While the ACC wasn’t necessarily the best conference in the country this season, it was loaded with quarterback talent. Evidently, fans shouldn’t expect 2025 to be any different.



On Tuesday, ESPN <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/43336264/predicting-starting-quarterbacks-college-football-power-4-teams-2025">predicted</a> the starting quarterback for every ACC team in the 2025 campaign. Moreover, the outlet revealed who will be the QB1’s competition for the coveted starting spot behind center.



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With familiar favorites and fresh faces alike highlighting ESPN’s list, let’s dive into the predictions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boston-college"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/boston-college-eagles/">Boston College</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/grayson-james-144935/">Grayson James</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/dylan-lonergan-39958/">Dylan Lonergan</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jacobe-robinson-52327/">Jacobe Robinson</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/shaker-reisig-152951/">Shaker Reisig</a>



Grayson James returns as Boston College’s most experienced quarterback option, with four collegiate seasons under his belt. James started the final four games of the 2024 season after replacing Thomas Castellanos, who transferred to Florida State after the season.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-california"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/california-golden-bears/">California</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jaron-keawe-sagapolutele-158482/">Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cj-harris-23610/">CJ Harris</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ej-caminong-153185/">EJ Caminong</a>



ESPN expects California to give freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele from Day 1. In fairness, Sagapolutele’s ceiling is high. He was a four-star prospect and the No. 7 QB in the 2025 recruiting cycle, according to the <a href="https://www.on3.com/news/on3-industry-ratings-rankings/">On3 Industry Ranking</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clemson"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/clemson-tigers/">Clemson</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/22102110/ut_vs_clemson-9791_klubnick-1024x538.jpg" alt="Cade Klubnik" class="wp-image-2992226" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/22102110/ut_vs_clemson-9791_klubnick-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/22102110/ut_vs_clemson-9791_klubnick-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/22102110/ut_vs_clemson-9791_klubnick-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/22102110/ut_vs_clemson-9791_klubnick-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/22102110/ut_vs_clemson-9791_klubnick.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cade Klubnik (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)</figcaption></figure>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cade-klubnik-16612/">Cade Klubnik</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/christopher-vizzina-23432/">Christopher Vizzina</a>



There isn’t a question who will be starting for Clemson in the 2025 campaign. Cade Klubnik had a standout 2024 season, racking up 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns while only throwing six interceptions. Next season, Klubnik will look to lead Clemson to its second-straight ACC title and, with luck, compete for the national title.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-duke"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/duke-blue-devils/">Duke</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/darian-mensah-153939/">Darian Mensah</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/henry-belin-47948/">Henry Belin IV</a>



After <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/maalik-murphy-81109/">Maalik Murphy</a> entered the transfer portal following the season, Duke was left without a clear QB1. <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/tulane-green-wave/">Tulane</a> transfer Darian Mensah fills that hole. Mensah was excellent for Tulane this past season, tallying 2,723 passing yards and 22 TDs compared to just six interceptions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-florida-state"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/florida-state-seminoles/">Florida State</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/thomas-castellanos-112260/">Thomas Castellanos</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/brock-glenn-15043/">Brock Glenn</a>



After a tumultuous season behind center, Florida State is starting from scratch by bringing in Boston College transfer Thomas Castellanos. The dual-threat QB showed flashes of greatness at BC but struggled in new head coach <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/coach/bill-obrien-132632/">Bill O’Brien</a>‘s system. ESPN expects Castellanos to fit much better within FSU offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn’s game plans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-georgia-tech"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/georgia-tech-yellow-jackets/">Georgia Tech</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/16073410/king-1024x538.png" alt="notre dame georgia tech haynes king" class="wp-image-2797779" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/16073410/king-1024x538.png 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/16073410/king-300x158.png 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/16073410/king-768x403.png 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/16073410/king-50x26.png 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/10/16073410/king.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King goes to throw against North Carolina. (Photo by Bob Donnan-Imagn Images)</figcaption></figure>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/haynes-king-47875/">Haynes King</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/aaron-philo-146069/">Aaron Philo</a>



Haynes King is the face of Georgia Tech football and that isn’t changing next season. Throwing for over 2,000 yards and rushing for more than 500, King led the Yellow Jackets to standout wins over FSU, Miami and NC State this season.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-louisville"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/louisville-cardinals/">Louisville</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/miller-moss-89771/">Miller Moss</a> Competition: None



Miller Moss is in the driver’s seat at Louisville in 2025 and the road is clear. After two Louisville quarterbacks entered the transfer portal this offseason, Moss is Louisville’s man. The former <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/usc-trojans/">USC</a> starter should feel confident. Few coaches have found more success with veteran QBs in the transfer portal than Louisville head coach <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/coach/jeff-brohm-133414/">Jeff Brohm</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-miami"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/miami-hurricanes/">Miami</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/02224308/Carson-Beck-2-1024x538.jpg" alt="Carson Beck Georgia" class="wp-image-2935159" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/02224308/Carson-Beck-2-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/02224308/Carson-Beck-2-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/02224308/Carson-Beck-2-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/02224308/Carson-Beck-2-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/02224308/Carson-Beck-2.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) drops back to pass against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/carson-beck-18711/">Carson Beck</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/emory-williams-151457/">Emory Williams</a>



Carson Beck sent shockwaves through the college football landscape last week when he committed to Miami via the NCAA Transfer Portal. Beck had an up-and-down season at <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/georgia-bulldogs/">Georgia</a> but will be a spectacular replacement to Heisman Trophy finalist <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cam-ward-18163/">Cam Ward</a>, who is entering the <a href="https://www.on3.com/pro/category/nfl-draft/news/">2025 NFL Draft</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-north-carolina"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/north-carolina-tar-heels/">North Carolina</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jacolby-criswell-52407/">Jacolby Criswell</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/max-johnson-142049/">Max Johnson</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/bryce-baker-176398/">Bryce Baker</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/ryan-browne-102963/">Ryan Browne</a>



North Carolina is entering a new era under head coach <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/coach/bill-belichick-132037/">Bill Belichick</a>. While that’s exciting, it also brings some uncertainty. For now, Jacolby Criswell seems to be the favorite to start next season. He started 10 games for the Tar Heels this season, recording 2,459 passing yards and 18 total TDs while committing 10 turnovers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nc-state"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/nc-state-wolfpack/">NC State</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/cj-bailey-151582/">CJ Bailey</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/lex-thomas-146254/">Lex Thomas</a>



CJ Bailey took the reins in NC State’s offense last season <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/grayson-mccall-46678/">Grayson McCall</a> suffered a season-ending concussion. While it wasn’t always perfect, Bailey showed real promise, finishing the year with 2,413 passing yards, 279 rushing yards and 22 total TDs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pittsburgh"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/pittsburgh-panthers/">Pittsburgh</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/eli-holstein-40953/">Eli Holstein</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/julian-dugger-154708/">Julian Dugger</a>



Eli Holstein transferred in to Pittsburgh from <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/">Alabama</a> ahead of this past season. He lived up to his billing, completing 62% of his passes for 2,228 yards and 17 TDs. Although Holstein led the Panthers to a 7-0 start, the team lost their final six games of the season. Holstein and Co. will look to bounce back as they head into 2025.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smu"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/smu-mustangs/">SMU</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/21183123/Kevin-Jennings1-1024x538.jpg" alt="everything-smu-qb-kevin-jennings-said-after-loss-penn-state" class="wp-image-2991036" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/21183123/Kevin-Jennings1-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/21183123/Kevin-Jennings1-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/21183123/Kevin-Jennings1-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/21183123/Kevin-Jennings1-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/12/21183123/Kevin-Jennings1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dec 21, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) avoids a sack by Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas (91) during the first half at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/kevin-jennings-149795/">Kevin Jennings</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/tyler-van-dyke-118203/">Tyler Van Dyke</a>, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/keldric-luster-72327/">Keldric Luster</a>



After splitting snaps early in the season with <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/preston-stone-96881/">Preston Stone</a>, Kevin Jennings became SMU’s sole starting quarterback. The Mustangs never looked back, racing all the way to the program’s first appearance in the <a href="https://www.on3.com/category/college-football-playoff/news/">College Football Playoff</a>. With Jennings back next season, SMU will look to stun the nation once again.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stanford"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/stanford-cardinal/">Stanford</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/elijah-brown-41099/">Elijah Brown</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/bear-bachmeier-150597/">Bear Bachmeier</a> In three appearances last season, Brown completed 58.3% of his passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns while throwing three interceptions. Now, Brown will be thrust into the spotlight with a program’s future on his shoulders. The Stanford faithful can only hope the redshirt freshman is ready.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-syracuse"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/syracuse-orange/">Syracuse</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/rickie-collins-100212/">Rickie Collins</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jakhari-williams-152249/">Jakhari Williams</a> Rickie Collins transferred to Syracuse from <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/lsu-tigers/">LSU</a> on Dec. 20. Collins only played 32 snaps in his two seasons with the Tigers. Now, the former-four star prospect will have a chance to prove himself in a budding Syracuse program. Collins has three years of eligibility remaining.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virginia"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/virginia-cavaliers/">Virginia</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/chandler-morris-19920/">Chandler Morris</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/daniel-kaelin-145433/">Daniel Kaelin</a> The Cavaliers hit the portal hard this offseason, bringing in both <a href="https://www.on3.com/college/north-texas-mean-green/">North Texas</a>‘ Chandler Morris and <a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/nebraska-cornhuskers/">Nebraska</a>‘s Daniel Kaelin. Right now, it seems like Kaelin will be stuck playing second fiddle again, as Morris boasts the advantage in experience and success. In his lone season at North Texas, Morris erupted for 3,774 passing yards and 31 touchdowns (sixth most nationally).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virginia-tech"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/virginia-tech-hokies/">Virginia Tech</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="538" src="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/01115033/Kyron-Drones-Virginia-Tech-1024x538.jpg" alt="Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech" class="wp-image-2675790" srcset="https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/01115033/Kyron-Drones-Virginia-Tech-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/01115033/Kyron-Drones-Virginia-Tech-300x158.jpg 300w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/01115033/Kyron-Drones-Virginia-Tech-768x403.jpg 768w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/01115033/Kyron-Drones-Virginia-Tech-50x26.jpg 50w, https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/09/01115033/Kyron-Drones-Virginia-Tech.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech – © Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/kyron-drones-77267/">Kyron Drones</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/william-watson-iii-121411/">William Watson III</a> Kyron Drones and Virginia Tech are running it back next season. Whether or not that’s a good thing, only time will tell. Drones had a down season for the Hokies, recording just 10 passing scores compared to six picks. Nonetheless, Drones will look to redeem himself in 2025 and return the Hokies to winning territory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wake-forest"><a href="https://www.on3.com/college/wake-forest-demon-deacons/">Wake Forest</a></h2>



Projected starter: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/robby-ashford-100872/">Robby Ashford</a> Competition: <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/jeremy-hecklinski-146095/">Jeremy Hecklinski</a>, Tyler Mizzell, <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/steele-pizzella-151639/">Steele Pizzella</a> Robby Ashford seems the most likely option to be Wake Forest’s starting quarterback in head coach <a href="https://www.on3.com/db/coach/jake-dickert-135359/">Jake Dickert</a>‘s first season at the helm of the program. With 10 starts at Auburn last season, Ashford has an experience advantage over the others in the QB room.

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