ACC Quarterback Rankings: Ranking All 17 Starters for 2026

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The ACC enters 2026 with plenty of quarterback intrigue. Several teams changed quarterbacks through the transfer portal. Others return experienced starters who can change games. Miami leads the conference with the strongest quarterback situation. Here is my ranking of all 17 projected ACC starters. I considered production, experience, upside, consistency, and supporting situations. I also weighed recent reports from preseason camp.

Darian Mensah, Miami

Darian Mensah sits comfortably at No. 1 on this list. He produced 3,973 passing yards at Duke last season. He also threw 34 touchdown passes and only six interceptions. Mensah now takes over a Miami offense loaded with talent. The Hurricanes also enter 2026 as the ACC preseason favorite. They received 165 first-place votes from conference media members. Mensah gives Miami both accuracy and big-play ability. He also brings valuable experience from last season’s ACC Championship Game run.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California

Sagapolutele could challenge Mensah for the conference’s top spot. He impressed as a true freshman at California last season. Sagapolutele threw for 3,454 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also threw only nine interceptions. Most importantly, he returns for another season with the Golden Bears. Cal also rebuilt its offense around his strengths. That combination gives Sagapolutele enormous breakout potential.

Kevin Jennings, SMU

Kevin Jennings brings perhaps the best combination of experience and production. He enters his third season as SMU’s primary starter. Jennings improved his passing numbers considerably last season. His completion percentage climbed from 65.0 to 66.1 percent. His passing yards per game also jumped to 280.1. He also brings proven leadership to an SMU team with major expectations. The Mustangs enter the season ranked No. 19 nationally.

C.J. Bailey, NC State

C.J. Bailey deserves serious respect entering the season. He owns the experience needed to handle major ACC games. Bailey combines pocket passing with enough mobility to extend plays. NC State also received a strong preseason projection. The Wolfpack finished seventh in the ACC media poll. A strong season could push Bailey into the conference’s elite quarterback conversation.

Mason Heintschel, Pittsburgh

Mason Heintschel brings significant upside to Pittsburgh. He ranks among the ACC quarterbacks with legitimate breakout potential. Heintschel also benefits from Pittsburgh’s confidence in his development. The Panthers ranked ninth in the ACC preseason media poll. He could climb this ranking quickly with a strong opening month.

Lincoln Kienholz, Louisville

Lincoln Kienholz brings intriguing potential to Louisville. The former Ohio State quarterback transferred to the Cardinals this offseason. Louisville enters 2026 ranked No. 24 nationally. The Cardinals also finished third in the ACC preseason media poll. That creates significant expectations for Kienholz. His athletic ability could make him dangerous outside the pocket.

Steve Angeli, Syracuse

Steve Angeli gives Syracuse a proven quarterback with major upside. The Notre Dame transfer showed flashes before suffering an Achilles injury. His return could transform Syracuse’s offense. The Orange struggled badly after Angeli left the lineup last season. If Angeli stays healthy, he could move several spots higher.

Ethan Grunkemeyer, Virginia Tech

Ethan Grunkemeyer has one of the more interesting stories. He transferred from Penn State after gaining valuable starting experience. Grunkemeyer handled a difficult schedule after Drew Allar suffered an injury. He then helped Penn State reach bowl eligibility. He now reunites with James Franklin at Virginia Tech. That familiarity should help him adjust quickly.

Christopher Vizzina, Clemson

Christopher Vizzina enters an important season at Clemson. He has the talent to become one of the ACC’s biggest surprises. However, questions remain because of his limited starting experience. Clemson also carries major expectations every season. The Tigers ranked fourth in the ACC preseason media poll. Vizzina could make a major jump with consistent decision-making.

Beau Pribula, Virginia

Beau Pribula brings athletic ability and playmaking potential to Virginia. He also gives the Cavaliers an intriguing quarterback option. Virginia ranked sixth in the ACC preseason media poll. That ranking reflects confidence in the overall roster. Pribula’s performance could determine how far Virginia goes.

Gio Lopez, Wake Forest

Gio Lopez enters the season with plenty to prove. Wake Forest needs consistent quarterback play to compete in the ACC. Lopez brings mobility and experience to the position. He also has the chance to become one of the conference’s surprise performers. Wake Forest ranked 13th in the ACC preseason media poll. A breakout season would quickly change that outlook.

Ashton Daniels, Florida State

Ashton Daniels takes over an important position at Florida State. The Seminoles need better quarterback play after recent struggles. Daniels brings experience and mobility to the offense. Still, questions surround Florida State’s overall roster construction. The Seminoles ranked 11th in the ACC preseason media poll. Daniels could outperform this ranking if everything clicks.

Walker Eget, Duke

Walker Eget enters a difficult situation at Duke. The Blue Devils lost Darian Mensah after his excellent 2025 season. Eget now gets the opportunity to establish himself. He brings experience from San Jose State and enters a major challenge. Duke ranked 10th in the ACC preseason media poll. The transition from Mensah to Eget creates plenty of uncertainty.

Billy Edwards Jr., North Carolina

Billy Edwards Jr. won the starting job at North Carolina. He beat out Texas A&M transfer Miles O’Neill. Edwards brings starting experience from Maryland. He threw for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns during the 2024 season. North Carolina needs that experience after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Edwards gives the Tar Heels a legitimate chance to improve.

Alberto Mendoza, Georgia Tech

Alberto Mendoza brings intriguing potential to Georgia Tech. He saw limited action at Indiana last season. Mendoza completed 75 percent of his passes during that limited sample. He also recorded five touchdown passes and one interception. Georgia Tech offers an excellent system for quarterback development. Still, Mendoza must prove himself as a full-time starter.

Mason McKenzie, Boston College

Mason McKenzie faces a major challenge at Boston College. The Eagles have significant questions throughout the roster. McKenzie transferred from Saginaw State for the 2026 season. He now steps into a completely revamped quarterback room. Boston College ranked 16th in the ACC preseason media poll. McKenzie could outperform this ranking, but he has much to prove.

Davis Warren, Stanford

Davis Warren rounds out the rankings at No. 17. Stanford enters the season with plenty of uncertainty. Warren brings experience from Michigan and now gets another opportunity. However, Stanford ranked last in the ACC preseason media poll. The Cardinal need Warren to provide stability. They also need improvement across the entire offense.

The Bottom Line

The ACC has plenty of quarterback talent heading into 2026. However, Miami clearly owns the conference’s biggest quarterback advantage. Mensah has the production to lead the group. Sagapolutele could challenge him with another impressive season. Jennings and Bailey also provide proven options near the top. Meanwhile, several transfers could dramatically change the rankings. That makes the ACC quarterback race especially fascinating this season. Several players could climb after the first few weeks. For now, Mensah deserves the top spot. Still, Sagapolutele may have the highest chance to challenge him. The quarterback position could ultimately decide the ACC championship race. Miami, SMU, Louisville, and Clemson all enter with major expectations. That makes the 2026 ACC quarterback battle one of college football’s best storylines.

About Post Author

Bradley Walker

Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball. Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour. In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights. He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.

bradleywalker3083@gmail.com

http://ngscsports.com

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Bradley Walker: Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.

Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.

In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.

He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.