CFB: Ranking the 2021 ACC Starting Quarterbacks

14. Gunnar Holmberg, Luca Diamont, Jordan Moore: Duke

How do you make one of the shakiest quarterback situations in all of the Power 5 Conferences even shakier, you lose the starting quarterback. 2020 was a season to forget for Duke. They went 2-9 with their lone wins coming over one win Syracuse (We’ll get to them soon enough) and Charlotte. Duke finished 92nd in the country in points per game and 13th in the ACC.

A large reason for Duke’s woes on offense, besides an extremely subpar offensive line, was the issues at quarterback. Clemson transfer Chase Brice struggled mightily for the Blue Devils, throwing 5 more turnovers than touchdowns and completing passes at a 54% clip. 

Brice is now off to Appalachian State, leaving Duke with relatively no experience at quarterback. The only other Blue Devil to throw a touchdown last year was running back Deon Jackson. The most experienced quarterback on the roster is redshirt junior Gunnar Holmberg, a former 3-star recruit who only has thrown 25 passes in his collegiate career. Backup Luca Diamont has only thrown 8 passes. Unless one of the quarterbacks can step up and take a firm grasp of the starting job, there’s a lot of uncertainty at the position for Duke moving forward.

13. Tommy Devito, Garrett Shrader: Syracuse

Nothing went right for Syracuse last year. Two years removed from a 10-3 record and bowl game victory over Virginia, the Orange only managed to win one game last season. Syracuse only put up 17.8 points per game, dead last in the ACC. The Orange featured a carousel of quarterbacks, no quarterback impressing enough to keep the starting job. The offensive line was a massive issue, with little to no time for the quarterbacks to get the ball out.

Redshirt Junior Tommy Devito looks to have the edge in the race for the starting spot heading into the season. His experience and flashes of good play, in particular his 2019 season in which he threw 19 touchdowns, should give him the first crack at the starting job. Devito isn’t much of a rushing threat and struggled mightily with accuracy issues and overall bad line play in 2020. 

Giving competition is former Mississippi State Bulldog Garrett Shrader. Shrader split time with Tommy Stevens his freshman year before being cast aside by new head coach Mike Leach last year. While relatively unknown as a thrower, Shrader’s ability to run the ball might cause Syracuse to use both quarterbacks. The situation isn't the best, but there is some intrigue 

12. Jeff Sims: Georgia Tech

2020 was a rebuilding year for the Yellow Jackets as a whole. In the 2nd year under former Temple head coach Geoff Collins, the Yellow Jackets are trying the extremely difficult transition away from their famed flexbone offense under longtime coach Paul Johnson. The results were not there quite yet for Georgia Tech. They finished 2nd to last in the conference in points per game with 23.9, while finishing 12th in passing touchdowns and 13th in passing yards.

True freshman quarterback Jeff Sims was thrown into the fire early on, and results were mixed. Sims threw for 1,881 yards, completing passes at a 54.9% rate. His touchdowns and turnovers were both an even 13, but he did add 6 scores on the ground. There were some bright spots, a 3 touchdown one interception performance in a win over Duke for example, but too many games where his inexperience was on full display, such as his four interceptions against Syracuse. Geoff Collins obviously sees something in the former 4-star recruit, Sims just like the rest of the team looking to keep growing and hopefully become something in the next few years.

11. Braxton Burmeister: Virginia Tech

This year is now or never for Justin Fuente at Virginia Tech. One of the most consistent winning programs in all of NCAA since joining the ACC in 2004, Virginia tech experienced their 2nd losing season in the last three years. Virginia Tech was primarily a running team last year, Khalil Herbert a revelation with 1,183 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. Herbert is now gone, off to the NFL. Also gone is last year’s starting quarterback Hendon Hooker who transferred to compete with Joe Milton for the Tennessee starting job. Enter former Oregon quarterback Braxton Burmeister.

Burmeister has tons of potential, he just hasn’t been able to show it much on the field. Stuck behind future NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert, Burmeister transferred to Virginia Tech when Herbert returned for his senior season in Eugene. Burmeister looks to be the clear starter for the Hokies with Hooker out of the picture, and it’s up to him to elevate the Virginia Tech offense. Burmeister looked solid in the last two games of the 2020 season but has a lot to prove in 2021.

10. McKenzie Milton: Florida State

From one complete unknown wildcard of a quarterback in Virginia, we go to another complete wildcard in Tallahassee, although the situations are nowhere near the same. McKenzie Milton was one of the biggest stars for the lovable undefeated underdog “National Champions” UCF in 2017. He was one of the best college quarterbacks and suffered a brutal injury in the last game of the 2018 season. The college football world thought they’d possibly never see Milton play again, a bright young career gone in a flash. Flash forward to 2021: The return of McKenzie Milton.

Milton is one of the biggest wildcards in all of college football. At one point he was one of the best players on the field every Saturday. Milton is a two-time first-team All-AAC recipient, a two-time AAC Offensive Player of the Year, and an AAC Champion. Is Milton the same player though. Milton hasn’t played in over two seasons now. He had one of the longest recovery processes from an injury you’ll see, with multiple surgeries, extensive damage to arteries and nerves, as well as a bacterial infection. It’s a feel-good story that everyone hopes has a storybook ending, but what player are we going to get for the Seminoles this year? If we do see the return of the old Milton though, Florida State might start to turn the ship around in 2021.

9. Brennan Armstrong: Virginia

Brennan Armstrong has the potential to be the next star dual-threat QB in the ACC, but he has to prove it this year. We know Armstrong can run, in fact, the quarterback led the Cavaliers in nearly every rushing category this past season. Now Armstrong has to prove that he can be a more consistent passer, improving his accuracy while cutting down on some turnovers.

In his first season as the starter, there were some good flashes for the former three-star recruit. Despite only playing 9 games, Armstrong managed to throw the 5th most passing touchdowns in the conference with 18. Unfortunately, though, Armstrong was also top 5 in interceptions with 11. The quarterback from Shelby Ohio’s completion percentage was also below 60%. Armstrong has potential but needs to be able to become more of a complete quarterback to truly ascend the rankings in the ACC.

8. Sam Hartman: Wake Forest

Wake Forest might not have impressed much with their 4-5 record, but don’t blame the offense which was one of the stronger units in the ACC in 2020. The raw numbers aren’t as impressive as some but don’t forget Wake Forest only played 9 games in last year’s covid influenced season. The Demon Deacons finished 3rd in the ACC in points per game with 36 and finished 4th in total yards. One of the big reasons for this was the ever-improving play from quarterback Sam Hartman.

Given full reign of the Wake Forest offense with Jamie Newman off Georgia (somewhat), Hartman made the most of his opportunity, improving his numbers across the board. Compared to his last season starting as a freshman, Hartman is pushing the ball down the field more and is doing it a bit more efficiently too. The redshirt sophomore quarterback only threw 5 interceptions. Hartman has the potential to be one of the best sleepers in the ACC this year. He has talent and has steadily improved. He’s experienced now, with a few years of the offense under his belt.

7. Kenny Pickett: Pittsburgh

Kenny Pickett is the winner of this year’s “Wait… you’re still here?” award, just narrowly beating out Florida State’s McKenzie Milton. Pickett is entering his 4th season as the full-time starter for the Pitt Panthers, gaining valuable experience over the past three seasons. Pickett’s stats can be very deceiving at first glance. Over the past two years, Pickett threw the same amount of touchdowns and interceptions each year. In 2018 he threw for twelve, just one less than his total the past two years. He had nearly the same completion percentage every year too. A big thing that can give Pitt fans hope for this season is that Pickett matched his totals from every previous season, despite playing in fewer games.

Everything except for attempts was up for Pickett this season. His yards per attempt went up to 7.3. He matched his touchdown total from last year, despite playing in 3 fewer games. Unfortunately, the turnovers were also up, with Pickett throwing for 9 touchdowns in that same span. Pickett is the most experienced quarterback in the division and will look to carve out a good final year, stating his case to be drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft.

6. Devin Leary: North Carolina State

Devin Leary is the biggest breakout candidate in the ACC at the quarterback position. His numbers are extremely impressive comparatively. In only four games, Leary threw for 8 touchdowns and 890 yards, while only throwing 2 picks. Compare that to his time as a freshman in Raleigh. In 2019 Leary threw for 1219 yards and 8 touchdowns in 8 games. He threw 5 interceptions compared to his lone two turnovers this season, and only completed passes at a 48% rate. That’s night and day compared to his 60% from this season.

The numbers are extremely impressive when you compare to some of his ACC counterparts. Leary finished only 5 touchdowns outside of the top 10 in the ACC, all despite playing only 4 games due to injury. The former Timber Creek quarterback was extremely impressive in his limited time and can be a breakout star in 2021.

5. Malik Cunningham: Louisville

The future for the Louisville Cardinals is a lot cloudier than it was heading into the 2020 season. The Cardinals were a team with breakout potential, at least on the offensive side of the ball. Instead, the offense was middle of the pack in the ACC, the team as a whole finishing with a below-average 4-7 record. Several steps were taken back in multiple areas, and one of them was at quarterback.

Malik Cunningham has the talent to be a top dual-threat quarterback in the NCAA. Many thought that 2020 was going to be the year that he reached that upper echelon of guys such as D’Eriq King and Trace McSorely. Instead, Cunningham took a sizable leap backward. The interceptions jumped up 5 the previous year to 12. He made a lot of baffling decisions as a passer. There’s still talent there though. We know how good Cunningham is on the ground, and he’s actually a pretty accurate quarterback from a clean pocket. Hopefully, Cunningham reverts more to his 2019 form next season.

4. Phil Jurkovec: Boston College

If this was a list for the NFL Draft, Phil Jurkovec would most likely be higher than just fifth. Out of the eligible quarterbacks in the ACC for the 2022 Draft, Jurkovec probably has the most hype besides Sam Howell. This list is about college play though, and Jurkovec needs to keep improving to improve his standing in the ACC.

Phil Jurkovec has talent, that much is very evident. He has an NFL-level arm and the ability to make some impressive throws that make the crowd stand. A transfer from Notre Dame, Jurkovec had his breakout season in 2020, throwing for 17 touchdowns and 2258 yards for Boston College. It was a good first season in Chestnut Hill for the former 4-star recruit, one Jurkovec can definitely improve on and enter his name amongst the ACC elite in 2021. Jurkovec has NFL talent all around him. NFL talent blocking for him including Zion Johnson and Alec Lindstrom. NFL talent at wide receiver in Zay Flowers. The stage is set for Jurkovec to be the best quarterback at BC since Matt Ryan.

3. D.J. Uiagalelei: Clemson

D.J. Uiagalelei has the hardest task in all of college football: replacing the #1 overall pick. Trevor Lawrence the moment he stepped foot on Clemson’s campus was destined for greatness, and greatness he delivered early on. Lawrence appeared in two National Championships, winning one in the process. If anyone can successfully replace Lawrence and keep the Clemson machine running, it’s D.J. Uiagalelei.

Ever since D.J. signed with Clemson, he was pegged for someone to watch out for someday. That someday has now come. The 10th overall recruit and 1st pro-style quarterback in the 2020 class, Uiagalelei already has put himself on NFL radars and is an early favorite to be the #1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. D.J. looked extremely impressive in his relief of Trevor Lawrence throwing 4 touchdowns and no interceptions in his two starts. In one of those starts, Uiagalelei took Notre Dame down to the wire in a Game of the Year candidate. D.J. can easily be the best quarterback in not only the ACC this year, but all of college football. The St. John Bosco graduate just has to prove that the hype is warranted first.

2. D’Eriq King: Miami

D’Eriq King has seemingly been in the NCAA forever now. He started his collegiate career all the way back in 2016 with Houston. He had a star-making season back in 2018, throwing for 36 touchdowns and rushing for an additional 14. He looked like a star once again for the Miami Hurricanes this year, throwing for 23 touchdowns and leading Miami to an 8-3 record.

King is back! D’Eriq King, thanks to the COVID exception, will be returning for his 6th season. Despite going down with a big injury in the Cheez-It Bowl against Oklahoma State, King looks like he’ll be ready to start the 2021 NCAA Season. One of the biggest dual-threat stars in recent memory, King hopes to finish his college career with glory in Miami.

1.Sam Howell: North Carolina

Who else was going to be #1? Yes, he lost most of his receivers. Yes, he lost his two best running backs. BUT, to rank Sam Howell anything lower than one would be disrespectful. The potential #1st overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft led the ACC in both passing touchdowns and passing yards, yes even over Trevor Lawrence. He completed his passes at a 68% completion percentage last year. Pretty much, Sam Howell was an incredible college quarterback last year.

The biggest obstacle Howell faces this year is the loss of most of his supporting cast. Javonte Williams and Michael Carter, the two leading rushers in the ACC last season, are both gone to the NFL. Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome were also both drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft. He’ll have to do it with plenty of new faces, including Khafre Brown the brother of Dyami Brown, but with his stellar play over the past two years, Sam Howell has rightfully earned his spot as the best ACC quarterback entering the 2021 NCAA Season.

All Stats From TheACC.com and Sports-Reference.com/cfb

Recruit Information from 247sports.com

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen