Ranking the Top 17 ACC Quarterback Rooms for Spring Football

17. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Dave Clawson typically produces terrific offenses, but everything went horribly in 2023. Wake Forest was dead last in the league in many offensive categories, and the Demon Deacons had no quarterback answers after Sam Hartman’s departure to Notre Dame. Wake Forest is turning to Hank Bachmeier, a Louisiana Tech and Boise State transfer. This would have seemed exciting a few years ago, but Bachmeier did not succeed at either stop. Despite seemingly having the physical tools to do the job, he has been replaced by more effective players. Michael Kern returns after playing some last season to provide some depth.

Wake Forest 2024 Win Total: 4.5

2. Clemson Tigers

The Clemson Tigers need Cade Klubnik to be healthy and to take the next step in his development. Klubnik is effective when he can use his legs, which was seen more during Clemson’s end-of-the-season winning streak after he healed from an injury. He is entering year number two in Garrett Riley’s offense and should have more capable receivers at his disposal in 2024. Clemson has no five-stars waiting on the bench, but Chris Vizzina is a former four-star recruit, and Blake Hebert is an incoming four-star recruit from Massachusetts.

Clemson's 2024 Win Total: 9.5

3. Florida State Seminoles

If you believe in transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei as a top-end starter, placing Florida State at No. 1 on this list would be fair. He has his plusses but has not previously shown an ability to elevate a team to a national title level. Still, he’s below the overall talent of a guy like Cam Ward. “DJ U” needs to show better accuracy on deep and intermediate passes and more consistency as a passer overall for FSU to make another push for the College Football Playoff. Florida State has Brock Glenn as a solid backup and incoming freshman Luke Kromenhoek is a player the Seminoles staff feels strongly about.

Florida State 2024 Win Total: 9.5

4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Haynes King is a good player, but he will not be recognized as such by most national media outlets. Georgia Tech rarely gets attention for anything other than getting blown out by Georgia, but Brent Key is building a solid program, and King is a crucial piece of that. The rising junior is a dual-threat who can lead his team with his arm or legs. He turns the ball over too much, but if he can control that, King is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. According to GT coaches, Zach Pyron showed promise in practice, and Zach Gibson looked capable in limited action. Aaron Philo is a ballyhooed recruit from Georgia who should begin factoring into the equation within the next two seasons.

Georgia Tech 2024 Win Total: 5.5

5. North Carolina State Wolfpack

The North Carolina State Wolfpack is now without Brennan Armstrong and MJ Morris, but they landed accurate and experienced leader Grayson McCall from Coastal Carolina. McCall is highly accomplished, a winner, and should be a perfect fit for Dave Doeren’s offense. Cedrick Bailey is a high-ceiling quarterback from powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida. At 6’6”, he has the ideal size and could get playing time as early as this season.

North Carolina State 2024 Win Total: 8.5

6. Boston College Golden Eagles

Boston College’s 2023 season did not have many surprises, but the one significant development during the season was the play of quarterback Thomas Castellanos. Castellanos was a substantial threat with his legs, running for more than 100 yards on multiple occasions and proving capable of beating even the most formidable defenses for big plays on the ground. His accuracy and decision-making as a passer improved as the season progressed, and it’s fair to call Castellanos a star in the making. Like Haynes King, he must cut down on the turnovers. That will be one of new head coach Bill O’Brien’s most significant tasks. Jacobe Robinson is a talented backup, and Matthew Rueve is a cousin of the Hasselback family to round out depth.

Boston College 2024 Win Total: 4.5

7. Virginia Tech Hokies

Which version of Kyron Drones are we getting in 2024? Like King and Castellanos, Drones’s best ability is his running. The issue is what the Hokies do when teams key in on Drones and take away his running game. His 21.4 completion percentage on passes of more than 20 yards downfield is dead last in the country and was inconsistent on even moderate and short passes. Without increased accuracy, Virginia Tech’s offense becomes one-dimensional and easy for good defenses to control. Pop Watson and Dylan Wittke are both redshirt freshmen with no experience battling for the backup quarterback position.

Virginia Tech 2024 Win Total: 7.5

8. Syracuse Orange

The Syracuse Orange vaulted up on this list thanks to the addition of former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord. McCord had great weapons at his disposal last season, which played a factor in his success, but it would be unfair to dismiss him entirely. He’s a solid quarterback and a significant upgrade for the Orange. Jakhari Williams is an excellent incoming freshman from Georgia, and Carlos Del Rio-Wilson has the experience, albeit not many successful outcomes. McCord is not a superstar but will put up respectable numbers in a fun offense under new coach Fran Brown.

Syracuse 2024 Win Total: 6.5

9. SMU Mustangs

How will the SMU Mustangs handle the step up in competition as they move to the ACC in 2024? Preston Stone threw for nearly 3,200 yards last season, but it is tough to say how those numbers will translate to a major conference. Stone completed only 59% of his passes and is not the most mobile of players. Kevin Jennings is an adequate backup but not a difference-maker at the power conference level. The Mustangs will be hard-pressed to repeat the success of 2024 but have a very sharp offensive staff that can maximize personnel.

SMU 2024 Win Total: 7.5

10. Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia rounds out the top ten as Anthony Colandrea returns for his sophomore season under coach Tony Elliott. Colandrea threw for 1,958 yards but had 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His mobility was an added element, but he was not nearly as prolific as others on this list. For a freshman, Colandrea offered some real hope for the Cavaliers. They return Tony Muskett for a final season, and he has at least some experience that can be relied on if needed.

Virginia 2024 Win Total: 4.5

11. California Golden Bears

Cal's Fernando Mendoza was a freshman in 2023 and surprised many as he helped navigate the Golden Bears to a bowl game against Texas Tech. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,708 yards, 14 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. Mendoza added a pair of rushing touchdowns, but mobility is not a strength. Cal added Chandler Rogers, a productive sixth-year player transferring from Louisiana-Monroe. He's only 6'0", but he could be an interesting piece after producing in the Sun Belt on a lousy team.

Cal 2024 Win Total: 6.5

12. Louisville Cardinals

Louisville is a bit of a mystery. Jeff Brohm’s teams will always produce good offensive numbers, but the quarterback position does not appear to be all that talented. Tyler Shough was brought in as a transfer after modest production over the past few seasons. Much like the graduated Jack Plummer, he’s experienced. Unlike Plummer, he has not been immersed in Brohm’s system. Beyond Shough, Louisville has the returning Pierce Clarkson and Brady Allen. Neither has proven anything at the collegiate level, but both were well-regarded as prospects.

Louisville 2024 Win Total: 8.5

13. North Carolina Tar Heels

Mack Brown has had some talented quarterbacks at North Carolina and the Tar Heels, but they have had primarily underwhelming results to show for it. Drake Maye is gone, so the Tar Heels will rely on either Max Johnson, a graduate transfer who has produced middling results in limited time at Texas A&M and LSU, or the returning Conner Harrell. Harrell played sparingly and showed flashes of good arm talent and mobility. He has a potentially higher ceiling but minimal experience. Tad Hudson is a talented redshirt freshman who could get called into action if Harrell struggles and the Tar Heels are floundering.

North Carolina 2024 Win Total: 7.5

14. Duke Blue Devils

Riley Leonard is now the quarterback for Notre Dame, and Mike Elko is the head coach for Texas A&M. The Duke Blue Devils chose Manny Diaz to lead the program, and he chose Casey Thompson as his quarterback. Henry Belin IV and Grayson Loftis got some experience last season after Leonard was injured, but neither showed much to excite. Thompson was injured early in Florida Atlantic’s season and has bounced from Texas to Nebraska to FAU to Duke. He’s a low-ceiling/high-floor player who should be competent but won’t be a difference-maker in Diaz’s first season in charge.

Duke 2024 Win Total: 5.5

15. Stanford Cardinal

Ashton Daniels will likely lead the Stanford Cardinal offense after an up-and-down 2023 season. Now a junior, Stanford hopes to grow on his 58.8 completion percentage and 2,247 yard season. Daniels is a decent athlete, adding 289 yards on the ground. The Cardinal also have Justin Lamson. The junior quarterback was the team’s leading rusher (334 yards), but he completed only 38 of his 88 pass attempts. Stanford did not address the position in the offseason, but they probably should have.

Stanford 2024 Win Total: 3.5

16. Pittsburgh Panthers

Where do you turn if you are Pat Narduzzi and the Pitt Panthers? They have not successfully solved the quarterback position since Kenny Pickett’s departure, and things do not look any better for 2024. The Panthers bring back Nate Yarnell and Christian Veilleux, but neither has had much success during their time as starters. Julian Dugger is a true freshman from Pittsburgh, and the Panthers might go for his upside if the season is not going well.

Pitt 2024 Win Total: 5.5

17. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Dave Clawson typically produces terrific offenses, but everything went horribly in 2023. Wake Forest was dead last in the league in many offensive categories, and the Demon Deacons had no quarterback answers after Sam Hartman’s departure to Notre Dame. Wake Forest is turning to Hank Bachmeier, a Louisiana Tech and Boise State transfer. This would have seemed exciting a few years ago, but Bachmeier did not succeed at either stop. Despite seemingly having the physical tools to do the job, he has been replaced by more effective players. Michael Kern returns after playing some last season to provide some depth.

Wake Forest 2024 Win Total: 4.5