A to Z Sports

College football has a clear frontrunner at QB heading into 2024 and he doesn't play in Colorado

By Rob Gregson,

6 hours ago

The 2024 college football season is less than three weeks away, and its shaping up to be the most anticipated schedule in recent memory.

An entirely new landscape thanks to re-alignment and an expanded College Football Playoff, one of the most exciting sports in the world is about to reach another level.

But it's still football in the end, and as usual, the QB position is the one that generates the most notoriety. So before things kick off, why not rank the top draft-eligible QBs as we gear up for the 2024 season and 2025 NFL Draft?

Note : These rankings are based on summer scouting and 2023 film. It is not a final projection of the draft class.

QB#5: Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

Riley Leonard kicks off the list thanks to his tangible readiness and obvious football acumen. The Duke transfer is looking to take the Golden Domers over the top this season as he leads the way for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish .

Leonard was able to crack the top five thanks to a well-rounded skillset and the best dual-threat ability of anyone in the top five. He doesn't have an elite arm, but he looks the part at 6-5 and around 230 pounds.

His Duke tape shows a player who can diagnose coverage and go 1-2-3 in the blink of an eye. Being cerebral plays in the NFL, and between his legs, build, and processing, Leonard's front office fans will only grow.

QB #4: Conner Weigman, Texas A&M

Perhaps no one in collegiate athletes has the chance to rise like Conner Weigman of Texas A&M. The sturdy passer has to stay upright to actually make a run at being a substantial draft pick, but he has a homerun or strikeout mentality, a brawny frame, and howitzer attached to his right arm.

If he can show real development and play up to his potential, the sky is the limit for Weigman.

QB#3: Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

No man in college football is as polarizing as Shedeur Sanders. The traits and talent are obvious, as is the boisterous noise coming out of Colorado and his brimming personality.

From a pure football standpoint, Sanders has a lot to work with when it comes to his ability to manage under pressure, deliver with touch, and make the correct read. But if you turn on the Oregon tape, you will have nightmares watching the amount of sacks he takes against the Ducks.

Yes, his offensive line was putrid in 2023 and should be better in 2024, but his internal clock needs some serious recalibration if he's going to be a star at the next level.

QB#2: Carson Beck, Georgia

Georgia Bulldogs QB Carson Beck is the favorite among many when betting on which QB goes first come April's draft. Like others on this list, you can't discount his physical talent, and he has shown an ability to make pre-defined throws, but his tape shows a lot of passes that are caught just because of how good players like Brock Bowers or Ladd McConkey were. Luckily for Beck, ball location comes with time on task.

If he continues to shine with a new crop of pass catchers, he will push the next man on the list for the number one spot.

QB#1: Quinn Ewers, Texas

Ewers tops this list as the best draft-eligible QB in all of college football heading into 2024. Outside of some decision-making and frame concerns, there is nothing he can't do on a football field. He aims to make the Texas Longhorns a real contender in 2024.

Sure he probably won't be much of a factor as a runner in the NFL, but he has boundless arm talent, is already anticipating throws at the highest level of anyone mentioned, and has experience in pro-style offense under HC Steve Sarkisian.

One league source said the following of Ewers: "No one in the class has as much natural talent at the position." And that's the takeaway on film.

Sure he's rough around the edges and needs some polish, but he has a natural QB instinct and feel that eludes many of the others on the list, or at least to this point in their collegiate careers.

Just Outside

Jalen Milroe & Cam Ward

These two really pushed Leonard for the final spot in the rankings, but Leonard's all-around skillset took him over the top. Milroe and Ward are a tie for sixth, even though they have very different skill sets.

Milroe might be the most talented QB in the class, but he is still very raw in terms of processing and accuracy. Now that may change under the tutelage of new Alabama Crimson Tide HC Kalen DeBoer, as Milroe could see a meteoric rise in stock following the 2024 season.

For Ward, there are a lot of splash plays and wow throws. He's the guy that will make scouts and coordinators sit up in their chairs after watching a highlight-worthy play.

The problem is, Ward doesn't have the consistency that many of the aforementioned passers do, and he needs to become more comfortable playing from the pocket.

Best Of The Rest

Dillon Gabriel, Drew Allar, Jaxson Dart

These three have the most to prove, but they all have a shot at making the league. Dillon Gabriel is a dual threat who is slated to lead an Oregon Ducks team that looks to make a championship run.

Jaxson Dart is back as the signal caller of the Ole Miss Rebels , hoping that he and Lane Kiffin make headway in the SEC.

Drew Allar has some of the best traits in the class, but as one source said, he may be the next Christian Hackenberg out of Penn State.

All bear monitoring as potential risers heading into April however.

Name to Watch

Garrett Nussmeier

Nussmeier has some big shoes to fill for the LSU Tigers , following up Heisman Trophy winner and second-overall pick Jayden Daniels. He has looked sharp in limited action and looks to charge of an offense that is always saturated with talent on the perimeter.