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Miami Herald
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
ACC Media Days: Georgia Tech QB Haynes King Fires at Rival - 'To Hell With Georgia'
Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King didn't hold back when discussing the Yellow Jackets' biggest rivalry during ACC Media Days on Wednesday. "Hopefully we'll beat them," King said. "I know it's a big rivalry game. The last two times have been really close. Last one being eight overtimes. They're a really good coached football team, but at the end of the day, it's to hell with Georgia. We're trying to beat them."King's comments immediately sparked buzz as the Yellow Jackets prepare for another season under head coach Brent Key, who enters his fourth year leading the program. Despite battling limitations in the passing game for part of the year, King put together one of the most efficient campaigns in school history in 2024. He set a Georgia Tech and ACC single-season record by completing 72.9% of his throws (196-of-269) for 2,114 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. Most notably, he cut down dramatically on turnovers, tossing just two interceptions after throwing 16 the year prior. On the ground, King added 587 rushing yards and 11 scores on 125 carries, bringing his total to 2,701 yards and 25 total touchdowns across 11 games. "We definitely have unfinished business," King said. "The first one, we've got to take it one game at a time. Being at Colorado for the first game, that's going to be a big one. Just take it each week, make it simple."King continued: "Some people try to make it too complicated and try to make it harder than it is. If you execute and do your job and have the players around you playing at a high level, things are going to happen for you. I'm not the one to mainly focus on individual accolades or individual success. If your team's having success, that stuff is going to come." King returns for a pivotal year at quarterback, hoping to lead Georgia Tech beyond their back-to-back 7-6 seasons. Related: Georgia Tech Football Preview 2025: Yellow Jackets Season Prediction, Win Total Projection, Top Players Related: 5 College Football Quarterbacks Who Could Lose Their Starting Job Early in 2025 © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Fox News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
2025 College Football Predictions, Picks: Back Georgia Tech, Utah in Week 1
Is anyone else counting down the days until the college football season kicks off? I know I'm not the only one. I think we all started marking the days on the calendar as soon as Ohio State won it all back in January. Considering we're only a little more than a month out, I figured I'd go ahead and look at some games to sprinkle a little cash on. There are two so far that have caught my eye for Week 1. Let's dive into how I'm wagering Georgia Tech-Colorado and Utah-UCLA. Georgia Tech @ Colorado (+3.5) Entering the 2025 season, I'm high on Georgia Tech and selling on Colorado. This number does not reflect my feelings about the talent and execution difference between those two teams, even factoring in that this game is being played in Colorado. Let's start with Georgia Tech, which finished 7-5 (regular season) in head coach Brent Key's second full season. Key is a former offensive lineman and his team plays like that. The Yellow Jackets are physical on both sides of the ball and try to impose their will on their opponents. Look no further than their win against Miami last season or the 44-42 loss to Georgia in the final game of the regular season. They can routinely play with the big boys. Quarterback Haynes King is back for this season. He led the ACC in completion percentage and added nearly 600 yards on the ground. Lead back Jamal Haynes returns after rushing for 1,000 yards, and while Georgia Tech does have to replace some offensive linemen, this is where I trust the head coach. He has developed that position well everywhere he's been. On defense, Georgia Tech is led by new defensive coordinator Blake Gibson from Texas. The Jackets must replace multiple starting defensive linemen but have added transfer players that they hope will help the unit start fast. The Jackets return a veteran secondary and are in the top 40 for returning production on defense. I'd expect this unit to be prepared for Colorado. Colorado is undergoing roster turnover again. The Buffaloes have to replace their quarterback, their top four receiving targets and four offensive linemen on offense. Some might point to them upgrading the offensive line and, while I don't disagree, there are still lots of questions on offense. They aren't as talented at quarterback or receiver and the offense relied heavily on the production of Shedeur Sanders, and his receiving core. It's not an offense that's designed for easy plays and Colorado has yet to commit to the run in two seasons. Colorado's defense was much improved last season under first-time defensive coordinator Rob Livingston. I do not think enough attention was given to this unit, which was an outstanding second-half squad. However, Colorado is down lots of production, just like on offense. The Buffs are without their best pass rusher, both linebackers, both safeties and a Heisman-winning corner. How do you replace that much production without a base of high school players that you have developed? There's so much new for the Buffaloes, and I don't believe they will be ready to play Georgia Tech's brand of football in Week 1. New players on defense will need to stop a highly efficient quarterback and that Tech run game. On offense, Colorado is breaking in so many new players against a veteran Tech secondary. Can the Buffs get up to speed quickly to make enough plays? I just don't buy it. I like Georgia Tech to win and cover. PICK: Georgia Tech (-3.5) to win by 3.5 points or more Utah @ UCLA (+5.5) I'm also high on the Utes this season, and I'm starting by wagering on them in Week 1. This is a road game, but it's Labor Day Weekend at the Rose Bowl. Utah played the last two seasons with a roster ravaged by injuries. Quarterback Cam Rising played three games the last two seasons after injuring his knee in the 2023 Rose Bowl. That forced Utah to play at least five different quarterbacks in 2023 and 2024, and the results were ugly. Utah went into the portal to grab New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier, a first-team All-Mountain West selection. The Utes also added New Mexico's offensive coordinator, who led the Lobos to finishing first in the country in yards per carry. It's a perfect fit for Utah, which has got one of the best offensive lines in the country. Both tackles will be first-round picks. Utah's rushing attack is going to face a UCLA defense replacing nine starters. The Bruins did add some portal players, but they haven't recruited at a level that will help them reload that quickly. It's always fair to question Utah's passing attack and that could be a concern this season, but I don't see it mattering much here. The Utes will control the line of scrimmage and score on UCLA. UCLA made headlines this spring when it landed former five-star Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a talented player who is also inconsistent. The Bruins have decent receiving options and some transfer talent at running back. Their offensive line was brutal last season and they will replace three starters. Just like the rest of their roster, the Bruins are hoping to patch the holes on the line with portal guys. Utah's defense has been its calling card for years and I don't doubt it will change this season. The Utes are replacing their defensive line, but they've shown the ability to reload that position year after year. They return experience at linebacker and in the secondary. And their defense should win the matchup against the Bruins' offense. Utah is more talented and has a more cohesive approach than UCLA. I like Utah to cruise in this game. PICK: Utah (-5.5) to win by more than 5.5 points Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He played eight seasons in the NFL for five different teams. He started at right tackle for the University of Oregon for three seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection his senior year. Follow him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ranking ACC quarterbacks in 2025 from Clemson's Cade Klubnik to Bill Belichick's UNC choice
CLEMSON — The ACC boasted strong quarterback play last season. The league had five quarterbacks finish top 20 in passing yards and four end up top 20 in passing touchdowns. Miami's Cam Ward was a Heisman finalist and the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Advertisement Entering 2025, some teams have veteran quarterbacks returning, like Clemson's Cade Klubnik and Georgia Tech's Haynes King, and others have brought in impact transfers, including Miami's Carson Beck and Florida State's Thomas Castellanos. Here's our ranking of the ACC quarterbacks in 2025 who are projected to start. We've excluded Syracuse, Boston College, Cal and Wake Forest as all are having position battles with an unclear leader. 1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson Klubnik rebounded in 2024, throwing for 3,639 yards (10th in the nation) with 36 touchdowns (third) and six interceptions and rushing for 463 yards to help Clemson win the ACC championship and return to the College Football Playoff. Advertisement He returned for his senior season and is viewed as a first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Clemson returned its offensive coordinator, all of its end-of-year starting wide receivers and four of its starting offensive linemen. Klubnik should thrive in 2025 and be the best quarterback in the conference. 2. Haynes King, Georgia Tech The Yellow Jackets can be a breakout team in 2025, and King will be the catalyst. The dual-threat quarterback enters his third full season as a starter after leading ACC quarterbacks in completion percentage (72.9%) and rushing touchdowns (11) despite missing two games with a shoulder injury. King, a sixth-year player, will have to overcome losing wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. to the portal, but he is experienced and dynamic enough to be a top quarterback in the ACC if he can stay healthy. Advertisement MORE ON CLEMSON: Top 5 moments from Clemson athletics, including Cade Klubnik, from 2024-25 season 3. Carson Beck, Miami Beck transferred from Georgia to Miami to replace quarterback Ward, who won last year's ACC Player of the Year. Beck was considered the top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft during preseason last year, but he struggled and suffered a late-season elbow injury. He led the SEC with 28 touchdown passes and was third with 3,485 passing yards through conference championship week but threw 12 interceptions in 13 games. If he fully heals from his injury, he can thrive in a pass-friendly offense surrounded by playmakers. Advertisement 4. Kevin Jennings, SMU Jennings returns to SMU for his first full season as a starter hoping to build on his impactful 2024. He helped the Mustangs to their first ACC championship and CFP appearance after replacing Preston Stone after Week 2. Jennings had 3,245 yards passing with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and rushed for 354 yards and five touchdowns as a third-year player. He will be without top running back Brashard Smith and his most productive pass catcher, Roderick Daniels Jr, but he should be productive with the same offensive coordinator from last year. 5. Miller Moss, Louisville Moss comes to Louisville for his final season after losing the starting quarterback job at Southern Cal. Third-year coach Jeff Brohm has had success with one-year rentals with Jack Plummer leading the Cardinals to the ACC championship game in 2023, and Tyler Shough helping them win nine games last season. Advertisement Moss will also be supported by running back Isaac Brown and a capable receiver unit that can keep Louisville's momentum strong. 6. Darian Mensah, Duke Tulane transfer Darian Mensah looks to leave his mark after throwing for 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions in his first year in 2024. He replaced Maalik Murphy, who led Duke to nine wins in Year 1 under Manny Diaz. Duke will need Mensah to maintain or exceed his production as he transitions to ACC competition. In Duke's spring game, he completed 12 of 14 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. 7. Thomas Castellanos, FSU Castellanos transferred from Boston College to FSU, looking to help the Seminoles get back on track after an abysmal 2024. He did not thrive last season, getting benched late in the season after throwing for 1,366 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions and rushing for only 194 yards. Advertisement Castellanos is a true dual-threat quarterback and should get back to his dynamic ways with transfer and coaching additions, including FSU new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. 8. CJ Bailey, NC State Bailey showed flashes as a true freshman last season as he took over for Grayson McCall, who retired midseason. Bailey threw for 2,413 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and scored five rushing touchdowns. In his final two games, he completed at least 70% of his passes and had multi-touchdown games. NC State returns key skill-position players who will allow Bailey to have familiarity in his first full season as starter. He will need to cut down on the interceptions after throwing 10 last year. Advertisement 9. Eli Holstein, Pitt Holstein's first season as a starter was a roller coaster. He helped Pitt to a 7-0 start, then the Panthers lost their remaining six games as he missed three with multiple injuries. He threw for 2,225 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Holstein threw three passing touchdowns in his first five games, but when competition became tougher, his play regressed. He must remain healthy and consistent against top ACC competition for Pitt to thrive. 10. Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech Drones and Virginia Tech were popular picks to have breakout years in 2024, but neither lived up to the preseason hype. His passing touchdowns and passing and rushing yards decreased from 2023, and his interceptions increased. He also suffered a knee injury and underwent a procedure this spring. Advertisement Drones enters this season under-the-radar, but he can get back on track if he is healthy and mobile again. 11. Gio Lopez, UNC New UNC coach Bill Belichick hasn't named a starting quarterback, but Gio Lopez appears to be the front runner. The South Alabama transfer threw for 2,559 passing yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 463 yards in 11 starts last season. In his lone start against a top program, Lopez had 173 yards and a touchdown in a loss to LSU. Lopez joined UNC in the spring portal after his second year but is Belichick's first quarterback get since becoming coach. Still, Lopez will have to prove he belongs in the ACC. Advertisement 12. Chandler Morris, Virginia Morris is back in a Power 4 conference after having a career high in attempts completions, passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions with North Texas. He played for Oklahoma for a season and TCU for three years, where he played sparingly due to injuries. Morris enters his sixth season hoping to prove he can be a capable quarterback in the ACC with the Hokies. 13. Elijah Brown, Stanford Stanford has undergone coaching changes, but quarterback Elijah Brown remains. He made one start last season and played in two other games in his second season and did not perform well. He threw for 274 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Advertisement Still, Brown is the most experienced quarterback on the roster. He will have to overcome a depleted skill-position group though. Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@ and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00 This article originally appeared on Greenville News: ACC QB rankings 2025: Cade Klubnik, Haynes King, Carson Beck top list
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
ACC quarterback rankings for 2025 college football season include two playoff starters
As college football fans well know, having the best quarterback in the league does not guarantee a championship. But it certainly helps, and having an experienced hand directing the offense is a huge advantage, especially in the era of the portal. It therefore should come as no surprise that the two teams that squared off for the ACC title last season and appeared in the inaugural 12-team playoff, both of which have incumbent signal callers in place, can be found at or near the top of our ranking of each team's QB situation with fall practice getting underway in just a few weeks. Of course, transfers are part of the picture as well, with programs seeking to maintain upward trajectory or reverse their tumbling fortunes. Here's how we rank the ACC starters. Advertisement 1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson The Tigers needed Klubnik to improve in his second season, and he did just that as he threw for 3,639 yards and 36 TDs in 2024 as part of a run to the ACC title and College Football Playoff. If he continues to progress, Clemson fans can think about not just making the playoff again but sticking around a while. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) runs for a touchdown against North Carolina State during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. 2. Haynes King, Georgia Tech When healthy King was outstanding, tossing 14 TD passes with just two picks. He was also a productive runner with 587 yards and 11 scores. But his aggressive style led to some nagging injuries during much of the season, so keeping him protected will be a major priority for the Yellow Jackets. Advertisement QUARTERBACK RANKINGS: Big Ten | SEC | ACC | Big 12 UNDER RADAR: Five sleeper candidates for Heisman Trophy 3. Kevin Jennings, SMU Jennings was a revelation after assuming the starting job early last season. Unfortunately, he had his the worst day of an otherwise outstanding campaign in the Mustangs' first-round playoff loss to Penn State. But now with a full year under his belt he should keep SMU in the league title hunt once again. 4. Carson Beck, Miami (Fla.) In arguably the splashiest move of the early transfer cycle, Beck left Georgia after two seasons as the team's starter. He will look to pick up where No. 1 draft pick Cam Ward left off for the Hurricanes. But while his stint with the Bulldogs was largely successful, his resume does not include a national championship and he his health remains a question after an arm injury in the SEC title game. Advertisement 5. Darian Mensah, Duke The fact that the Blue Devils were able to gain the services of the highly sought after Tulane transfer indicates how serious the school is about not just being a basketball destination. Mensah threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns while leading the Green Wave to a nine-win campaign as a freshman. His sophomore campaign will be a step up in competition, but he seems ready for it. 6. Chandler Morris, Virginia The well-traveled Morris was most recently putting up lofty passing numbers at North Texas (3,774 yards, 31 TDs). He wasn't nearly as productive at his previous Power Four locations (Oklahoma and TCU), but he might be the experienced hand the Cavaliers need to recharge their program. Advertisement 7. Max Johnson or Gio Lopez, North Carolina Johnson's season was over before it really got started when he was injured in last year's opener at Minnesota, and he was still unable to participate in spring drills for new Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick. That might give the edge in the competition to Lopez, who transfers in from South Alabama, where he led the Jaguars to the program's first bowl win. 8. Miller Moss, Louisville As a promising season as the replacement for Caleb Williams at Southern California drifted into mediocrity, Moss lost his starting job and entered the portal. Cardinals coach Jeff Brohm's track record with transfer quarterbacks suggests the results here will be good given the physical tools Moss brings to the table. Southern California quarterback Miller Moss (7) throws a pass against Louisville during the first half of the 2023 Holiday Bowl at Petco Park. 9. Thomas Castellanos, Florida State As Florida State fans know all too well, not every quarterback transfer is a home run. The DJ Uiagalelei experiment was part of a disappointing two-win season last year. They hope this one will work out better, although Castellanos's tenure at Boston College was a mixed bag as he ultimately wound up on the bench at the end of the season. His mobility and moxie should help bring improvement to the Seminoles offense. Advertisement 10. Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech Drones had highlight moments for the Hokies, but he also made his share of mistakes as the team went through a subpar season after high expectations. Consistency from the offense would go a long way toward cooling coach Brent Pry's potentially warm chair. 11. Robby Ashford or Deshawn Purdie, Wake Forest New Demon Deacons coach Jake Dickert has also demonstrated the ability to develop transfer QBs. Both Ashford and Purdie have starting experience at Auburn and Charlotte, respectively, though neither posted eye-popping numbers. The competition is expected to extend deep into training camp and might now be fully decided before the opener. Advertisement 12. Pittsburgh, Eli Holstein Holstein's first season at Pitt was going swimmingly until it wasn't, as a 7-0 start was followed by the team's six-game losing skid. Multiple injuries sidelined him for most of the last four games. He returns after posting a respectable 61.9% completion rate with 17 scoring throws, though he must manage more accomplished defenses better. 13. Grayson James, Boston College James started the last four games for the Eagles after replacing Castellanos in the starting lineup. He finished with solid numbers - 1,202 yards passing and six TDs - and ran for three more scores. The offense is his now, and he should be able to negotiate the Eagles' early schedule before things heat up in October. Advertisement 14. Rickie Collins, Syracuse After seeing limited action in two seasons at LSU, Collins moved north with the Orange needing a replacement for Kyle McCord. Collins was officially named the starter by coach Fran Brown coming out of the spring. He's a huge wildcard on this list with significant talent but few live reps. 15. C.J. Bailey, North Carolina State Pressed into service ahead of schedule as a freshman when Grayson McCall was injured, Bailey posted solid stats with 2,413 yards and 17 TDs. He was intercepted 10 times, a number that must be reduced if the Wolfpack are to get back to the league's upper tier. A full offseason as the starter should serve him well Advertisement 16. Devin Brown, California Cal faithful are hopeful that signing a guy who has been in Ohio State's quarterback room works out as well as McCord did at Syracuse. Brown completed just 11 passes on 20 attempts with a touchdown in mop-up duty behind Will Howard on the Buckeyes' title team. 17. Elijah Brown or Ben Gulbranson, Stanford Brown, the former four-star recruit out of perennial prep power Mater Dei, is the lone remaining quarterback on the Cardinal roster with any live reps. Interim coach Frank Reich might instead turn to Gulbranson, a late portal arrival from Oregon State, to ease the transition from a chaotic offseason. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ACC quarterback rankings for college football season
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NCAA power rankings: Top 10 quarterbacks entering the 2025 season
Quarterbacks come and go from college football, whether due to the NFL draft, four-year eligibility, or now, the transfer portal. That means programs always look for their next signal-caller to lead the offense and provide victories. No position in college football -- or football at any level -- is more significant. Regardless of whether the person is a superstar or a game manager, the QB is the person who dictates the success. Seven of the last eight first-overall picks in the NFL draft have been quarterbacks. Will another from the Class of 2025 go first overall in 2026? Who are the top QBs heading toward another college football season? Let's take a look.. 10. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt 9. Haynes King, Georgia Tech 8. Blake Horvath, Navy 7. Rocco Becht, Iowa State 6. Arch Manning, Texas 5. D. J. Lagway, Florida 4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU 3. Cade Klubnik, Clemson 2. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State 1. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
