Ohio State QB Will Howard, among others, head into the 2024 season as most overrated players in CFB

The 2024 college football season officially kicks off this weekend. We have spent the offseason talking about great players, teams, and potential breakouts that could shape the college football landscape. Along the way, several players have gone very underrated, while others have been overrated quite a bit.

The word “overrated” can take on a very negative connotation, and understandably so. It doesn’t mean a player isn’t good. It simply means that the hype does not quite match the on-field performance right now.

Here are the most overrated college football players heading into the fall, all of which have something to prove.

QB Will Howard ( Ohio State )

The career arc for Howard has been a fascinating one. After playing a little bit early in his career when Skylar Thompson was banged up, he was involved in a quarterback battle heading into the 2022 season with former Nebraska signal caller Adrian Martinez. Howard was not able to win that preseason battle against Martinez, but eventually took over after an injury. He played very well down the stretch of that season.

It was Howard’s job in 2023, and did some good things. In 12 games, he would throw for 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns, adding another nine scores on the ground. Despite that production, the Wildcats chose to move on following the year. They wanted to begin the Avery Johnson Era.

So naturally Howard entered the transfer portal, and saw what else was out there. Despite what Ohio State fans would tell you, Howard was not their first choice. Honestly, it’s questionable if he was even their third choice. But regardless, he’s in Columbus and set to be the Buckeyes starter this fall.

For a player who was passed up multiple times, and wasn’t even the top choice for his program this offseason, Howard is getting a lot of preseason hype. He’s even a player that the odds say is one of the better Heisman Trophy candidates out there, at least that’s what the line makers would say. While Howard is a solid college quarterback, he certainly isn’t what Ohio State fans have tried to tell everyone he is the last few months.

QB Miller Moss (USC)

Buoyed by a six-touchdown performance in their bowl game against Louisville, Moss was able to beat out former UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava for the starting quarterback position heading into the 2024 season. With head coach Lincoln Riley still leading the offense, you can expect him to get the most out of Moss. There is good reason to believe that he can be pretty productive this fall.

When you watch Moss, however, there are some clear limitations that can’t be ignored. There is a legitimate argument that he will be Coach Riley’s least talented quarterback he’s had since he was at ECU in 2014. The arm strength and overall talent is certainly nothing to get overly excited about.

Yet, several publications are ranking Moss very high going into the season. ESPN even ranked him as a top 100 overall player in college football heading into 2024. Based on what, one game? It certainly isn't based on talent.

RB Donovan Edwards ( Michigan )

A lot of people were expecting Edwards to be one of the breakout stars in college football last season, especially after how he ended the 2022 season. During that campaign, Edwards rushed for 991 yards and seven touchdowns, while averaging an incredible 7.1 yards per carry. Edwards did all that while playing second fiddle to former Wolverine star Blake Corum.

The 2023 season did not go quite as planned, rushing for just 497 yards and five touchdowns, seeing his yard per carry average drop all the way down to 4.2. Edwards was dealing with nagging injuries all season, but regardless he just wasn’t very productive with high expectations. Despite that, Edwards heads into this fall with some preseason All-American honors, high rankings on a national level and was one of the cover athletes on the NCAA 25 video game.

Could Edwards turn it around compared to last season? It’s possible, but the current hype certainly doesn’t match the 2023 season accomplishments individually.

EDGE Mykel Williams ( Georgia )

If you’re talking about guys who could break out in 2024, there aren’t many better candidates than Williams. When you consider God given talent, there aren’t many at a higher level. Blessed with a tremendous frame at 6-5, 265 pounds, and great length, Williams has the look of a top ten 2025 NFL Draft selection in April. He is also very athletic, as well as powerful.

While the upside is there, Williams just isn’t the elite player on the field that people act like he is yet. In two seasons, he has recorded just 46 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. Production isn’t everything, but it also isn’t nothing. Williams is going to need to actualize his physical talent into a consistent impact on the field this season. If he can, then the preseason hype is warranted. For now, it’s all based on upside.