ACC Media Days 2024: 5 QBs under the most pressure for the Charlotte event
The ACC Media Days 2024 take place next week in Charlotte, North Carolina from Monday, July 22 to Thursday, July 25. Given the sprawl of the league to a 17-team monster, there will likely be no shortage of storylines next season. Among the most significant players discussed will be the league's quarterbacks.
The top passers in the conference could define the arc of their team's season, and here are five signal callers who will be much discussed in Charlotte.
5 QBs under the most pressure ahead of ACC Media Days 2024
#1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Is the ACC still relevant? When Trevor Lawrence led the Clemson offense, there was no question about the league's status. But since Lawrence headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars, it's been a different story around Dabo Swinney's program.
A year ago, Klubnik presided over four Clemson losses, the most since 2011. Klubnik was adequate in 2023 (2,844 yards, 19 TDs), but Swinney needs more from him this season. Can Klubnik make the Clemson Tigers a CFP team again?
#2. DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State
Speaking of former Clemson QBs, there's DJ Uiagalelei, who spent three years at Clemson before moving on to Oregon State. Now at his third school, the veteran would love some revenge on his former teammates.
Meanwhile, the Florida State Seminoles are in an interesting situation. Left out of the CFP a year ago despite a 13-0 season, a 63-3 loss to Georgia in the Orange Bowl hurt not only the program but the league. Can Uiagalelei write a story that both redeems the Seminoles and his own once-promising career?
#3. Cam Ward, Miami
Another quarterback with something to prove is Ward, the Washington State transfer. Miami was an ugly 7-6 last year, but Mario Cristobal has invested deeply in the transfer portal and Ward has plenty of talent around him in the Hurricanes offense. Ward threw for nearly 7,000 yards and 48 touchdowns out West.
But how will this work in Miami? Ward will likely face much more committed defenses than had did in the last two years. While the Hurricanes have plenty of talent, until they've been an ACC contender, it's worth wondering how seriously to take them. Ward can alter the program and the league with a big senior year.
#4. Max Johnson, North Carolina
Johnson is another remarkably well-traveled quarterback, having had shots at the starting job under center at both LSU and Texas A&M. He's now tasked with replacing Drake Maye, who kept North Carolina relevant with a pair of solid seasons in 2022 and 2023.
But with the added talent in the league, can the Tar Heels keep up? Mack Brown certainly isn't getting any younger, and Johnson has essentially ended up watching his coaches get run out of town at his first two stops. Can he keep Carolina in the upper half of the ACC in 2024?
#5. Kyle McCord, Syracuse
McCord was competent at Ohio State but wasn't the guy to launch OSU to a national title, and so he's been shuttled off to Syracuse. The Orange haven't been nationally relevant since a 10-win season in 2018. But McCord, who passed for 3,170 yards and 24 scores at Ohio State in 2023, could be the answer.
Much as North Carolina has some pressure, new head coach Fran Brown would love to get off on the right foot at Syracuse. Brown and McCord open with an easy schedule run and could build up enough momentum early to re-arrange the ACC with a surprise season.
Which ACC passers will you be looking or listening for at ACC Media Days? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.