The upcoming 2026 college football season is set to be an intriguing one for Florida State Seminoles fans, with a particular focus on the quarterback situation for their opponents. Here's a breakdown of the starting quarterback scenarios for each of FSU's 2026 opponents, offering a glimpse into the potential challenges and strengths they may present.
New Mexico State
New Mexico State has named Trey Hedden as its starter. Hedden, a Tampa, Florida native, has experience at Furman, where he started eight games as a true freshman and 12 games as a junior. He boasts a strong passing accuracy of 60.9% and 68.5% in his respective seasons, with 13 and 17 touchdowns, respectively. His performance suggests a reliable and capable quarterback.
SMU
SMU's quarterback situation is led by Kevin Jennings, a redshirt senior with 39 appearances and 26 starts. Jennings' passing accuracy stands at 66.1%, and he has shown improvement in his rushing capabilities, with 354 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. His experience and versatility make him a formidable opponent.
Alabama
Alabama has yet to announce its starter, but the battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell is expected to be intense. Mack, a fourth-year signal-caller, has seen action in four games as a backup, showcasing his ability with a 75.0% passing accuracy and two touchdowns. Russell, a former five-star recruit, completed 73.3% of his passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns in two games last season.
Central Arkansas
Central Arkansas' quarterback situation is the most uncertain, with six quarterbacks on the roster. Among them, Walker White stands out with a 6-foot-4 frame and experience at Auburn. However, the lack of passing attempts and the presence of other quarterbacks make it challenging to predict their starter.
Virginia
Virginia's starting quarterback is Beau Pribula, a transfer from Missouri. Pribula's experience at Penn State and Missouri showcases his adaptability. He boasts a strong passing accuracy of 67.4% and has demonstrated his rushing abilities with 297 yards and six touchdowns on 95 rushes.
Louisville
Louisville's quarterback is Lincoln Kienholz, a redshirt junior who transferred from Ohio State. Kienholz has shown promise with a 78.6% passing accuracy in his lone start last season. His experience and potential make him a strong contender.
Miami
Miami's quarterback situation is led by Darian Mensah, a redshirt junior who transferred from Duke. Mensah's impressive performance at Duke, including a 66.8% passing accuracy and 34 touchdowns, makes him a strong candidate for the Preseason Player of the Year in the ACC.
Clemson
Clemson's starting quarterback is Christopher Vizzina, a redshirt junior with 14 games and one start under his belt. Vizzina's passing accuracy of 61.0% and rushing abilities, including a touchdown, make him a reliable option. However, the presence of freshman Tait Reynolds adds an interesting dynamic.
Boston College
Boston College's quarterback is Mason McKenzie, a redshirt junior who transferred from Saginaw Valley State. McKenzie's passing accuracy of 59.8% and rushing abilities, including 942 yards and 10 touchdowns, make him a versatile and experienced player.
Pitt
Pitt's quarterback situation is led by Mason Heintschel, a sophomore who started nine games as a true freshman. Heintschel's passing accuracy of 63.6% and rushing abilities, including two touchdowns, showcase his potential.
NC State
NC State's quarterback is CJ Bailey, a junior with 273 appearances and 25 starts. Bailey's passing accuracy of 68.8% and rushing abilities, including six touchdowns, make him a well-rounded and experienced player.
Florida
Florida's starting quarterback is yet to be determined, with a battle between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. Philo, a transfer from Georgia Tech, has experience with a 57.8% passing accuracy. Jones Jr., a second-year player, showed promise with a 60.0% passing accuracy in his debut.
In summary, the 2026 college football season promises an exciting array of quarterback scenarios for Florida State's opponents. Each team's starting quarterback brings unique strengths and experiences, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming games.
