Georgia Tech B-back Dedrick Mills got none of the headlines on national signing day a year ago. Neither did Miami linebacker Michael Pinckney nor Syracuse defensive end Kendall Coleman, for that matter.
But all three proved to be valuable starters as freshmen. All three earned three-star designations as high school prospects but showed with hard work and an opportunity to fit an immediate need that they could make a major impact.
It certainly is worth noting today, as signing classes across the country are ranked, parsed and analyzed. ESPN 300 recruits in the 2016 class had big years in the ACC, too: Parker Braun, Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Shaq Quarterman, Ahmmon Richards, Joe Jackson and Zach McCloud were absolutely stellar right away.