Fall camp is where quarterback battles start to take shape, and in the ACC, the pressure is already building. With the regular season only a few weeks away, several programs are still sorting out the most important job on the field.
That urgency makes the quarterback spot especially interesting at Clemson, where the Tigers are preparing to move on from Cade Klubnik. Dabo Swinney would likely prefer Christopher Vizzina to step into the role, but Tait Reynolds has made himself hard to ignore.
Vizzina is entering his fourth college season and has spent his entire career at Clemson, waiting behind Klubnik and developing in the system. This was supposed to be his moment, but Reynolds has changed the conversation.
Swinney said Reynolds has separated himself from the other quarterbacks in the competition, and he could even challenge Vizzina now.
Duke is dealing with a different kind of problem after the transfer portal shook up its quarterback room. Last season’s starter, Darian Mensah, entered on the final day, leaving the Blue Devils to rebuild the position without the usual portal advantage.
Duke responded by bringing in Walker Eget from San Jose State. He’ll battle Dan Mahan, who is entering his second season with the program.
Eget comes with production after throwing for 3,051 yards last season, while Mahan has the edge in familiarity with Duke’s system.
Stanford’s situation has its own twist, with Andrew Luck serving as the program’s GM. Even with that kind of name attached to the search, the Cardinal have still struggled to find consistent quarterback play, and they have not had a winning record since 2018.
Under new head coach Tavita Pritchard, Michigan transfer Davis Warren appears to be the frontrunner. Warren made nine starts in four seasons at Michigan, though his time on the field was uneven.
He’s being pushed by Dylan Rizk and Michael Mitchell. Rizk brings some experience from UCF, while Mitchell is a true freshman.
Virginia Tech is also navigating a reset under new coach James Franklin, who arrived from Penn State and brought plenty of roster turnover with him. The Hokies’ quarterback picture remains unsettled, even with Penn State transfer Ethan Grunkemeyer in the mix.
Grunkemeyer stepped in for Drew Allar after Allar was injured, giving him the most experience in the room. Still, Bryce Baker, Kelden Ryan and Troy Huhn are all in the race, and Franklin is still evaluating the position as the competition continues.
In Other News...
Dan Mahan Is At The Center Of Dukes Biggest Offensive Gamble
Dukes offense is entering fall camp with a fresh look after Darian Mensahs transfer to Miami, and Manny Diaz has made clear that the quarterback picture is still taking shape. San Jose State transfer Walker Eget and redshirt freshman Dan Mahan are both in the mix, giving the staff a real decision to make as it sorts out who can best steer the attack heading into the season.
What makes the call especially important is the direction this offense is headed. Duke expects to lean more heavily on the run game, with Nate Sheppard and CJ Campbell Jr. positioned to be central pieces, so the quarterback choice could help define how much variety the Blue Devils can build in around them. The staff is weighing fit as much as experience, and the answer may shape more than just the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Offense Takes A New Turn As Quarterback Battle Looms
Duke is heading into the season with a clearer sense of what it wants to be on offense, even as the quarterback picture remains unsettled. Starting center Matt Craycraft said the Blue Devils are putting a greater emphasis on the ground game, a shift that would give the unit a more defined identity while the competition at quarterback plays out after Darian Mensahs transfer to Miami.
Nate Sheppard looks like the piece most likely to make that approach work. After a strong season, the running back is expected to carry a big share of the load and give Duke a reliable foundation while the staff sorts through the rest of the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Duke's Rebuilt Secondary Already Faces Pressure To Fix A Costly Problem
Competition is already driving the tone in Dukes secondary as the Blue Devils work through preseason camp, and safety DaShawn Stone is right in the middle of it after the teams sixth practice in 2026. The redshirt junior brings real continuity to a group that has been reshaped by transfer additions, and he remains one of the most experienced pieces on the defense after starting all 14 games last season and earning Fourth Team Preseason All-ACC recognition.
Stones role goes beyond his own production, which has included 142 tackles in 32 career games, because Duke is leaning on its defensive backs to settle in quickly and make the back end more reliable. The focus has been especially sharp on third downs, where the Blue Devils want cleaner execution, and Stone also pointed to the importance of linebacker leadership as the defense tries to turn camp competition into something more dependable once the season starts. [Read more 🡒]