The ACC Atlantic has morphed in to one of the most intriguing divisions in the entire country following a year in which Clemson proved it can be a major player on the national stage. The Tigers will look to defend their ACC crown and contend for a national title once again in 2016 but they will face some tough competition with Florida State looking to recapture its past glory while Louisville continues to trend in the right direction as a team on the rise. Here is a look at the most significant x-factors in the ACC Atlantic heading in to the 2016 season.
Clemson: Austin Bryant
Defensive End
Clemson took its biggest hit on the defensive side of the football with Kevin Dodd joining Shaq Lawson and Vic Beasley in the NFL this past spring. That will make Bryant more important than ever before to the success of the Tigers’ defense. The 6’4’’, 265-pound defensive end had 23 tackles including 2.5 for loss in 2015 and there is every reason to expect him to be more productive in 2016 based on his size and skill set. Clemson will need its best players on defense to produce at a high level this coming season and nobody will be more important than Bryant on that side of the football.
Florida State: Matthew Thomas
Linebacker
The Seminoles managed to get to 10 wins in what was considered a rebuilding year and now with some considerable returning talent they are primed to contend for an ACC championship in 2016. Florida State is loaded on both sides of the football but their ultimate key to success will be their defense. Thomas has been limited by injuries and suspensions throughout his first three seasons but the former top prospect is fully healthy heading in to this season and he has the potential to absolutely dominate at the linebacker position. The Seminoles are banking on that he can be a key contributor and an X-factor for their defense this season.
Louisville: Jamari Staples
Wide Receiver
Quarterback Lamar Jackson has the potential to be one of the breakthrough players in the ACC this season but in order to thrive he will need some help from his top receivers. That includes the UAB transfer Staples, who led the Cardinals with 638 receiving yards a year ago despite missing four games because of a knee injury. The 6’4’’, 190-pound receiver has star potential and he will be among the biggest X-factors on the Louisville offense this season.
NC State: Nyheim Hines
Wide Receiver
ACC fans remember Hines for his 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown versus Clemson as he led the team with 1,419 all-purpose yards in his freshman season. The 5’9’’, 190-pound Hines ran track in the winter and there is no doubt about his elite level of speed. The only question is how he can translate that skill set to the football field with the potential to put up big numbers as both a wide receiver and a return man for the Wolfpack in 2016.
Boston College: Connor Strachan
Linebacker
Strachan finished second on the Eagles in tackles last season with 75 and he will have every opportunity to top that total in 2016 when he moves to the middle of the field to take over for the departed Steven Daniels. The second-team All-ACC linebacker has outstanding range, speed, size, strength and football IQ and he should thrive as the central figure in the Boston College defense this coming season.
Wake Forest: Duke Ejiofor
Defensive End
Ejiofor actually led Wake Forest with 4.5 sacks last season despite missing the first five games with a concussion so it’s easy to understand why he has the potential to be better in 2016. Ejiofor has the opportunity to be an All-ACC standout in 2016 and he will be an X-factor on the defensive side of the football for the Demon Deacons.
Syracuse: Ervin Phillips
Wide Receiver
Phillips is expected to focus more on being a pure wide receiver in 2016 and his ability to adjust to that role will be integral to the success of the Syracuse offense. The 5’11’’, 180-pound junior has terrific speed and quickness and his elusiveness with the ball in his hand should translate well as a sleeper pick to lead the Orange in receiving yards for 2016.
