Closing out in the QC: Day 3 of the ACC Kickoff concludes with a full day of conversation with the players and coaches making moves for the start of the 2026 season

July 17, 2026 concludes the ACC Kickoff (media week for college football in the ACC), but it gets all ready for the start of the regular season (August 29, 2026) and the potential stories to unfold on the field and beyond.

After a good day the day before (click HERE to read our article), we have a full slate of players and teams to speak with as all are focused on their team-building and other moving parts as the start of the regular season is truly right around the corner. For the last day, we speak with the following teams:

• SMU Mustangs (2025 record of 9-4 overall/6-2 in the conference/Bowl Game win at the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl over #17 Arizona).

• Pitt Panthers (2025 record of 8-5 overall/6-2 in the conference/Bowl Game loss at the Go Bowling Military Bowl to East Carolina University).

• California Golden Bears (2025 record of 7-6 overall/4-4 in the conference/Bowl Game loss at the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl to Hawaii).

• Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2025 record of 9-4 overall/4-4 in the conference/Bowl Game win at the Duke's Mayo Bowl over Mississippi State).

• UNC Tar Heels (2025 record of 4-8 overall/2-6 in the conference).

• Duke Blue Devils (2025 record of 9-5 overall/6-2 in the conference/ACC Champions [winner of the ACC Championship Game over Virginia]/Bowl Game win at the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl over Arizona State).

After an impressive debut season in the conference (2024) which sees the team play in the ACC Championship Game along with the College Football Playoff, the Mustangs barely miss out on returning to the title game in 2025. As the first team we speak with, Brandon Booker (linebacker), Kevin Jennings (one of the conference's top quarterbacks), and PJ Williams (offensive line) share their thoughts leading into the season. Be it enhancing team chemistry to the larger focus on their season goals, they are primed for the start of the season (you may watch all of their responses to our questions in the videos below):

Book it; Mr. Booker and his teammates are focused on a deep run this season.

One of the conference's top quarterbacks, Kevin Jennings' calm leadership moves the Mustangs.

The perspective of PJ makes SMU's day.

The Pitt Panthers are also among the 2025 logjam of 5 teams with a 6-2 conference record, yet due to last year's tiebreaker system (which is changed for 2026), is left out of playing against Virginia (who finished with a 7-1 conference record) for the ACC Championship. The return of offensive linesman Ryan Baer and linebacker Braylan Lovelace provide anchors on both sides of the ball with their leadership and larger perspective. Combined with the rise of Mason Heintschel at quarterback and the team is setting up to being a "potential problem" to others teams in the conference (you may watch all their responses to our questions in the videos below):

Pitt is buoyed by the "Baer" market.

The Panthers love lacing them up with Mr. Lovelace.

Mason Heintschel is prepared to build off the late-season success to a strong start in 2026.

While playing literally thousands on miles away on the "Left Coast", the California Golden Bears are one of the more intriguing teams in the conference. With a new head coach (Tosh Lupoi) brining in a highly regarded recruiting class along with the returning leadership of Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (quarterback), there's tremendous optimism floating around the team and campus. Additions including Ricky Fletcher (defensive back who transfers from Mississippi) and running back Adam Mohammed (who transfers from Washington) merely add to the energy and buzz around the team (you may watch their responses to our questions in the videos below):

Cal's QB1 is ready to let teams know the Left Coast is ready to do the most.

Ricky's ready.

Mr. Mohammed's energy and presence truly compliments what the Golden Bears are doing.

And then we get to speak with some familiar faces from Wake Forest.

In his first year as the team's head coach (after coming from Washington State), Jake Dickert, his staff, and the players have a tremendous season; projected to finish at the bottom of the conference, there's a cal and confidence around the team as they are coming off a 9 win season and a win in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. In speaking with Langston Hardy (defensive end) and Davaughn Patterson (defensive back), not only is there solid returning leadership, but a drive for achieving more in 2026. The addition of Gio Lopez at quarterback accentuates the mood and perspective around the team. And given the teachable moments learned from last season, Coach Dickert and all around the team are continuing to being "Built in the Dark" and apply what they've learned on and off the field for the upcoming season (you may watch their responses to our questions in the videos below):

Mr. Hardy is one of the mood and tone setters for the team.

The perspective of Mr. Patterson is meaningful on the field and beyond it.

The level of understanding for Mr. Lopez is more than just on the field.

The teachable moments experienced by Coach Dickert has him preparing for a successful 2026.

Last season, there's a heightened conversation around the UNC Tar Heels given their hiring of Super-Bowl winning Head Coach Bill Bellichek. Needless to say, things did not go as planned in 2025. Leading into 2026, the defensive presence and focus of Melkart Abou Jaoude (10.5 sacks) along with revamping their mindset and more can result in an improved season in 2026 (you may watch his responses to our questions in the video below):

To close out the day and the week, we speak with the Duke Blue Devils. Their 2025 season is one of the more unlikely stories as after emerging with the tie-breaker over SMU, Miami, Pitt, and Georgia Tech to finish in 2nd place and play Virginia for the conference championship, they end up winning in overtime and coming away as ACC Champions. In finishing off the season with a bowl game win, despite some surprising transfers and personnel changes, they are coming into the season with confidence and competency and letting their game do the talking. The commentary from running back Nate Sheppard (one of the top players at his or any position in the conference) and tight end Jeremiah Hasley, the leadership and balance on and off the field are present and ready to go for the start of the season (you may watch their responses to our questions in the videos below):

Solid. That's Mr. Sheppard.

A heap of Hasley can help the Blue Devils achieve their goals for 2026.

Seventeen teams in one of the top conferences in the country. Passion and perspective permeate in the presence of all the teams, especially the players and coaches.

And now it's simply a matter for the actual season to kickoff.

Notes: You may watch all our interviews and related footage on our playlist (click HERE). You are invited to visit the ACC's playlist for related media from the #ACCKickoff (media week) by clicking HERE.

You are invited to visit our archival and forthcoming season coverage on our site (click HERE).