The upcoming 2026 college football season is set to be an intriguing one for Florida State, with a variety of starting quarterback situations among their opponents. Here's a breakdown of the QB1 scenarios for each of FSU's 2026 opponents, offering a glimpse into the potential challenges and opportunities for the Seminoles.
New Mexico State
New Mexico State has named Trey Hedden as the starter, with a slight edge over Adam Damante. Hedden, a Tampa, FL native, brings experience from his time at Furman, where he started eight games as a true freshman and 12 games as a redshirt junior. His passing accuracy and yardage suggest a capable signal-caller, though Damante's contributions cannot be overlooked.
SMU
SMU's Kevin Jennings is a familiar face, with 39 appearances and 26 starts under his belt. His performance last season, including 3,641 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, showcases his potential as a reliable starter. The improvement in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2024 further highlights his versatility.
Alabama
Alabama's quarterback situation remains uncertain, with no starter named yet. The battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell adds an intriguing dynamic. Mack, a fourth-year signal-caller, saw action in four games last season, while Russell, a former five-star recruit, completed 11-of-15 passes for 143 yards in two games. The Crimson Tide's decision will be pivotal.
Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas' quarterback situation is the most murky, with six quarterbacks on the roster. Walker White, a transfer from Baylor, stands out with his size and potential. However, the lack of game experience and the presence of other quarterbacks make it challenging to predict the starter.
Virginia
Virginia's Beau Pribula is a seasoned redshirt senior, having played at Penn State and Missouri. His performance at Missouri, including 1,941 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, showcases his ability to lead a team. Pribula's experience and accuracy make him a strong contender for the starting role.
Louisville
Louisville's Lincoln Kienholz is a redshirt junior, transferring from Ohio State. His performance in seven games last season, including 139 yards and a touchdown, indicates a capable starter. Kienholz's size and accuracy make him a formidable option for the Cardinals.
Miami
Miami's Darian Mensah is a redshirt junior, transferring from Duke. His impressive performance at Duke, including 3,973 passing yards and 34 touchdowns, has earned him Preseason Player of the Year honors. Mensah's accuracy and versatility make him a strong candidate for the starting role.
Clemson
Clemson's starting quarterback role is contested between Christopher Vizzina and Tait Reynolds. Vizzina, a 6-foot-4 signal-caller, has appeared in 14 games with one start, while Reynolds, a dual-threat, missed most of his senior year due to injury. The competition adds an intriguing layer to Clemson's offense.
Boston College
Boston College's Mason McKenzie is a redshirt junior, transferring from Saginaw Valley State. His performance last season, including 2,086 passing yards and 17 touchdowns, showcases his potential as a starter. McKenzie's size and accuracy make him a strong contender for the Eagles.
Pitt
Pitt's Mason Heintschel, now a sophomore, had a successful freshman season with nine starts. His performance, including 2,354 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, indicates a promising future. Heintschel's size and accuracy make him a key player for the Panthers.
NC State
NC State's CJ Bailey is a junior, with 5,518 passing yards and 42 touchdowns over the past two seasons. His accuracy and experience make him a strong contender for the starting role. Bailey's performance has been consistent, though the sack count remains a concern.
Florida
Florida's quarterback situation is a close battle between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. Philo, a transfer from Georgia Tech, has experience with 59-of-102 passing accuracy, while Jones Jr., a second-year player, showed potential with 21-of-35 passing in two games. The Gators' decision will be crucial for their offensive success.
