With the ACC Kickoff under way through Monday in North Carolina, the focus is on the quarterbacks as 11 starters return. Miami is the only team that lost a full-time starter in Jacory Harris. Who are the five best?
5. Bryn Renner (North Carolina) » Because the Tar Heels were hamstrung by NCAA sanctions, the fine work of Renner (West Springfield) went largely unnoticed. But he led the ACC in completion rate (68.3 percent) and efficiency (159.4).
4. E.J. Manuel (Florida State) » He’s a big-time talent. His best moments have come in three bowl games, sparking great expectations for the following seasons that have not been met. Last year was an improvement as he was second in the ACC in efficiency (151.2).
3. Tajh Boyd (Clemson) » Led ACC in passing yards (3,828) and touchdowns (33), but his efficiency (141.2) and completion rate (59.7 percent) were less impressive considering the electric weapons at his disposal in Andre Ellington, Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins.
2. Mike Glennon (N.C. State)?» Coach Tom O’Brien’s comparison of Glennon to Matt Ryan seemed laughable early last year. Nobody’s laughing now. Glennon (Westfield) was second in the conference in touchdown passes (31) and did it without an ACC top 10 receiver.
1. Logan Thomas (Virginia Tech)?» By the end of the year, the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Thomas was doing a nice impersonation of Cam Newton on his way to running and throwing for a school-record 3,482 yards of total offense and propelling the Hokies to an ACC title.
– Kevin Dunleavy
