Lindy's Sports' preseason awards for the ACC, including two FSU players (2024)

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Hank Bachmeier – Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Transferring to Wake Forest for his final year of eligibility, Bachmeier is coming off his best season with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Bachmeier finished 2023 with a 67.7% completion percentage, completing 182 of his 269 attempts. He recorded 2,058 yards and 10 touchdowns while only throwing five interceptions.

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Ward – Miami Hurricanes

Coming to the ACC from Washington State, Cam Ward was a part of the pinnacle of the air raid offense. In 2023, Ward passed for 3,735 yards and 25 touchdowns. Known to throw it deep, Ward’s longest completed pass was for 63 yards against Oregon State.

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Kyron Drones – Virginia Tech Hokies

In his first season with Virginia Tech, Drones was the definition of a dual-threat quarterback. Not only did he pass for 2,084 yards, but Drones rushed for 818 yards. This was the second-best on the team, behind starting runningback Bhayshul Tuten who rushed for 863 yards.

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Grayson McCall – NC State Wolfpack

In his final three seasons with Coastal Carolina, McCall was often in the spotlight for leading the Chanticleers against superior opponents. Remaining calm and doing what he does best, McCall’s fourth-quarter stats can attest to the award given to him. Since 2021, he threw for 1,388 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just five interceptions in the final quarter of the game.

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Damien Martinez – Miami Hurricanes

A tank of a runningback at Oregon State, Martinez is making the move to Miami where he will likely get the ball more. In his two seasons with the Beavers, Martinez totaled 2,167 yards and 16 touchdowns, including over 1,300 yards after contact.

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Oronde Gadsden II – Syracuse Orange

After missing most of the 2023 season and 2024 offseason due to an injury requiring two surgeries, Syracuse will be looking to get its most dependable tight end back. This time, he will have Ohio State transfer Kyle McCord at the helm. In 2022 and 2023, Gadsden had a total of 68 receptions on just 104 targets, meaning he caught 65% of the passes thrown his way.

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Caullin Lacy – Louisville Cardinals

Lacy is transferring to Louisville after spending four seasons at South Alabama. 2023 was Lacy’s breakout season, recording 91 receptions, 1,36 yards, and 7 touchdowns. A true downfield target, Lacy averaged 14.5 yards per catch with a long of 84 yards.

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Miller – Clemson Tigers

At 6’6 and 310 pounds, Miller is a mountain of a right tackle to try to get past. In his 27 starts at Clemson, he and the offensive line had 10 games where they did not allow a sack. Expect Miller to continue to protect Cade Klubnik, giving him time in the pocket.

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Maurice Smith – Florida State Seminoles

A fifth-year senior for the Seminoles, Smith is a familiar face in Tallahassee. In 2023, Smith was a part of that offensive line that led to one of the most explosive offenses in college football. Behind Smith and the other lineman, the Seminoles were able to rush for 2,102 yards, averaging 150.2 rush yards per game.

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Fentrell Cypress II – Florida State Seminoles

Since the beginning of the 2022 season, Cypress has not been easy to pass against. In those two seasons, he defended 20 passes thrown in his direction and was part of the 2023 FSU team that allowed just 179.7 passing yards per game.

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Ashton Gillotte – Louisville Cardinals

There is no doubt that Gillotte is a force in the trenches. In his three seasons with the Cardinals, Gillotte has 87 total tackles, 22 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Fast off the snap, expect to see Gillotte in the backfield often.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Bhayshul Tuten – Virginia Tech Hokies

In his first season with the Hokies in 2023, Tuten was not only the starting running back but also the main kick returner for the team. Tuten returned 19 kickoffs totalling 550 yards and two kicks returned for a touchdown. Tuten showcased his speed all season, especially against FSU with his 99-yard return.

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Cam Ward – Miami Hurricanes

This should come as a surprise to no one. Ward was one of the highest-rated prospects in the portal once he announced he was leaving Washington State. Joining the Hurricanes, Ward is already considered the top quarterback in the conference.

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Omarion Hampton – North Carolina Tar Heels

In his second season with the Tar Heels, Hampton led the ACC in rushing yards in 2023 totaling 1,504 yards. This was almost 400 yards more than the next-best rusher in the conference. With an upgraded offensive line, Hampton will be looking to stay at the top of the ACC.

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Barrett Carter – Clemson Tigers

Carter has been a defensive force for the Tigers for the past two seasons and does not appear to be slowing down. Since the beginning of the 2022 season, Carter has recorded 135 total tackles, nine sacks, 13 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions.

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Cam Ward – Miami Hurricanes

The table is set for Ward and the Hurricanes to have an outstanding season. With Xavier Restrepo and Samuel Brown as his main targets, the sky is the limit for Ward. It will come down to how he adjusts to ACC football and how his team plays around him.