Gio Lopez College career
South Alabama
Lopez began his freshman season as a big backup, before being named the starter against Troy.[ 5] In his first career start, he threw 155 yards in a 28–10 defeat.[ 6] In the 2023 68 Ventures Bowl , Lopez totaled 280 total yards and four total touchdowns, leading South Alabama to their first bowl game victory in program history, and being named the game's MVP.[ 7] [ 8] He finished his freshman season throwing for 475 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to running for 154 yards and two touchdowns.[ 9] Entering the 2024 season , he was named the Jaguar's starting quarterback.[ 10] [ 11] In the season opener against North Texas , he threw for 432 yards and totaled four touchdowns, before being sidelined by a toe injury.[ 12] He returned to action after missing one game.[ 13] Against Appalachian State , Lopez totaled 259 yards and three total touchdowns in a 48–14 rout.[ 14] Lopez finished the 2024 season, throwing for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 463 yards and seven touchdowns.[ 15] In April 2025, he entered the transfer portal during the spring window.[ 16] [ 17]
Wake Forest
On January 7, 2026, Lopez announced that he would transfer to Wake Forest .[ 21]
Statistics
Season
Team
Games
Passing
Rushing
GP GS Record Comp Att Pct Yards Avg TD Int Rate Att Yards Avg TD
2023
South Alabama
5 1 0–1 41 61 67.2 475 7.8 4 2 147.7 18 154 8.6 2
2024
South Alabama
11 11 6–5 206 312 66.0 2,559 8.2 18 5 150.8 83 465 5.6 7
2025
North Carolina
11 11 4–7 170 261 65.1 1,747 6.7 10 5 130.2 86 133 1.5 3
Career 27 23 10−13 417 634 65.8 4,781 7.5 32 12 142.0 187 750 4.0 12
References
↑ "First Down Friday Night MVP - James Clemens QB Gio Lopez" . rocketcitynow.com . October 6, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Alvarez, Nick (November 16, 2021). "How James Clemens QB Giovanni Lopez seized opportunity in 2021" . al . Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Stephenson, Creg (April 16, 2022). "James Clemens quarterback Gio Lopez commits to South Alabama for 2023 class" . al . Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Labbe, Bob (December 23, 2022). "Jets' Gio Lopez Signs With USA" . The Madison Record . Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Stephenson, Creg (November 2, 2023). "South Alabama QB Carter Bradley out vs. Troy, freshman Gio Lopez to start" . al . Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Smith, Daeshen (November 3, 2023). "South Alabama falls to Troy in annual Battle for the Belt" . FOX10 . Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ "Gio Lopez leads South Alabama to 59-10 rout of Eastern Michigan in 68 Ventures Bowl" . Alabama Daily News . December 24, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Elmore, Josiah. "James Clemens alum leads South Alabama to first bowl win in program history" . WHNT .
↑ Athletics, South Alabama (May 31, 2024). "James Clemens alum Gio Lopez Invited to Manning Passing Academy" . WAAY 31 News . Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Stephenson, Creg (August 20, 2024). "Gio Lopez named South Alabama's starting quarterback for 2024 season-opener" . al . Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Hicks, Tommy (August 30, 2024). "Lopez takes over as Jags' QB1" . Lagniappe Daily . Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Stephenson, Creg (September 7, 2024). "South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez doubtful for Ohio game" . al . Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Stephenson, Creg (September 9, 2024). "South Alabama hopeful QB Gio Lopez can return Thursday vs. Northwestern State" . al . Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ "Gio Lopez has 3 total TDs as South Alabama dominates Appalachian State in 48-14 win" . AP News . September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024 .
↑ Stephenson, Creg (December 11, 2024). "Quarterback Gio Lopez indicates he's staying at South Alabama for 2025 season" . al . Retrieved December 15, 2024 .
↑ "Sources: South Alabama QB Lopez to enter portal" . ESPN.com . April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025 .
↑ Labbe, Bob (April 16, 2025). "Gio Lopez enters transfer portal, may land at North Carolina" . www.themadisonrecord.com . Retrieved April 17, 2025 .
↑ Baxley, Rodd. "South Alabama QB Gio Lopez commits to UNC football, Bill Belichick" . The Fayetteville Observer . Retrieved April 18, 2025 .
↑ Hale, David (August 27, 2025). "Bill Belichick names transfer Gio Lopez as North Carolina's QB1" . ESPN . Retrieved September 1, 2025 .
↑ Griffin, Brandon (January 5, 2026). "UNC Football: Gio Lopez to enter the transfer portal" . Tar Heel Blog . Retrieved April 30, 2026 .
↑ Leyva, Hannah (January 7, 2026). "UNC quarterback transferring to in-state ACC rival" . WNCN . Retrieved April 30, 2026 .
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