• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Mike Farrell Sports

Mike Farrell Sports

College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

  • Player Promotion
  • Recruiting
  • Portal
  • Fact or Fiction
  • Mind of Mike
  • Draft
  • Sponsors
  • About

Clemson, Florida State, and the Top Linebacker Units in the ACC

Mike Farrell ranks the top linebacking units in the ACC ahead of the 2023 season

Mike Farrell| August 6, 2023 (Updated: July 9, 2025)
FacebookTweetPin
Oct 22
Oct 22

Continuing our series of ranking the top units in every conference, let’s move to the linebackers in the ACC, where Clemson has arguably the top unit in the entire country.


1. Clemson

— Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Barrett Carter could be the best 1-2 punch combination in the country.

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) and linebacker Barrett Carter (0) during the first day of fall football practice at the Allen Reeves Complex in Clemson Friday, August 5, 2022.

2. Florida State

— There aren’t a lot of big names here, and they lost a bit to the portal, but it’s a really solid group. Tatum Bethune will provide experience for a young group.

Sep 4, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Florida State Seminoles linebacker Tatum Bethune (15) celebrates a sack during the second half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Caesars Superdome.

3. North Carolina

— This unit should be much improved, and Cedric Gray is one of the best in the conference.

Oct 29, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Cedric Gray (33) reacts in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium.

More Sports News

TRENDING: Top MAC Players Give Insight on NIL/Transfer Chaos

Ohio State

Bigger Playoff, Smaller Stakes: The Decline of College Football’s Regular Season

Tommy Castellanos

FSU Finds Its Spark: Castellanos Brings New Energy at QB

2026 Safety/Linebacker Will Martin

Spotlight on Talent: 2026 Safety/Linebacker Will Martin

Deion Sanders

Coach Prime Faces 2025 Season Amid Health, Roster Changes

Matt Campbell

After Massive 2024, Iowa State Eyes Big 12 Title, CFP

The logo of the Big Ten Conference is seen on a yard marker during Iowa Hawkeyes football Kids Day at Kinnick open practice

RECRUITING: 4-star 2027 QB Makes Surprising Big Ten Commitment

Carson Beck

Carson Beck Brings Star Power to Miami in 2025

TRENDING: Suspended ACC DB Reinstated After 2024 Arrest

Biggest Surprise and Biggest Disappointment in the Big 12 Will Be…..

Ryan Silverfield

Exploring Conference Realignment: Potential Hits and Misses

Most Dangerous Players in CFB the Last 20 Years

4. Syracuse

— Marlowe Wax leads a sneaky strong group for the Orange.

Nov 26, 2022; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Syracuse Orange linebacker Marlowe Wax (2) sacks Boston College Eagles quarterback Emmett Morehead (14) during the second half at Alumni Stadium.

5. NC State

— Payton Wilson is one of the best in the city conference, and there is depth and smarts here.

Nov 25, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Payton Wilson (11) attempts to intercept the ball intended for North Carolina Tar Heels tight end John Copenhaver (81) in the second quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium.
Category: College Football, NewsTag: ACC, Barrett Carter, Cedric Gray, Florida State Seminoles, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Marlowe Wax, Mike Farrell, NC State Wolfpack, North Carolina Tar Heels, Payton Wilson, Syracuse Orange, Tatum Bethune
FacebookTweetPin

You’ll Also Like


Which Top FCS Wide Receivers Might End Up in the Portal?

Aug 31

Which Six Programs Had a Disappointing Number of Players Named to Watch List?

Arch Manning

Quarterback Is the Big Question for Some Championship Contenders

Which FCS Preseason All-American Running Backs Might End Up in the Portal?

SEC

Biggest Surprise and Biggest Disappointment in the SEC Will Be…..

2026 Edge/LB Brody Epple

Spotlight on Michigan Recruiting: 2026 Edge/LB Brody Epple


  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

© 2025 · All Rights Reserved

Powered by the BizBudding Publisher Network

Privacy Manager