Gio Lopez

Giovanni Lopez is an American college football quarterback for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. He previously played for the South Alabama Jaguars and North Carolina Tar Heels.

Early life Lopez attended James Clemens High School in Madison, Alabama. As a junior, he threw for 2,767 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading James Clemens to a ten-win season. A three-star recruit, Lopez committed to play college football at the University of South Alabama over offers from Charlotte, Jacksonville State, Troy, and UAB.

College career

South Alabama Lopez began his freshman season as a big backup, before being named the starter against Troy. In his first career start, he threw 155 yards in a 28–10 defeat. 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. He finished his freshman season throwing for 475 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to running for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Entering the 2024 season, he was named the Jaguar's starting quarterback. In the season opener against North Texas, he threw for 432 yards and totaled four touchdowns, before being sidelined by a toe injury. He returned to action after missing one game. Against Appalachian State, Lopez totaled 259 yards and three total touchdowns in a 48–14 rout. Lopez finished the 2024 season, throwing for 2,559 yards and 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 463 yards and seven touchdowns. In April 2025, he entered the transfer portal during the spring window.

North Carolina On April 17, 2025, Lopez announced his decision to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels. On August 27, he was the named the Tar Heels' starting quarterback under first-year head coach Bill Belichick.

On January 5, 2026, Lopez announced that he would enter the transfer portal for the second time.

Wake Forest On January 7, 2026, Lopez announced that he would transfer to Wake Forest.

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