The 2018-2019 season was one for newcomers in terms of QBs in the ACC. We saw the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Eric Dungey, and Bryce Perkins all rise to the top of the ACC statistically. However, most of the faces we saw last year have either gone drafted or have graduated from their respective schools. This season will be one of watching for the new leaders at the Quarterback position in the ACC. Now let’s get into what writers Evan Norris and Will Cash have to say about each quarterback and where they land in the ACC.
Spot #14:
Evan: Jawon Pass, Louisville
After an atrocious 2018-2019 campaign, Jawon Pass sat at the bottom of the ACC statistically. Pass threw for 1,960 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions through the year. Both Louisville fans and ACC fans alike, are hoping to see more out of this young quarterback this season. However, most are thinking that Malik Cunningham or Jordan Travis could step in sooner.
Will: Jawon Pass, Louisville
Pass had a terrible year in 2018 for the Cardinals. Throwing for 1,960 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions on 54% completion. Pass will have to improve a lot next year, if he wants to hold off Malik Cunningham and incoming freshman Jordan Travis to keep his starting job.
Spot #13:
Evan: Tobias Oliver, Georgia Tech
It is going to an interesting year to watch out of Tobias Oliver. A once dominant rushing quarterback will now have to convert to passing. I don’t think the coaching staff is setting up for Oliver to have a good year, but the young starter will have to make do and improve on his 167 passing yards last year under the triple option.
Will: Tobias Oliver, Georgia Tech
Oliver had very limited action in 2018. As he completed six passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, but rushed for 807 yards and 12 touchdowns in the triple option offense. This year will be a challenge for Oliver and Georgia Tech, as they will have to make the change from the triple option to a spread offense.
Spot #12:
Evan: Sam Howell, North Carolina
This will either be a great move by Mack Brown or a mediocre one at worst. Howell was a great high school quarterback whoa amounted for 3,240 passing yards with 36 passing touchdowns running right with it. Many are hoping that Howell’s high school experience can translate well for the Tarheels this season.
Will: Sam Howell, North Carolina
Mack Brown will be bringing in a fresh face in Chapel Hill in Sam Howell. As a senior in high school he threw 3,240 yards, 36 passing touchdowns and only eight interceptions. It looks like Mach Brown and his staff will be hoping that his high school success will transfer over in the 2019 season.
Spot #11:
Evan: Matthew McKay, NC State
McKay is a sought-after talent for Wolfpack football. He has a stocky build at 6’4 with long arms perfect for hauling the ball down the field. He took after Ryan Finley well, and developed into a perfectly good starter for NC State this year. Look for a solid year out of this freshman.
Will: Matthew McKay, NC State
As Ryan Finley’s backup last season, McKay completed seven passes for 87 yards. McKay will have to work to win the job as he will have to battle against Devin Leary, Ty Evans, and Bailey Hockman. This is McKay’s job to lose though, and it will be very unlikely someone else will be the starter Week 1.
Spot #10:
Evan: Quentin Harris, Duke
Having to replace a school legend like Daniel Jones is never easy for a young, college athlete. However, if anyone is seeming to step up to the plate and take on that challenge, it would be Quentin Harris for Duke. Harris didn’t start last year, but showed glimmers of stardom against Baylor and North Carolina Central. Duke fans should be feeling good with Harris taking after Jones.
Will: Quentin Harris, Duke
As a three year backup to recently drafted Daniel Jones, Harris looks to finally take the reigns for David Cutcliffe. In 2018, Harris passed for 437 yards, 7 touchdowns, and one interception on 50 percent completion. Harris also has very good mobility, rushing for 195 yards in his very limited action last season.
Spot #9:
Evan: Jamie Newman, Wake Forest
It is looking that Newman will remain the starter for the Demon Deacons, with Hartman’s injury still up in the air. Newman, however, pulled Wake Forest to a 3-1 end-of-season record and led his team to a bowl win over Memphis. And with his build leaning to a trusted pocket passer, we may see great things to come out of Newman.
Will: Anthony Brown, Boston College
Harris had a very a good sophomore season for the Eagles. Throwing for 2,121 yards, 20 touchdowns, and nine interceptions on 55 percent completion. Brown will look to take another step forward in 2019 and lead a loaded Boston College backfield.
Spot #8:
Evan: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Pickett had became a very reliable person at the quarterback spot for the Pittsburgh Panthers and their demanding rush attack. In his 2018 tenure, Pickett passed for 1,969 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. This isn’t bad at all, considering that Pittsburgh was a rush-first team. It is known that PAt Narduzzi will have to shift more to the leaning this year, after Qadree Ollison was drafted.
Will: Jamie Newman, Wake Forest
Dave Clawson’s team will have a QB battle on their hands heading into the 2019 season. Sam Hartman returns for the Demon Deacons as he threw for 1,984 yards, 16 touchdowns, and eight picks before going down with an injury. Jamie Newman played very well in relief for Hartman. Newman passed for 1,083 yards, nine touchdowns, and four picks, while leading Wake Forest to a 3-1 record in his time as starter. It’s safe to say that whoever starts this season, that Wake Forest will have a reliable Quarterback in 2019.
Spot #7:
Evan: Tate Martell, Miami
We have still yet to see a lot out of Tate Martell in his college season at Ohio State. However, many new fans of his are hoping he can flip a bad quarterback spot for the Hurricanes. Martell, when he did play, showed that he could more than handle the quarterback spot at a comfortable pace. Also, his legs proved to be a useful tool against opponents and that could become a big issue for other teams come next season.
Will: Tate Martell, Miami
Martell threw for 269 yards and 1 touchdown as a backup last season at Ohio State. Martell was highly touted coming out of high school ranked as the #2 dual threat QB in the nation. He will have to beat our last year’s starter in N’Kosi Perry. Who threw 1,089 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Looking at this Miami QB depth chart, it will be evident that a highly touted recruit will be starting in 2019 for the Hurricanes.
Spot #6:
Evan: James Blackman, FSU
There is no doubt that James Blackman was stopped early last season with retaining his eligibility. Florida State knows better than to count out their quarterback though because Blackman was showing tremendous strides going into the NC State game. At his point of the end of the four-game eligibility, Blackman threw 510 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, and only 1 interception. Look out for big things from this Sophomore quarterback.
Will: James Blackman, FSU
Blackman looks to take the helm in Tallahassee. As a backup to Deondre Francois last season, he threw for 510 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Experience should not be a problem for Blackman. As in relief in 2017 for Francois, he passed for 2,230 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on 58 percent completion. Blackman should be able to have a very good season if the Seminoles offensive line can hold up.
Spot #5:
Evan: Anthony Brown, Boston College
An injury stopped this promising Boston College quarterback from finishing his season out. However, up to that point, Anthony Brown had gotten his name up to the top of ACC QB discussions. He finished with 2,121 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Watch Anthony Brown continue to build up his brand in 2019 with some impressive passing to back up AJ Dillon’s run game.
Will: Tommy Devito, Syracuse
As the backup to Senior QB Eric Dungey, DeVito threw for 525 yards, 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. DeVito was a highly touted coming out of high school, receiving a four star ranking by 247 Sports. The Sophomore will look to have a stellar season in his first year at the helm.
Spot #4:
Evan: Tommy Devito, Syracuse
Syracuse shouldn’t worry to much about losing Eric Dungey because they have a talented quarterback in Devito. Devito was a four-star recruit out of high school and took much of last year taking after Dungey. Also, I am sure that Babers and his supporting cast will make sure this young quarterback is ready to go, just like Dungey was ready to go when it was his time. He dished out 525 passing yards last season in 8 games.
Will: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
In his first year as the starter last year, Pickett performed really well. The junior threw for 1,833 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Pickett will again have various weapons at his disposal in the backfield and look to repeat as Coastal Champions.
Spot #3:
Evan: Ryan Willis, Virginia Tech
With only starting 9 out of the 12 games of the season, Willis took over the Hokie offense with force. Willis threw for 2,716 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and 9 interceptions in 2018. Now with Willis in full control of the Virginia Tech squad going into 2019, there is no reason to believe Willis will fail. Be on the lookout for Willis to break the 3,000 yard mark and become a valuable piece for the Hokies.
Will: Ryan Willis, Virginia Tech
Willis had a very good season last year in relief to Josh Jackson. The transfer from Kansas threw for 2,497 yards,22 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions, while adding 354 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Willis only started in 10 games last year and will have a chance to start a full season, with a star studded receiving core this season. Be sure to look more for a stable air-raid from Virginia Tech.
Spot #2:
Evan: Bryce Perkins, Virginia
One of the newer names we have heard in the ACC is Bryce Perkins for the Cavaliers. Perkins headlined the ACC as one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the nation. With his total of 2,680 passing yards and 923 rushing yards, and 34 touchdowns between the two categories, Perkins is set for another breakout year. Be on the lookout for what Bryce Perkins can do to opposing defenses
Will: Bryce Perkins, Virginia
Perkins had a very impressive 2018 season. The first year starter threw for 2,680 yards, 25 touchdowns, while throwing only nine picks. Perkins also had a very impressive season on the ground rushing for 923 yards and nine touchdowns. Perkins looks to have a even better 2019 season and lead his team to a better record.
Spot #1:
Evan: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
No surprises with this stud at the top of this list. Lawrence won a national title with Clemson as a true freshman and headlined the nation as the future of college football. In his season with Clemson, Lawrence had racked up 3,280 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. The only thing that is stopping this quarterback from becoming a better passer is himself at this point, as constant weapons will be fed to him through Clemson’s recruiting.
Will: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
This was an obvious no-brainer, as Lawrence could not only be the best quarterback in the ACC, but be the best quarterback in the nation. As a freshman last season, Lawrence threw for 3,280 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. Lawrence will be looking have a Heisman campaign this season, leading another loaded Clemson team.
