True freshmen make their mark in the ACC

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Talent trumps experience in the Atlantic Coast Conference, where several true freshmen are gaining on-the-job training during their first year out of high school.

ACC coaches have opted to throw young players into the fray rather than stick them with a redshirt, and the results have been profound.

The phenomenon is especially prevalent at Maryland, where quarterback Perry Hills and wide receiver Stefon Diggs have made significant contributions to the team's radical turnaround in coach Randy Edsall's second season at the school.

Edsall says, "My philosophy has always been you play the best guy regardless of them being a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior."

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher also prescribes to that theory. Asked about playing true freshmen, he says, "I have no problem with that."