Whether it's returners or transfers, there’s no lack of talent across the 17 college football teams in the ACC.

Reigning conference champion Florida State lost 10 players to the NFL, but head coach Mike Norvell has another loaded transfer portal class, including former Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney shunned the transfer portal for another offseason, but the Tigers have a crowd of quality returners hoping to get the program back to the championship podium at Bank of America Stadium in December.

Because of the talent on their rosters, Miami, NC State, Virginia Tech and SMU are among the teams projected to challenge the ‘Noles and Tigers.

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The official preseason All-ACC team will be released following ACC Kickoff, but here are my predictions for awards and all-conference selections.

ACC preseason award, all-conference predictions

Here are my preseason awards and all-conference selections.

Preseason All-ACC offense predictions

Here are the 13 preseason selections for All-ACC offense.

Cam Ward, Miami, QB

A dual-threat star in two seasons at Washington State, Ward accounted for 6,963 yards and 48 touchdowns. He also had 13 rushing TDs.

Omarion Hampton, UNC, RB

As a sophomore, Hampton was fifth in the nation with 1,504 rushing yards. After logging 15 touchdowns as a sophomore, Hampton will be asked to do more in the post-Drake Maye era.

Phil Mafah, Clemson, RB

Following a four-touchdown performance in the Gator Bowl, Mafah will build on the 965 yards and 13 touchdowns he logged in 2023. It’s his backfield with Will Shipley gone.

KC Concepcion, NC State, WR

The ACC Rookie of the Year in 2023, Concepcion set the Wolfpack freshman record for catches (71) and receiving TDs (10) last season.

Xavier Restrepo, Miami, WR

Restrepo, who had 85 catches for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns last season, will be Ward’s top weapon.

Caullin Lacy, Louisville, WR

One of the nation’s top wideouts during his time at South Alabama, Lacy averaged 109.7 yards per game last season.

Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse, TE

Injuries have hindered Gadsden of late, but he was one of the top tight ends in the country in 2022.

Darius Washington, Florida State, OT

As a left tackle, Washington was a first-team selection last season.

Anthony Belton, NC State, OT

One of the top NFL prospects in the league, Belton will be the anchor of the Wolfpack’s line.

Logan Parr, SMU, OG

An All-AAC first-teamer in 2023, Parr started 13 games at left guard.

Michael Gonzalez, Louisville, OG

Gonzalez started 13 games at left guard for one of the top offenses in the ACC.

Maurice Smith, Florida State, C

Smith, FSU’s starting center, helped the Seminoles field the ACC’s top offense last season.

Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech, all-purpose

Tuten accounted for 1,652 all-purpose yards last season, logging two kickoff returns for touchdowns, two receiving TDs and 10 rushing TDs.

Preseason All-ACC defense predictions

Here are the 11 preseason selections for All-ACC defense.

Ashton Gillotte, Louisville, DE

A first-teamer last season, Gillotte had 14 ½ tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He’ll be a favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.

Rueben Bain Jr., Miami, DE

The ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, Bain had 12 ½ tackles for loss and 7 ½ sacks.

Joshua Farmer, Florida State, DT

The most improved player on FSU’s defense, Farmer had seven tackles for loss and five sacks in 2023.

Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech, DT

An All-ACC selection at Duke, Peebles co-led the Blue Devils with 8 ½ tackles for loss and four sacks.

Marlowe Wax, Syracuse, LB

Wax has started 38 straight games and led the Orange with 110 tackles last season.

Barrett Carter, Clemson, LB

Carter had 9 ½ tackles for loss, 3 ½ sacks and six pass breakups as an All-ACC selection in 2023.

Francisco Mauigoa, Miami, LB

An All-ACC pick last season, Mauigoa had 18 tackles for loss and 7 ½ sacks in 2023.

Aydan White, NC State, CB

White had 10 pass breakups and two interceptions in 2023. He hasn’t allowed a touchdown catch in back-to-back seasons.

Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State, CB

Thomas had 10 pass breakups in 2023.

Jonas Sanker, Virginia, S

An All-ACC selection in 2023, Sanker had 11 pass breakups.

Donovan McMillon, Pittsburgh, S

With 105 tackles last season, McMillon had the most by a Pitt defender since 2015.

Preseason All-ACC special teams predictions

Here are the three preseason selections for All-ACC special teams.

Brashard Smith, SMU, specialist

The Miami transfer had 1,946 all-purpose yards across the last three seasons.

Andres Borregales, Miami, K

Borregales finished 22-for-26 on field goal attempts and went 44-for-45 on extra point attempts.

Alex Mastromanno, Florida State, P

Mastromanno averaged 45.5 yards per punt, logging 3,004 yards on 66 punts last season.

Preseason ACC Player of the Year, Coach of the Year awards

Here are the award predictions for 2024.

Player of the Year: Cam Ward, Miami

A quarterback has won the award in each of the last four seasons. With better weapons around him, Ward will be the first Miami player to win ACC Player of the Year.

Coach of the Year: Dave Doeren, NC State

With a beefed-up offense, consistent defense and manageable schedule, N.C. State could get double-digit wins for the second time in program history and first time since 2002.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: All-ACC preseason football team: Awards, predictions for 2024 season