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Wednesday brings the start of 2026 ACC Media Days, or as it's officially called, 2026 ACC Kickoff. The second of the major College Football Talking Season events this summer transpires July 15–17 at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown. ACC Network will be broadcasting from it all three days beginning at 9 a.m. ET.
The Miami Hurricanes, last year's national runner-up, are far and away the favorites to win the league. It's easy to see why, as they have so much more talent than everybody else.
Miami is the only ACC team that could conceivably send multiple players to the first round of next year's NFL Draft, so "here I am" to tell you which of their players can "rock you like a hurricane."
That is if you are playing against them this season.
Quarterback Darian Mensah
He transferred within the league from Duke, and he's the conference's top NFL Draft prospect this preseason. He'll be attending this event, but none of the other Hurricanes within that top 100 prospect range will be there.
Mensah led the Blue Devils to an ACC title last season, completing 67% of his passes, for an ACC-leading 3,973 yards and 34 touchdown passes.
His production should only increase this year, as he'll have a much more talented supporting cast around him, than he did at Duke.
Potential projection: mid-to-late first round
Damon Wilson II, OLB/Edge
Fit in better at Mizzou than he did at Georgia, as he earned second team All-SEC with the Tigers. We'll see how he fits in in Coral Gables, and his pass rushing numbers will go a long ways towards defining it. Wilson will be tasked with generating consistent pressure off the edge.
Potential projection: mid-first round to early second round
Justin Scott, DT
He's the classic example of a giant, fearsome lineman who wears an offensive skill position jersey number (#5). The 5-star recruit, Chicago native and St. Ignatius College Prep graduate had a sizable role with the team as a sophomore in 2025. He'll take on an even larger role in 2026, and with that, ramp up his draft stock.
Potential projection: mid-first round to early second round
Ahmad Moten, SR, DT
Moten was a three-star prospect when he graduated high school, but now he enters his final collegiate season ranked among the nation's top ten defensive linemen. Second team All-ACC honoree last season looks poised to contend for All-American in 2026.
At 6-3, 300 and with a quick first step, he's a tour de force on the interior.
Potential projection: late-first round
Mark Fletcher Jr, RB
He really put himself on the map during the 2025-26 postseason, rushing for 507 yards during the College Football Playoff. Fletcher ran for 172 yards against Texas A&M in the opening round, before turning in an offensive MVP winning performance in the Canes massive quarterfinal upset of reigning champion Ohio State.
Fletcher than racked up 133 yards rushing in the instant classic of a semifinal against Ole Miss, and then 112 yards (along with two touchdowns) in the title game loss to Indiana.
Potential projection: early second round
The Canes are deeply talented this season, so in addition to the five guys we mentioned here, also keep an eye on Samson Okunlola, OG and OJ Frederique, CB. Both are day two level prospects.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Five Miami Hurricanes with very high NFL Draft stock
Continue reading...
The Miami Hurricanes, last year's national runner-up, are far and away the favorites to win the league. It's easy to see why, as they have so much more talent than everybody else.
Miami is the only ACC team that could conceivably send multiple players to the first round of next year's NFL Draft, so "here I am" to tell you which of their players can "rock you like a hurricane."
That is if you are playing against them this season.
Quarterback Darian Mensah
He transferred within the league from Duke, and he's the conference's top NFL Draft prospect this preseason. He'll be attending this event, but none of the other Hurricanes within that top 100 prospect range will be there.
Mensah led the Blue Devils to an ACC title last season, completing 67% of his passes, for an ACC-leading 3,973 yards and 34 touchdown passes.
His production should only increase this year, as he'll have a much more talented supporting cast around him, than he did at Duke.
Potential projection: mid-to-late first round
Damon Wilson II, OLB/Edge
Fit in better at Mizzou than he did at Georgia, as he earned second team All-SEC with the Tigers. We'll see how he fits in in Coral Gables, and his pass rushing numbers will go a long ways towards defining it. Wilson will be tasked with generating consistent pressure off the edge.
Potential projection: mid-first round to early second round
Justin Scott, DT
He's the classic example of a giant, fearsome lineman who wears an offensive skill position jersey number (#5). The 5-star recruit, Chicago native and St. Ignatius College Prep graduate had a sizable role with the team as a sophomore in 2025. He'll take on an even larger role in 2026, and with that, ramp up his draft stock.
Potential projection: mid-first round to early second round
Ahmad Moten, SR, DT
Moten was a three-star prospect when he graduated high school, but now he enters his final collegiate season ranked among the nation's top ten defensive linemen. Second team All-ACC honoree last season looks poised to contend for All-American in 2026.
At 6-3, 300 and with a quick first step, he's a tour de force on the interior.
Potential projection: late-first round
Mark Fletcher Jr, RB
He really put himself on the map during the 2025-26 postseason, rushing for 507 yards during the College Football Playoff. Fletcher ran for 172 yards against Texas A&M in the opening round, before turning in an offensive MVP winning performance in the Canes massive quarterfinal upset of reigning champion Ohio State.
Fletcher than racked up 133 yards rushing in the instant classic of a semifinal against Ole Miss, and then 112 yards (along with two touchdowns) in the title game loss to Indiana.
Potential projection: early second round
The Canes are deeply talented this season, so in addition to the five guys we mentioned here, also keep an eye on Samson Okunlola, OG and OJ Frederique, CB. Both are day two level prospects.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Five Miami Hurricanes with very high NFL Draft stock
Continue reading...
