We’ve already ranked the best SEC and Big 10 quarterbacks in past pieces. Now it’s the ACC’s turn.
The ACC may not be the powerhouse it once was, but its legacy runs deep when it comes to producing NFL quarterback talent. From Hall of Famers to recent stars, the conference’s schools have each left a mark on the league.
Keep in mind, this list isn’t about who was the best college quarterback, but rather who went on to have the most success at the professional level.
Here is the best NFL quarterback from every current ACC program:
Boston College: Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan was one of the most productive quarterbacks in NFL history, ranking top ten all-time in both passing yards and touchdowns. His 2016 MVP season, when he led the Falcons to the Super Bowl, remains his defining moment. While Atlanta’s infamous collapse against New England still stings, Ryan’s consistency, longevity, and professionalism make him an easy choice here.
Career Stats: 62,792 passing yards, 381 touchdowns, 183 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Matt Hasselbeck
California: Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers has been one of the faces of the NFL for nearly two decades. A four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion, Rodgers combined arm talent, intelligence, and precision like few others in league history. While his postseason record leaves something to be desired, his prime years were among the best ever played.
Career Stats: 64,805 passing yards, 521 touchdowns, 123 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Jared Goff
Clemson: Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence entered the NFL with enormous expectations, and while he has been solid, he has not yet reached his full potential. He has shown flashes of brilliance and remains one of the league’s most talented young passers. But it feels like time might be running out for him to become the star many expected.
Career Stats: 15,813 passing yards, 79 touchdowns, 53 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Deshaun Watson
Duke: Sonny Jurgensen
Despite being a Hall of Famer, Sonny Jurgensen is still underrated in many conversations about all-time great quarterbacks. A five-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team, Jurgensen was one of the most accurate and exciting passers of his era.
Career Stats: 32,224 passing yards, 255 touchdowns, 189 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Daniel Jones
Florida State: Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson defined steadiness. He was never flashy, but he was always dependable, leading Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl victory in 2002. Johnson’s efficient style made him one of the more quietly successful quarterbacks of his generation.
Career Stats: 29,504 passing yards, 166 touchdowns, 122 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Jameis Winston
Georgia Tech: Mike Kelley
Georgia Tech’s quarterback pipeline to the NFL has been thin. The best choice here is Mike Kelley, who played a single game for the Chargers in 1987. Sometimes that is all it takes to make the list.
Career Stats: 305 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions
Honorable Mention: None
Louisville: Johnny Unitas
This was one of the toughest choices on the board, with both Johnny Unitas and Lamar Jackson representing Louisville at the highest level. The nod goes to Unitas for now. A Hall of Famer with three NFL Championships and a Super Bowl title, Unitas helped define modern quarterbacking. At some point, though, Jackson may take over this spot.
Career Stats: 40,329 passing yards, 290 touchdowns, 253 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Lamar Jackson
Miami: Jim Kelly
Jim Kelly led the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls, an accomplishment that remains one of the most remarkable streaks in sports history. While he never won one, his leadership and production were undeniable, and he defined the Bills’ golden era.
Career Stats: 35,467 passing yards, 237 touchdowns, 175 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Vinny Testaverde
North Carolina: Mitchell Trubisky
For now, Mitchell Trubisky holds this spot, though Drake Maye seems destined to take it over soon. Trubisky’s time in Chicago included some ups and downs, but he still put together a respectable career and remains UNC’s most accomplished NFL passer to date.
Career Stats: 12,769 passing yards, 74 touchdowns, 48 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Drake Maye
North Carolina State: Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers was one of the most durable and consistent quarterbacks of the 2000s and 2010s. Known for his fiery competitiveness and unorthodox throwing motion, Rivers was a prolific passer who ranks among the top ten in nearly every major category.
Career Stats: 63,440 passing yards, 421 touchdowns, 209 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Roman Gabriel
Pittsburgh: Dan Marino
Dan Marino was ahead of his time. With one of the quickest releases and strongest arms the NFL has ever seen, he put up numbers that stood for decades. Though he never won a Super Bowl, Marino’s impact on the game is unmatched.
Career Stats: 61,361 passing yards, 420 touchdowns, 252 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Kenny Pickett
SMU: Don Meredith
Before becoming a beloved broadcaster, Don Meredith was a steady quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s. A three-time Pro Bowler, he helped lay the foundation for the franchise’s future success.
Career Stats: 17,199 passing yards, 135 touchdowns, 111 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Josh McCown
Stanford: John Elway
Stanford has produced a long list of successful NFL quarterbacks, but John Elway stands above them all. A nine-time Pro Bowler, two-time Super Bowl champion, and one-time Super Bowl MVP, Elway’s combination of arm strength, athleticism, and leadership made him one of the greatest to ever play.
Career Stats: 51,475 passing yards, 300 touchdowns, 226 interceptions
Honorable Mentions: Andrew Luck, John Brodie, Jim Plunkett
Syracuse: Donovan McNabb
Donovan McNabb was one of the premier quarterbacks of the 2000s, leading Philadelphia to multiple NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance. A six-time Pro Bowler, McNabb was one of the most dynamic dual-threat QBs of his time.
Career Stats: 37,276 passing yards, 234 touchdowns, 117 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Tommy DeVito
Virginia: Matt Schaub
Matt Schaub quietly had a solid NFL career, highlighted by a Pro Bowl selection and a passing title in 2009. Never elite but always capable, Schaub represents the middle tier of reliable NFL starters.
Career Stats: 25,467 passing yards, 136 touchdowns, 91 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Aaron Brooks
Virginia Tech: Michael Vick
Michael Vick changed football forever. His speed, elusiveness, and playmaking ability redefined what a quarterback could be. Though his career had off-field turbulence, his influence on the game is undeniable.
Career Stats: 22,464 passing yards, 133 touchdowns, 88 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Tyrod Taylor
Wake Forest: Norm Snead
There wasn’t much competition in the Demon Deacon quarterback room, but Norm Snead earns the nod. A four-time Pro Bowler and longtime starter, Snead provided stability and consistency for more than a decade in the NFL.
Career Stats: 30,797 passing yards, 196 touchdowns, 257 interceptions
Honorable Mention: Karl Sweetan
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