Miami has taken over ACC recruiting as Clemson and Florida State struggle to keep pace

247Sports ranked the top 20 committed prospects in the ACC for the 2027 cycle, and the first five names all belong to Miami. The Hurricanes have seven players on the full list, all of which are in the first 12, while Clemson and Virginia Tech are tied for second with three apiece. Florida State has two and no other ACC program has more than two.

Miami's 2027 recruiting dominance shows how dramatically the ACC hierarchy has changed

Florida State controlled ACC recruiting for more than a decade after Miami joined the conference, but the Hurricanes have now put together four consecutive No. 1 ACC classes and are positioned to extend that streak with the 2027 group.

Cornerback Donte Wright is the No. 6 overall prospect nationally, quarterback Israel Abrams is No. 8, wide receiver Nick Lennear is No. 17, edge rusher Jaiden Bryant is No. 19 and wide receiver A’mir Sears is No. 20. Linebacker Aroson Randle Jr. checks in at No. 54, while interior offensive lineman Jatori Williams is No. 96.

Miami has 21 commitments with 5 five-star prospects and 11 four-stars. Texas A&M is the only program ahead of Miami in the 247Sports team rankings.

Clemson remains a respectable recruiting operation and currently sits No. 13 nationally, but the Tigers have just 1 five-star commitment. Clemson's highest-ranked player is wide receiver Jamarin Simmons at No. 26 nationally.

Florida State is considerably farther back at No. 35 with 17 commitments and no five-star prospects. Safety Ta'Shawn Poole, ranked No. 85 nationally, is their highest-rated commitment and defensive lineman Sam LeJeune sits at No. 148.

Florida State and Clemson once owned the recruiting trail

Miami entered the ACC in 2004, and Florida State signed the conference’s highest-ranked recruiting class in 12 of the next 14 cycles. The Seminoles led the ACC in 2004, 2005 and 2006 before Miami briefly interrupted the run in 2007 and 2008. Florida State then reclaimed the top spot every year from 2009 through 2017.

Clemson then signed the ACC's best class five consecutive times from 2018 through 2022. Those five classes finished No. 7, No. 10, No. 3, No. 5 and No. 10 nationally.

The Hurricanes finished No. 7 nationally and first in the ACC in 2023. Miami followed with the No. 4 class in 2024, the No. 14 class in 2025 and the No. 9 class in final 2026 rankings. Miami finished first in the ACC in all four cycles.

Other takeaways from 247Sports' recruiting graphic.

Virginia Tech has three players among the conference’s top 20 commitments, matching Clemson for second most. Quarterback Peter Bourque is No. 75 nationally, tight end Jordan Karhoff is No. 93 and offensive tackle Dylan Latell is No. 141.

NC State also has two players in the top 20, including quarterback Gunner Rivers at No. 43, while Cal, Georgia Tech and Louisville each have one.

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