TOP 10 RETURNING COLLEGE FOOTBALL QUARTERBACKS FOR 2024 WHO COULD BE EARLY NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS

The 2024 college football season may seem far away, but it really isn't. Spring football practices are already underway. Many incoming recruits and transfers are already firmly entrenched in their new university homes. As spring games begin to take place, depth charts take shape, the spotlight intensifies on quarterbacks who not only aim to lead their teams this fall, but seek to prove they're worthy to play at the NFL level.

It's time take a look at the best returning college football quarterbacks for the 2024 season and talk through which ones have real potential to be early NFL Draft prospects. This top 10 list features dynamic playmakers of all styles. From prototypical pocket passers, to dual threats with rocket arms, to young budding stars with all the tools to succeed, this list has it all! Let's dive in.

Top 10 Returning College Football Quarterbacks

1 - Quinn Ewers, QB Texas

The former number one overall recruit in the nation started to play like it last fall as Quinn Ewers brought Texas "back" to contention for a national championship. He dominated Alabama in their own house for 349 yards and three scores. And in case you missed it, the Ewers to Worthy connection was beautiful that game:

Then Ewers destroyed Oklahoma State for over 450 yards and four touchdowns in the Big 12 Championship game. And despite an imperfect playoff performance against Washington, Ewers still almost landed the Longhorns the win. Texas is stacked with offensive talent around him again this year, so expect a season worthy of a first round NFL Draft pick.

2 - Jaxson Dart, QB Ole Miss

This ranking for Jaxson Dart may confuse many who don't bother to follow Ole Miss, but this really shouldn't be too surprising. Dart flashed all sorts of potential in limited time at USC, struggled a bit in year one with Ole Miss, but last fall easily finished as a top ten power conference quarterback. His combination of 8.68 total adjusted net yards per pass attempt (TANY/A) and 17% rushing yard market share numbers give him the most elite balance of pass efficiency and rushing value among all returning power conference quarterbacks. If he improves even slightly this fall he should be a lock for early round NFL Draft capital.

3 - Carson Beck, QB Georgia

Carson Beck was even more efficient passing last year than Jaxson Dart, posting elite marks in EPA per play, TANY/A, and averaging over 8.5 yards per play (top ten over the last three seasons combined). The jury is still out on whether he can find similar success without leaning heavily on Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey, but he did way more than "flash" potential last year. It would also be nice to see him add a bit more value with his legs, but his arm talent certainly looks like he's nearly ready to play in the NFL.

4 - Drew Allar, QB Penn State

Last year was extremely disappointing overall for the Penn State offense in the most meaningful games, but Allar showed his five star talents here and there in 2023. Allar was far too conservative last year given his clear arm talent, but he did make incredibly good decisions, only throwing two interceptions to 25 touchdowns on the year. He also graded out well via the PFF and SIS charting data, but needs to uncork the ball for more explosive plays. Expect a huge jump for Allar in his second full season starting now that he's had more than a year to gel with almost every one of his offensive playmakers.

5 - Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama

Jalen Milroe may have a struggled with down to down consistency early last season for Alabama, but when the team finally encouraged him to open things up, utilizing his elite athleticism in the run game he looked like a completely different player. Milroe ended up finishing out the year with nearly 500 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground over his last seven games on top of his 12 passing scores to just two interceptions. If you need to see for yourself just how fun Milroe was down the stretch last fall, check out some of his season highlights here:

Overall Milroe ended up posting the fifth best QB Efficiency Composite (which combines 16 production variables into one score) among all power conference quarterbacks. If he continues to improve on his consistency to go with his 9.1% Big Time Throw rate (via PFF), lookout.

6 - Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado

Why is Shedeur Sanders so "low" on this list? In short, every meaningful metric in existence suggests he has room for significant improvement. He took 50 sacks last year, many (or most) of which were on him. He finished outside the top 30 in both adjusted yards per pass attempt and passer rating. Outside the top 50 in total QBR and EPA per play. The best things he has going for him are his last name and the nonstop hype train of Colorado Football no matter how he plays on the field. However, his big time throws show real early round promise at times, which is the only thing keeping him this high on the returning college football rankings.

7 - Nico Iamaleava, QB Tennessee

Nico Iamaleava has only attempted 45 throws in college, but he's already clearly one of the best returning quarterbacks in the sport. His dominant four-touchdown performance against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl was just a small taste of his otherworldly potential. This former five star is in the perfect offensive system for him to put up some absolutely insane numbers in 2024, inevitably locking in early NFL Draft capital one day.

8 - Jackson Arnold, QB Oklahoma

Speaking of true sophomore phenoms, Jackson Arnold is going to be special. It may seem crazy to rank him this high so quickly, but Oklahoma let one of the most experienced and productive quarterbacks in the history of college football (Dillon Gabriel) leave town because they knew Arnold was the absolute truth. 400 total yards of offense against Arizona in the Alamo Bowl is just the beginning for this five star stud.

9 - Conner Weigman, QB Texas A&M

Conner Weigman was on pace for a potentially special 2023 season last year, but it was cut short due to injury after less than four games. Weigman has 16 touchdowns to just two interceptions in the eight full games in which he's played for the Aggies. He was also one of the best (if not the best) at avoiding pressure last season despite Texas A&M's blocking issues up front. Weigman has incredibly quick processing and pro-ready arm strength already. He could be what saves A&M football from itself.

10 - Dillon Gabriel, QB Oregon

Dillon Gabriel is within striking distance of the all-time record for career passing yards, passing touchdowns, and starts among all quarterbacks in the history of college football. He needs 4,407 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, and 13 starts to own all three records. He posted the third best QB Efficiency Composite last fall, proving to be one of the most dominant quarterbacks in all of college football. The only knocks on Gabriel stem from his physical traits. Sure he's a bit short and has questionable arm strength, but Gabriel has been making beautiful 50+ yard throws like this one in 2021 to Ryan O'Keefe for years now:

Honorable Mention Returning College Football Quarterbacks

Cameron Ward, QB Miami - Plenty of arm talent, but needs to use it more often at Miami to push the ball down field with consistent accuracy.

Aidan Chiles, QB Michigan State - Still just 18 years old, Chiles impressed in small samples at Oregon State. Could become the best QB in the Big Ten.

Kaidon Salter, QB Liberty - Hyper efficient in Jamey Chadwell's scheme. Needs to prove last year wasn't a fluke.

Avery Johnson, QB Kansas State - Lamar Jackson kind of mobility. If he can prove to be an efficient passer, Kansas State is going to the College Football Playoff.

DJ Uiagalelei, QB Florida State - Third stop in college now. He's always had the traits and dominates for good portions of the season, only to falter in big games. Huge prove-it year.

And there you have it. The top 10 returning college football quarterbacks for the 2024 season. It remains to be seen how many of them will take the next big step, proving they're worthy of early NFL Draft capital, but all 10 of these quarterbacks certainly look the part.

Be looking for more College Football and NFL Draft coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Be sure to follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

2024-03-29T04:34:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd