Conference play has kicked into high gear around the country. With Week 6 set to kick off, here are five players in the ACC to circle all over Saturday’s slate of football.
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
@ No. 25 UNLV
What To Look For: A matchup on the road against No. 25-ranked UNLV won’t be easy for the Syracuse offense. Kyle McCord has shown flashes of excellence this fall (thrown for 330 yards in each of his first four starts), and leading the Orange to a win out west could hold some weight toward his draft profile.
Mansoor Delane, CB, Virginia Tech
@ Stanford
What To Look For: A rising name in the corner class, Mansoor Delane will have his hands full countering Stanford’s WR1 in Elic Ayomanor. Delane has allowed just 10 receptions on 26 targets thus far in 2024, and his ability to stymie Ayomanor will continue to elevate his stock within league circles. He’s got excellent size and cover skills at 6-foot-1.
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
@ Florida State
What To Look For: Playing Florida State doesn’t carry the same weight as it did just five weeks ago, but Blake Miller’s ability to stall Seminoles edge rusher Patrick Payton will allow Miller’s profile to continue to finalize itself. Miller has yet to allow a sack in 124 pass-pro snaps, showcasing the type of technique and movement skills he possesses at right tackle.
Xavier Carlton, EDGE, California
vs. No. 8 Miami
What To Look For: With 18 pressures already this fall, Xavier Carlton has found his footing in the 2024 campaign. However, he has yet to face the talent that Miami has up front, or the importance of him pushing the pocket against a talent like Hurricanes signal-caller Cam Ward. In what will be Carlton’s biggest matchup of his lengthy collegiate career (fifth-year senior), his ability to push the pocket on high-leverage downs will move the needle a bit on his projection down the road. In totality, Carlton checks off a few of the boxes teams look for in potential day-three rotational pass rushers. A good performance this week could go a long way.
Vincent Anthony Jr., EDGE, Duke
@ Georgia Tech
What To Look For: I’m fired up to see Vincent Anthony Jr. again this week. One of college football’s leaders in pressures through five weeks (21), his nine-pressure (one sack) outing last week at North Carolina has raised eyebrows. Considering his size (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) and twitch, Anthony Jr. has quickly become a name to know. He’s also a highly intelligent young man, who is currently double-majoring at Duke. Georgia Tech QB Haynes King has yet to be sacked in 2024—that could change this week.
