The ACC Kickoff event ran from July 15-17 in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s the unofficial launch for college football in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and you could feel the anticipation in the air.
Every year, players and coaches from each team gather to talk about the season ahead and toss around their hopes and expectations. This time, USA TODAY reporters lightened things up with a quick-fire survey, asking ACC players about their personal quirks, pregame routines, and their honest thoughts on college football.
Let’s jump into some of the more interesting takeaways from this playful, sometimes revealing, player survey.
Player Insights on ACC Championship Aspirations
Players from all over the ACC didn’t hold back on why they think their teams could take home the ACC championship this year. Jay Green, a safety from Stanford, shrugged and wondered, “Why not us?”
Clev Lubin, Louisville’s defensive lineman, pointed to their coaching staff and the grit of his teammates. Miami’s Mark Fletcher and Darian Mensah both stressed how hard their team works and how much focus matters.
Key Factors for Success
Some players got specific about what might set their teams apart:
- Transfers: Kam Robinson from Virginia gave a nod to their transfer portal wins, and he thinks Coach Tony Elliott nailed it with the new additions.
- Coaching Staff: Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz and Lance Robinson both praised their coaches and said their team just feels well-rounded this year.
Loudest and Quietest Stadiums
When it comes to stadium noise, there was a lot of love (and maybe a little dread) for Virginia Tech’s home turf. Isaiah Shirley and Clev Lubin both called it the loudest they’ve ever played in—it’s apparently not for the faint of heart.
Mohamed Toure from Miami and Kam Robinson from Louisville also mentioned Florida State and Louisville’s stadiums for their wild, raucous crowds.
Memorable Stadium Experiences
On the flip side, some stadiums just aren’t that intimidating, at least according to the players. Micah Ford from Stanford and Clev Lubin from Louisville both named Cal and Pitt as pretty quiet places to play.
KP Price from Boston College and Jay Green from Stanford admitted that Stanford’s own stadium doesn’t exactly shake the ground.
Celebration Dance Moves
Celebrating a big play? It’s personal. KP Price from Boston College and Mohamed Toure from Miami both said their first move is to thank God—simple, honest.
Mark Fletcher from Miami and Micah Ford from Stanford leaned into TikTok dances and pointing to the sky. You can almost picture it, right?
Unique Celebrations
Some guys get a little more creative (or just can’t dance):
- Overly Hype Flexing: Isaiah Shirley from N.C. State says he gets way too hyped and flexes hard, then remembers to give a nod to God.
- Trash-Talking: Kam Robinson from Virginia isn’t much of a dancer—he’d rather talk some trash instead.
Favorite Pregame Snacks
Food before the game? It’s all over the place. Lincoln Kienholz from Louisville sticks with a peanut butter sandwich.
Mohamed Toure from Miami likes fruit, while Mark Fletcher keeps it classic with oatmeal, a tradition he shares with his dad.
Unusual Choices
Some pregame snacks are just, well, different:
- Spaghetti and Mashed Potatoes: Darian Mensah from Miami actually mixes spaghetti and mashed potatoes. Hey, whatever works.
- Rice and Strawberries: Jay Green from Stanford likes rice with strawberries—nobody said it had to make sense.
College Football Playoff (CFP) Expansion Opinions
Players had opinions—lots of them—on how many teams should make the College Football Playoff. KP Price from Boston College and Micah Ford from Stanford both liked the idea of 12 teams.
Jay Green from Stanford thinks eight is enough, though. There’s no real consensus, honestly.
Expanded Playoff Preferences
Others wanted to go even bigger:
- 16 Teams: Duke Scott from N.C. State and Kam Robinson from Virginia both pushed for 16, with Robinson even floating 18.
- Start a Week Earlier: Isaiah Shirley from N.C. State tossed out the idea of starting the season a week earlier to squeeze in a 16-team playoff. Ambitious, right?
Dream NIL Deals
With NIL deals up for grabs, players had some fun with their dream endorsements. Clev Lubin from Louisville went big with Louis Vuitton, while Lance Robinson, also from Louisville, would love to roll with Mercedes Benz.
KP Price from Boston College is eyeing New Balance, and Lincoln Kienholz from Stanford would go with Adidas. Can you blame them?
Unique NIL Aspirations
Some players had more unique NIL aspirations:
- Rolex Watch: Miami’s quarterback Darian Mensah already landed a watch deal with Rolex.
- Big Boat: Virginia’s defensive lineman Kam Robinson wished for a deep-sea boat. He’s got a real thing for fishing, apparently.
If you’re curious about more details from the ACC Kickoff event, check out the original article on Courier Journal.
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