By Dorrington Myers
As the new college football season approaches, all eyes are on the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), where a fresh crop of quarterbacks is poised to make headlines. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, these athletes are ready to lead their teams to victory and etch their names in the annals of ACC history. Join as we break down the top quarterbacks to watch this season, their skills, their stories, and why they are set to dominate the gridiron. Get ready for an in-depth look at the dynamic leaders who will shape the narrative of ACC football this year.
QB Rankings:
1. Cameron Ward (Miami)
Stats:
66.6%, 3,735 pass yds, 25 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 144 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns
Overview:
Cameron Ward is an exciting quarterback prospect known for his dynamic playmaking ability and strong arm. Playing for Washington State after transferring from Incarnate Word, Ward has displayed significant potential and the skills needed to succeed at higher levels of competition.
Physical Attributes:
– Height: 6’2″
– Weight: 220 lbs
– Athleticism: Ward has a solid build for a quarterback, combining good size with impressive athleticism. His mobility allows him to extend plays and make throws on the run, adding a dual-threat element to his game.
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Strengths:
Arm Talent: Ward has a strong arm capable of making all the necessary throws at the collegiate level. He can deliver deep balls with accuracy and velocity, effectively stretching defenses vertically.
Mobility: His ability to move within and outside the pocket is a key asset. Ward can evade pressure, extend plays with his legs, and execute designed runs, making him a constant threat to defenses.
Playmaking Ability: Ward excels in improvisational situations. He has a knack for creating big plays when the original plan breaks down, showcasing his creativity and football instincts.
Poise Under Pressure: Ward remains calm and composed when facing a pass rush, demonstrating the ability to make accurate throws even under duress. His poise allows him to perform well in high-pressure situations.
Leadership and Intangibles: Ward is known for his leadership qualities and competitive nature. He commands respect in the huddle and inspires confidence in his teammates with his play and demeanor.
Areas for Improvement:
Consistency: While Ward has shown flashes of brilliance, he needs to work on maintaining consistent performance throughout entire games and seasons. Developing a steady level of play will be crucial for his progression.
Decision Making: Ward can be prone to taking unnecessary risks, leading to turnovers. Improving his decision-making process, especially in reading defenses and making smarter choices, will enhance his efficiency.
Mechanics: Ward’s throwing mechanics can be inconsistent, occasionally affecting his accuracy. Refining his footwork and ensuring a consistent throwing motion will help improve his overall accuracy and effectiveness.
Experience at Top Level: Coming from a smaller program before transferring to Washington State, Ward faces questions about his experience against top-tier competition. Continued exposure to high-level defenses will be important for his development.
Projection:
Cameron Ward projects as a high-upside quarterback with the potential to become a starting-caliber player in the NFL. His arm talent, mobility, and playmaking ability make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking for a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback. With improvements in consistency, decision-making, and mechanics, Ward has the potential to be a valuable asset at the next level. He is likely to be a mid-to-late round pick, with the opportunity to rise higher based on his performance and development leading up to the draft.
2. DJ Uiagalelei (Florida State)
Stats:
57.1%, 2,638 pass yds, 21 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 219 rushing yards, 7 rushing touchdowns
Overview:
DJ Uiagalelei is a high-profile quarterback known for his immense physical talent and powerful arm. After starting his college career at Clemson and later transferring to Oregon State, Uiagalelei has shown flashes of brilliance along with areas that need refinement.
Physical Attributes:
– Height: 6’4″
– Weight: 250 lbs
– Athleticism: Uiagalelei possesses an imposing physical frame ideal for a quarterback. Despite his size, he is surprisingly agile, with the ability to extend plays with his legs and escape pressure.
Strengths:
Arm Strength: Uiagalelei has one of the strongest arms in college football. He can make throws to all areas of the field with impressive velocity, allowing him to stretch defenses vertically.
Size and Durability: His large frame makes him durable and difficult to bring down. This physicality enables him to absorb hits and stay upright in the pocket, giving him more time to make plays.
Pocket Presence: Uiagalelei shows good awareness in the pocket, often standing tall under pressure and delivering strikes. His ability to keep his eyes downfield while navigating the pocket is a key asset.
Downfield Passing: His deep ball accuracy is notable, and he can deliver long-range throws with precision. This ability to connect on deep passes makes him a constant threat in the passing game.
Leadership: Uiagalelei demonstrates strong leadership qualities, commanding respect in the huddle and maintaining composure in high-pressure situations.
Areas for Improvement:
Consistency: One of the main criticisms of Uiagalelei is his inconsistency. He has shown flashes of elite talent but often struggles to maintain a high level of performance throughout entire games and seasons.
Accuracy: While he has the ability to make spectacular throws, Uiagalelei’s accuracy can be erratic, particularly on short and intermediate routes. Improving his ball placement and consistency will be crucial.
Decision Making: Uiagalelei sometimes forces throws into tight coverage, leading to turnovers. Enhancing his ability to read defenses and make quicker, smarter decisions will help mitigate this issue.
Footwork: His footwork in the pocket can be inconsistent, which affects his throwing mechanics and overall accuracy. Refining his footwork and ensuring proper mechanics on every throw will improve his consistency.
Mobility: Although he is mobile for his size, Uiagalelei could improve his agility and quickness, making him more effective on designed runs and in scramble situations.
Projection:
DJ Uiagalelei projects as a high-upside quarterback with the potential to develop into a starting NFL player. His arm strength, size, and leadership are major assets, but he will need to address issues of consistency, accuracy, and decision-making to reach his full potential. With the right coaching and development, Uiagalelei could become a formidable quarterback at the next level. He is likely to be an early-to-mid-round pick, with his draft stock heavily influenced by his performance in the lead-up to the draft and during pre-draft evaluations.
3. Preston Stone (SMU)
Stats:
59.9%, 3,197 pass yds, 28 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 198 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns
Overview:
Preston Stone is an exciting quarterback prospect with a blend of athleticism, accuracy, and arm talent. A standout at SMU, Stone has garnered attention for his dynamic playmaking ability and potential for growth.
Physical Attributes:
– Height: 6’2″
– Weight: 210 lbs
– Athleticism: Stone has a well-proportioned build and demonstrates good agility and speed, allowing him to navigate the pocket and make plays with his legs.
Strengths:
Mobility: One of Stone’s most notable traits is his ability to operate outside the pocket. He excels at extending plays, evading pressure, and making accurate throws on the move.
Accuracy: Stone is exceptionally accurate, particularly when moving laterally. His precision allows him to hit receivers in stride, making him effective in a variety of offensive schemes.
Arm Talent: He possesses a strong arm capable of making all the necessary throws at the collegiate level. Stone can push the ball downfield with ease and maintain accuracy on deep throws.
Playmaking Ability: Stone’s improvisational skills set him apart. He thrives in broken play situations, showcasing creativity and a knack for turning potential losses into significant gains.
Ceiling: With his combination of physical tools and competitive nature, Stone’s potential is considered very high. He has the raw talent to develop into a top-tier quarterback.
Areas for Improvement:
Decision Making: While Stone’s aggressive style can lead to big plays, it also results in risky throws. He needs to improve his decision-making to reduce turnovers and avoid forcing the ball into tight coverage.
Consistency: Stone occasionally struggles with consistency, particularly in his mechanics and footwork. Refining these aspects of his game will help him maintain a high level of play throughout entire games and seasons.
Experience: As a younger player, Stone has less experience compared to some of his peers. Continued game reps and exposure to varied defensive schemes will be crucial for his development.
Projection:
Preston Stone projects as a high-upside prospect with the potential to become a starting quarterback in the NFL. His blend of mobility, accuracy, and arm strength makes him a fit for modern, dynamic offensive systems. With further development, particularly in decision-making and consistency, Stone could become a standout player at the next level. He is likely to be a mid-round pick with the potential to rise higher based on his performance and growth.
4. Cade Klubnik (Clemson)
Stats:
63.9%, 2,844 pass yds, 19 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 182 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns
Overview:
Physical Attributes:
– Height: 6’2″
– Weight: 190 lbs
– Frame: Lean but with room to add muscle without losing athleticism.
Strengths:
1. Arm Talent: Klubnik has a strong and accurate arm, capable of making all the necessary throws. His deep ball is particularly impressive, showing good touch and distance.
2. Athleticism: He is a dual-threat quarterback with the ability to make plays with his legs. His speed and agility allow him to escape the pocket and extend plays.
3. Football IQ: Klubnik displays a high football IQ, with good decision-making and the ability to read defenses effectively. He makes quick decisions and rarely forces throws.
4. Leadership: Known for his leadership qualities, Klubnik commands the huddle and is a natural leader on and off the field.
5. Mechanics: His throwing mechanics are smooth and consistent, leading to high accuracy. He also has a quick release, which is crucial under pressure.
Weaknesses:
1. Size and Strength: While his frame is adequate, adding some muscle mass could help him withstand the physical toll of the collegiate and potentially professional levels.
2. Consistency: Like many young quarterbacks, Klubnik can improve his consistency, especially in terms of maintaining high-level performance throughout a game and season.
3. Experience: Although talented, he will need to adjust to the speed and complexity of college defenses, which is a common challenge for high school stars.
Projection:
He has the potential to become a standout collegiate quarterback and a future NFL prospect if he continues to develop physically and hones his skills.
5. Grayson McCall (NC State)
Stats:
67.4%, 1,919 pass yds, 10 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 48 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Overview:
Grayson McCall is a dynamic quarterback known for his leadership and consistency. He has been the cornerstone of Coastal Carolina’s offense, leading the team with poise and efficiency.
Physical Attributes:
– Height: 6’3″
– Weight: 210 lbs
– Athleticism: McCall has a solid build for a quarterback, with enough size to withstand physical play. His athleticism is notable, allowing him to extend plays and evade pressure.
Strengths:
Poise and Leadership: McCall exudes confidence and leadership, qualities that galvanize his team. He remains calm under pressure, making smart decisions in critical moments.
Accuracy: His passing accuracy, both in the short and intermediate ranges, is impressive. He consistently delivers catchable balls, allowing his receivers to make plays.
Mobility: McCall’s mobility is a significant asset. He can maneuver outside the pocket effectively, creating opportunities downfield with his legs and making accurate throws on the move.
Football IQ: His understanding of the game is advanced, demonstrating a good grasp of reading defenses and making quick adjustments. He excels in play-action scenarios, where his decision-making shines.
Efficiency: McCall has shown a remarkable ability to avoid turnovers. His interception rate is low, showcasing his ability to protect the football and make sound decisions.
Areas for Improvement:
Arm Strength: While McCall’s arm strength is adequate, it is not elite. He occasionally struggles with deep throws, lacking the velocity to hit long-range targets consistently.
Mechanics: His throwing mechanics can be inconsistent at times, leading to occasional inaccuracies. Refining his footwork and release could enhance his overall consistency.
Level of Competition: Playing in the Sun Belt Conference, McCall has not faced the same level of competition as quarterbacks from Power Five conferences. There are questions about how he will perform against higher-caliber defenses.
Projection:
Grayson McCall projects as a potential mid-round pick in the NFL Draft. His leadership, accuracy, and mobility make him an intriguing prospect for teams seeking a reliable and efficient quarterback. With further development, particularly in arm strength and mechanics, McCall has the potential to become a solid starter at the next level.
Conclusion:
As the anticipation builds for another thrilling college football season, the spotlight is firmly on the ACC and its talented quarterbacks. These players, ranging from experienced veterans to promising newcomers, are gearing up to showcase their exceptional skills and lead their teams to glory. We’ve delved into their backgrounds, analyzed their abilities, and explored their potential to become the defining figures of this year’s ACC football narrative. Stay tuned for an exciting journey through the stories and performances of the quarterbacks set to dominate the gridiron, and witness the making of new legends in ACC football history.
