The upcoming 2026 college football season is set to be an intriguing one, especially for Florida State Seminoles fans, as they gear up to face off against a diverse range of opponents. Among these, the starting quarterback situation for each team presents a fascinating insight into the strategies and strengths of their respective programs.
New Mexico State: A Battle of Quarterbacks
New Mexico State's head coach, Tony Sanchez, has announced that Trey Hedden will be the starter over Adam Damante. Hedden, a Tampa, Florida native, brings a wealth of experience to the table. With 151-of-248 passing for 1,767 yards and 13 touchdowns in his freshman year, and 2,967 passing yards on 287-of-419 passing in his sophomore season, he demonstrated a strong ability to lead the offense. Damante, on the other hand, has had stops at Northern Arizona and Arizona before landing at New Mexico State, where he appeared in five games with two starts, showcasing a 67.3% completion rate and 711 passing yards.
SMU: A Familiar Face at the Helm
SMU's quarterback situation is well-known, with Kevin Jennings, a redshirt senior, boasting an impressive 39 career appearances and 26 starts. Last season, he compiled 3,641 passing yards on 300-of-454 passing, with 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His ability to rush for 354 yards and five touchdowns in 2024 further highlights his versatility. With 7,709 passing yards, 55 passing touchdowns, and 10 rushing touchdowns in his career, Jennings is a reliable and dynamic leader for the Mustangs.
Alabama: A Close Contest
Alabama has yet to name a starter, but the battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell is intense. Mack, a fourth-year signal-caller, served as the backup quarterback last season, throwing for 228 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-32 passing. Russell, a former five-star recruit, saw action in two games as a true freshman, completing 11-of-15 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. The competition between these two talented quarterbacks will be a key factor in Alabama's success this season.
Central Arkansas: A Cloudy Forecast
Central Arkansas' quarterback situation is the most uncertain of all FSU's opponents. With six quarterbacks on their roster, none have thrown a pass for the Bears. The group includes Walker White, a transfer from Baylor, who made one appearance in 2024 at Auburn, and Donovyn Omolo, who played 10 games last season at Central Missouri. The lack of experience and clarity in this position could impact Central Arkansas' performance this season.
Virginia: A Transfer's Strong Suit
Beau Pribula, a transfer from Missouri, is the starting quarterback for Virginia. Pribula, a redshirt senior, has a strong background in college football. With 1,941 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, and nine interceptions last season, he demonstrated his ability to lead the offense. His experience at Penn State, where he appeared in 24 games, further adds to his credentials. Pribula's leadership and passing skills will be crucial for Virginia's success.
Louisville: A Transfer's Resilience
Louisville's starting quarterback, Lincoln Kienholz, is a redshirt junior who transferred from Ohio State. With 139 yards and a touchdown in seven games last season, he showed resilience and adaptability. Kienholz's experience in a reserve role at Ohio State will be an asset as he steps into the starting position. His ability to lead the offense and make quick decisions will be pivotal for Louisville's performance.
Miami: A Transfer's Potential
Darian Mensah, a redshirt junior who transferred to Miami from Duke, is a strong contender for the Preseason Player of the Year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. With 3,973 passing yards, 34 passing touchdowns, and six interceptions last season at Duke, Mensah demonstrated his talent. His experience at Tulane prior to his transfer to Duke further highlights his versatility and potential impact for Miami.
Clemson: A Dual-Threat Starter
Clemson's starting quarterback, Christopher Vizzina, is a 6-foot-4, 210-pound signal-caller with a strong arm and a dual-threat ability. With 596 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in 14 games over the past three seasons, he has shown his potential. The competition from Tait Reynolds, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound dual-threat, adds an intriguing dynamic to the Clemson offense.
Boston College: A Transfer's Versatility
Boston College's starting quarterback, Mason McKenzie, is a redshirt junior who transferred from Saginaw Valley State. With 2,086 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions last season, he demonstrated his versatility. His ability to rush for 942 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore further highlights his impact on the ground. McKenzie's leadership and dual-threat abilities will be crucial for Boston College's success.
Pitt: A Sophomore's Rise
Pitt's starting quarterback, Mason Heintschel, is a sophomore who made a strong impression as a true freshman. With 2,354 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, and eight interceptions, he demonstrated his potential. He also added 88 yards on the ground and two rushing scores, showcasing his dual-threat abilities. Heintschel's leadership and experience will be vital for Pitt's offensive success.
NC State: A Junior's Improvement
NC State's starting quarterback, CJ Bailey, is a junior who has earned valuable experience with the Wolfpack. With 3,105 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions last season, he demonstrated his improvement. Bailey's ability to lead the offense and make plays under pressure will be crucial for NC State's success.
Florida: A Battle of Freshmen
Florida's starting quarterback situation is a close contest between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. Philo, a transfer from Georgia Tech, has experience playing in eight games with one start over two seasons. Jones Jr., a second-year player from Jacksonville, Florida, made an impression as a true freshman with 191 yards and two touchdowns. The battle between these two talented freshmen will be a key factor in Florida's offensive strategy.
