Rece Davis reveals the ACC's top quarterback, qualifies pick with serious concerns

ESPN College Football commentator and analyst Rece Davis gave his take on which quarterbacks in the ACC will have a breakout season in 2022 – and his answer may come as a surprise to some.

“I’m going to say, Tyler Van Dyke from Miami even though [there’s a] new offensive coordinator, new system – I get it,” Davis said on a recent episode of Gramlich & Mac Lain. “… I go Van Dyke by a hair over Brennan Armstrong. Armstrong doesn’t have any of his offensive line back. He’s got a new system, but I mean, he’s fun to watch, too, so just by a hair.”

Armstrong put up 4,444 yards passing and 40 total touchdowns in just his second season as Virginia‘s starter. He led the Cavaliers to a 6-6 record and trip to the Fenway Bowl. With the option to leave for the NFL this past offseason, he decided to stay for a final year, though Armstrong isn’t a proven leader, yet.

Though for Van Dyke, his near 3,000-yard, 25 touchdown season in 2021, gives Davis the hope he needs to back up the Connecticut native ahead of what he believes to be a breakout season for the junior. In fact, Davis sees Van Dyke as being the best pro prospect throughout the quarterback-rich ACC – though his praises come with reservations as well.

“Also remember that last year I was ready – and I still love him – But I was ready to give the Heisman to Sam Howell last [preseason],” Davis said. “[Howell] carried [North Carolina] on his back and that’s not a shot at him. But I said that to say that’s what gives me pause a little bit about Van Dyke because of the new system around him, and they do have some offensive line issues.”

Davis’ concerns for Armstrong and Van Dyke come not because of their individual talents – but because of the systems they are in and the athletes that can make an impact around them.

Kirk Herbstreit tabs his top ACC quarterbacks entering 2022 season

Just like Davis, fellow College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit discussed with Gramlich & Mac Lain which ACC quarterbacks he believed would have breakout seasons.

“There’s just so many talented guys,” Herbstreit said. “Even with [Kedon] Slovis coming over from Pitt after the last year that [Kenny] Pickett had. I love Malik Cunningham at Louisville as a guy that’s really become dangerous as a passer, not just running the way he was early in his career. 

“I think Devin Leary has a chance to have a monster year. Kind of a guy that when you bring up all the names, he tends to, and I think them as a program, they play with a chip on their shoulder, they like to be disrespected and he kind of embodies that. I don’t know this year, maybe he’ll get more attention. He should – but I would put him up there.”

NC State‘s Leary is entering his second season as the Wolfpack’s primary signal caller, where he led his squad to a 9-3 record and was ranked as high as 18 in the AP Top 25 last season. With a 6-2 conference record, Leary has the chance to lead NC State to its first ACC title since 1979 if Herbstreit’s praises pan out.