**All star ratings and player rankings according to 247Sports
Following the early signing period in December, schools closed the book on their 2018 recruiting classes this past Wednesday, National Signing Day.
With signing day behind us, TCI takes a look at the ACC’s 2018 classes.
Here is our ranking, from worst to best, of the signing classes in the ACC’s Coastal Division.
7. Virginia
National class rankings: #57 (ESPN); #67 (Rivals); #63 (247)
Class size: 21
5-star recruits: 0
4-star recruits: 0
3-star recruits: 21
Virginia’s 2018 class is comprised of 21 players, all of which are rated as four-star prospects by 247Sports. The Cavaliers’ highest-rated prospect came from the junior college ranks in graduate transfer Bryce Perkins, the No. 6 dual-threat JUCO quarterback in the country per the 247 composite rankings. Virginia inked four nationally ranked high school prospects according to the 247 composite, including linebacker Noah Taylor, who became the Cavaliers’ first commitment in the class when he picked them over Coastal Division foe Pittsburgh last August.
6. Duke
National class rankings: #61 (ESPN); #65 (Rivals); #61 (247);
Class size: 16
5-star recruits: 0
4-star recruits: 1
3-star recruits: 15
Duke’s 16-member signing class is the smallest in the ACC this year, but the Blue Devils made the most of their limited available scholarships. Duke signed nine nationally ranked prospects according to the 247 composite including four-star defensive end Tahj Rice, who is ranked as the No. 15 strong-side defensive end in the country. He committed to Duke last March over offers from Louisville, Virginia Tech, Southern Cal and others.
5. Georgia Tech
National class rankings: #53 (ESPN); #52 (Rivals); #53 (247)
Class size: 21
5-star recruits: 0
4-star recruits: 2
3-star recruits: 19
Georgia Tech’s haul is headlined by a couple of four-star athletes in Jaylon King and James Graham, both of whom are ranked among the top 350 prospects nationally by the 247 composite. King held offers from Louisville, Ole Miss and Tennessee among others, while Graham flipped from Virginia Tech to Georgia Tech during the early signing period in December. Georgia Tech’s two four-star signees are more than six other programs in the ACC, and the Yellow Jackets supplemented the blue-chip pickups with key pieces such as linebacker Justice Dingle, IMG Academy defensive tackle TK Chimedza and defensive end Jaquon Griffin, a former LSU commit.
4. Pittsburgh
National class rankings: #56 (ESPN); T-#36 (Rivals); #46 (247)
Class size: 21
5-star recruits: 0
4-star recruits: 1
3-star recruits: 20
Pittsburgh’s 2018 class got a big boost on National Signing Day when four-star running back Mychale Salahuddin signed with the program, choosing the Panthers over Syracuse. Salahuddin, a former Southern Cal commit, is ranked as the No. 5 all-purpose back and a top-250 prospect nationally by the 247 composite. Clemson showed interest in Salahuddin during the recruiting cycle. Pittsburgh also benefited from the additions of several highly regarded junior college prospects, including offensive tackle Chase Brown, quarterback Ricky Town and center Devon Davis.
3. North Carolina
National class rankings: 26 (ESPN); #23 (Rivals); #23 (247)
Class size: 21
5-star recruits: 0
4-star recruits: 6
3-star recruits: 15
North Carolina’s group features a pair of top-100 national prospects per the 247 composite, four-star offensive tackle William Barnes (No. 53) four-star wide receiver Jordyn Adams (No. 58). Clemson was heavily involved with Adams before he committed to UNC last July and also expressed interest in Barnes. Other notable members of the Tar Heels’ 2018 class includes four-star athlete Dyami Brown, four-star quarterback Jace Ruder, four-star wide receiver Antoine Greene, four-star offensive guard Avery Jones and three-star running back Devon Lawrence, the younger brother of Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
2. Virginia Tech
National class rankings: #22 (ESPN); #22 (Rivals); #24 (247)
Class size: 26
5-star recruits: 0
4-star recruits: 7
3-star recruits: 19
Virginia Tech secured its highest-rated player on National Signing Day when it landed the signature of four-star linebacker Dax Hollifield, the No. 151 overall prospect in the country according to the 247 composite. The Hokies’ class is also highlighted by four-star wide receiver Tre Turner, a top-200 national recruit, as well as two touted junior college transfers in offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Jeremy Webb. Darrisaw is the nation’s No. 1 junior college prospect according to the 247 composite, while Webb is ranked in the top 10. Virginia Tech’s total of seven four-star recruits per 247 is tied with Clemson for the third-highest mark in the ACC behind only Florida State (13) and Miami (14).
1. Miami
National class rankings: #8 (ESPN); #6 (Rivals); #8 (247)
Class size: 23
5-star recruits: 1
4-star recruits: 14
3-star recruits: 8
Miami’s 2018 class is tops in the ACC Coastal Division, and it’s not particularly close. According to 247, Miami is the only program in the ACC besides Clemson that signed at least one five-star prospect. Miami’s lone five-star is running back Lorenzo Lingard, who is ranked as the No. 2 running back and No. 25 overall player nationally. The Hurricanes hauled in five other top-100 prospects per the 247 composite, including the nation’s top-ranked tight end (Brevin Jordan), the No. 2-ranked defensive tackle (Nesta Silvera) and the No. 5 pro-style quarterback (Jarren Williams). Mark Richt’s 2018 class is ranked in the top 10 nationally by all of the major recruiting services.