CFW Preseason 2024 – The Top Quarterbacks
Beck, Ewers, Milroe and Dart stay
put, while Gabriel, Ward, Leonard
and Howard gave the portal a visit
Connor Beck, Quinn Ewers, Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart return for another season at the same school. However, Dillon Gabriel, Cam Ward, Riley Leonard and Will Howard were intrigued by the transfer portal. They too return for another season, but at a different school.
Those eight quarterbacks – Georgia’s Beck, Texas’ Ewers, Alabama’s Milroe, Ole Miss’s Dart, Oregon’s Gabriel, Miami of Florida’s Ward, Notre Dame’s Leonard and Ohio State’s Howard are the eight of the 11 best quarterbacks returning for the 2024 season. The other three are Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and USC’s Miller Moss. Throw in newcomer Nico Iamaleava of Tennessee and you have 2024’s 12 best quarterbacks. The SEC followed by the Big 12 have the best group of quarterbacks. But the Big Ten and ACC aren’t far behind.
And what’s with all the transfers? About half of all the quarterbacks transferred to another school during the offseason. Some like Dillon Gabriel, Cam Ward and DJ Uiagalelei transferred for a second time. They will be playing for their third school.
Then there is E.J. Warner, son of former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner. E.J. transferred but remained an Owl. E.J. transferred from the Temple Owls to the Rice Owls. Now that’s a hoot.
The Quarterbacks – 2024
There is a flood of good quarterbacks in 2024. College football is loaded with them. We’ve mentioned 12. Of the 12, the four marquee signal callers getting the most praise and attention at preseason are Georgia senior Carson Beck (6-4, 220), Oregon senior Dillon Gabriel (5-11,204), Alabama junior Jalen Milroe (6-2, 220) and Texas junior Quinn Ewers (6-2, 205). Beck is the tall one. Gabriel is the short one. But all four are good ones.
Last year, Beck passed for 3,941 yards and 30 touchdowns, completing 74.2% of his passes. He passed for 281.5 yards a game, leading the Dawgs to a perfect 8-0 season in SEC play and 13-1 overall. Gabriel wasn’t far behind. Playing for Oklahoma, he passed for 3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns, averaging 305 yards per game. He completed 69.3 % of his throws. During the offseason, Gabriel transferred from Oklahoma to Oregon.
Meanwhile, Milroe led Alabama to an undefeated 8-0 season in SEC play last year – 12-2 overall. The Crimson Tide were the only team to beat Georgia in 2023. Milroe passed for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns, completing 65.9% of his lobs. And finally, Ewers was no slouch. He threw for 3,479 yards and 30 touchdowns, averaging 289.9 yards a game. He completed 69% of his passes. Along the way, Ewers led Texas to a Big 12 championship and a 12-2 record overall. Did you notice that three of those four quarterbacks will be competing in the SEC in 2024?
ACC
Four of the five top quarterbacks in the ACC are transfers. Senior Cam Ward (6-2, 223), who transferred from Washington State to Miami, leads the quartet of transfers. Last year Ward passed for 3,415 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging 310.5 yards a game. He completed 66.7% of his passes.
Senior Kyle McCord made the move from Ohio State to Syracuse during the offseason. Last year, McCord passed for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns, completing 65.8% of his passes. He averaged 264.2 yards a game. Senior Grayson McCall (6-3, 230) left Coastal Carolina for NC State during the offseason. Due to injuries, he only played in seven games last season. McCall still managed to pass for 1,919 yards.
The fourth member of the transfer group is Florida State senior D.J Uiagalelei (6-4, 255). Last year, Uiagalelei quarterbacked Oregon State. He passed for 2,638 yards, leading the Beavers to an 8-5 record. Uiagalelei threw 21 touchdown passes.
The lone non-transfer member of the Top 5 quarterbacks in the ACC is SMU junior Preston Stone (6-1, 219). Last season, Stone passed for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns, averaging 266.4 yards a game. He completed 59.9% of his passes. Stone led SMU to a perfect 8-0 season in the AAC last year and an 11-3 overall record.
Following those five, there are four other good quarterbacks in the ACC. All three are returning for another season with their teams. Clemson junior Cade Klubnik (6-2-205) passed for 2,844 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2023. He completed 63.9% of his passes.
Boston College junior Thomas Castellanos (5-10, 196) is good at running and passing. In 2023, Castellanos rushed for 1,113 yards and passed for 2,248 yards. He combined his running and passing for 28 touchdowns. And finally, Virginia Tech junior Kyron Drones (6-2, 224) mixes the passing with the running. Last year, Drones passed for 2,085 yards, while rushing for 818 yards. Also, keep your eyes on Georgia Tech junior Haynes King (6-3, 204). As a sophomore, King passed for 2,842 (27 touchdowns) yards and rushed for 737 (10 touchdowns) yards.
Big 12
The Big 12 starts the season with nine good quarterbacks. Leading the bunch is Colorado senior Shedeur Sanders (6-2, 215). Last year, Sanders passed for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns, averaging 293,6 yards a game. He completed 69.3% of his passes. Just behind Sanders is Arizona sophomore Noah Fifita (5-10, 194). In 2023, Fifita passed for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns, completing 68.3% of his throws. He led Arizona to a 10-3 (7-2 in the Pac-12) record, including a 30-24 win over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl.
Oklahoma State senior Alan Bowman (6-3, 220) is a winner. Last season, Bowman passed for 3,460 yards, completing 60.7% of his passes. West Virginia senior Garrett Greene (5-11, 201) came on strong last year, leading the Mountaineers to a surprising 9-4 record. Greene is a threat passing and running. Last year, he passed for 2,406 yards (16 touchdowns) and rushed for 772 yards (13 touchdowns).
Iowa State has a dependable quarterback in sophomore Rocco Becht (6-1, 205). As a freshman, Becht passed for 3,120 yards and 23 touchdowns, completing 62.9% of his lobs. UCF has a veteran quarterback in senior K.J. Jefferson (6-3, 247). Jefferson transferred to UCF during the offseason from Arkansas. With the Razorbacks last year, he passed for 2,107 yards and 19 touchdowns, completing 64.2% of his passes.
Three other tough and competitive quarterbacks in the Big 12 are Kansas junior Jalon Daniels (6-0, 220), Utah senior Cam Rising (6-2, 220) and Kansas State sophomore Avery Johnson (6-2, 188). At the end of last season, Johnson led the Wildcats to a 28-19 Pop-Tarts Bowl win over NC State. Rising sat out the season in 2023 with an injury.
Big Ten
The Big Ten Conference has its share of transfer quarterbacks, including the best QB in the league – the aforementioned Dillon Gabriel. Another top transfer quarterback would be Ohio State senior Will Howard (6-4, 237). Directing the Kansas State offense last year, Howard passed for 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns, connecting on 61.3% of his passes.
Drew Allar (6-5, 242) didn’t transfer during the offseason. He stayed home in University Park, Pennsylvania. The Penn State sophomore, Allar passed for 2,631 yards and 25 touchdowns last year. He completed 59.9% of his lobs.
Senior Will Rogers (6-2, 204) transferred from Mississippi State to Washington. Senior Tyler Van Dyke (6-4, 227) transferred from Miami (Florida) to Wisconsin. Last year with the Canes, Van Dyke passed for 2,387 yards and 15 touchdowns, connecting on 58.9% of his throws.
At USC, junior Miller Moss (6-1, 205) is no longer the backup for Caleb Williams. Miller is the starting quarterback this season. He came on strong for the Trojans in their season-ending 42-28 Holiday Bowl win over Louisville.
Not much is expected from Purdue in 2024, but a lot is expected from returning quarterback Hudson Card (6-3, 210). Last season, Card passed for 2,387 yards and 15 touchdowns. He completed 58.9% of his passes. Iowa has high hopes for senior Cade McNamara (6-1, 205). McNamara transferred to the Hawkeyes from Michigan after the 2022 season. However, injuries kept him sidelined last year.
SEC
As stated earlier, the SEC is loaded when it comes to solid, experienced and good quarterbacks. We began with Carson Beck, Jalen Milroe and Quinn Ewers. Let’s continue with Ole Miss senior Jaxson Dart (6-2, 220). Last year, Dart passed for 3,364 yards and 23 touchdowns, averaging 258.8 yards a game. He completed 65.1% of his throws. Dart led Ole Miss to an 11-2 record in 2023, including a 38-25 Peach Bowl win over Penn State.
Moving on, there is Missouri senior Brady Cook (6-2, 205). In 2023, Cook passed for 3,317 yards and 21 touchdowns, completing 66.5% of his lobs. Cook led the Tigers to an 11-2 season in 2023, including a 14-9 Cotton Bowl win over Ohio State.
Florida had an up-and-down (mostly down) season in 2023, however Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (6-3, 215) was mostly up. Mertz passed for 2,903 yards, completing 72.9% of his passes and averaged 263,9 yards a game passing. He’s back this year and may be Florida’s only hope in 2024. A transfer quarterback in the SEC to keep an eye on is Vanderbilt senior Diego Pavia (6-0,200). Pavia transferred to the Commodores from New Mexico State during the offseason. Last year at New Mexico State, he led the Aggies on an 8-game winning streak during the season. They finished 10-5. Pavia passed for 2,973 yards and 26 touchdowns, completing 60.4% of his throws. He also rushed for 925 yards.
In Knoxville, expectations are high for Tennessee freshman Nico Iamaleava (6-5, 214). Some think Iamaleava could end up being one of the best, if not the best, quarterbacks in the SEC this season. Expectations are also high in Baton Rouge for LSU junior Garrett Nussmeier (6-2, 198). Nussmeier came on strong in the ReliaQuest Bowl, leading LSU to a 35-31 win over Wisconsin.
Two other quarterbacks who are capable of having breakout seasons in the SEC are Texas A&M sophomore Conner Weigman (6-3, 215) and Auburn senior Payton Thorne (6-2, 200).
AAC
The best quarterback in the American Athletic Conference also may be the best quarterback in all the Group of Five conferences. He is Memphis senior Seth Henigan (6-3, 215). Last year, Henigan passed for 3,883 yards, 32 touchdowns, averaging 298.7 yards a game. He completed 65.8% of his passes.
South Florida sophomore Byrum Brown (6-5, 209) is right behind Henigan. Last season, Brown passed for 3,292 yards, 26 touchdowns, while completing 64.6% of his passes. Two more outstanding quarterbacks in the AAC are Rice junior E.J. Warner and UAB senior Jacob Zeno. A transfer from Temple, Warner (6-0, 190) passed for 3,076 yards, 23 touchdowns, averaging 307.6 yards a game last year. Zeno (6-4, 210) senior, threw for 3,126 yards, completing 73.6% of his passes. He averaged 284.2 yards a game.
C-USA
The best quarterback in Conference USA also may be the best dual-threat quarterback in all the Group of Five conferences. That would be Liberty junior Kaidon Salter (6-1, 200). Last year, Salter passed for 2,876 yards, 32 touchdowns, completing 61% of his passes. He also rushed for 1,089 yards.
Two other good quarterbacks in C-USA are Western Kentucky junior TJ Finley (6-7, 249) and Middle Tennessee junior Nicholas Vattiato (6-1, 206). Finley, a transfer from Texas State, passed for 3,429 yards 24 touchdowns, averaging 264.5 yards a game last year. He completed 67.4% of his passes. Middle Tennessee’s Vattiato threw for 3,092 yards, 23 touchdowns, completing 66.8 % of his lobs. He averaged 257.7 yards a game.
MAC
The two best quarterbacks in the Mid-American Conference are Miami senior Brett Gabbert (6-0, 210), and Bowling Green senior Connor Bazelak (6-3, 225). Both quarterbacks completed better than 59%.of their passes in 2023. Both return with lots of playing experience.
MWC
The two best quarterbacks in the Mountain West Conference are both named Brayden – Colorado State sophomore Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and Hawaii senior Brayden Schager. Fowler-Nicolosi (6-3, 205) passed for 3,460 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging 285.3 yards a game last year. He completed 62.1% of his passes.
Meanwhile the other Brayden – Schager (6-3, 225) – passed for 3,542 yards, 26 touchdowns, averaging 272.5 yards a game. He completed 63.2% of hiss lobs. A third exciting quarterback to keep an eye on in the MWC is Fresno State junior Mikey Keene (5-11, 196). Last season, Keene passed for 2,976 yards, 24 touchdowns, completing 67.1% of his throws.
Sun Belt
The top quarterback in the Sun Belt Conference is Texas State senior Jordan McCloud (6-0, 200). McCloud transferred to Texas State from James Madison during the off season. Last year at JMU, he passed for 3,657 yards and 35 touchdowns, completing 68.2% of his passes. McCloud averaged 281.3 yards per game.
Just behind McCloud in the Sun Belt is Appalachian State senior Joey Aguilar (6-3, 210). Last season, Aguilar passed for 3,757 yards and 33 touchdowns, averaging 268.4 yards a game. He completed 63.7% of his passes.
Marshall has an interesting quarterback who folks will be keeping their eyes on. He is sophomore Cole Pennington (6-1, 212). Does the last name sound familiar? It should. Cole is the son of former Marshall and New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington. Last year, as a freshman, Cole didn’t get to see much action. He may not start this season, but he definitely should see more playing time.
Independents
Among the three Independents, Notre Dame has the best quarterback. He is senior Riley Leonard (6-4, 217). If Leonard can get and stay healthy, he will provide a passing and running threat for the Irish. He transferred to Notre Dame from Duke during the offseason. Due to an ankle injury, Leonard only played seven games for the Blue Devils last year. But he had an outstanding sophomore year at Duke in 2022 when he led the Blue Devils to a 9-4 record, passing for 2,967 yards and rushing for 699 yards. Leonard passed and rushed for 33 touchdowns that year.
TT’s Top 10 Favorite Quarterbacks at Preseason
1. Quinn Ewers – Texas
2. Jalen Milroe – Alabama
3. Carson Beck – Georgia
4. Dillon Gabriel – Oregon
5. Cam Ward – Miami (Florida)
6. Seth Henigan – Memphis
7. Shedeur Sanders – Colorado
8. Kaidon Salter – Liberty
9. Brady Cook – Missouri
10. Garrett Greene – West Virginia
However, I’m keeping my eye on Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss); Will Howard (Ohio State); Garrett Nussmeier (LSU); Miller Moss (USC); Kyle McCord (Syracuse); Preston Stone (SMU); Kyron Drones (Virginia Tech); Jordan McCloud (Texas State); Mikey Keene (Fresno State), and Bryden Fowler-Nicolosi (Colorado State).
Tomorrow, we’ll preview the top running backs, wide receivers, etc.
Touchdown Tom
August 15, 2024
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