The “Road To Signing Day 2014” is a report on how each school in the Atlantic Coast Conference is doing in class of 2014 football recruiting. Throughout this recruiting season, all the way up until Signing Day next February, we’ll provide the latest commitment updates and rankings for each ACC program.
The days when most prospects waited until senior year to verbally commit have long gone, and the current trend — for most recruits, anyway — is to commit prior to senior year. Spring and summer have taken over for fall and winter as football recruiting’s prime seasons. Based on the activity since our last update on May 18, recruiting season is in full swing right now.
Since May 18, Boston College (5 pledges), Clemson (5), Duke (1), Florida State (2) Georgia Tech (4), Miami (3), North Carolina (3), N.C. State (4), Syracuse (1), Virginia (3), Virginia Tech (2), and Wake Forest (2) have been in on the commitment action, leaving Pittsburgh as the only ACC school without a new pledge over the course of the past three-and-a-half weeks.
Below is a compilation of how each school in the Atlantic Coast Conference is faring. Note that Maryland is not in the listing because of the fact that they will move to the Big 10 in the 2014 season. Louisville is not listed either because they are not yet in the ACC. Included in each player listing is the player’s name, position, school (and school location), and the player’s highest star rating among the four national recruiting outlets (Rivals, Scout, ESPN, 247). Later in the year, the star rating will be an average of the four national sites.
BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES
Commitments (14)
– Jon Baker, OL, Millis (MA), 
(Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Kevin Cohee, LB, Roxbury Latin (West Roxbury, MA), (247Sports)
– James Hendren, OL, Dexter (Brookline, MA), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Mike Knoll, PK, Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls, OH), (Rivals, 247Sports)
– Harold Landry, DE, Pine Forest (Fayetteville, N.C.), (247Sports)
– Christian Lezzer, LB, Clearfield (PA), (Rivals, 247Sports)
– Kamrin Moore, ATH, Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, VA), Not Rated
– Marcus Outlow, RB, Norwich Free Academy (Norwich, CT), (ESPN)
– Cameron Seward, ATH, Westminster (Atlanta, GA), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Thaddius Smith, WR, Cardinal O’Hara (Philadelphia, PA), (247Sports)
– Connor Strachan, LB, St. Sebastian’s Country Day (Needham, MA), (ESPN, Rivals)
– Joe Vitiello, TE/DE, Immaculata (Somerville, N.J.), (Rivals, 247Sports)
– Darius Wade, QB, Middletown (DE), (Rivals, 247Sports)
– Isaac Yiadom, WR/DB, Doherty Memorial (Worcester, MA), (Rivals, 247Sports)
Recent Developments/Notes: The Eagles have done a solid job of rounding up the in-state talent, recently adding offensive lineman James Hendren to go along with the four previous Massachusetts commitments. It’s latest commitment, athlete Kamrin Moore, is a sleeper prospect out of Arlington, Virginia, however.
CLEMSON TIGERS
Commitments (10)
– Adam Choice, RB, Thomas County Central (Thomasville, GA), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports)
– C.J. Fuller, RB/CB, Easley (S.C.), (Rivals, 247Sports)
– Taylor Hearn, OL, Williston Elko (Williston, S.C.). (ESPN, Scout)
– Demarre Kitt, WR, Sandy Creek (Tyrone, GA), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Jae-lon Oglesby, RB, D.W. Daniel (Central, S.C.), (ESPN, Rivals)
– Chris Register, LB, Dudley (Greensboro, N.C.), (ESPN, 247Sports, Scout)
– Milan Richard, TE, Calvary Baptist (Savannah, GA), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports)
– Korie Rogers, LB, Buford (GA), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Cannon Smith, TE, Hammond School (Columbia, S.C.), (ESPN, 247Sports, Scout)
– Deshaun Watson, QB, Gainesville (GA), (Rivals)
Recent Developments/Notes: Seven of Clemson’s 10 commitments are rated on the 4-star level by at least one of the national recruiting outlets. The Tigers’ most recent haul includes two 4-star linebackers (Register and Rogers), a 4-star running back (Choice), and a 4-star wide receiver (Kitt). The latter prospect had earlier committed to Georgia.
DUKE BLUE DEVILS
Commitments (10)
– Tinashe Bere, LB, Sycamore (Cincinnati, OH), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Zavier Carmichael, LB, St. Paul’s (Mobile, AL), (ESPN)
– Zach Harmon, OL, Central Catholic (Toledo, OH), (247Sports)
– Johnathan Lloyd, ATH, Southern Alamance (Graham, N.C.), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Trip McNeill, OL, Davie (Mocksville, N.C.), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Kerrion Moore, RB, Hunter Huss (Gastonia, N.C.), (247Sports)
– Jake Sanders, OL, Carrollton (GA), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Alonzo Saxton, CB, Bishop Hartley (Columbus, OH), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Kameron Schroeder, OL, Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove, CA), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports)
– Chris Taylor, WR, University School (Fort Lauderdale, FL), (247Sports)
Recent Developments/Notes: Consensus 3-star recruit Johnathan Lloyd is the Blue Devils’ latest commit. A highly regarded player, Lloyd chose Duke over an impressive list of other offers.
FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
Commitments (10)
– Demarcus Christmas, DT, Manatee (Bradenton, FL), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– J.J. Cosentino, QB, Central Catholic (New Kensington, PA), (ESPN, 247Sports)
– Kain Daub, LB, Sandalwood (Jacksonville, FL), (247Sports, Scout)
– Alec Eberle, OL, Atlee (Mechanicsville, VA), (Rivals)
– Blake McClain, DE, Sandalwood (Jacksonville, FL), (ESPN, 247Sports, Scout)
– Markell Pack, WR, Purvis (MS), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Delvin Purifoy, LB, Catholic (Pensacola, FL), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports)
– Jacob Pugh, LB, Godby (Tallahassee, FL), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– JoJo Robinson, ATH, Northwestern (Miami, FL), (ESPN, Scout)
– C.J. Worton, WR, South Dade (Homestead, FL), (ESPN, 247Sports, Scout)
Recent Developments/Notes: 4-star defensive back J.C. Jackson reneged on his commitment to the Noles and committed to Florida. But Florida State has to feel good about its recent commitments, consensus 4-star prospects Markell Pack (WR) and Jacob Pugh (LB).
GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS
Commitments (6)
– Stepheny Durham, DB, Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville, FL), (ESPN, Rivals)
– KeShun Freeman, DE, Callaway (Hogansville, GA), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Tre Jackson, RB/LB, Lowndes (Valdosta, GA), (ESPN)
– Jalen Johnson, WR, Oneonta (AL), (247Sports)
– Tyler Merriweather, DE, Demopolis (AL), (247Sports)
– Miles Taylor, DB, Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), (ESPN, 247Sports)
Recent Developments/Notes: The Yellow Jackets addressed the defensive side of the with recent commitments from defensive ends Freeman and Merriweather, as well as defensive back Stepheny Durham. Wideout Jalen Johnson came on board as well. Durham is the Yellow Jackets’ first 4-star prospect of the class and an important addition for head coach Paul Johnson.
MIAMI HURRICANES
Commitments (11)
– Trevor Darling, OL, Central (Miami, FL), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Alin Edouard, QB, Hialeah (FL), (ESPN, 247Sports)
– Reilly Gibbons, OL, Catholic (St. Petersburg, FL), (ESPN, Rivals)
– Courtel Jenkins, DT, De Paul Catholic (Wayne, N.J.), (Rivals)
– Brad Kayaa, QB, Chaminade (West Hills, CA), (ESPN)
– Darrell Langham, WR, Santaluces (Lantana, FL), (ESPN)
– Nick Linder, OL, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, FL), (ESPN, 247Sports, Scout)
– KC McDermott, OL, Palm Beach Central (Wellington, FL), (Scout)
– Dalvon Stuckey, DT, Pearl River CC (Hattiesburg, MS), (247Sports)
– Joseph Yearby, RB, Central (Miami, FL), (Scout)
– Juwon Young, LB, Albany (GA), (247Sports)
Recent Developments/Notes: Six of the Canes’ first 11 commitments in this class are linemen, with the latest addition being New Jersey defensive tackle Courtel Jenkins. Linebacker Juwon Young and wide receiver Darrell Langham have come on board recently as well.
NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
Commitments (10)
– Tajze Battle, DB, Dunbar (Fort Myers, FL), (ESPN, 247Sports)
– Ayden Bonilla, DB, Etowah (Woodstock, GA), (Rivals, 247Sports)
– Cayson Collins, LB, Philip O. Berry Academy of Technology (Charlotte, N.C.), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Robert Dinkins, DE, Olympic (Charlotte, N.C.), (ESPN, 247Sports, Scout)
– Brandon Fritts, TE, Mentor (OH), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Caleb Henderson, QB, Lake Braddock (Burke, VA) (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– D’Ernest Johnson, RB, Immokalee (FL), (Rivals)
– Freeman Jones, PK, Bunn (N.C.), (247Sports)
– Tyler Powell, DL, Cosby (Midlothian, VA), (247Sports)
– Caleb Samuel, OL/DT, Stratford Academy (Macon, GA), (247Sports)
Recent Developments/Notes: Cosby defensive lineman Tyler Powell, whose recruitment picked up steam during the Spring Evaluation Period with offers from Michigan State and Wisconsin and others, quickly pounced on his most recent offer, UNC. The Tar Heels offered last weekend and he committed Monday night.
N.C. STATE WOLFPACK
Commitments (9)
– Tony Adams, OL/DL, Independence (Charlotte, N.C.), Not Rated
– Garrett Bradbury, TE, Charlotte Christian (Charlotte, N.C.), (Rivals)
– Coult Culler, LB, Laney (Wilmington, N.C.), (247Sports)
– Jefferie Gibson, S, Gray’s Creek (Hope Mills, N.C.), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Bo Hines, WR, Charlotte Christian (Charlotte, N.C.), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Jalan McClendon, QB, West Mecklenburg (Charlotte, N.C.), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Germaine Pratt, DB, High Point Central (High Point, N.C.), (Rivals)
– Eric Shute, OL, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn, IL), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Micah Till, TE, Wise (Upper Marlboro, MD), (247Sports)
Recent Developments/Notes: The Pack have scored two promising O-line commitments in Eric Shute and Tony Adams in recent weeks. In-state safety Jefferie Gibson, who is rated a 3-star recruit by three of the four national recruiting outlets, chose the Pack over ACC-rival Clemson on Monday night.
PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
Commitments (1)
– Connor Hayes, OL, Traverse City West (Traverse City, MI), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
SYRACUSE ORANGE
Commitments (3)
– Zaire Franklin, LB, La Salle (Philadelphia, PA), (Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Naesean Howard, RB, West Genesee (Camillus, N.Y.), (Scout)
– A.J. Long, QB/ATH, Friendship Christian (Lebanon, TN), (ESPN)
Recent Developments/Notes: Philadelphia native Zaire Franklin gives the Orange its first defensive commitment in the class of 2014.
VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
Commitments (7)
– Quin Blanding, S, Bayside (Virginia Beach, VA), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Canaan Brown, LB/DE, Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater, FL), (Rivals, 247Sports)
– Jordan Ellis, RB, Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, GA), (247Sports, Scout)
– Jordan “JJ” Jackson, OLB/DE, Woodgrove (Purcellville, VA), (247Sports)
– Steven Moss, OL, Chancellor (Fredericksburg, VA), (ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports, Scout)
– Will Richardson, OL, Cummings (Burlington, N.C.), (ESPN)
– Gary Wunderlich, PK, Memphis University School (Memphis, TN), (Rivals)
Recent Developments/Notes: ESPN rates offensive tackle recruit Will Richardson as a 4-star prospect, giving the Hoos two 4-star offensive linemen in this class. Virginia has also scored pledges from Florida native Canaan Brown and Georgia prep running back Jordan Ellis since our last report.
VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
Commitments (9)
– Jaylen Bradshaw, WR, Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA), (247Sports)
– Xavier Burke, TE/DL, Brunswick (Lawrenceville, VA), (ESPN)
– Terrell Edmunds, CB, Dan River (VA), (247Sports)
– Eric Gallo, OL, Council Rock South (Holland, PA), (247Sports, Scout)
– Javon Harrison, DB, Kathleeen (Lakeland, FL), (ESPN, Rivals, Scout)
– Travon McMillian, QB/ATH, Hylton (Woodbridge, VA), (ESPN, Scout)
– Vinny Mihota, DE, Massaponax (Fredericksburg, VA), (ESPN, 247Sports)
– CJ Reavis, S, Thomas Dale (Chester, VA), (Rivals, 247Sports)
– Marshawn Williams, RB, Phoebus (Hampton, VA), (247Sports, Scout)
Recent Developments/Notes: It has been an interesting past several weeks for Virginia Tech, which has added a class of 2013 recruit in tight end Kalvin Cline, landed two class of 2014 recruits in wide receiver Jaylen Bradshaw and center/offensive guard Eric Gallo, and saw class of 2014 defensive back Kalen McCain de-commit in that time.
WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS
Commitments (3)
– Cameron Glenn, DB, Stephenson (Stone Mountain, GA), (Scout)
– DaiQuan Lawerence, DB, Western Branch (Chesapeake, VA), (Rivals, 247Sports)
– Jaboree Williams, LB, Fort Lauderdale (FL), (Rivals)
Recent Developments/Notes: The Demon Deacons scored a pair of solid defensive recruits recently in Lawrence, a cornerback/safety out of Chesapeake (VA), and Williams, who hails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lawrence is the most recent pledge for Jim Grobe’s program, which beat out ACC-rival Virginia for the Western Branch product.