2025 ACL Preseason Power Rankings!!
You just have to love this time of the year. After an exciting off season, the ACL 2025 season kicks off October 4th in Rock Hill, SC. Let’s take a look at our current Singles and Doubles pre-season power rankings!
Honorable Mention:
Mark Richards: Last season was different. For the first time since becoming an ACL pro, Mark Richards was not dominating singles events and dare we say he was just average? He admitted bag choice may have been an issue…but I am not completely convinced. He might be the one pro I am most interested in seeing how he performs at this first Open event. Does he start to look like the Mark Richards of old? It would be a lot cooler if he did…
Ethan Walker: Every time I wanted to put him in the Top 10, I just couldn’t justify placing him over those above. Now…fast forward 6-8 months from now…..Walker could very well be THE man to beat. Each season in the ACL he has improved (16th in Singles last season) and he plays a style that no one is excited to go up against. I have a feeling this might be the only Power Ranking he misses the top 10.
Alex Rawls: Last year we saw Rawls end the season with his worst singles finish as an ACL pro, coming in at 18th overall. Was this a fluke? Averages would say yes…but the league is just getting more competitive every season. By the end of the 2025 season, I would be shocked if we didn’t see Alex firmly back in the Top 10.
With the impending decrease of ACL pros looming, it seems more important than ever to “nail” your doubles partner. This off season we saw several bag manufactures form “Super Teams”. We have seen this strategy work previously. Early in this season I am interested to see if one of these newly formed teams meshes well early and establishes themselves as THE team to beat.
Honorable Mention:
Grinderslev/Turpin: Eddie G is a season removed from winning back to back to back National Doubles championships (including a World Championship). Last season his partner, Kaleb Batson regressed which lead to a very average season for the two Texans. In 2025, steady Eddie is partnering up with the talented Dillon Turpin. With all the changes happening around the league, this team has quietly entered this season under the radar. Do not be suprised if this team contends for a top 10 spot all season long.
Gore/Gore: The Twin terrors are reunited and the World is right again. It is no secret that these two are extremely talented and are more than capable of winning an event. The problem? We haven’t seen it yet. A year older, wiser, more mature will do this duo wonders. I expect them to get off to a hot start.
Keep an Eye on:
Hart/Roybal: Chris Roybal quietly had an excellent rookie season, but it was overshadowed by the season Ellis, Traiteur and Wilson had. Last year Roybal partnered up with Draggin Bags darling, Gina Ramirez and finished 24th overall. This season he finds himself pairing up with a former doubles National Champion, Ryan Hart. This team might not be the one who most predict will finish highest for Team Ultra….but it wouldn’t be a compete shock.
Ryan Traiteur: The new ACL “no step over” rule will have an impact early in the season as players look to adpat their throw styles. Traiteur might be the one individual everyone thought of after this change came to light. After an impressive Rookie campaign, Traiteur will no longer be able to fly under the radar. I am interested to see how long it will take him to find his groove with his new throwing technique.
Ellis vs Graham: These two have been going back and forth on Social Media for several weeks. Some say the “beef” (not Jamie Graham’s breakfast) is manufactured, while others feel it is the real deal. I for one could care less which….but I am here for it!!! Fingers crossed these two get to face off in singles this weekend…
