No position has proved to be more important in college football than quarterback. It’s a spot that can make or break a season, and the ACC is full of interesting quarterback rooms.
In general, the ACC is a difficult conference to get a good read on, particularly in the middle. It’s transfer heavy and full of very real questions that need to be answered.
With 17 teams in the ACC, the groups don’t break down quite evenly. Still, here’s a look at the different tiers for quarterback play in the ACC.
The Top-Tier Teams
Miami Hurricanes, SMU Mustangs, California Golden Bears, Virginia Cavaliers
Two years ago, the Miami Hurricanes produced the NFL’s first overall pick at quarterback. Last season, the Hurricanes played for a national championship. In both cases, those were with transfer quarterbacks. Now, they’ve gone and added another transfer, Darian Mensah, who had 34 touchdowns a season ago.
After Miami, things get interesting. SMU returns Kevin Jennings, who is one of the conference’s most experienced quarterbacks, and still has more upside to hit. Then, Cal fended off the bidders on Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, retaining the former top recruit. Meanwhile, Virginia hit the transfer portal and came out with both Beau Pribula and Eli Holstein. That’s two experienced quarterbacks to battle it out there.
The Upper Middle-Tier Teams
Clemson Tigers, NC State Wolfpack, Virginia Tech Hokies, Syracuse Orange
It’s a new era for Clemson at quarterback. Cade Klubnik is in the NFL, and replacing him will likely be the task of Christopher Vizzina. A one-time four-star recruit, Vizzina is going into his redshirt junior season having thrown for 596 yards and four touchdowns in his career.
NC State, meanwhile, is going to be returning CJ Bailey, who had an excellent season in 2025, throwing for 3,105 yards and 25 touchdowns. Now, he’s poised to really break out. Virginia Tech is under new management, with James Franklin taking over as head coach. He’ll likely start Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer, who got decent playing time a season ago. Finally, Syracuse hopes Steve Angeli can bounce back from his Achilles injury. If not, the Orange also added All-Conference USA QB Amari Odom.
The Lower Middle-Tier Teams
Pittsburgh Panthers, Louisville Cardinals, Florida State Seminoles, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Stanford Cardinal
The Pittsburgh Panthers headline the lower middle-tier teams. After benching Eli Holstein, Mason Heintschel took over with mixed results and a 2:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. So, there’s room for growth but definitive potential.
After that, Louisville, Florida State, Wake Forest and Stanford are all looking to the transfer portal at quarterback. Louisville is looking for some upside with the inexperienced Lincoln Kienholz, who couldn’t win the Ohio State job. Then, Florida State is going to start Ashton Daniels, now at his third school.
As for Wake Forest, the Demon Deacons took North Carolina starter, Gio Lopez. Finally, Stanford wants to see former Michigan quarterback Davis Warren figure it out after an ACL injury, though it has options like Dylan Rizk and Mike Mitchell, too.
The Lower-Tier Teams
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, North Carolina Tar Heels, Duke Blue Devils, Boston College Eagles
With Haynes King at quarterback, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets had a true identity. He’s gone now, though, and they’re turning to Fernando Mendoza’s younger brother, Alberto Mendoza, to try and carry on.
At North Carolina, Bill Belichick is still trying to figure out the quarterback position after Tom Brady. It’s just hard to have confidence in Billy Edwards Jr. Meanwhile, Duke got put in a tough spot with Mensah’s late transfer. It’ll likely go with Walker Eget in his place. Finally, Boston College is in a tough spot. The Eagles are hoping to hit a diamond in the rough with Division II transfer Mason McKenzie.
