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College Football: Each Power Five conference’s top 3 quarterbacks for 2020

By Aaron Gershon

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a touchdown run by teammate Travis Etienne (not pictured) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates a touchdown run by teammate Travis Etienne (not pictured) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Trevor Lawrence, Clemson football (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

Sam Howell burst onto the college football scene in 2019 and alongside Mack Brown helped guide the Tar Heels to go from a 2-9 team to a 7-6 bowl winner.

Howell threw for 3,641 yards and 38 touchdowns with just seven interceptions last season earning the ACC Rookie of the Year award and third-team All-ACC honors.

With another year under his belt, he’ll likely enter 2021 as the ACC’s top quarterback, but more needs to be seen to name him the best in the league.

The Miami Hurricanes finally have a reliable quarterback in Houston graduate transfer D’Eriq King.

As a junior in 2018, King threw for 2,982 yards and 36 touchdowns while rushing for 674 yards and 14 additional touchdowns. After four games, as a senior last season, he decided to sit out in order to gain an extra year of eligibility and start elsewhere.

At Miami, he should be the perfect fit to get the Hurricanes back towards the top of the conference with his ability to beat opposing defenses with both his arms and leg. He ranks just above Howell given he’s had multiple years as a starter and is among the nation’s top dual-threats.

There’s no better quarterback in the ACC, or the nation for that matter, returning in 2020 than Trevor Lawrence.

Lawrence took over as the Tigers’ starting quarterback a few games into the 2018 season. All he did that year was lead the team to a perfect 15-0 season by throwing for 3,280 yards, 30 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He led the Tigers to an ACC title, a 30-3 Cotton Bowl win over Notre Dame and 44-16 victory over Alabama to claim the national championship.

On top of being a national champion as a true freshman, Lawrence took home first-team All-ACC honors and the league’s rookie of the year award.

In 2019, Lawrence led the Tigers back to the national championship by throwing for 3,665 yards with 36 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. He also added 563 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground to again take home first-team All-ACC honors.

As long as he’s healthy, Lawrence figures to be the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and will be the quarterback of the team favored to win the national championship this fall.

Honorable mention: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh 

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