The ACC is bursting with so much young talent that we’re giving you two editions of our regular installment.

Here in Part 1 we’re examining five of the conference’s top first-year players we think are destined for even greater things in the upcoming season.

Andrew Wenger, Duke: He was a can’t miss of sorts heading into last season, and, well, he didn’t miss. Wenger was deadly in the midfield as a member of the PA Classics and was named to the Development Academy All-Academy Starting Eleven. One of his greatest attributes has always been his ability to play anywhere on the field and he proved as much in year one when he took over as the Blue Devils center back and anchored the defense in seven shutouts. He didn’t lose his instincts for the attack, however, scoring four times as he was named the Freshman of the Year.

Ryan Finley, Duke: Finley and Wenger were one of a few freshman tandems who brought instant impact to their programs. Finley exploded on the scene with a team-best nine goals and 22 points during the regular season. He has great size and plenty of natural goal scoring ability that allowed him to step right in.

William Bates, Virginia: Another U.S. Soccer product, Bates routinely showed his attacking ability during camp scrimmages at the U.S. Soccer headquarters in Carson, CA. Even then, he was often dominant, and his freshman season harkened back to those days only with a different cast. Bates wasted little time getting acquainted with his college teammates and led the squad in scoring with 12 goals and 25 points. Five of his goals were game-winners, proving he has little issues with the stage and will only be more impressive moving forward.

Taylor Kemp, Ethan White, Maryland: Stepping in for a defending NCAA champion program that had lost a couple of key defenders, these two freshman were inserted into the backline and did more than hold their own.

Left-footed left-back Taylor Kemp is a good athlete and has strong instincts for the game. He was great in the Development Academy with Real Colorado and got even better as the year went on, starting in every game. White, also an exceptional athlete, started in every match and brought a physical presence.