Still wondering about the ACC's problems at quarterback?

Consider this: Over the past five years, the league's 12 football programs have signed 82 players who were projected as possible quarterbacks at the college level. Only half of them, approximately, are still playing QB at their original schools of choice.

Of the 82 signees, 58 still are playing football at the ACC school where they signed as high school prospects or (in a few cases) transfers. Of those 58, only 43 are still playing quarterback. Some are making significant contributions at other positions.

That's at least part of the explanation for the league's mediocre quarterback play this fall. Of the 34 ACC prospects signed for the position in 2003 and 2004 — they are fourth- or fifth-year players now — only six are starting at QB this fall.

Matt Ryan (Boston College) is playing so well he's a Heisman Trophy candidate, and Cullen Harper (Clemson) has been outstanding thus far in his first year as a starter. Taylor Bennett (Georgia Tech), Jordan Steffy (Maryland), Drew Weatherford (Florida State) and Kyle Wright (Miami) have been extremely inconsistent for their teams.

Every other school in the conference is starting a freshman or sophomore at quarterback this season.

“You’d like for (a quarterback) to become a sophomore or junior that’s getting some snaps, and by the time he’s a fifth-year guy he’s the guy," Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe said. "Ultimately, that’s where we would like to go with our quarterback situation — that they play some when they’re younger, but by the time they’re in their fourth of fifth year, they’re the guy.

"But it doesn't always work out that way."

Below is a look at the Big Four's quarterback signees, and their career paths, over the past five years. The ACC Sports Journal's report on the entire league, as well as extensive details on the Big Four schools, can be found at ACCSports.com.

DUKE (6 QB signees; 4 still in program; 3 still at QB for Blue Devils)

Curt Dukes (2003) — graduated after serving as reserve QB
Zack Asack (2005) — second-team QB for Blue Devils
Gene Delle Donne (2005) — transferred to Middle Tennessee; now a reserve tight end
Marcus Jones (2005) — starting linebacker for Blue Devils
Thaddeus Lewis (2006) — first-team QB for Blue Devils
Mike Cappetto (2007) — redshirting this season with Blue Devils

NORTH CAROLINA (11 QB signees; 8 still in program; 3 still at QB for Tar Heels)

Nick Cangelosi (2003) — transferred to Georgetown, where he played QB as reserve
Roger Heinz (2003) —  received medical hardship after back injury
Joey Bozich (2004) — reserve linebacker  for Tar Heels
Mike Rozier (2004) — signed with Boston Red Sox out of high school
Joe Dailey (2005) — reserve wide receiver for Tar Heels
Cameron Sexton (2005) — second-team QB for Tar Heels
Bobby Rome (2005) — starting fullback for Tar Heels
Anthony Parker-Boyd (2006) — reserve wide receiver for Tar Heels
B.J. Phillips (2006) — reserve tight end for Tar Heels
T.J. Yates (2006) — first-team QB for Tar Heels
Mike Paulus (2007) — redshirting this season with Tar Heels

N.C. STATE (6 QB signees; 5 still in program; 4 still at QB for Wolfpack)

Marcus Stone (2003) — starting tight end for Wolfpack
Daniel Evans (2004) — second-team QB for Wolfpack
Mike Greco (2005) — transferred to junior college, then Central Florida (second-team QB)
Harrison Beck (2006) — first-team QB for Wolfpack
Justin Burke (2006) — third-team QB for Wolfpack
Russell Wilson (2007) — redshirting this season with Wolfpack

WAKE FOREST (7 QB signees; 4 still in program; 4 still at QB for Demon Deacons)

Bruce Hall (2003) — transferred to junior college, then Mississippi;  now at running back
Benjamin Mauk (2003) — transferred to Cincinnati; starting for Bearcats as quarterback
Allan Holland (2004) — transferred to Eastern Kentucky; starting for Colonels as quarterback
Brett Hodges (2005) — second-team QB for Demon Deacons
Riley Skinner (2005) — first-team QB for Demon Deacons; second-team All-ACC in 2006
Zach MacDowall (2006) — third-team QB for Demon Deacons
Skylar Jones (2007) — redshirting this season with Demon Deacons