During the off-season, as we’ve prepared for the 2020 ACC season one thing is apparent – this is best group of ACC QB’s since the fantastic 2016 group. Is the 2020 group better, wait until the end of the season, or is the 2016 class just too good for the 2020 group to catch?
Let’s compare… Remember these lists were made prior to the season beginning.
(2020) 1) Trevor Lawrence, Clemson, (2016) 1) Deshaun Watson, Clemson
The great Clemson debate. Trevor or Deshaun? Both have a national title, and a national title appearance. They were certain NFL 1st Round NFL picks. It’s a a debate Clemson fans love to have. Which national title winning QB do they like best? It’s splitting hairs, but for my money I’m leaning Watson. I don’t think Watson had as much total talent around him as Lawrence has had. Lawrence gets another year so we will see.
Pick – Deshaun Watson
(2020) 2) Sam Howell, North Carolina, (2016) 2) Brad Kaaya, Miami
Brad Kaaya was a solid QB at Miami, and an NFL pick, but by the end of the 2016 season he wasn’t the #2 QB in the ACC. That was either Lamar Jackson or Deshaun Watson depending on if you were a Louisville or Clemson fan. Sam Howell would have been a late round 1 or round 2 pick last year as a freshman. You have to give this to Howell.
Pick – Sam Howell
(2020) 3) Micale Cunningham, Louisville, (2016) 3) Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Micale Cunningham has drawn comparisons Lamar Jackson by Louisville faithful, but this one isn’t close. Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 2016 and is one of the most dynamic players the ACC has ever seen. It’s not a knock on Cunningham, but he’s not catching Jackson and there’s no shame in that.
Pick – Lamar Jackson
(2020) 4) D’Eriq King, Miami, (2016) 4) Justin Thomas, Georgia Tech
What an interesting debate here between D’Eriq King who appeared on some 2019 Pre-season Heisman lists, and Justin Thomas who was the best option QB that Paul Johnson ever had at Georgia Tech. Thomas in 2016 led Georgia Tech to a 9 win season, won an Orange Bowl in 2014 and beat UGA twice. If King can elevate Miami this year to a Coastal Division title, there might be a debate. Thomas just has the more accomplished resume.
Pick – Justin Thomas
(2020) 5) Hendon Hooker, Virginia Tech, (2016) 5) Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina
Mitch Trubisky entered 2016 5th on this list, and ended up the 2nd pick in the 2017 NFL draft. Hooker is a fine a QB, who helped jump start the Hokies 2019 offense, but Trubisky is tough to top.
Pick – Mitch Trubisky
Final Analysis
The 2020 QB class in the ACC is clearly talented, but that the 2016 class is still so far ahead of it just speaks to how good the 2016 group was. 2016 guys like future NFLers Duke Daniel Jones, NC State’s Ryan Finley, and the dynamic Syracuse QB Eric Dungey didn’t even make the top 5 list. I can’t see the 2020 group ever touching the 2016 group, but let’s see if by the end of the year they can close the gap.
Make sure you follow the All Sports Discussion Twitter account at @AllSportsDACC and please like our Facebook Page
Leave a Reply