ACC Spotlight: Notable pipelines to high school football talent factories
© Ken Ruinard / staff, The Greenville News via Imagn Content Services, LLC
A major part of recruiting is coaching staffs getting their foot in the door at high school programs that annually produce multiple high-level, Power Four players. And once a coaching staff can create a pipeline at these high school football factories, it can be one of the biggest built-in recruiting advantages every year.
Advertisement
This week, we are taking a look at which Power Four programs have an established pipeline at certain high school football factories. Next up is the ACC.
RELATED: Notable SEC pipelines to high school football talent factories
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
CENTRAL (S.C.) DW DANIEL - CLEMSON
A local program to Clemson's campus, Daniel has produced a long line of Tigers relative to football on Saturdays and well beyond. The alumni list is as strong as any at the top, with a pair of first-round NFL Draft picks in a three-year span. DeAndre Hopkins may still represent the most famous former Lions player to don the local orange at the next level. Just two years later, defensive end Shaq Lawson also saw his name called in the first round after his CU days were done.
Advertisement
More notable names in the Daniel-to-Clemson pipeline include longtime NFL player Jarvis Jenkins and a pair of well-known athletes in the current era in brothers Jake and Tyler Venables, of course the sons of longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables.
The current Clemson roster sports several Lions, as one may expect, including defensive line contributor Jaheim Lawson among a handful of others.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH CLEMSON FANS AT TIGERILLUSTRATED.COM
FT. LAUDERDALE (FLA.) ST. THOMAS AQUINAS - MIAMI
© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Arguably the top football program in fertile South Florida, there have been scores of St. Thomas Aquinas prospects to end up at Miami dating back to Michael Irvin in the 1980s. Of course the pipeline hasn't slowed down into the current era, as former Raiders to see the brightest of lights after time at Miami include first-round NFLers Phillip Dorsett and other pros such as Brandon Linder, Leonard Hankerson, Tavares Gooden and Anthony Reddick. Miami's all-time receiving leader Xavier Restrepo also had a stint at the school before his college days.
Advertisement
The recent rosters at UM have seen a jolt of local talent line up to play close to home and that means more Raiders became Hurricanes in the process. Freshman defensive back OJ Frederique, breakout running back prospect Jordan Lyle and second-year wide receiver Chance Robinson headline the current contingent on campus.
It may not soon slow down, as current Raiders recruits Miami is trying to reel in include Justice Fitzpatrick, Daniel Norman, Julius Jones, Mark Matthews and Zayden Gamble.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MIAMI FANS AT CANESCOUNTY.COM
MIAMI (FLA.) CENTRAL - MIAMI
John Garcia, Jr.
Some of the biggest names to come through the program may have starred against the hometown Miami Hurricanes, like a Dalvin Cook at Florida State for example, but there have been some UM greats coming from the school since the turn of the century such as Willis McGahee and Najeh Davenport. The backfield part of the pipeline would continue with blue-chippers Joseph Yearby in addition to big names Trevor Darling, Navaughn Donaldson and the late Bryan Pata going from a Rocket to a Cane.
Advertisement
There was a small lull in the pipeline about a decade ago, but it has since turned around in a large way under Mario Cristobal. In fact, five Central Rockets are on the current Hurricane roster including former five-star pass rusher Armondo Blount and 2023 freshman All-American Rueben Bain Jr.
On the trail, UM hopes the pipeline continues with blue-chip targets at Central such as linebacker Karon Maycock in the 2026 class and wide receiver Sean Thompson in 2027.
DALLAS (TEXAS) SOUTH OAK CLIFF - SMU
© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The newest members of the ACC have plenty of pipelines to their own name, too, and the current roster at SMU leans on a new one in Lone Star State power South Oak Cliff. The Bears are represented by five different players on the Mustang roster, including captain and returning All-ACC quarterback Kevin Jennings, Texas pass rush transfer Billy Walton III and others.
Advertisement
The SOC-to-SMU pipeline may just be hitting its stride as Rhett Lashelee and company should splash following an ACC runner-up campaign in 2024. Looking ahead to the 2027 class, a pair of coveted prospects are high on the program early on in No. 9 offensive tackle Brian Swanson and defensive line recruit Jaderian Jones.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH SMU FANS AT THEHILLTOPICS.COM
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mizzou to Add Player-Turned-Coach Sabbath Joseph to Defensive Staff
Mizzou to Add Player-Turned-Coach Sabbath Joseph to Defensive Staff originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Mizzou is expected to hire Miami linebacker analyst Sabbath Joseph as its assistant defensive line coach; it was announced by 247Sports on Thursday night. Advertisement Joseph spent the past three seasons as the linebacker's analyst at Miami, where the team compiled a 22-16 record. New York Jets linebacker Francisco Mauigoa is the lone linebacker selected in an NFL Draft during Joseph's tenure. Mauigoa was selected with the 162nd pick during the 5th round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Mizzou's defense quietly put together an impressive 2024 campaign, finishing among the nation's best by allowing just 20.4 points and 317.5 yards per game — ranking 20th and 17th nationally, respectively. With no departures to the 2025 NFL Draft, the Tigers return a veteran-heavy unit anchored by their top four tacklers: linebackers Corey Flagg Jr. and Triston Newson, and safeties Marvin Burks Jr. and Daylan Carnell. A potential spark to the move was linebackers coach Derek Nicholson, who was another addition to the staff during this off-season. Joseph and Nicholson spent two years together on Miami's defensive staff as Nicholson was hired by Miami in 2023. A general view of The Zou logo on the stadium as fans tailgate prior to a gameDenny Medley-Imagn Images Joseph was a linebacker at USF from 2006-10, where he recorded 124 tackles, three sacks, one interception and seven pass breakups. Advertisement In another Athlon Sports article, an anonymous SEC coach said, 'One of the most underrated coaching staffs in the entire country. If they can flip the QB and rework the offensive line and win another 10 games, Eli [Drinkwitz] should be on everyone's short list." Mizzou will debut its revamped coaching staff on Thursday, Aug. 28, when the Tigers host Central Arkansas in their 2025 season opener at Faurot Field. With continuity on defense, fresh coaching additions, and high expectations entering the season, Missouri is positioned to build on last year's success — and all eyes will be on how the Tigers' revamped staff delivers when the season kicks off under the lights at Faurot Field. Related: Mizzou Offensive Lineman Could be Sleeper Pick in 2026 NFL Draft Related: Mizzou WR Cracks Prominent List After Luther Burden III's Departure This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Wisconsin, NIL collective sue Miami, allege tampering and NIL inducements to land football player
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging it knowingly induced one of the Badgers' football players to abandon a lucrative name, image and likeness contract to play for the Florida school this upcoming season. Allegations of tampering rarely get to this level and the 23-page lawsuit, which was filed in state court in Wisconsin and obtained by The Associated Press, is unusual. Depending on its resolution, it could have a a wider impact on future NIL deals across college athletics. The player in question in the filing is referred to only as 'Student-Athlete A.' But the case summary describes facts that line up with the situation involving cornerback Xavier Lucas, who last December announced his plans to enter the transfer portal. Shortly afterward, Darren Heitner, who has been representing Lucas, indicated that Wisconsin was refusing to put Lucas' name in the portal and that it was hindering his ability to talk with other schools. In January, Heitner announced that Lucas would be playing for Miami this fall. The situation is fallout from the rapid changes engulfing college athletics, specifically a combination of two things: Athletes went to court and won the ability to transfer with much more freedom and the 2021 NCAA decision clearing the way for them to strike NIL endorsement deals now worth millions of dollars. That has changed the recruiting landscape and forced the issue of contracts and signed commitments to the fore. 'Indeed, student-athletes' newfound NIL rights will be rendered meaningless if third parties are allowed to induce student-athletes to abandon their contractual commitments,' a portion of the lawsuit reads. Wisconsin said in January that it had credible information that Miami and Lucas made impermissible contact with each other before the former Badgers cornerback decided to transfer. Wisconsin and VC Connect allege that the inducement for Lucas to attend Miami happened within days of him entering his NIL agreement to play for the Badgers, and that they incurred substantial monetary and reputational harm. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and 'a declaration that Miami's conduct directed towards Student-Athlete A constituted tampering.' A message left with the University of Miami seeking comment was not immediately returned. In a text message Friday, Heitner declined to comment on the lawsuit but he said that Lucas still plans to attend Miami and play football. Wisconsin said it had the support of its leadership and the Big Ten Conference in filing the lawsuit, noting its commitment to 'ensuring integrity and fundamental fairness in the evolving landscape of college athletics.' 'While we reluctantly bring this case, we stand by our position that respecting and enforcing contractual obligations is essential to maintaining a level playing field,' the statement said. 'In addition to our legal action, we will continue to be proactive to protect the interests of our student-athletes, our program and the broader collegiate athletics community. Lucas, who is from Pompano Beach, Florida, had 12 tackles, an interception and a sack as a freshman for Wisconsin last season. Heitner said that Lucas hasn't received any money from Wisconsin and therefore owes no money to the school. Heitner also argued that Wisconsin had violated an NCAA bylaw by not entering Lucas into the transfer database within two business days of the player's request. Wisconsin issued a statement at the time saying it hadn't put Lucas' name in the portal because he had entered a two-year binding NIL agreement. In April, the surprise transfers of brothers Nico and Madden Iamaleava from Tennessee to UCLA prompted fresh questions about contracts and buyouts. Nico Iamaleava, who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season, walked away from a reported $2.4 million NIL contract. Arkansas freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava entered the portal after spring practices wrapped up. Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek released a statement indicating he would support efforts by the Razorbacks' NIL collective to enforce buyout clauses in athlete contracts. Iamaleava reportedly had a contract valued at $500,000 upon signing with Arkansas.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
ESPN's Windhorst: Rockets ‘definitely still in race' for Kevin Durant trade
The Miami Heat and Houston Rockets appear to be the only two NBA teams who are both on Kevin Durant's list of desired destinations and actively engaged with the Phoenix Suns to get such a deal done. And between those two, longtime league insider Brian Windhorst thinks it's Houston that could be the most compelling basketball fit. While the terms of a potential deal remain unknown, financial analysis from Rockets Wire suggests a package headlined by Jalen Green or a combination of Dillon Brooks and either Jabari Smith Jr. or Reed Sheppard as the most likely starting point. Advertisement Draft equity and further matching salaries would likely be a component, as well. Phoenix is reportedly underwhelmed by the current offer, though negotiations are ongoing. In a Wednesday appearance on ESPN's Get Up, Windhorst offered this update: I think he's got Miami on there because he's attracted by the city and Pat Riley. It's certainly not the team. So, let's put them aside. Let's look at Houston and San Antonio. He would be the No. 1 offensive option on those two teams. I don't know about best player, and I don't know if that's what he's looking for at age 37. But he certainly would join those two teams and make them way more dynamic offensively. Particularly Houston, who is an elite defensive team that had difficulty getting isolation and individual scoring. He certainly believes, by looking at those two teams, that he can be a very high-level member of a contending team. So, I'm going to listen to what he says there. That's why I think Houston especially has got their eyebrow up. I'm not sure they're willing to pay a massive price for a 37-year-old when most of the rest of their team is in its early-to-mid 20s, but I think Houston should definitely be considered still in this race. Especially if Minnesota doesn't close. Potential trade suitors not on that preferred-destination list (such as the Timberwolves, who Windhorst identified) are reportedly not bidding aggressively without a change in the All-Star forward's stance. Since Durant's current contract expires after next season, his choice to sign (or not sign) an extension carries significant weight in these talks, since many teams won't risk surrendering significant asset capital if they might lose him as an unrestricted free agent a year later. Advertisement With that in mind, it appears that could make the Rockets and Heat frontrunners for Durant's services, assuming the Suns remain committed to trading him. A deal is reportedly possible at any time. To Windhorst's point, Houston finished 52-30 and No. 2 in the Western Conference last season, while Miami went 37-45 in the East. Thus, from a purely short-term basketball perspective, the Rockets would seemingly give Durant a better opportunity to compete at the highest level over whatever remains of his prime NBA years. More: Report: Rockets have 'firm offer' to trade for Kevin Durant, but Suns are underwhelmed This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: ESPN's Windhorst: Rockets 'definitely still in race' for Kevin Durant
