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Intrigue abounds concerning the quarterbacks of the Atlantic Coast Conference as the 2024 season approaches. Almost half the ACC's expected starting signal callers came from the transfer portal, and three are the conference's creme of the crop. Though the start of the 2024 college football season is still a couple of months away, it’s never too early to start looking ahead. Here are the top 5 ACC quarterbacks for the 2024 season.
No. 1 ACC Quarterback: Cam Ward, Miami
There's a good chance that former Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward will be the 2024 transfer portal's most impactful player. During the spring, Ward has emerged as Miami’s best offensive player.
After lighting up the FCS at Incarnate Word in 2021, Ward had a bit of an up-and-down tenure at Washington State. However, last season on the Palouse, Ward had 3,735 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions. He completed approximately 67 percent of his passes. Now at Miami, he’ll fit perfectly into offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson's system.
Ward is an ideal fit for Miami’s offense and is projected to be the top quarterback in the ACC for 2024. With Houston transfer Sam Brown joining a receiving corps returning its top two playmakers in slot savant Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby Geroge, and with the Hurricanes bringing in four-star freshman Ny Carr, Ward has the weapons to hold his No. 1 spot in the 2024 ACC QB rankings throughout the season. Considered a Day 2 NFL Draft prospect, Ward is experienced, talented and accurate.
No. 2: Grayson McCall, North Carolina State
During his time at Coastal Carolina, McCall completed over 70 percent of his passes for 10,005 yards with 88 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, while rushing 350 times for 1,113 yards and 18 scores. He was a three-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, a four-time all-conference first-teamer, and the Sun Belt's Freshman of the Year in 2020.
The three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year did not meet expectations last year, with just 1,919 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. However, his numbers were limited due to a head injury that caused him to miss multiple games at season's end. With McCall healthy again and playing for coach Dave Doreen, the Wolfpack will have a good chance for their first bowl win since 2017.
No. 3: DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State
Well, this is awkward. The quarterback chased away from Clemson in favor of Cade Klubnik is back ahead of the Tigers' starter in the rankings. Many wondered how Uiagalelei would fare in the Pac-12 Conference at Oregon State, and he provided a positive answer in 2023, with 2,638 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions. Uiagalelei will get a further opportunity for redemption after an inconsistent showing during three years with Clemson.
Florida State coach Mike Norvell has loaded the Seminoles' roster with plenty of talented playmakers, ensuring Uiagalelei will have many targets. So it’s up to the redshirt senior to take advantage of chances presented in Norvell's run-heavy and rhythm-based scheme. Although Uiagalelei is immensely talented, he’s been good but not great throughout his collegiate career. Still, love or hate him, he deserves this ranking.
No. 4: Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Klubnik averaged 6.3 yards per pass attempt last fall, the fewest in the ACC. This was a sign that much of the Clemson passing attack consisted of short routes and check-downs. The meager average completion rate likely stemmed from a lack of trust issue and a lack of playmakers on the outside. On the season, Klubnik threw for 2,844 yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
He only had six touchdown passes over his final six starts, which is a little concerning. There is pressure on Klubnik to live up to his five-star billing this fall. His potential in this Clemson offense is still high, and there is no reason he can’t have a breakout season in 2024.
No. 5: Haynes King, Georgia Tech
Rounding out the top 5 is former Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King, who came on the scene last fall at Georgia Tech with a standout season. He has the Yellow Jackets positioned as a dark-horse ACC contender ahead of the 2024 campaign. The former four-star recruit is beginning to show the traits that made him a much-coveted prospect out of Texas.
The one major criticism of King is that he trusts his arm too much. Last season, he had 2,842 passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns, which was good, but he threw 16 interceptions. On the bright side, he added 737 rushing yards including 10 touchdown runs, leading Georgia Tech to its first winning season since 2018. Despite a tough schedule, King will give Georgia Tech a chance in every game, and with a full year of starts under his belt, he should enjoy another standout performance in 2024.
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