ACC’s 2026 Preseason Honors
The Atlantic Coast Conference is seeing a wave of national preseason acclaim as the 2026 college football season approaches, with multiple ACC athletes earning spots on the Walter Camp Preseason All-America teams and appearing on Phil Steele’s rankings.
Miami’s Malachi Toney leads the offense with a First-Team nod, while Clemson’s Sammy Brown anchors a defense that also sees Bryce Fitzgerald and Duce Robinson recognized on the second and first units respectively.
Phil Steele’s comprehensive rankings spread the praise across the conference, highlighting offensive standouts from Florida State, defensive threats from SMU, and special-teams talent from Duke and Louisville, underscoring the league’s depth.
The excitement extends to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list, where Clemson’s Sammy Brown Jr., Virginia’s Fisher Camac, Miami’s Bryce Fitzgerald and several other rising stars are slated to compete for the award that celebrates impact on the field.
These selections not only spotlight individual talent but also reinforce the ACC’s reputation as a breeding ground for future NFL prospects, with coaches and analysts expecting a competitive race for conference championships.