Ranking The ACC QBs Through Week Two
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Through two weeks, it’s time to rev up the player rankings again. We’ve got enough documentation from the majority of ACC quarterbacks to start stacking them up against one another. Before I start these rankings, I’m not interested in the opponents these players have played, I’m only concerned about raw stats and overall performances. Here we go:
1.) C.J. Brown, Maryland
No, he hasn’t played the best opponents yet (both FIU and ODU bordered on junior colleges), but from a statistical standpoint, there are few quarterbacks in the nation who have compiled Brown’s stats. 9 total touchdowns, 556 passing yards, 12.4 YPA. Not too bad for a guy who hadn’t played in over a year.
2.) Tajh Boyd, Clemson
Boyd gets the nod for the number two spot even though he failed to throw a touchdown pass last week. He’s still playing incredibly well for his team, amassing six touchdowns overall through two weeks. He’s beaten Georgia, and his team has put up 90 points over two games. You can’t complain about that production.
3.) Jameis Winston, Florida State
Winston has played one game, but that one game was enough to convince me that he’s worthy of a top three spot. When you complete 25-of-27 passes for four touchdowns, rush for one more, and completely exceed the hype that surrounded you entering into the season, people notice. Winston’s future looks very bright.
4.) Bryn Renner, North Carolina
After the top three, Bryn Renner is more than likely the fourth-best quarterback thus far. His scoring numbers don’t account for much (two passing TDs and one rushing), but he has been pretty accurate, and he’s been slinging it quite a bit. He’s already attempted 77 passes so far (533 yards), and if he keeps this pace up he’s going to break some records.
5.) Chase Rettig, Boston College
Controversial, sure, but Rettig deserves some respect. He’s played behind a terrible offensive line close to his entire career, and yet he’s off to just as hot a start as last year when he had five touchdowns in his first two games (he has four now). Rettig is a steady quarterback and really makes the most out of stud WR Alex Amidon.
6.) Stephen Morris, Miami
Morris is playing for a team that has garnered some new attention at the national level, but that doesn’t mean he’s playing amazingly well. He’s barely completing over 50% of his passes, but he is still winning and has thrown three touchdowns.
7.) Brandon Connette, Duke
Connette has filled in admirably for Anthony Boone, throwing four touchdowns in his first career start (a win vs Memphis). Honestly Connette has a chance to move up these rankings if Duke continues to win, because the competition between he and Morris isn’t as far apart as it seems.
8.) Tanner Price, Wake Forest
Price has been far from elite in the revamped Wake Forest offense, but he hasn’t been too bad. A loss to Boston College didn’t do wonders for him and he failed to execute down the stretch. Still, he’s sixth in the ACC in total yardage (410 yards).
9.) Vad Lee, Georgia Tech
Vad Lee has only played one game and attempted only 11 passes, but it was such a blowout and everyone else has been so bad that I have to include him in here. He’s got three touchdowns already, and is in store for more.
10.) Simply put, between Drew Allen, Dave Watford, Pete Thomas, and Logan Thomas, they have all been so bad through two weeks I have a hard time nominating any of them.