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Athlon Sports
American Athletic Conference Quarterback Rankings for 2024
By Steven Lassan,
4 hours ago
The American Athletic Conference isn't short on quarterback talent for the 2024 college football season. Memphis signal-caller Seth Henigan returns after three standout years with the Tigers and is a big reason why coach Ryan Silverfield's program can compete for a spot in the expanded playoff. South Florida's Byrum Brown is coming off a dynamic debut in '23, while UAB's Jacob Zeno and Rice's E.J. Warner round out the top four. Tulsa, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, and Charlotte are just a few teams in the AAC that have intriguing breakout candidates set to start under center this fall.
Ranking the quarterbacks by conference or nationally is no easy task. To help compile the rankings, there was some projection involved for 2024. This was not a ranking of quarterbacks only based on accomplishments so far or pro potential. All factors — pure talent, supporting cast, having a clear hold on the No. 1 position, previous production, '24 projection, and scheme changes (just to name a few) — were considered and projected to rank the quarterbacks in the American Athletic Conference for 2024.
With Henigan at the controls of a high-powered offense and the chance for a spot in the expanded CFB Playoff, Memphis has a chance at a special season in 2024. The Texas native has started for the Tigers since stepping onto campus in 2021 and improved steadily throughout his career. In 13 starts last year, Henigan threw for 3,880 yards and 32 touchdowns to only nine picks, bringing his totals in a Memphis uniform to 10,366 yards and 77 passing scores. Henigan thrives at taking good care of the ball (just 23 picks over 1,277 attempts) and has completed 64 percent of his passes. He also paced the AAC in completions of 20-plus yards (57), tied for first with eight completions of 50-plus, and ranked second in passing production a contest (298.7 yards). In 36 career games at Memphis, Henigan has rushed for 705 yards and eight scores.
The arrival of coach Alex Golesh helped engineer a major turnaround at South Florida, as the Bulls went from 1-11 in 2022 to 7-6 in '23. Golesh's high-powered offense and tutelage of Brown was the biggest reason for the Bulls' one-season jump. After seeing limited snaps in '22, Brown emerged as the team's starting quarterback last year and quickly emerged as one of the AAC's top playmakers. The North Carolina native threw for 3,292 yards and 26 scores and showcased his dynamic rushing ability with 809 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Also, Brown tied for second among AAC quarterbacks with 14 completions of 40-plus yards and posted three games (WKU, Memphis, and UAB) of at least 100 rushing yards.
Zeno had a breakout 2023 campaign in his first full year as a starter. Behind new coach Trent Dilfer and coordinator Alex Mortensen, Zeno finished third in the AAC in passing yards a game (284.2) and tied for third in yards per attempt (8.2). The former Baylor signal-caller also ranked second nationally in accuracy (73.6 completion rate) and finished '23 with 3,126 yards and 20 touchdowns to nine picks. Zeno chipped in 168 rushing yards and four touchdowns last year. The Texas native also hit eight completions (tied for first in the AAC) of 50-plus yards.
4. E.J. Warner, Rice
Warner's decision to transfer to Rice won't garner much national attention, but it's a huge move for a program coming off its best win total (six) under coach Mike Bloomgren. The son of former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, E.J. thrived in a struggling Temple offense over the last two seasons. Over 21 appearances, Warner threw for 6,104 yards and 41 touchdowns and connected on 59 percent of his throws. The Arizona native ranked fourth among AAC signal-callers with 115 completions of 10-plus yards and connected on four strikes of 50-plus. JT Daniels was solid in his senior campaign (2,443 yards and 21 touchdowns) after arriving to Rice through the portal last year, but Warner has the potential to be an even better transfer acquisition in '24.
Morris won the starting job at TCU in each of the last two seasons but saw both campaigns cut short by injury. After starting the opener against Colorado in '22, Morris was unable to play again until November due to a knee injury and Max Duggan's emergence prevented a return to the starting lineup late in the year. Last season, Morris started the first six games for the Horned Frogs before being sidelined due to injury once again. During that stint, Morris put up solid totals (1,532 passing yards and 12 touchdowns to 249 rushing yards and three scores). If Morris can stay healthy, the potential exists for a massive '24 season under North Texas coach Eric Morris and a prolific Mean Green attack.
McCown or Eddie Lee Marburger has the impossible assignment of replacing UTSA standout Frank Harris in '24. Harris accounted for over 14,000 total yards (14,007) and 121 overall scores during his career with the Roadrunners. Although Harris will be missed, UTSA coach Jeff Traylor has two capable options in place. McCown - a transfer from Colorado and the son of former NFL quarterback Josh McCown - threw for 442 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 51 yards in seven games last fall. McCown had a solid all-around showing in the Roadrunners' bowl win over Marshall, accounting for 289 total yards and completing 71 percent of his throws. Marburger has played in 11 contests over the last three years and performed well in that limited action, connecting on 43 of 80 passes for 543 yards and five scores.
Replacing Michael Pratt's production and overall leadership won't be easy for Tulane. However, new coach Jon Sumrall has two capable options to utilize under center in '24 with Thompson transferring in from Oregon to battle Kai Horton. Thompson - a former four-star prospect - played in 17 games with the Ducks and threw for 456 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 56 yards. Horton played in 14 contests with the Green Wave over the last three years and made a couple of starts, including the '23 showdown against Ole Miss. The Texas native has completed 52 percent of his passes (122 attempts) in limited time and passed for 824 yards and six scores. Although this battle could extend deep into fall practice, Tulane has two capable quarterbacks to lean on in '24.
Despite having one of the AAC's top defenses last season, East Carolina finished with its worst record (2-10) in coach Mike Houston's tenure. A lackluster offense was to blame for the two-win campaign, as the Pirates averaged only 17.3 points a game and 4.3 yards a snap in '23. Houston took steps to address this group by hiring John David Baker from Ole Miss to call plays and reeled in two transfers from the power conference ranks to improve the quarterback play. Garcia - a former four-star prospect - arrives in Greenville after spending time at Miami and Missouri. During those two stops, Garcia saw playing time in nine matchups and completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 950 yards and seven scores. Although Garcia is the favorite here, Michigan State transfer Katin Houser will push for the job this fall. He played in 11 games and threw for 1,130 yards and six scores with the Spartans last year. Regardless of which quarterback starts, look for a much-improved ECU offense in '24.
Better play from the quarterbacks is a must for second-year coach Tom Herman to turn around Florida Atlantic's offense in '24. The Owls averaged only 23.8 points a game and 5.1 yards a snap last season, while the passing attack struggled after an injury to starter Casey Thompson. With Thompson transferring out, the battle this fall looks to be a two-man race between Fancher (a transfer from Marshall) and junior Tyriq Starks. In three years with the Thundering Herd, Fancher threw for 3,766 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 757 yards and five scores. The Ohio native's dual-threat ability should be an asset for Herman's offense, but Fancher needs to cut down on the interceptions (17 on 551 pass attempts).
Having a proven quarterback like Daily is huge boost for Army as it enters its debut in the American Athletic Conference. After receiving snaps in six contests from 2021-22, Daily took over as Army's top quarterback last fall. He started 10 games for the Black Knights, throwing for 913 yards and seven scores and rushing for 901 yards and seven touchdowns. The Texas native ran for 84 yards in a huge win over Navy and posted 170 in a 23-3 victory over Air Force.
Tulsa coach Kevin Wilson likely found his starting quarterback for '24 in the final four games of last season. Francis - a native of Tulsa - saw extended snaps in that stretch and threw for 967 yards and six touchdowns over 68 completions. The Golden Hurricane nearly upset Tulane thanks to Francis' strong performance (345 yards) and defeated East Carolina in the finale with 297 yards and two touchdown tosses. Cardell Williams (1,347 total yards and 12 scores last year) and Utah State transfer Cooper Legas are also in the mix. Whether it's Francis, Legas or Williams under center, the Golden Hurricane should have an improved offense in '24.
Charlotte's offense posted the fewest passing scores (four) in American Athletic Conference matchups last year. Coach Biff Poggi took a big step in addressing this weakness by landing Brown from the transfer portal. The former three-star prospect saw action in six games as a true freshman with the Gators last year, including one start against Florida State in the season finale. The Oklahoma native completed 19 of 28 throws for 192 yards and one pick and added 37 yards on the ground in snaps with the Gators. Although the sample size was limited, and Brown stepped into a difficult spot, the Oklahoma native showcased potential that should translate into improvement with the 49ers in '24.
The Midshipmen used four quarterbacks last season, but the battle looks like a two-man race in '24 with Horvath and Braxton Woodson returning and Tai Lavatai and Xavier Arline out of eligibility. Horvath appeared to be on his way to taking control of the QB spot in Annapolis last year, but a thumb injury against North Texas on Oct. 7 sidelined him for the remainder of '23. In limited time, the Ohio native ran for 183 yards and completed six of 12 throws for 84 yards and two scores. Woodson also saw action in four games, running for 173 yards and throwing for 163 on 17 completions. How this position improves under new play-caller Drew Cronic could determine whether or not Navy goes to a bowl in '24.
Losing E.J. Warner as a transfer to Rice was a setback for Temple's hopes of a third-year breakout under coach Stan Drayton. The Owls averaged only 21.1 points a contest last season, so overall improvement is needed in '24 from whichever quarterback takes the majority of the snaps. Simon - a transfer from Rutgers - is the favorite to start with Forrest Brock, redshirt freshman Tyler Douglas and true freshman Chris Dietrich also in the mix. During his time with the Scarlet Knights, Simon played in 16 contests and threw for 952 yards and four touchdowns to seven picks. The Pennsylvania native was outplayed by Brock in the spring game, while Dietrich - a three-star prospect - will get an extended look in the fall.
Steven Lassan is the senior college football writer and editor for AthlonSports.com. Follow him on Twitter , Instagram , and Facebook .
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