Wake Forest Athletics
10/30/2026 10:59:00 AM | Football
Lopez has gotten off to a strong start to the 2026 season, already totaling 23 touchdowns and more than 2200 yards through seven games.
LAS VEGAS – Wake Forest redshirt junior quarterback Gio Lopez has been added to the 2026 Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List, the organization announced Friday morning.
A native of Madison, Ala., Lopez has helped lead the Demon Deacons to the No. 14 ranking in this week's AP poll and more than 37 points-per-game so far this season. He is also currently one of two quarterbacks in the country to have recorded 20 or more total touchdowns and just one turnover.
Before entering the team's bye in Week 8, Lopez ranked top-10 nationally in both passing yards (1,947) and passing touchdowns (17), while also ranking top-20 in the country in quarterback rating (172.8), passing yards per game (278.1), yards per attempt (9.41) and completions (140).
The redshirt junior has been particularly productive against ACC opponents, as he ranked No. 1 nationally in total touchdowns (17), passing touchdowns (13) and passing yards (1,372) in conference play and No. 2 in competitions (103) following Wake Forest's 41-7 victory over Cal on Oct. 17.
Friday's recognition caps a busy week in the news for Lopez, who was also named to the Maxwell Award Watchlist on Wednesday. Additionally, Lopez was a midseason addition to the Manning Award Watchlist that honors the college football achievements of Archie, Eli and Peyton Manning.
Lopez has earned a conference-high three ACC Quarterback of the Week selections so far this year in addition to twice being named a Manning Award Star of the Week and twice being selected to the weekly Davey O'Brien Great 8 list.
About the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame
The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 2025 to celebrate and honor the achievements of Hispanic players, coaches, and contributors in the sport of football. Its mission is to preserve history, showcase excellence, and inspire future generations by highlighting the cultural and athletic contributions of Hispanics to the game at all levels.
A native of Madison, Ala., Lopez has helped lead the Demon Deacons to the No. 14 ranking in this week's AP poll and more than 37 points-per-game so far this season. He is also currently one of two quarterbacks in the country to have recorded 20 or more total touchdowns and just one turnover.
Before entering the team's bye in Week 8, Lopez ranked top-10 nationally in both passing yards (1,947) and passing touchdowns (17), while also ranking top-20 in the country in quarterback rating (172.8), passing yards per game (278.1), yards per attempt (9.41) and completions (140).
The redshirt junior has been particularly productive against ACC opponents, as he ranked No. 1 nationally in total touchdowns (17), passing touchdowns (13) and passing yards (1,372) in conference play and No. 2 in competitions (103) following Wake Forest's 41-7 victory over Cal on Oct. 17.
Friday's recognition caps a busy week in the news for Lopez, who was also named to the Maxwell Award Watchlist on Wednesday. Additionally, Lopez was a midseason addition to the Manning Award Watchlist that honors the college football achievements of Archie, Eli and Peyton Manning.
Lopez has earned a conference-high three ACC Quarterback of the Week selections so far this year in addition to twice being named a Manning Award Star of the Week and twice being selected to the weekly Davey O'Brien Great 8 list.
About the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame
The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 2025 to celebrate and honor the achievements of Hispanic players, coaches, and contributors in the sport of football. Its mission is to preserve history, showcase excellence, and inspire future generations by highlighting the cultural and athletic contributions of Hispanics to the game at all levels.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballFriday, October 30
Wednesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 28
Tuesday, October 27