Where does UNC quarterback Gio Lopez land in On3 Sports' 2025 ACC QB rankings?
Arguably the Tar Heels' most impactful addition is South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez, who'll compete with Max Johnson for their starting quarterback opening. Lopez thrived last year for the Jaguars: 2,559 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, 465 rushing yards and seven more scores, but he'll make the leap to a Power Four program this season.
The ACC is deep with quarterbacks in 2025 – and Lopez is highly-valued amongst that list. In On3Sports' ranking of the Top 10 ACC quarterbacks, Lopez slots in at seventh.
"Bill Belichick's biggest free agent acquisition of the offseason is an exciting lefty, who also drew attention from SEC schools, when he decided this spring to leave South Alabama," Andy Staples wrote. "But those schools intended to develop Lopez as a potential 2026 starter, and North Carolina wanted him to take over right away."
Eli Holstein, who slots in just behind Lopez, threaded UNC's defense in Chapel Hill last year. CJ Bailey, just one spot ahead of Lopez, helped NC State continue its long winning streak against North Carolina in 2024.
Cade Klubnik should be the ACC's top quarterback – and one of the country's best. Darian Mensah transferred in from Tulane, Carson Beck played last year at Georgia, Kevin Jennings led SMU to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, plus Haynes King returns for his sixth college football season.
Johnson broke his leg in the Tar Heels' 2024 opener at Minnesota, paving the way for Conner Harrell to start. Jacolby Criswell shined and helped overcome Harrell's ineffectiveness, but Criswell is now at ETSU and Harrell at Charlotte.
Lopez is all but guaranteed to start during Bill Belichick's first year as a college football coach. We'll see who Chapel Bill decides on as we quickly approach Week 1.
Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Gio Lopez tabbed seventh in On3 Sports' ACC quarterback rankings
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