Miami’s quarterback Cam Ward, defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College, and Pitt’s coach Pat Narduzzi have emerged as the top figures in a midseason assessment of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Ward, who made the transition from Washington State as a fifth-year transfer, has been named the conference’s best offensive player as well as the leading first-year transfer in the first half of the season, as determined by a poll of ACC-covering writers. Ezeiruaku has been recognized as the standout defensive player, while Narduzzi has been acknowledged as the leading coach, reflecting a remarkable turnaround for a team that has been one of the biggest surprises this season, alongside their unexpected star, 5-foot-8 all-purpose back Desmond Reid.
Since the start of the season, Ward has been a pivotal player. Heading into a game against Louisville, he is currently leading the nation in passing offense, averaging 369.8 yards per game and sharing the top position in the Bowl Subdivision with 20 touchdown passes for the sixth-ranked Miami team that boasts a perfect record of 6-0 and 2-0 in ACC play.
Ezeiruaku, a 6-foot-2 senior defensive end, is making headlines nationally as well, sitting second in the country with nine sacks in six games. He has managed to sack opposing quarterbacks in five games, including impressive performances against teams like Florida State, Michigan State, and Western Kentucky.
Under Narduzzi’s direction, the 20th-ranked Panthers, also at 6-0 and 2-0, have outperformed expectations as they were forecasted to finish 13th in the league. Following his prior ACC title win in 2021, Narduzzi successfully recruited Kade Bell from Western Carolina to take on the role of offensive coordinator, collaborating with redshirt freshman Eli Holstein, who transferred from Alabama. This revamped offensive unit is ranked 13th in the nation for scoring offense, averaging 40.8 points per game, and standing 11th for total offense with 481.3 yards. Such contributions have propelled Pitt to remain one of the 11 undefeated teams in FBS, achieving its first 6-0 opening since 1981.
In the realm of first-year freshmen, Louisville’s Isaac Brown has stood out with 508 rushing yards, leading all FBS freshmen. He has secured three touchdowns and averages an impressive 8.6 yards per carry, with three 100-yard games including notable outings against SMU and Virginia.
The honor for the most surprising team was shared by No. 21 SMU and Pitt. SMU’s Mustangs (5-1, 2-0) surprised observers by defeating Florida State in their opening ACC match and securing a victory against a ranked Louisville team.
As for the most surprising player, Reid has made his mark since transferring from Western Carolina. He ranks second nationally in total all-purpose yardage with an average of 182.6 yards per game and has found the end zone through various methods, including rushing, receiving, and punt returns.
On the flip side, the most disappointing team award goes to Florida State, last year’s ACC champion, which entered the season favored to defend its title but has struggled significantly this season with a record of 1-5 (1-4 in conference play). They barely escaped a total loss, edging past California in a narrow 14-9 victory, which saw them needing a crucial red-zone stop late in the game.
Moreover, the coach occupying the hottest seat appears to be Mack Brown from North Carolina, who, in his sixth year of his second term at the university, is experiencing considerable challenges. The team has faced ongoing defensive issues, including a shocking 70-point loss to James Madison, prompting Brown to question his future as head coach. Recently, the Tar Heels suffered another setback against Georgia Tech, allowing a last-minute 68-yard touchdown run. Compounding the troubles is the pressure on the offense, which is now on its third quarterback due to injuries and underperformance. Mike Norvell of FSU also received multiple votes in this context.
In terms of injuries, N.C. State graduate transfer quarterback Grayson McCall, who came into the season with an impressive passing record but a history of concussions, has faced a rough patch. He began the season sluggishly and was sidelined after a head injury in a game against Louisiana Tech, later re-entering the concussion protocol following a serious hit that forced him to leave the game against Wake Forest. His status remains uncertain, and his absence has propelled true freshman CJ Bailey into the starting position, marking the team’s first 0-3 start in ACC play since 2014.
The midseason accolades highlight key performances and shifts in the ACC, showcasing players and coaches whose achievements and challenges stand out in the ongoing college football season.