ACC quarterbacks have seen a lot of success in recent years. The conference arguably has the best quarterback in the country, but how does the rest of the leagues QB’s rank?
14. Lucas Johnson, Georgia Tech, Junior (RS)
N/A
Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense doesn’t really support a strong QB, which is good, because they don’t have one. Johnson, a former three-star dual-threat QB from San Diego is likely to take over the reins. According to yellowjackedup.com “The Jackets starting quarterback situation is certainly looked down upon as one of the worst in the country in 2019 and expectations for whoever is the starter will be rather low from a national standpoint.”
13. Jawon Pass, Lousiville, Junior (RS)
8 TDs 12 INTs 1,960 yds 54 comp pct
Pass has show flashes of being a talented QB, but can’t seem to string together enough consistent games. He has struggled to make plays on the ground as well. Don’t plan for Louisville to make any noise in the ACC as they will likely struggle with an inconsistent QB at the helm.
12. Sam Howell/Cade Fortin/Jace Ruder, UNC, Freshmen
N/A
This QB battle hasn’t been decided yet, but there will be growing pains for any of the Freshman signal callers that start under center. Coach Mack Brown said in a press conference that the QB that understands the offense and can score the most
11. Tate Martell, Miami, Freshman (RS)
1 TD 0 INTs 269 yds 82.1 comp pct
The QB battle in Miami hasn’t technically been decided but I’m leaning from a pure talent standpoint, but it definitely isn’t a lock. The former four-star recruit from Bishop Gorman sat out last year and transferred to find a place to start. He is currently locked in a battle with N’Kosi Perry and Jarren Williams and Manny Diaz has yet to name a starter.
Since this article was originally written, Manny Diaz has named Jarren Williams the starting quarterback.
10. Quentin Harris, Duke, Senior (RS)
7 TDs 1 INT 437 yds 50 comp pct
Harris will have big shoes to fill in Durham, as Daniel Jones has transferred into the NFL. We’ve got a small sample size of his talent, and time will tell how successful he really can be as a full-time starter.
9. Matt McKay, NC State, Sophomore (RS)
7/8 87 yds
Another guy with big shoes to fill. Ryan Finley declared for the draft and left a big hole at QB. Matt McKay is currently the favorite in Vegas to replace Finley, but after only throwing 8 total passes in his young collegiate career, expect there to be growing pains as he transitions to the starting role.
8. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest, Sophomore
16 TDs 8 INTs 1,984 yds 55.3 comp pct
Winning the starting quarterback job as a freshman isn’t easy, but Sam Hartman did just that before a broken leg sat him out for the last four games of the season. He is expected to retain the job when fully healthy, but look for Jamie Newman to provide some competition at the quarterback position
7. Kenny Pickett, Pitt, Junior
12 TDs 6 ints 1,969 yds 58.1 comp pct
Pickett led Pitt to a bowl game last year in his first year as a full-time starter. The signal-caller is good against average defenses but struggles against the top tier. This is evidenced by his combined 15-45 with 0 TDs and an INT in the ACC championship against Clemson and the bowl game against Stanford. Hopefully, he’ll take the steps needed to rise this list.
6. James Blackman, Florida State, Sophomore (RS)
5 TDs 1 INT 510 yds 64.7 comp pct
Blackman looks to be the favorite for the Seminoles after a solid performance against NC State where he threw for 421 yards and capped it off with 4 touchdown passes. There should be some excitement for what he can bring to Florida State as he transitions to the starting role.
5. Anthony Brown, Boston College, Junior (RS)
20 TDs 9 INTS 2,121 yds 55.4 comp pct
As a full-time starter at Boston College, Brown threw the second-most touchdowns by any sophomore QB at the school. His game still has lots of time to expand, and he is looking to make big leaps in the 2019 season. If he does, the team success will likely follow.
4. Tommy Devito, Syracuse, Sophomore (RS)
4 TDs 3 INTs 525 yds 50.6 comp pct
A four-star recruit will get a crack at starting for the Orange in the upcoming season. Many analysts are predicting big things for the young gunslinger. He’ll have a lot to live up to after he’d shown flashes in his small sample size from 2018.
3. Ryan Willis, Virginia Tech, Senior (RS)
24 TDs 9 INTs 2,716 yds 64.5 comp pct
The former three-star recruit and transfer from Kansas are going into his final season with a lot of expectations. They finished 6-7 after falling to Cincinnati in the Military Bowl, but they are hoping to make further leaps. If VT is able to rise up in the ranks of the ACC, it will likely come from the success of their signal-caller.
2. Bryce Perkins, Virginia, Senior
25 TDs 9 INTs 2,680 yds 64.5 comp pct
Without a doubt the second most talented QB in the conference. His road to the Cavaliers wasn’t without trials, making a stop in JuCo where he led Arizona Western to the NJCAA championship in 2017, where they lost to East Mississippi. He is a dangerous dual-threat, becoming one of the two QBs with at least 2,600 passing yards and 900 rushing yards (Kyler Murray). Look for this QB to have an even better senior campaign as a potential dark horse Heisman candidate.
1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson, Sophomore
30 TDs 4 Ints 3,280 Yds 65.2 pct
You weren’t really surprised, were you? The best team in the nation clearly has the best QB in the conference. The long flowing hair only adds to the aura of the blonde gunslinger. His stats speak for himself and we can only expect more from Lawrence as he moves into his second year in college.