The most updated ACC quarterback rankings are here. Following the action from Week 9, here are the top ACC QBs, ranked from 1 to 17.
2024 ACC QB Rankings
As with all of our conference rankings and our national quarterback evaluations, the ACC QB rankings below consider everything involved with quarterbacking at the major college football level.
While statistics are listed, they were not the lone deciding factor in ranking the athletes.
Other factors in these rankings include but are not limited to game film, injury history, play-calling, offensive system knowledge and continuity, general quarterbacking mechanics, level of competition, the elevation of supporting casts, and several other influential factors.
All Other QB Rankings
National 1-134 | B1G | Big 12 | SEC | Pac-12 | AAC | CUSA | MAC | MWC | Sun Belt | Independent
Tier 1: The Elite ACC QBs
1) Cam Ward, Miami
The best QB in the ACC is none other than Cam Ward. With 24 passing touchdowns to his credit, it’s no wonder why Ward is one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy at this point of the season. Ward is playing the best football of his career and playing with an effortless swagger on top of it all.
Tier 2: Well-Above-Average ACC QBs
2) Cade Klubnik, Clemson
The best season of Cade Klubnik’s career has put Clemson in the driver’s seat for one of the ACC Championship Game slots. He’s thrown for 20 touchdowns against three picks while is averaging over 2.0 yards per attempt more than he did a season ago.
3) Tyler Shough, Louisville
It’s been a relatively clean and sharp performance all season long for Tyler Shough and Louisville. They may need a little help to get to the ACC Championship, but when Shough is on top of his game, few are more accurate to every level of the field.
4) Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh
What a season so far for Eli Holstein and Pittsburgh. Though they got to 7-0 on the backs of their defense the past two outings, Holstein’s play has been a revelation. He’s thrown for 17 touchdowns and over 1,800 yards, though he’s been held under 150 in each of the past two games.
Tier 3: Above-Average ACC QBs
5) Haynes King, Georgia Tech
Haynes King is the lifeblood for the Georgia Tech offense and his absence over the past two weeks has shown that more than ever. When he’s healthy, King’s dual-threat ability is among the best in the ACC and he immediately makes Tech a contender in every game he plays. They need him back.
6) Thomas Castellanos, Boston College
There are lofty comparisons for Thomas Castellanos to achieve, but one thing is certain at this point: If he continues to master the pro-style offense from Bill O’Brien, he’ll be nearly unstoppable. He’s a creative magician with his legs, and if he hones in on his accuracy, he’ll quickly rise these rankings this season or the next.
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7) Fernando Mendoza, Cal
Fernando Mendoza has shown why he won the job out of camp for Cal, despite some sluggish overall performances by his team. They got back on the right foot against Oregon State in Week 9 and Mendoza was the reason, throwing two touchdowns and averaging a near-season high 10.1 yards per attempt. More of that is needed.
8) Kevin Jennings, SMU
Kevin Jennings gives SMU a chance to win just about every game on their schedule and that’s the reason he originally took over for Preston Stone and the reason why he’s kept the job ever since. Jennings has some growth to do with his downfield accuracy and consistency, but he’s a dynamic athlete with a powerful arm all the same.
Tier 4: Average ACC QBs
9) Kyle McCord, Syracuse
The good of Kyle McCord ranks him a top-three quarterback in the ACC. The bad of Kyle McCord ranks him a bottom-three quarterback in the ACC. Somewhere in the middle is where Syracuse needs him to find consistency, as they can’t afford to have him play like he did against Pittsburgh ever again.
10) Hank Bachmeier, Wake Forest
Things haven’t quite gone the way they wanted them to go at Wake Forest, but since Hank Bachmeier has officially taken over, it’s certainly looked like he’s gotten more and more comfortable. In Week 9, he used his creation capacity from inside the pocket to maneuver to easy throwing lanes and secured the win behind his three touchdowns. A bowl game is within reach if Bachmeier plays like this consistently.
11) Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech Hokies haven’t quite been what they thought they might be at this stage of the Kyron Drones era, especially after what he showcased a year ago. However, he’s still a dynamic athlete who can spark the Hokies offense when needed. Ball security continues to be an issue in 2024, however.
12) CJ Bailey, NC State
We’re watching CJ Bailey grow in front of our eyes after Grayson McCall retired from football this year. Bailey, who was inserted into the action way back in Week 3 and has four starts to his credit, has thrown for eight touchdowns against four interceptions, however, only two of those picks have come in his starts as he’s clearly gotten adjusted to the speed of the game with every week.
13) Maalik Murphy, Duke
There is a ton of talent in Maalik Murphy’s arm, perhaps too much at times. He’ll struggle to find his receivers accurately when he has to take something off his throws and layer shots, but when he figures those throws out, he’s been nearly unstoppable. The Duke defense has carried them so far in 2024, and if Murphy increases his accuracy to each level of the field, they could have something special under Manny Diaz and Murphy.
Tier 5: Work-To-Be-Done ACC QBs
14) Jacolby Criswell, North Carolina
The season that was supposed to be for North Carolina quickly washed away with Max Johnson’s injury back in August. Jacolby Criswell has done an admirable job since he took over back in Week 4, but there’s something missing from the UNC offense with him behind center. He finally found his groove against an overmatched Virginia team, and that’s the roadmap to winning some games down the stretch.
15) Anthony Colandrea, Virginia
Anthony Colandrea went from fearless gunslinger in 2023 to a scared game manager, unwilling to risk it. In doing so, when he is forced to go downfield, Colandrea’s accuracy struggles as does his decision-making. Let him rip it, Tony Elliott, let him rip it, because your schedule is ridiculously tough the rest of the way.
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16) Ashton Daniels, Stanford
Still one of the most frustrating players to evaluate in all of college football, Ashton Daniels is incredibly talented. Yet, he can’t seem to process the proceedings in front of him to save his life. Stanford’s offense hasn’t done him many favors this season, and Daniels has flashed his high-level potential. It just comes at times when the results are already out of reach.
17) D.J. Uiagalelei/Brock Glenn, Florida State
There is no better way to say this: Florida State’s quarterback situation is abysmal. D.J. Uiagalelei is “out an undisclosed” amount of time with his finger injury and Brock Glenn has been downright terrible in his place. With 2024 officially a lost season for the Seminoles, there should be absolutely no reason that Luke Kromenhoek doesn’t take every single snap from here on out.
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