The ACC has often been called the worst of the Power 5 conferences, and whether it’s fact or fiction is up for debate (the Big 12 wasn’t all that great, either). However, the conference as a whole set itself up for future accolades with a pretty strong signing day Wednesday.

At least on the recruiting trail, no conference is catching up to the SEC, which has 12 of its 14 teams ranked in the top 25 of RecruitingNation’s class rankings. But guess which conference was right behind the SEC? That would be the same conference that consistently produces the second-most NFL draft picks.

Five ACC teams finished in the top 25 of the class rankings, two more than the Pac-12 and three more than the Big Ten and Big 12. The ACC and SEC both had two teams finish in the top 5 of the rankings, too, and the ACC tied the Pac-12 with the second-most ESPN 300 recruits (47).

To make a splash on the national level, a program has to have the horses capable of running with the lead pack. If the recruiting rankings are any indication -- and they’re usually a decent barometer -- the ACC is stocking its stable.

Florida State finished No. 2 behind Alabama, giving Jimbo Fisher a top-three class for the fourth time in five years. Clemson finished fourth. Miami came in at No. 23, and North Carolina and Virginia Tech rounded out the top 25.

Those last three programs have also underachieved the past few years, though. Miami and North Carolina have been under the NCAA microscope in recent years, and neither has been able to realize its potential over the past decade. Virginia Tech is no longer the consistent 10-win program it once was under Frank Beamer. For the ACC to flip the narrative, the programs in the tier directly beneath Florida State and Clemson need to generate more wins. The Seminoles and Tigers cannot keep waving the ACC banner by themselves.

Georgia Tech gave their arms a rest this past season, and the Yellow Jackets had possibly its best class under Paul Johnson in 2015. The Yellow Jackets spent most of signing day in the top 40 before being bumped late, but they could grow roots in the ACC’s top tier with Justin Thomas returning, a strong freshman class and early positive returns for future recruiting classes.

Newcomer Louisville added a top-five junior college player and two ESPN 300 recruits, and even NC State is shaping up to be a consistent bowl program after elevating its in-state recruiting efforts under Dave Doeren. The Wolfpack signed three of the top seven ESPN 300 recruits from North Carolina, including former FSU pledge Johnny Frasier.

With the 2015 recruiting hauls from those programs, there’s the promise the teams beneath FSU and Clemson can start working their way into national relevancy and the top 25 of the rankings that truly matter. Signing day has offered renewed promise, and it’s time for the ACC to capitalize.