Ranking every projected ACC starting QB in 2026

Fall camp opens up this week for the college football world and the ACC wants to show it can compete for a national title. Miami got there in 2025, but the Hurricanes fell to Indiana, and the Big Ten captured its third national title in a row.

>Entering 2026, the ACC is going to look different at the most important position in all of football: quarterback. Only five ACC programs will return its starting quarterback from 2025, which creates a lot of question marks, yet intrigue heading into the fall.

>MORE: Ranking every projected SEC starting QB in 2026

No. 13-17: New faces with a lot to proveNo. 17 — Davis Warren, Stanford • >No. 16 — Alberto Mendoza, Georgia Tech • >No. 15 — Ashton Daniels, Florida State • >No. 14 — Mason McKenzie, Boston College • >No. 13 — Billy Edwards Jr., North CarolinaFlorida State Seminoles quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) winds up to pass Thursday, April 9, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Davis Warren comes to Stanford after starting at Michigan two seasons ago. It was a mostly uninspiring season from Warren, aside from the Wolverines upsetting Ohio State in the final game of the year. Andrew Luck found Warren and hopes he can provide enough stability for the Cardinals.

>Alberto Mendoza opted to leave Indiana after his brother led the Hoosiers to a title. Georgia Tech could have a quarterback battle, but Mendoza figures to slot in with little experience.

>Mike Norvell is on the hot seat and Ashton Daniels doesn’t do much for me, or anyone else. He didn’t do much at Auburn last season, but he will bring a dual-threat ability to the Seminoles — as long as he can hold onto the job.

>Both Mason McKenzie and Billy Edwards Jr. have had proven production, but Edwards Jr. suffered an early season-ending injury at Wisconsin last season and didn’t play. He played ok enough at Maryland two seasons ago. As for McKenzie, he was the 2025 GLIAC Player of the Year at Saginaw Valley. But he will have to prove he can play in the ACC for a program like Boston College.

No. 9-12: Big question marks, but has a chance to flash in spurtsNo. 12 — Christopher Vizzina, Clemson • >No. 11 — Walker Eget, Duke • >No. 10 — Gio Lopez, Wake Forest • >No. 9 — Lincoln Kienholz, LouisvilleClemson quarterback Christopher Vizzina (17) throws near running back Chris Johnson Jr (16) during the first half at the annnual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina Saturday, March 28, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Christopher Vizzina is the only returner on this list, but he backed up Cade Klubnik the past two seasons. He has played well when he had mop-up duty, but being the starting quarterback at Clemson presents its own challenges. The Tigers want to get back to winning and a lot rides on Vizzina’s shoulders.

>The next three quarterbacks are all transfers. When Darian Mensah left Duke late in the process, the Blue Devils didn’t have many options and found Walker Eget. He threw for over 3,000 yards at San Jose State last season and Duke hopes he can manage the game and make the throws when needed.

>Gio Lopez was hit-and-miss playing at North Carolina last season. He threw 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, but flashed major upside two seasons ago at South Alabama. Lopez is Wake Forest’s starting quarterback and could flash some upside.

>Jeff Brohm wanted Lincoln Kienholz in the portal and that’s who he went and landed. Unable to beat Julian Sayin at Ohio State, Kienholz was looking for his first real chance and that’s going to come this season. He has a dual-threat ability and should fit right into Brohm’s system.

No. 5-8: Mid-floor, high ceilingNo. 8 — Beau Pribula, Virginia • >No. 7 — Ethan Grunkemeyer, Virginia Tech • >No. 6 — Steve Angeli, Syracuse • >No. 5 — Mason Heintschel, PittDec 27, 2025; Annapolis, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) drops back to pass during the first quarter of the Military Bowl against the East Carolina Pirates at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)These four players should provide, at worse, stability for each of their programs, and if all goes well, they can be really good.

>Beau Pribula is on his third school now, but he showed enough promise during his days at Penn State to believe he can be a factor at Virginia this season. He was mostly a runner with the Nittany Lions, but he did throw for nearly 2,000 yards at Missouri a season ago.

>Speaking of Penn State, Ethan Grunkemeyer transferred from PSU to stay with James Franklin at Virginia Tech. He was a former top quarterback recruit and played well in place of Drew Allar last season. Grunkemeyer has the tools and potential, but needs a full season of starting experience to really gauge where he is.

>Steve Angeli was on a tear last season before suffering a season-ending injury. The Notre Dame transfer is back with Syracuse for another season, and the Orange’s offense could be explosive if he’s fully healthy in 2026. Angeli tossed 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions in four games.

>Mason Heintschel stole the starting job last year from Eli Holtstein last season and the freshman really impressed. Teams are going to have more film on Heintschel entering 2026, but the ceiling is very high and he certainly provides Pitt with the most stability.

No. 1-4: Stars of the ACCNo. 4 — Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Cal • >No. 3 — CJ Bailey, NC State • >No. 2 — Kevin Jennings, SMU • >No. 1 — Darian Mensah, MiamiNov 29, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) drops back to pass against the Southern Methodist Mustangs during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Sagapolutele won the Cal starting job as a true freshman, and in turn, threw for nearly 3,500 yards. He tossed 18 touchdowns, along with four interceptions, but Sagapolutele was learning and those could be attributed to inexperience. However, he is back and new head coach Tosh Lupoi made a splash by keeping him at Cal.

>Since taking over in Week 2 of the 2024 season as the starting quarterback, CJ Bailey has done nothing but improve and impress. He has thrown for 5,518 yards and 42 touchdowns in two seasons and he has a chance to even further improve this season. The Wolfpack could surprise people this season if Bailey continues to ascend.

>Kevin Jennings led SMU to the College Football Playoff two seasons ago, and he has thrown for over 3,200 yards in each of the last two seasons. Jennings has the capability to run, but he rather be a pocket passer, which hasn’t hurt the Mustangs at all. Entering Year 3 as the starter, Jennings is looking to have his best season yet.

>Darian Mensah made a late decision to enter the transfer portal and following Carson Beck’s tenure being over at Miami, he landed with the Hurricanes on a big NIL deal. Mensah was impressive last season at Duke, and played well at Tulane prior. Mensah’s name is already being mentioned in the Heisman race, and Miami has a real shot to win the ACC with him behind center.

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