With college football’s Week 1 action creeping closer, ACC and Big 12 QBs are finally being named. Many schools haven’t made official decisions, but are returning with productive stars who are certain to start. Others might go down to gametime before announcing, but here’s a best guess at even those teams. As things stand, here are the likely starting QBs for the schools of the ACC and the Big 12.
ACC and Big 12 Starting QBs
ACC Starting QBs
Boston College: Grayson James
A transfer from Florida International, James took over the BC job late last year and threw for 1,202 yards and six scores. His half-year of experience should be helpful this season.
California: Devin Brown
An Ohio State transfer, Brown threw 48 passes in three seasons with the Buckeyes. He’s starting anew at Cal.
Clemson: Cade Klubnik
Arguably the nation’s top passer, Klubnik threw for 3,639 yards and 36 scores in leading Clemson to the CFP a year ago. He’s a highly-regarded NFL prospect.
Duke: Darian Mensah
A transfer from Tulane, Mensah passed for 2,723 yards and 22 scores last year for the Green Wave.
Florida State: Thomas Castellanos
A former starter at Boston College, Castellanos threw for 3,614 yards and 33 scores in two up-and-down seasons there. He’s the man for Florida State in 2025.
Georgia Tech: Haynes King
A former Texas A&M standout, King has been solid for two years starting at Tech. Last year, he threw for 2,114 yards and 14 scores against just two interceptions.
Louisville: Miller Moss
A former USC starter, Moss passed for 2,555 yards and 18 scores there a season ago. He’ll use his last season of eligibility at Louisville.
Miami: Carson Beck
A two-year starter at Georgia, Beck passed for 7,912 yards and 58 scores at UGA. His 2024 season was a mild disappointment, but he’s starting fresh at Miami.
North Carolina: Gio Lopez
A South Alabama transfer, Lopez likely beats out veteran Max Johnson. A year ago at South Alabama, Lopez threw for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns.
North Carolina State: CJ Bailey
Bailey stood out as a freshman at State, throwing for 2,413 yards and 17 touchdowns. He ran for 279 more yards and five touchdowns.
Pittsburgh: Eli Holstein
An Alabama transfer, Holstein threw for 2,228 yards and 17 touchdowns last year for the Panthers.
SMU: Kevin Jennings
Jennings had a massive season for SMU a year ago, passing for 3,243 yards and 23 scores while running for 354 yards and five more touchdowns.
Syracuse: Rickie Collins
A transfer from LSU, Collins threw only seven passes in two seasons as a Tiger.
Virginia: Chandler Morris
On his fourth school, the veteran of Oklahoma, TCU, and North Texas comes off a season with 3,774 yards and 31 touchdowns with the Mean Green.
Virginia Tech: Kyron Drones
After sitting out two years at Baylor, Drones has played two years at Tech, throwing for 3,647 yards and 27 touchdowns there. He has rushed for another 1,154 yards and 11 scores at VT.
Wake Forest: Robby Ashford
After two years at Auburn and one at South Carolina, Ashford is a Demon Deacon for his last season. He has thrown for 2,082 yards and 11 scores in his college career, but also rushed for 1,154 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Big 12 QBs
Arizona- Noah Fifita
A two-year starter at Arizona, Fifita struggled a bit in 2024, passing for 2,958 yards and 18 scores, but also 12 interceptions. He’ll likely be better this time around.
Arizona State- Sam Leavitt
After sitting at Michigan State, Leavitt starred at ASU. He threw for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns while running for 443 yards and five more scores.
Baylor- Sawyer Robertson
The Mississippi State transfer came into his own last year for the Bears. Robertson passed for 3,071 yards and 28 touchdowns and should shine again.
BYU- Bear Bachmeier
A true freshman, Bachmeier wins the job after the circus around Jake Retzlaff, who ended up at Tulane.
Cincinnati- Brendan Sorsby
After transferring from Indiana, Sorsby was solid for Cincy last year, throwing for 2,813 yards and 18 touchdowns, while rushing for 447 yards and nine scores.
Colorado- Kaidon Salter
Salter comes from Liberty, where he had a massive 2023 season but a disappointing 2024. Can Coach Prime get him back on track?
Houston- Conner Weigman
After three years of competing for but never locking down the Texas A&M job, Weigman is a Houston Cougar. He threw for 2,694 yards and 19 touchdowns in parts of three seasons as an Aggie.
Iowa State- Rocco Becht
After a pair of 3,000-yard seasons, Becht is a steady veteran presence. Last year, he passed for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Kansas- Jalon Daniels
A dual-threat standout, Daniels passed for 2,454 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. If he can stay healthy, he could shine this year.
Kansas State- Avery Johnson
Johnson was brilliant in 2024, throwing for 2,712 yards and 25 scores for the Wildcats while running for another 605 yards and seven touchdowns.
Oklahoma State- Hauss Hejny
Hejny played sparingly as a running QB at TCU, but is now taking over at OSU.
TCU- Josh Hoover
Hoover had an epic 2024 season, throwing for 3,919 yards and 27 touchdowns in his second year as a starter for the Horned Frogs.
Texas Tech- Behren Morton
Morton worked his way into this job over four seasons. Last year, he passed for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns for the Red Raiders.
UCF- Tayven Jackson
A transfer from Tennessee and Indiana, Jackson is an elite athlete who has played sparingly, with 1,300 yards and six college TD passes.
Utah- Devon Dampier
A transfer from New Mexico, Dampier threw for 2,768 yards and 12 touchdowns there last year. He also rushed for 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns.
West Virginia- Nicco Marchiol
A backup for three seasons, Marchiol has thrown for 742 yards and eight TDs in minimal action.
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