Dave Clawson leaves big shoes to fill on Wake Forest's sideline after a successful 11-year run atop the program. New coach Jake Dickert thrived in a tough situation at Washington State, and although Clawson will be missed, new energy from the staff is not necessarily a bad thing for the Demon Deacons. Advertisement The offense is likely to be a work in progress with just two starters back for new play-caller Rob Ezell. Transfers are counted on to fill voids right away along a line that's completely revamped, along with a receiving corps losing its top four players from last season. A pair of transfers - Robby Ashford and Deshawn Purdie - are likely to battle for the starting job under center. Regardless of which quarterback takes the snaps, Ezell should lean heavily on running back (and one of the ACC's most underrated players) Demond Claiborne. Dickert's defense has plenty of question marks after giving up 32.5 points a contest in '24. However, this unit returns more experience and production than the offense, offering a chance for faster improvement under the new staff. Linebacker Dylan Hazen and defensive backs Nick Andersen and Davaughn Patterson headline the key returnees for new coordinator Scottie Hazelton. 17. Stanford After coach Troy Taylor's dismissal in the spring, Stanford's hopes of improvement in '25 suffered a significant setback. Former NFL coach Frank Reich will guide this program on an interim basis this fall, with former Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck conducting a search for the full-time replacement. Advertisement The Cardinal averaged only 21 points in ACC play last season and need to show major strides to have any shot at a bowl. Promising redshirt freshman quarterback Elijah Brown takes the offensive reins after limited playing time in three games last year. Tight end Sam Roush should be among the best in the ACC at his position, and Brown should be able to lean on transfers CJ Williams (Wisconsin), Caden High (South Carolina State), and Jordan Onovughe (Colorado) to alleviate the loss of receiver Emmett Mosley V (transfer to Texas in the spring). Losing lineman David Bailey to transfer (Texas Tech) was a setback in the spring, but the Cardinal still return six starters and a good bit of experience. Will that translate into improvement for co-coordinators Bobby April and Andy Thompson? Better play in the secondary would go a long way towards helping the overall unit. Stanford ranked 17th in the ACC in pass efficiency defense and surrendered 31 passing scores. Related: College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 Teams for 2025 Related: Ranking the ACC's College Football Coaches for 2025 Related: ACC Coaches Talk Anonymously About Conference Foes for 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cooper Flagg is Turning Heads for His Behavior After Kon Knueppel Gets Drafted
Cooper Flagg is Turning Heads for His Behavior After Kon Knueppel Gets Drafted originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg officially became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, with the Dallas Mavericks doing what was expected all along and taking him with their selection. Advertisement Flagg had a sensational one-and-done season with the Blue Devils, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. While his jumper and ball-handling leave much to be desired, according to scouting reports, he's still largely expected to make an immediate impact on the Mavericks. Even Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James recently shared high praise for Flagg, noting that he sees the young forward's desire to be great. While all the focus has been on Flagg and how he can help the Mavericks, though, the ex-Duke standout trended for a different reason on Wednesday. Former Duke Blue Devils star and now Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Penner-Imagn Images After he was drafted, Flagg did an interview with Taylor Rooks for NBA TV. While he was talking, however, his Duke teammate Kon Knueppel was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the fourth overall pick. Advertisement Flagg, for his part, stopped mid-interview to celebrate his teammate—shouting in excitement, clapping and even standing up to look for Knueppel. "Let's go!" Flagg can be heard saying. "Oh my god!" Sure enough, fans loved Cooper Flagg's reaction, with many saying how classy and awesome of a person and teammate he is. "Wholesome," a commenter wrote. Another one said, "These duke boys are rooting for each other, you love to see it." "BROTHERHOOD IS REALLLL," a fan added. A supporter remarked, "Love it!" "Coop is just a special dude," a social media user shared. A sixth poster stated, "Cooper Flagg is a good guy." Advertisement Related: LeBron James' Personal Opinion of Cooper Flagg Made Extremely Clear This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Commanders Named A 'Landing Spot' in Wild Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumor
Commanders Named A 'Landing Spot' in Wild Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumor originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Once upon a time, the San Francisco 49ers employed both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk and life as a Super Bowl contender was good. Advertisement Times have changed there, of course; they moved off of Deebo's contract by trading him to the Washington Commanders, who believe that as he works with quarterback Jayden Daniels and alongside fellow receiver Terry McLaurin, this team too can enjoy life as a Super Bowl contender. And now comes talk that the Niners might also want to move off of Aiyuk's deal - a $120 million contract awarded him just a year ago amid great controversy ... and the media is creating its "landing spots'' stories as you read this. Why might the 49ers want to dump out of Aiyuk's deal? Part of the problem, in addition to the money, is that he is rehabbing an injury and there is as of now no positive timetable there. He is also - and we will say this politely - a bit of a knucklehead with a pattern of stirring things up in a not always helpful manner. Advertisement And yet ... "The case for trading Brandon Aiyuk'' is once again a thing. And more wild ... the Commanders are once again getting mentioned. One site is including in its "three-team landing spot'' story a move for Aiyuk to Washington. It cites the fact that Washington's quarterback Jayden Daniels are old college teammates, which is certainly a fun fact. And then the site writes, "Adding a top athlete to the Commanders offense would only make them stronger, particularly if they can pair him with Terry McLauin, although having two highly-paid wide receivers might be limited by the constraints of the salary cap. Advertisement Umm ... "a pair''? "Two highly-paid'' wideouts? No, guys. A trade of Aiyuk to Washington would give them a "trio'' ... there would be "three highly-paid receivers pending McLaurin's coming new deal. Deebo is making $17.5 million this year. Aiyuk's APY is $30 million. And McLaurin is seeking at least that in his new contract. That would make for a compelling receivers room ... but a financially bloated one in an unprecedented way. Washington really does want to get a deal done with another receiver. But that receiver isn't Aiyuk. It's McLaurin. There's your real "landing spot'' guy in DC. Related: NFL Stars Poke Fun at Commanders' Deebo Samuel Weight Gain This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
