By Skeeter Smith
The Top Dogs
Cade Klubnik – Clemson
2024 Stats: 3,639 Yards, 43 Total Touchdowns, 6 Interceptions, 463 Rushing Yards
Cade Klubnik had a breakout year in 2024, leading Clemson to an ACC championship and a playoff berth while putting up really good numbers. Returning for his senior season with a stacked receiver room, Klubnik should be viewed as the top quarterback in the ACC heading into 2025.
Carson Beck – Miami
2024 Stats: 3,485 Yards, 29 Total Touchdowns, 12 Interceptions, 71 Rushing Yards
Carson Beck shocked the college football world by not only forgoing the NFL Draft but also transferring to Miami. While his efficiency as a passer dipped in 2024 compared to 2023, he still had a solid year, leading Georgia to an SEC championship before an injury cut his season short. Now in the ACC, he’ll look to pick up where Cam Ward left off.
Kevin Jennings – SMU
2024 Stats: 3,245 Yards, 28 Total Touchdowns, 11 Interceptions, 354 Rushing Yards
Jennings started 2024 splitting reps but quickly took over as SMU’s QB1 and never looked back. His emergence helped SMU nearly win the ACC in their inaugural season and secure a playoff berth. Expect more growth from the dual-threat signal-caller in 2025.
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Next Best
Haynes King – Georgia Tech
2024 Stats: 2,114 Yards, 25 Total Touchdowns, 2 Interceptions, 587 Rushing Yards
Despite battling injuries throughout the season, King still had a really nice year behind center for Georgia Tech. Now in his final season, he aims to push the Yellow Jackets into ACC title contention.
Eli Holstein – Pitt
2024 Stats: 2,225 Yards, 20 Total Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 328 Rushing Yards
Eli Holstein and Pitt started 2024 on fire with a 7-0 record before fading down the stretch. Holstein’s season was cut short due to an ankle injury, but he showed promise in his first year as a starter. With a year under Holstein’s belt, we may see Pitt become a threat in the ACC.
Darian Mensah – Duke
2024 Stats: 2,723 Yards, 23 Total Touchdowns, 6 Interceptions, 132 Rushing Yards
After a strong season at Tulane, Mensah was viewed as one of the top QBs in the transfer portal this past cycle. He steps into a Duke offense that will be looking to him to replace Maalik Murphy’s production.
Miller Moss – Louisville
2024 Stats: 2,555 Yards, 20 Total Touchdowns, 9 Interceptions, -18 Rushing Yards
Miller Moss transfers from USC after losing his starting job late in 2024. While inconsistent at times, he has shown flashes as an excellent passer. A fresh start at Louisville could get him back on the right track.
Middle of the Pack
Thomas Castellanos – Florida State
2024 Stats: 1,366 Yards, 19 Total Touchdowns, 5 Interceptions, 194 Rushing Yards
After losing his starting job at Boston College, Castellanos gets a fresh start at Florida State under new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and his former head coach at UCF. His dual-threat ability makes him an intriguing piece for an FSU offense that struggled in 2024.
CJ Bailey – NC State
2024 Stats: 2,413 Yards, 22 Total Touchdowns, 10 Interceptions, 279 Rushing Yards
Bailey stepped in as a true freshman after Grayson McCall’s injury early in the 2024 season. He was able to steady the ship and kept NC State competitive despite his inexperience. Now with a full season under his belt, he should be seen as a breakout candidate in 2025.
Chandler Morris – Virginia
2024 Stats: 3,774 Yards, 35 Total Touchdowns, 5 Interceptions, 242 Rushing Yards
After a huge year at North Texas, Chandler Morris returns to Power Four football for his final season. Primarily known to be a gunslinger, Morris will be tasked with revamping a Virgina offense that struggled at times in 2024
Max Johnson – North Carolina
2024 Stats: 71 Yards, 1 Total Touchdown, 1 Interception, 10 Rushing Yards
Johnson’s 2024 season was cut short due to a broken leg in the first game of the season. His health remains a question mark heading into 2025, and if he’s not ready, true freshman Bryce Baker may get the nod in Bill Belichick’s first season as head coach.
Something to Prove
Kyron Drones – Virginia Tech
2024 Stats: 1,562 Yards, 10 Total Touchdowns, 6 Interceptions, 53 Rushing Yards
Virginia Tech and Kyron Drones didn’t quite live up to their expectations in 2024. After an up-and-down season, Drones was unable to finish the season after suffering an injury late in the year. Drones is set to return for his third year as the Hokies starter in hopes of finding a bit more consistency.
Grayson James – Boston College
2024 Stats: 1,202 Yards, 9 Total Touchdowns, 2 Interceptions, 20 Rushing Yards
James took over after Castellanos was benched and led BC to four wins in their last five regular-season games. He’ll look to build on that momentum in 2025 as him and head coach Bill O’Brien look to revamp this Eagles offense.
Robby Ashford – Wake Forest
2024 Stats: 324 Yards, 4 Total Touchdowns, 0 Interceptions, 38 Rushing Yards
Ashford sat behind LaNorris Sellers in 2024 but now gets another shot at starting for Wake Forest. Ashford’s athleticism is undeniable, but his biggest hurdle has been his consistency as a thrower of the football.
Elijah Brown – Stanford
2024 Stats: 274 Yards, 2 Total Touchdowns, 3 Interceptions, -23 Rushing Yards
Elijah Brown enters 2025 as Stanford’s most experienced quarterback on the roster with only three games of experience. Brown was a highly rated prospect coming out of the prestigious Mater Dei and appears to have the potential to be a solid starter for the Cardinals in 2025.
Rickie Collins – Syracuse
2024 Stats: 35 Yards, 0 Total Touchdowns, 0 Interceptions, 19 Rushing Yards
It appears that Rickie Collins has the inside track to be the starter for Syracuse in 2025 as he will compete against redshirt freshman Jakhari Williams this offseason. Collins spent time as a backup LSU the past two seasons and looks to finally get his chance in 2025.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele – Cal
2024 Stats: N/A
Barring a spring portal addition, true freshman Sagapolutele is set to be Cal’s starting QB. Sagapolutele was a highly touted recruit in the 2024 class, so signing him was a big win for Justin Wilcox and company.
