2020 ACC Preseason Summer Scouting Preview

Virginia Cavaliers

Bronco Mendenhall has the UVA program headed in the right direction, though it will be tough to match last year’s Orange Bowl appearance. The majority of draft selections from Virginia have been of the last-day variety over the past five years, but there is one player who could break into the second day in 2021.

Linebacker Charles Snowden could be a second-day pick in next April’s draft, even though I presently grade him as a fourth-round prospect. Snowden is a tall, athletic linebacker who plays with great discipline and instinct. He shows ability in space and is a solid run defender.

Related | Virginia linebacker Charles Snowden a modern-age defensive catalyst

Personally, I wish UVA would use Snowden more on the blitz. If they did, and he showed consistent ability, Snowden could move into the draft’s initial 95 selections.

Noah Taylor is a true pursuit linebacker who has safety size and speed and displays great range and ability in space. As Taylor physically matures, he should get bigger and stronger.

Virginia Tech Hokies

The post-Frank Beamer-era at Virginia Tech has been a struggle. For the most part, the team has played uninspired football recently, and it has had just a single player drafted the past two years.

Two underclassmen lead the way on my Hokies board.

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw is someone who really impressed me on film. He’s an athletic blindside pass protector who moves well on his feet and shows the ability to slide off the edge and block in motion. Some will project Darrisaw to guard at the next level, but I believe he has starting potential wherever he lines up on Sundays.

Related | Virginia Tech cornerback Jermaine Waller has the potential to rise

Caleb Farley is someone I’ve graded highly since his freshman season. He has excellent size and speed and solid ball skills. Farley plays physical football and is rarely challenged by opponents. He showed some inconsistency last season, and some could justifiably claim he did not progress as he should’ve, but Farley will zoom up draft boards if he starts to meet his potential.

Scouts love Divine Deablo — I mean top-75 love — but on film I saw a defensive back with linebacker size attempting to play safety. Deablo is an intimidating presence, but all too often he was indecisive and late to the action. In the end, I think Deablo will be moved to linebacker.

Keep an eye on Rutgers transfer Raheem Blackshear — a tough, creative ball carrier who can also catch the ball out of the backfield.

Reminder: To view my grades and projected draft rounds for ACC draft-eligible prospects, scroll to the end of the article.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Wake Forest has always found a way to be a competitive program. It’ll be a little harder this year after quarterback Jamie Newman left the team via the graduate transfer route. Despite this, Wake still has one of the highest-rated senior prospects in the nation.

If you go back and read my report of Wake Forest from the summer of 2019, you’ll notice Carlos Basham Jr. was my highest-rated prospect on the team with a third-round grade. Moving through the chaotic summer of 2020, Basham is still number one on my Wake board with a grade a full round higher.

Basham is an explosive pass rusher who attracts a lot of double-team blocks, stands opponents up and is never off his feet. He’s effective out of a three-point stance and standing over tackle, and he shows a lot of athleticism in his game. Basham plays smart, instinctive football and has a three-down game.

Related | Don’t overlook Wake Forest EDGE Carlos Basham Jr.

What do NFL scouts think of him? I’m told on some preseason boards, Basham rates as one of the top three senior prospects in the nation.

Nasir Greer is a safety I like a lot. He’s athletic, explosive and goes sideline to sideline to make plays against the run or pass. I like his ball skills and physicality.

I have Sage Surratt rated lower than most. While I think he’s a good receiver and a good football player, the lack of any semblance of speed or quickness does concern me.

Page 1: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State
Page 2: Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami (FL)
Page 3: North Carolina, NC State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse
Page 4: Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Draft-Eligible Prospect Rankings: Atlantic Coast Conference

You can sort my prospect rankings below by team, position, projected draft round, and conference. You can also utilize the search function to quickly find whatever you may be looking for. Mobile users: Please note that the database is best viewed in landscape mode.