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Athlon Sports
Conference USA Quarterback Rankings for 2024
By Steven Lassan,
17 hours ago
Quarterback play in Conference USA for the 2024 college football season will look a lot different than last year. Only three of the league's 10 teams bring back a returning starter under center, with Liberty's Kaidon Salter, Middle Tennessee's Nicholas Vattiato, and FIU's Keyone Jenkins among the league's most proven (and effective) signal-callers. With the conference experiencing a significant amount of turnover and a handful of transfers entering the league, the quarterback rankings for CUSA are full of unknowns 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 Conference USA for 2024.
Not only is Salter the top quarterback in Conference USA, but the Tennessee transfer is also the best among any in the Group of 5 ranks. Salter thrived under new coach Jamey Chadwell last season, throwing for 2,876 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushing for 1,089 yards and 12 scores. The Texas native finished fourth nationally in yards per play (8.75) and yards per attempt (9.9). He also ranked first among CUSA signal-callers with 16 completions of 40-plus yards. Salter will maintain his dynamic ability on the ground but another offseason to work with Chadwell should also help continue his progression as a passer in '24
TJ Finley transferred from Texas State to Western Kentucky this offseason.
Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Western Kentucky is the fourth stop in Finley's FBS career. The Louisiana native played at LSU in 2020 before spending the next two years at Auburn (2021-22). Finley transferred to Texas State after the '22 campaign and emerged as one of the Sun Belt's top quarterbacks. At the controls of the Bobcats' high-powered attack, Finley threw for 3,439 yards and 24 touchdowns to only eight picks and added five more scores on the ground. His 67.4 completion rate and 8.3 yards per attempt marks last fall were the best of his career. Western Kentucky has led Conference USA in passing attempts in each of the last three seasons, so Finley will have plenty of chances to put the ball in the air in '24.
New coach Derek Mason inherits just seven returning starters, but the Blue Raiders have a chance to push for a winning record in '24 thanks to Vattiato's return. The Florida native started six games from 2021-22 but assumed the No. 1 role on a full-time basis for Middle Tennessee last year. Vattiato shined in that stint, throwing for 3,092 yards and 23 touchdowns and adding 397 yards and two scores on the ground. Cutting down on the interceptions (13) is a must, but Vattiato also tied for second in the conference in completions of 40-plus yards (12) and connected on 66.8 percent of his throws.
The development of Jenkins is a big reason why FIU could have a breakout season in 2024. As a true freshman last year, the Miami native started 11 contests for the Panthers and threw for 2,414 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jenkins also added six rushing scores, while his yardage on the ground was limited due to the sacks allowed by FIU's sluggish offensive line. Although No. 1 receiver Kris Mitchell will be missed (transfer to Notre Dame), another offseason to work as the starter should pay big dividends for Jenkins. He's a fourth-team All-Conference USA selection for Athlon Sports in '24 .
Jacksonville State used a two-quarterback system last year with Zion Webb and Smothers sharing the job for an offense that finished third in Conference USA in scoring (30.2 points a game) last year. With Webb out of eligibility, coach Rich Rodriguez has a battle for the job looming this fall.
Smothers gets the nod here, but two other transfers will push for snaps in Tyler Huff (Furman) and Zion Turner (UConn). Last season, Smothers - a transfer from Nebraska - threw for 735 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 322 yards and seven scores. He ran for 118 yards in a win over Eastern Michigan and tossed three scores in a victory against Sam Houston. Turner redshirted the '23 campaign at UConn but accounted for 1,669 total yards and 10 scores the previous year. Huff was the Southern Conference Player of the Year after throwing for 1,869 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushing for 591 yards and six scores in '23.
Finding a spark for an offense that averaged only 20 points a game last season could be all that stands between Sam Houston and a bowl trip in '24.
With Keegan Shoemaker out of eligibility, the battle to start under center could extend deep into fall practice with three signal-callers vying for snaps. Transfer Grant Gunnell attempted 22 passes as the backup to Shoemaker last season but is likely to be passed on the depth chart by Jase Bauer or junior college recruit Hunter Watson. In 12 games at Central Michigan last year, Bauer threw for 1,881 yards and 12 touchdowns and added another 365 yards and 10 scores on the ground. Watson is a wild card to watch this fall. He led Iowa Western Community College to the 2023 NJCAA national title after throwing for 1,904 yards and 22 touchdowns and adding 717 yards and eight scores.
For Louisiana Tech to make a run at bowl eligibility in 2024, coach Sonny Cumbie needs more from his offense. The Bulldogs averaged only 24.4 points in Conference USA matchups last fall and major question marks surround this group once again.
Turner played in eight games (with four starts) for Cumbie last year and ended '23 with 1,017 passing yards and five touchdowns. The Texas native posted his best showing at Nebraska (292 yards and a touchdown) but tossed three picks combined in losses to Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee in early October. If Turner doesn't secure the starting job, junior college recruit (and former Southern Miss signal-caller) Ty Keyes is likely to see snaps.
New coach Scotty Walden is bringing one of the FCS' top offenses to El Paso in '24. Under Walden's direction, Austin Peay averaged 34.1 points a game and 274.1 passing yards a contest last season.
Replicating those totals will hinge on Walden finding a capable signal-caller to direct this attack after UTEP averaged only 19.9 points a contest last year. McConnell saw action in seven contests (six starts) for the Miners in '23 and threw for 1,437 yards and six touchdowns to four picks. The California native torched Middle Tennessee for 364 passing yards on Nov. 18 and averaged 9.4 yards per attempt in a 37-34 win over Sam Houston. Although McConnell is listed here, Austin Peay transfer Skyler Locklear and freshmen JP Pickles and Shay Smith are also in the mix.
Major changes are in store for New Mexico State's offense in 2024. Tony Sanchez takes over as head coach after Jerry Kill stepped aside, and this unit has new coordinator (Tyler Wright) after Tim Beck left for Vanderbilt. Additionally, the Aggies lost two of their top three running backs and must replace their top six receiving options from last year.
Las Cruces is the third stop in Hogan's playing career, as the Texas native has previous stints at Kentucky and Iowa. Since 2020, Hogan has played in five contests overall, completing seven of eight passes for 21 yards. The former three-star prospect will be pushed for snaps by UTEP transfer Jake McNamara and junior college prospects Parker Awad and Brandon Nunez.
Kennesaw State is surrounded in mystery for its FBS debut in 2024. The Owls played a limited transition schedule last season, so it's tough to gauge exactly how this team stacks up for their first year in Conference USA. Also, coach Brian Bohannon returns just 10 starters, leaving plenty of uncertainty this fall.
Quarterback is one of those uncertain positions, as Bryson inherits a hold on the No. 1 spot after Jonathan Murphy (1,591 total yards in '23) finished his eligibility. Bryson redshirted in '22 and saw limited action last year. The Virginia native completed two of 11 attempts for 53 yards in four games in '23 and contributed 206 yards and two scores on the ground. Last year's limited sample size showcased Bryson's dangerous ability on the ground, but he will need to display more consistency as a passer to help this team compete on a weekly basis in CUSA. (Sophomore Braden Bohannon and Jacksonville State transfer Earl Woods III are also in the mix.
Steven Lassan is the senior college football writer and editor for AthlonSports.com. Follow him on Twitter , Instagram , and Facebook .
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