ESPN predicts 2026 starting QB for every ACC team

The ACC heads into the 2026 season fresh off a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, represented by the Miami Hurricanes. Although the ‘Canes fell just short, they became the first team from the conference to reach the game since Clemson in 2019.

Strong quarterback play was spread out across the conference, headlined by names such as Miami‘s Carson Beck, Duke‘s Darian Mensah, Georgia Tech‘s Haynes King, Virginia‘s Chandler Morris, and Clemson‘s Cade Klubnik.

There are many new quarterbacks entering the ACC this season, whether that be through the Transfer Portal or other means. Months before kick-off in August, ESPN took its best guess at projecting the starter at all 16 programs.

Boston College Eagles

2026 starter: Mason McKenzie (Saginaw Valley State transfer)

Mason McKenzie will likely be one of the least known starting quarterbacks in Power-Four football when play kicks off in August. McKenzie makes his way to Boston College after spending three seasons at Division II Sagniway Valley State. In that span, McKenzie totaled 4,301 passing yards with 31 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. The Eagles are looking to bounce back from a disastrous 2-10 season and return for the postseason for just the third time in the past seven seasons.

California Golden Bears

2026 starter: Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (second season with program)

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele burst onto the scene as a true freshman last season, throwing for 3,454 yards and 18 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. JKS led the Golden Bears to a 7-6 record and the program’s third consecutive bowl game appearance (with an interim head coach). Rumors swirled that JKS would enter the Portal and become of the most coveted players, but that did not happen and he is expected to be one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC next season.

Clemson Tigers

2026 starter: Christopher Vizzina (fourth season with program)

Following three seasons of sitting behind Cade Klubnik, Chris Vizzina looks to finally be getting a chance to shine for Clemson in 2026. The Birmingham native has appeared in 14 career games, totaling 596 passing yards with four touchdowns and just one interception. Vizzina’s lone start came last season in place of Klubnik, who was dealing with an injury. He passed for 317 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-24 loss to SMU, becoming the first Clemson quarterback to throw three-plus touchdowns in his starting debut since Deshaun Watson (2014).

Duke Blue Devils

2026 starter: Dan Mahan (second season with program)

Duke‘s starting quarterback race is far from being decided, as it landed a commitment from San Jose State transfer quarterback Walker Eget following Darian Mensah‘s departure on Jan. 25. However, redshirt freshman quarterback Dan Mahan certainly has a shot to corral the job. Mahan was a three-star recruit in the Class of 2025, but has not yet seen game action.

Florida State Seminoles

2026 starter: Ashton Daniels (Auburn transfer)

For his final season of college football, Auburn quarterback Ashton Daniels transferred to Florida State. Daniels, who previously made a stop at Stanford before spending last season at Auburn, boasts 4,783 career passing yards with 24 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. He’s also a proven threat on the ground, having totaled 1,401 rushing yards and 11 rushing scores. In what will be a make or break year for Mike Norvell, a big season out of Daniels is needed. Florida State is just 7-17 since narrowly missing the College Football Playoff in 2023.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

2026 starter: Alberto Mendoza (Indiana transfer)

Georgia Tech has big shoes to fill at the quarterback position following the loss of the human swiss army knife Haynes King, but Indiana transfer quarterback Alberto Mendoza seems certainly capable of doing so. A National Champion and brother of Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, Alberto looks to cement his own legacy now in Atlanta. He appeared in 10 games across two seasons in Bloomington, totaling 292 passing yards with five touchdowns and one interception.

Louisville Cardinals

2026 starter: Lincoln Kienholz (Ohio State transfer)

Lincoln Kienholz was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, but never quite emerged as Ohio State‘s starting quarterback over his three years with the program. He now has a massive opportunity to pave his way to the NFL with Louisville, which just sent Tyler Shough to the league in the 2025 NFL Draft. Across 12 career games, Kienholz boasts 250 passing yards with one touchdown.

Miami Hurricanes

2026 starter: Darian Mensah (Duke transfer)

While Mensah has not yet committed to Miami, all signs point to the 305 as his next destination. Mensah, who transferred to Duke from Tulane prior to the 2025 season, was remarkable for head coach Manny Diaz and the Blue Devils in his lone season in Durham. Mensah’s 3,973 passing yards ranked second most in the country, while his 34 passing touchdowns were tied for second most in the country. With the San Luis Obispo, CA native leading the charge, Duke defeated No. 17 Virginia in the ACC Championship Game to win its first conference title since 1989.

North Carolina Tar Heels

2026 starter: Billy Edwards Jr. (Wisconsin transfer)

North Carolina and Bill Belichick are taking a flyer on Wisconsin transfer Billy Edwards Jr., who missed most of last season due to a left knee injury. UNC marks Edwards’ third program in five seasons, along with Wisconsin and Maryland. Edwards Jr. has appeared in 28 career games and boasts 3,435 career passing yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His health will be key to Belichick’s second season in Chapel Hill.

NC State Wolfpack

2026 starter: CJ Bailey (third season with program)

NC State‘s CJ Bailey is one of the most heralded quarterbacks returning to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Bailey is quickly forging his path as one of the NC State greats, as he’s totaled 5,518 yards, 42 touchdowns, and just 19 interceptions over the past two seasons. He’s also rushed for 494 yards and 11 more scores on the ground, resulting in a 14-12 record and a win in the 2025 Gasparilla Bowl for NC State over the past two years.

Pittsburgh Panthers

2026 starter: Mason Heintschel (second season with program)

Mason Heintschel assumed starting quarterback duties for Pittsburgh following a 2-2 start to the season and impressed mightily. In 10 games, the true freshman accrued 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns with eight interceptions. With the Oregon, OH native leading the way, the Panthers won six of their final nine games. Heintschel surpassed the 300-yard passing mark in four of his nine starts.

SMU Mustangs

2026 starter: Kevin Jennings (fifth season with program)

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, the most accomplished quarterback in the conference, is back for one final run with the Mustangs. Jennings, who led the program to an appearance in the 2024 College Football Playoff, boasts 7,709 career passing yards with 55 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. SMU is 20-7 over the past two seasons, and Jennings has been a major factor. After falling just short in 2024, an ACC Championship for Jennings would help cement his legacy in Dallas.

Stanford Cardinal

2026 starter: Davis Warren (Michigan transfer)

Davis Warren was surpassed on Michigan‘s depth chart last season by star freshman Bryce Underwood, leaving Warren no choice other than to hit the Transfer Portal this offseason. He ended up at Stanford with GM Andrew Luck, looking to lead the Cardinal to success in his final season of college football. Across 17 career games, Warren boasts 1,288 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Stanford is seeking a return to the postseason for the 2018.

Syracuse Orange

2026 starter: Steve Angeli (second season with program)

Steve Angeli was off to a very strong season for Syracuse in 2025 prior to suffering a season-ending injury in the Orange’s 34-21 win over Clemson on Sept. 20. In four games as Syracuse‘s starter, Angeli totaled 1,317 yards and 10 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Syracuse won three of its first four games with Angeli starting, but lost eight in a row to end the regular season without him.

Virginia Cavaliers

2026 starter: Beau Pribula (Missouri transfer)

Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula surprisingly hit the Transfer Portal following the 2025 campaign and ended up at Virginia under Tony Elliott. Pribula started 10 games for the Tigers last season, accruing 1,941 passing yards and 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He’ll replace veteran quarterback Chandler Morris, who led the Cavaliers to the ACC Championship Game.

Virginia Tech Hokies

2026 starter: Ethan Grunkemeyer (Penn State transfer)

Penn State transfer quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer followed James Franklin to Virginia Tech for his first season in Blacksburg. Grunkemeyer assumed starting duties for Penn State last season following Drew Allar‘s season-ending injury and led the Nittany Lions to a 4-3 record and a 22-10 win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl. In 10 games, the Lewis Center, OH native totaled 1,339 yards and eight touchdowns with four interceptions.