ACC Quarterback Rankings for 2026

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With Miami’s Darian Mensah, SMU’s Kevin Jennings, California’s Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and NC State’s CJ Bailey returning, the ACC enters the 2026 college football season loaded at the top with high-level quarterbacks. This group could get even deeper if a handful of players develop this fall. Included in that mix are Virginia Tech’s Ethan Grunkemeyer, Clemson’s Christopher Vizzina, Pitt’s Mason Heintschel and Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz.

Ranking the quarterbacks by conference or nationally is no easy task. To help compile the rankings, some projection was involved for 2026. This was not a ranking of quarterbacks based only on accomplishments so far or pro potential. All factors — pure talent, supporting cast, having a clear hold on the No. 1 position, previous production, ’26 projection, and scheme changes (just to name a few) — were considered to rank the quarterbacks in the ACC.

New coach (and former Stanford quarterback) Tavita Pritchard picked Warren from the transfer portal to start in 2026. Warren sat out ‘25 recovering from a knee injury suffered the previous season but is on track to return to full strength. The Michigan transfer threw for 62 yards in an upset at Ohio State in ‘24 and posted 73 passing yards in a win over Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl later that season. Over nine appearances in ‘24, Warren threw for 1,199 yards and seven touchdowns to nine picks and averaged only 5.7 yards per attempt. Warren’s play left a lot to be desired in Ann Arbor. Can Pritchard maximize his talent this fall?

McKenzie is an intriguing addition for a Boston College offense looking for a spark after averaging only 20.8 points per game in ACC contests last season. The Michigan native transferred to Chestnut Hill after playing in 25 games at Saginaw Valley State. During that span, McKenzie passed for over 4,300 yards and 31 touchdowns and added more than 1,600 yards and 18 scores on the ground. How will that dual-threat ability translate from the lower levels to the ACC?

Edwards Jr. is listed here, but there’s no guarantee he wins the job over Texas A&M transfer Miles O’Neill this fall. After stints at Wake Forest, Maryland and Wisconsin, Edwards Jr. hopes to end his career on a high note with the Tar Heels. Injuries limited Edwards Jr. to just two games with the Badgers last fall, but he passed for 3,435 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 375 yards and 13 scores in 28 career appearances. O’Neill played in eight games over two years with the Aggies and completed 12 of 20 throws for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

Related: ACC Betting Preview for 2026

Alberto Mendoza — the brother of 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza — has a chance to thrive at Georgia Tech in 2026. He spent the last two years at Indiana and saw action in nine games. During that limited time, Mendoza completed 18 of 24 throws for 286 yards and five scores to just one pick. His ability to churn out yardage on the ground shined with the Hoosiers, recording 190 yards and a touchdown on just 13 carries. With Mendoza and running backs Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley, Georgia Tech should lean on a run-first approach in ‘26. Mendoza’s growth as a passer is a key storyline to watch early in the year.

Daniels’ athleticism and experience should fit coach Mike Norvell’s offense in 2026, but question marks remain about the upside of this pairing. Over stops at Stanford and Auburn, Daniels passed for 4,783 yards and 24 touchdowns and ran for 1,397 yards and 11 scores in 37 appearances. However, his career yards per attempt sits at 6.6. Interceptions (22 over 721 attempts) are a concern. Will Daniels deliver enough consistency in the passing game for this offense to thrive?

Darian Mensah’s late decision to transfer to Miami was a significant setback to Duke’s hopes of contending for the ACC title again in 2026. The cupboard under center isn’t completely bare for coach Manny Diaz, however. Eget transferred to Duke after 27 appearances at San Jose State from 2021-25. He started 18 games over the last two years and accumulated 5,555 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in that span. However, despite a high volume of attempts (721), 19 interceptions since ‘24 are a concern. Dan Mahan – a three-star recruit from the ‘25 class – will compete for snaps after taking a redshirt year last fall.

Lopez was a post-spring arrival to North Carolina last year and never found his footing in a less-than-ideal situation. However, a rebound should be in order in 2026. A transfer to Wake Forest reunited Lopez with his former South Alabama offensive coordinator (Rob Ezell), and that familiarity should pay off. In 11 games with the Tar Heels last year, Lopez threw for 1,747 yards and 10 touchdowns and added 133 yards and three scores on the ground. However, in 16 games at South Alabama from 2023-24, Lopez was sharp (66.2%) and threw for 3,034 yards and 22 touchdowns to just seven picks.

Vizzina has waited his turn as the backup behind Cade Klubnik over the last two seasons but is locked into a tight battle with freshman Tait Reynolds this fall. Over the last three seasons, Vizzina — a former four-star prospect — has completed 64 of 105 passes for 596 yards and four touchdowns in 14 appearances. The Alabama native started against SMU last season and flashed potential with 317 yards and three scores. Reynolds brings more mobility to the offense and has impressed since arriving on campus. Will Vizzina’s experience win out and help claim the No. 1 spot on the depth chart?

Virginia marks the third stop in Pribula’s career after stints at Penn State (2022-24) and Missouri (2025). The Cavaliers had success with a veteran pickup (Chandler Morris) from the portal last year, and coach Tony Elliott hopes Pribula and fellow transfer Eli Holstein (Pitt) provide the same level of play under center. Pribula was used mostly as a change-of-pace option with the Nittany Lions but handled the full-time role for the Tigers. In 10 games last year, Pribula threw for 1,941 yards and 11 touchdowns and ran for 297 yards and six scores. However, his play in SEC games dipped a bit, completing 57.9% of throws and tossing seven picks against just three scores.

Coach Jeff Brohm hopes Kienholz jumpstarts a Louisville passing game that ranked 14th in the ACC (220.6 yards per game) and struggled to generate big plays (just four connections of 40-plus yards). Kienholz — a former four-star prospect — spent the last three years at Ohio State and played in 10 games during that span. In that small sample size, he completed 21 of 36 throws for 250 yards and one touchdown and added 68 yards and two scores on the ground. Kienholz’s lack of playing time adds a layer of uncertainty about what to expect in ‘26. However, it’s also reasonable to trust Brohm’s evaluation of the Ohio State transfer.

Grunkemeyer followed coach James Franklin from Penn State to Virginia Tech this offseason and aims to build off a strong finish to the ‘25 season. The Ohio native took over the top spot on the depth chart after a season-ending injury to Drew Allar, and after a slow start, went on to finish the year with 260 passing yards and two touchdowns in a bowl win over Clemson. Grunkemeyer ended ‘25 with 1,339 yards and eight scores through the air and connected on 69.1% of his throws. If Grunkemeyer builds on the strong finish to ‘25, he’s got a chance to earn all-conference honors this fall.

Angeli’s return from a torn Achilles is a huge boost for Syracuse after a 3-9 season. The Notre Dame transfer led the nation with 1,317 passing yards prior to the injury suffered in a win at Clemson. The sample size was small for the New Jersey native, but he also tossed 10 touchdowns and connected on 62.8% of throws on just 156 attempts last season. Per Hudl IQ, Angeli posted a success rate of 52.2% prior to his injury. Assuming Angeli can quickly knock off any rust, the fifth-year signal-caller has a chance to pick up where he left off and push for All-ACC honors.

Heintschel emerged as one of the ACC’s rising stars last season and is poised to contend for all-conference honors in 2026. The Ohio native torched Boston College for 323 yards and four scores in his first start and threw for 321 yards and two touchdowns in a road win at Florida State the following Saturday. Heintschel finished ‘25 with 2,354 yards and 16 touchdowns through the air, while 88 yards and two scores came on the ground. Per Hudl IQ, 20.4% of Heintschel’s completions went for 15-plus yards. With a full offseason to work as the No. 1 quarterback in the Steel City, expect Heintschel’s game to improve in his second year at Pitt.

Bailey’s development and a favorable schedule could lift NC State to a dark-horse run at a spot in the ACC Championship this fall. The Florida native impressed as a true freshman with 2,413 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air and 279 yards and five scores on the ground in ‘24. Bailey elevated his game last year with 3,105 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, with six more scores coming on the ground. Bailey connected on 68.8% of his throws and tied for fourth among ACC signal-callers with 10 connections of 40-plus yards in ‘25.

Sagapolutele was one of college football’s top freshmen in 2025 and high expectations surround the Hawaii native entering his second year. In 13 games for the Golden Bears, Sagapolutele threw for 3,454 yards and 18 touchdowns and added four more scores on the ground. Despite working behind a shaky offensive line, Sagapolutele landed 17 throws of 30-plus yards and connected on 64.7% of his passes in ACC contests.

Jennings is a big reason why SMU is positioned for a run at the ACC title and a spot in the College Football Playoff once again this fall. After throwing for 3,245 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushing for 354 yards and five scores in ‘24, Jennings was just as prolific last year. In 13 games, Jennings threw for 3,641 yards and 26 touchdowns, while his rushing totals dipped a bit (55 yards over 71 carries). The Texas native ranked fourth among ACC quarterbacks by averaging eight yards per attempt and tallied 23 completions of 30-plus yards last year. A preseason finger injury isn’t expected to be a concern heading into ‘26.

Mensah’s late decision to enter the portal and transfer to Miami is a big reason why coach Mario Cristobal’s team can win the national title in 2026. After starring at Tulane in ‘24, Mensah transferred to Duke last offseason and threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns en route to leading the Blue Devils to an ACC title. Over 27 games, Mensah’s pinpoint accuracy (66.5% career rate) has been on display. Also, he’s minimized mistakes with just 12 turnovers over 787 attempts. Per Hudl IQ, Mensah posted a success rate of 50.6% and 21.3% of his completions went for 15-plus yards. The California native is the clear No. 1 pick as the ACC’s top quarterback in ‘26 and is firmly among the nation’s best under center.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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