The top 5 quarterbacks in the ACC heading into 2023

With elite production returning at the top and a ton of talent spread throughout, the ACC's QBs should put up big numbers this fall. Where does Clemson's Cade Klubnik stack up?

The ACC is no stranger to elite quarterback play. The conference has seen seven quarterbacks selected in the first round over the past ten NFL Drafts. With North Carolina's Drake Maye eligible after this season, that number will undoubtedly be eight very soon.

With Maye leading the way, there will be plenty of excellent quarterback play in the ACC this season. From savvy veterans to true freshmen, there's no shortage of excitement heading into the fall, but who are the best of the best?

Drake Maye tallied over 5,000 total yards for North Carolina in 2022. (GoHeels.com)

1. Drake Maye - North Carolina

Maye would've likely been a first-round pick if he was eligible this spring. After posting an incredible stat line (4,321 passing yards, 698 rushing yards, 66.2%, 45 TDs, 7 INTs) and almost singlehandedly leading North Carolina to an ACC Championship Game appearance, he'll be an early favorite to push USC's Caleb Williams for the Heisman and the No. 1 overall pick.

2. Jordan Travis - Florida State

A testament to giving a quarterback time to develop, Jordan Travis started to shine in 2022, completing 64% of his throws. Now, entering his 6th season of college football, he has the weapons around him to take his game to the next level.

3. Riley Leonard - Duke

Another player that blew up in 2022, Leonard is an excellent example of where the position is going in college football. At 6-foot-2, he has the size to be a pocket passer, but he's also excellent in the run game, tallying nearly 700 yards in 2022 including 13 touchdowns. His best game of 2022 was likely against Wake Forest, where he threw for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win. 

4. Cade Klubnik - Clemson

This one is based more on potential than production, but the potential is sky-high. Klubnik, the former No. 1 overall recruit, sat behind DJ Uiagalelei for a majority of last season, before coming in early in the ACC Championship, leading the Tigers to a win over Drake Maye and North Carolina. Now the undisputed QB1 in Clemson, Klubnik will get to put his abilities to work in new-offensive coordinator Garrett Riley's offensive system.

5. Brennan Armstrong - N.C. State

After throwing for 4,449 yards in just 11 games in 2021, Armstrong was part of a disappointing season overall for Virginia in 2022. Armstrong elected to transfer to N.C. State, replacing Devin Leary who headed to Kentucky. Now reunited with offensive coordinator Robert Anae, who was his OC in 2021, Armstrong is looking to reinvigorate the Wolfpack offense and get back to his elite production from two years back.