For the last two years, Atlantic Coast Conference quarterbacks have been defined by one player: Jameis Winston.
Winston was the biggest story on and off the field for the Florida State Seminoles and the conference. He helped bring a national championship to the ACC for the first time since 1999.
This year’s crop of ACC quarterbacks may not have a Winston, but the college football world is in for a bit of a surprise because the ACC has quite a stable of quarterbacks. Let’s take a look at what the ACC quarterback crop look like this season…
Boston College
The Eagles finished the 2014 season dead last in the ACC in passing yards per game. Tyler Murphy is gone after one year, but where he will really be missed is in the running game, since he was the leading rusher on the team. Darius Wade, Troy Flutie and Elijah Robinson will compete this spring for the job. With BC wanting to focus more on the passing game, that could mean Wade will walk away with the job. Steve Addazio talks glowingly of his arm.
Outlook: A mystery
Clemson
As a freshman, Deshaun Watson was electric. He completed 68 % of his passes, had a TD-INT ratio of 7:1, and added 5 rushing TDs with a rushing average of over 7 yards per carry. Watson is the truth — barring a repeat of his 2014 injury woes, he could very well lead the Tigers to a conference championship.
Outlook: Electric
Duke
Thomas Sirk appears to be the man to replace Anthony Boone this year in Durham. Sirk doesn’t have many stats to look at, but he did get on the field in 12 games last season. Sirk is a threat with his arm and his legs, but he’s going to need time to adjust to being the man.
Outlook: A learning process
Florida State
How do you replace a player that will go down as one of the most clutch players in the history of college football? Despite playing only two years, Jameis Winston made his mark at Florida State, and I feel sorry for the guy replacing him. Sean Maguire is the only returnee with experience and he should get the early nod, but the future likely rests with Deondre Francois, who won’t be on campus until this fall. Expect Maguire to start the year and Francois to get every opportunity to be the man by the end of the season.
Outlook: Giant shoes to fill
Georgia Tech
There is no offense in the FBS that depends on quarterback play more than the Yellow Jackets’ attack. When Paul Johnson had Josh Nesbitt running his offense, it was dynamic. When Tevin Washington and Vad Lee ran it, it was stagnant. Justin Thomas is much more Nesbitt than Lee or Washington. In 2014, Thomas had a 3:1 TD-INT ratio and ran for over 1,000 yards. With Thomas at the helm, the Jackets are in very good hands.
Outlook: A perfect fit
Louisville
Last year’s starter Will Gardner is out this spring with a knee injury, but he is likely the man under center when the Cardinals suit up this fall. Reggie Bonnafon and Kyle Bolin both had opportunities last year but failed to impress. Penn State transfer Tyler Ferguson is a guy to keep an eye on but if his rehab goes well, Gardner will be the man for Louisville, and the Cardinals should be in good hands.
Outlook: Steady with options
Miami
Do you know who was the highest-rated quarterback in the ACC last year? Miami’s Brad Kaaya. He threw for over 3,000 yards and collected 26 TDs. He needs to get his completion percentage up and keep his interceptions down, but as a freshman, he did everything you can hope a freshman would do for his team. He should only improve in 2015.
Outlook: In good hands
North Carolina
In Larry Fedora’s offense, the quarterback has a chance to be a superstar. Last year, Marquise Williams put up some big numbers, finishing third in the conference in passing yards and throwing for over 20 TDs as well as rushing for over 700 yards and 13 TDs. Williams has the ability to be one of the top players in the ACC, but his defense also has to stop somebody… anybody.
Outlook: Upside exists
North Carolina State
Jacoby Brissett took over the starting job last year and was a bit up and down, but he definitely showed he has the ability to be a winner in this league. He had some bad games last year, but with a season as a starter under his belt, he will only be better in 2015.
Outlook: Improving
Pittsburgh
Chad Voytik did a pretty good job in 2014 as a first-time starter. He completed 61 % of his passes, threw for 2,233 yards and had 16 TDs against only 7 INTs. He also ran for over 400 yards. He will have to learn a new offense this offseason, but he should be a solid quarterback for Pitt.
Outlook: Solid
Syracuse
Terrel Hunt is an enigma. There was so much hope for 2014, but he disappointed in six games and then suffered a season-ending injury. Can he live up to his hype and potential in 2015?
Outlook: Questionable
Virginia
Virginia QBs combined to complete 57 % of their passes and threw two more TDs than interceptions in 2014. The two main competitors at the position, Greyson Lambert and Matt Johns, are back this season. No matter who the Cavs decide on, the result will likely be similar.
Outlook: Decidedly mediocre
Virginia Tech
Michael Brewer is a gunslinger playing in an offense where gunslingers are outlawed. In his first year at Tech, he completed 59.4 % of his passes and threw 15 INTs (against 18 TDs). Brewer has to be more consistent, but he also has to be comfortable in the offense. There are lots of questions for Brewer and the Hokies this season. Will a better grasp of the offense help Brewer adjust, and if not, can the Hokies’ coaching staff adjust the offense to him? Will he get better support from the offensive line and skill positions in 2015?
Outlook: A Cowboy Western stuck in a silent movie
Wake Forest
As a freshman, John Wolford completed 58.3 % of his passes for 2,037 yards with 12 TDs versus 14 INTs and a QB rating of 108.09 (which ranked 11th in the ACC). With a weak offensive line and an abysmal running game, Wolford did about as well as you could expect in 2014, but if the Demon Deacons expect him to improve, he needs a better supporting cast.
Outlook: It can’t get worse, right?
