Well, here we go. It’s time to start ranking the best players in the ACC for the 2026 season.
As usual, we hope you enjoy the rankings.
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1) Mark Fletcher Jr, Miami
The ACC is absolutely loaded at running back this year, starting with Mark Fletcher Jr of Miami. The Canes already have the project #1 QB and RB in the ACC going into this year. It may not end there.
Fletcher is the heart and soul of the Miami offense, and just took over games in the playoffs with his physical hard running. Last season, he had a 3rd team All-ACC season with nearly 1200 yards rushing and 12 TDs. He’s projected to be a 2nd or 3rd round NFL pick.
2) Isaac Brown, Louisville
Isaac Brown is the lone returning RB off last year’s top 5 running back list. We had him at #1 in 2025, and he was very good last season. Brown had 884 rushing for a sterling near 9 yards rush per carry. Brown now has over 2000 yards rushing through 2 years at Louisville, to go along with 43 receptions.
He can run a sub-4.5 40, and NFL draft experts have him going as high as the second round. Don’t be surprised if there is 1st round talk this year.
3) Justice Haynes, Georgia Tech
Justice Haynes might be most gifted back in the ACC. Last year at Michigan, before injury, some were calling Haynes arguably the best RB in college football. In had 857 yards rushing in just 7 games, and was still 3rd Team all Big 10.
He is explosive and can run with speed and power. Haynes was starting to get 1st – 2nd round buzz at Michigan. If he can put a full season together, Georgia Tech might have a back easily capable of a better than 1200 yard rushing season.
4) Nate Sheppard, Duke
Nate Sheppard might actually be the most acclaimed ACC running back of this list. Sheppard had a 2025 season where he has a 2nd team All-ACC player in an impressive season. Sheppard ran 1,1,32 rushing yards and 11 TDs, as maybe the unsung hero of a Duke team that won an ACC title.
With Darian Mensah now the QB at Miami, Sheppard will likely be the focal point of the offense. He could be due for an even bigger sophomore season.
5) Malachi Hosely, Georgia Tech
Before Georgia Tech landed Justice Haynes in the portal, they still looked pretty at RB with the return of Malachi Hosely. The pair might form the best backfield in the ACC and possibly the country.
The Penn transfer Malachi Hosley is coming off a fine first season at Georgia Tech where he was an honrable mention All-ACC player. On just 98 carries had 697 yards for average of 8.5 yards per carry. This 1-2 punch is going to cause a lot of headaches for ACC defenses.
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