Each school soccer program preaches growth. However by no means has that felt much less true than on the quarterback place on this period of participant motion.
Coaches select recruits by means of the switch portal over in-house choices at practically each alternative. Quarterbacks continuously bounce round in the event that they don’t play shortly sufficient. And there are occasions when applications do develop quarterbacks just for these gamers to depart for perceived greener pastures.
So we’re on a mission to search out the final time every Energy 4 program developed a QB?
Listed below are the strict parameters: The quarterback should have signed with this system out of highschool, began a minimum of one full season and left the varsity both through commencement or for the NFL Draft. No transfers or dismissals.
We are going to begin with the ACC.
(All recruiting rankings are from the 247Sports Composite. The designation of pro-style or dual-threat was eradicated beginning with the Class of 2021.)
Boston School
Chase Rettig
Signed: Class of 2010 (No. 254 general, No. 9 pro-style QB)Remaining season: 2013
The Eagles haven’t gained greater than seven video games since 2009, and their incapability to develop a quarterback has contributed to that. Anthony Brown confirmed some flashes however transferred to Oregon. Phil Jurkovec and Tommy Castellanos transferred in, had some strong moments however ultimately transferred out.
That leaves Rettig, who began for 3 full seasons (2011-13), because the final QB to signal with Boston School, grow to be a full-time starter and end his profession there.
Cal
Chase Garbers
Signed: Class of 2017 (No. 334, No. 12 pro-style QB)Remaining season: 2021
If all goes nicely with present starter Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, this entry will look completely different in a number of years. However for now, it’s Garbers, who threw for six,582 yards, 50 touchdowns and 24 picks throughout 4 seasons because the Golden Bears’ main starter (2018-2021).
Fernando Mendoza was an amazing analysis for Cal, however his switch to Indiana disqualifies him from this listing.
Clemson
Cade Klubnik
Signed: Class of 2022 (No. 6, No. 1 QB)Remaining season: 2025
Up till this yr, coach Dabo Swinney just about prevented the switch portal. He’s began solely in-house choices at quarterback since changing into the full-time head coach in 2009. Klubnik, who began for 3 seasons, is the latest instance in a bunch that features Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson and Tajh Boyd.
If Chandler Morris good points one other yr of eligibility and leaves Virginia, will Swinney change his method? Morris’ father, Chad, just lately returned to Clemson as offensive coordinator, and there’s been hypothesis that Chandler might be part of him.
Duke
Quentin Harris
Signed: Class of 2015 (No. 1,248, No. 30 dual-threat QB)Remaining season: 2019
Harris waited patiently behind Daniel Jones and have become a starter in 2019.
Riley Leonard was discover by David Cutcliffe and broke out underneath Mike Elko, however he transferred to Notre Dame after the 2023 season.
The Blue Devils, who’re coming off an ACC championship, are squarely on the switch QB carousel now. Coach Manny Diaz began transfers in 2024 (Maalik Murphy) and 2025 (Darian Mensah) and will probably begin one other this yr (Walker Eget).
Florida State
Jameis Winston
Signed: Class of 2012 (No. 16, No. 1 dual-threat QB)Remaining season: 2014
You could possibly make an argument for Jordan Travis right here. He spent 5 seasons at Florida State and actually developed in Tallahassee, however he transferred in after one season at Louisville. The fact is Jimbo Fisher mismanaged the place, Willie Taggart didn’t do a lot to enhance it and Mike Norvell has lived within the portal and made some questionable evaluations.
Winston gained the Heisman Trophy and led the Seminoles to the nationwide championship in 2013.
Georgia Tech
TaQuon Marshall
Signed: Class of 2015 (No. 926, No. 18 APB)Remaining season: 2018
Marshall signed as a operating again underneath Paul Johnson, however transitioned to quarterback after his freshman season and began as a junior and senior.
Since then, Jeff Sims confirmed some promise however was too inconsistent, and he transferred to Nebraska (after which Arizona State). Haynes King performed nicely, however he transferred in from Texas A&M. The Yellow Jackets might begin one other switch, Alberto Mendoza (Fernando’s youthful brother), this season.
If TaQuon Marshall will get open area, LOOK OUT.
This unimaginable run is for positive a prime Should See Second from 2017! #MustSeeACC
(@GeorgiaTechFB) pic.twitter.com/PLHzvoYcUX
— ACC Digital Community (@theACCDN) July 12, 2018
Louisville
Malik Cunningham
Signed: Class of 2017 (No. 498, No. 33 ATH)Remaining season: 2022
Jeff Brohm is on monitor to start out his fourth completely different switch quarterback, Lincoln Kienholz from Ohio State, in 4 seasons as Louisville’s coach.
Cunningham, who was listed as an athlete popping out of highschool in Alabama, began for 4 seasons underneath former coach Scott Satterfield (now at Cincinnati).
Miami
Malik Rosier
Signed: Class of 2014 (No. 926, No. 27 dual-threat QB)Remaining season: 2018
Mario Cristobal has discovered a profitable components by signing a high-end switch quarterback each offseason. Cam Ward turned a Heisman Trophy finalist and led the Hurricanes to 10 wins in 2024. Final season, Carson Beck guided Miami to the School Soccer Playoff championship sport. We’ll see what Darian Mensah can do in 2026 after his switch from Duke.
Earlier than this current string of QB success, although, the Hurricanes went by means of a tough patch on the place. Rosier began in 2017 and led Miami to 10 wins and an Orange Bowl look. He completed his profession with the Hurricanes however was benched throughout one stretch of his ultimate season in favor of N’Kosi Perry.
NC State
Mike Glennon
Signed: Class of 2008 (No. 47, No. 4 pro-style QB)Remaining season: 2012
Present quarterback CJ Bailey has began the previous two seasons and can substitute Glennon on this listing if he finishes his profession at NC State. Devin Leary did some good issues in his 4 years with the Pack, however he transferred to Kentucky after the 2022 season.
Jacoby Brissett (Florida) and Ryan Finley (Boise State) transferred into this system.
North Carolina
Drake Maye
Signed: Class of 2021 (No. 56, No. 9 QB)Remaining season: 2023
Former Tar Heels coach Mack Brown developed two high quality starters throughout his second tenure with the Tar Heels — Sam Howell and Maye. Maye began two seasons (2022-23) and have become the No. 3 choose within the 2024 NFL Draft.
This system has turned to the switch marketplace for a QB the previous two offseasons underneath the management of coach Invoice Belichick.
Pittsburgh
Kenny Pickett
Signed: Class of 2017 (No. 736, No. 33 pro-style QB)Remaining season: 2021
Coach Pat Narduzzi has tried and failed with a number of completely different switch choices after Pickett’s spectacular 2021 season, which culminated with an ACC championship.
Present starter Mason Heintschel confirmed loads of promise as a real freshman in 2025 and will convey some stability to the place.
SMU
Kevin Jennings
Signed: Class of 2022 (No. 1,535, No. 95 QB)Remaining season: 2026
It’s Jennings’ ultimate season of eligibility, and he’s nonetheless at SMU, so he qualifies for this listing. He led the Mustangs to a CFP look in 2024 and a nine-win season in 2025. Earlier than him, you’d have to return to Justin Willis within the 2000s, although that one will get an asterisk. Willis began in 2006 and 2007 however was moved to large receiver by new coach June Jones in 2008 after which give up the group earlier than his senior season.
Stanford
Tanner McKee
Signed: Class of 2018 (No. 46, No. 3 pro-style QB)Remaining season: 2022
Stanford was once one of many prime locations for blue-chip quarterbacks, however this system misplaced its luster at that place towards the top of David Shaw’s tenure. Quarterback play slipped much more underneath Troy Taylor, so we’ll see what new coach Tavita Pritchard does to deal with it.
McKee was the final in run of beginning QBs — which began with Andrew Luck in 2009 — on The Farm.
Syracuse
Eric Dungey
Signed: Class of 2015 (No. 639, No. 20 dual-threat QB)Remaining season: 2018
Dungey thrived underneath coach Dino Babers and is Syracuse’s all-time chief in passing yards (9,340) and complete yards (11,333).
Present coach Fran Brown has been dedicated to taking part in a switch quarterback, and it doesn’t seem to be that’ll change quickly. Steve Angeli must be the starter if wholesome this fall, and the Orange introduced in two transfers — Amari Odom (Kennesaw State) and Malachi Nelson (UTEP) — for depth in case Angeli isn’t able to go (Achilles tear final September).
Eric Dungey GETS. IT. DONE.
The @CuseFootball QB has grow to be probably the most productive at his place within the ACC. 🍊
(@EricDungey) pic.twitter.com/vfPBFqeBl7
— ACC Digital Community (@theACCDN) Could 22, 2018
Virginia
Matt Johns
Signed: Class of 2012 (No. 756, No. 36 pro-style QB)Remaining season: 2016
Johns began in 2015 however misplaced the job when Bronco Mendenhall took over as coach in 2016.
Brennan Armstrong and Anthony Colandrea started their careers at Virginia and ultimately turned starters, however each transferred out. The Cavaliers are projected to start out a switch as soon as once more in 2026, both Beau Pribula (Missouri) or Eli Holstein (Pitt).
Virginia Tech
Logan Thomas
Signed: Class of 2009 (No. 52, No. 4 pro-style QB)Remaining season: 2013
Thomas, a three-year starter, is Virginia Tech’s all-time chief in passing yards (9,003) and passing TDs (52). Since his departure, the Hokies have had a tough time getting high quality quarterback play — even once they’ve had succesful sign callers on campus (like Hendon Hooker).
Thomas, the final QB who led Virginia Tech to a BCS/New 12 months’s Six bowl sport, switched to tight finish within the NFL.
Wake Forest
John Wolford
Signed: Class of 2014 (No. 936, No. 38 pro-style QB)Remaining season: 2017
Wolford led the Demon Deacons to 2 bowl video games and obtained former coach Dave Clawson’s tenure at Wake Forest on monitor. Sam Hartman was an important growth story, however he transferred to Notre Dame for his ultimate season of eligibility.
Second-year coach Jake Dickert began a switch final season (Robby Ashford) and introduced in one other switch (Gio Lopez) this offseason, in order that appears to be the trail for the Demon Deacons now.
