The ACC’s annual Kickoff weekend is set to transform Charlotte, North Carolina, into a hub of preseason buzz as the conference’s media days unfold at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown over three days.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney will be among the prominent figures on hand, joined by three of his senior players who have earned spots on the ACC’s media‑day roster.
The selected representatives — linebacker Sammy Brown, defensive end Will Heldt and tight end Olsen Patt‑Henry — bring a mix of experience and recent production, with Brown earning first‑team All‑ACC honors last season and Heldt arriving from Purdue after a standout transfer year.
Quarterback absence
Notably, projected starting quarterback Christopher Vizzina will not travel to Charlotte, underscoring a rare omission for a program that will be one of only five ACC teams without a quarterback representative at the event.
Selection process
Swinney has described the selection method as a two‑step process: first choosing two senior players, then adding names from a list supplied by the conference, a system that has placed Brown, Heldt and Patt‑Henry in the spotlight.
Event logistics
The three‑day gathering will also feature representatives from Boston College, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Syracuse and Virginia Tech, each bringing their own storylines as the ACC looks to shape narratives ahead of the new season.
Fans and media alike will watch how these early interactions set the tone for the upcoming campaign, with Swinney’s presence adding a layer of strategic insight to the proceedings.