Big 12 Quarterback Rankings for 2024

The Big 12 is loaded with talent at the quarterback position for the 2024 college football season. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, Kansas' Jalon Daniels, Utah's Cameron Rising, and Arizona's Noah Fifita all have a case to be ranked No. 1. Additionally, West Virginia's Garrett Greene, UCF's KJ Jefferson, and Kansas State's Avery Johnson could easily slide into that top tier this fall.

In addition to the depth at the top of the conference, Texas Tech's Behren Morton could be primed for a breakout year, Arizona State and Baylor picked up intriguing transfers, and Iowa State has a rising star under center in Rocco Becht.

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 Big 12 for 2024.

Big 12 2024 Quarterback Rankings

1. Jalon Daniels, Kansas

Daniels earned preseason 2023 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors and was poised to emerge as one of the best signal-callers in the nation. Unfortunately for Daniels and Kansas, a back injury limited him to just three games, where he accounted for 705 yards and five touchdowns through the air. However, the previous year ('22) showed why Daniels is among the nation's most dangerous quarterbacks with the ball in his hand, as he threw for 2,014 yards and 18 touchdowns to only four picks and ran for 425 yards and seven scores. The back injury that hindered Daniels in '23 is healed and all signs point to a full recovery by kickoff this fall. Although the Jayhawks have a new play-caller (Jeff Grimes), the supporting cast is loaded with experience and should help return Daniels to a spot among the best QBs in college football.

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2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Sanders quickly emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in college football last season. After starring at Jackson State and following Coach Prime to Boulder, Sanders posted a prolific '23 campaign in 11 games for the Buffaloes. Despite a shaky offensive line, he threw for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns. Also, Sanders tied for eighth nationally in completion rate (69.3) and ranked 10th in per-game passing production (293.6 yards a game). He also showcased his arm strength and downfield ability with 15 throws of 40-plus yards. If Sanders continues to build off last year's success, he could be the first quarterback off the board in the '25 NFL Draft.

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3. Noah Fifita, Arizona

Fifita ranked as one of the top freshmen in college football last season and was instrumental in guiding Arizona to a 10-win campaign under former coach Jedd Fisch. The California native took over the starting job in September after an injury to Jayden de Laura and never relinquished the top spot on the depth chart. In 12 overall appearances, Fifita threw for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns to only six picks. Additionally, he ranked fourth nationally in completion rate (72.4) and finished 11th in quarterback rating (165.9). Fifita will have to adapt to new play-caller Dino Babers, but with top receiver Tetairoa McMillan returning, the offense shouldn't miss much of a beat from last year's production (34.6 points a game).

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4. Cameron Rising, Utah

Utah's offense had a major void under center last year due to Rising's season-long absence after suffering a knee injury in the Rose Bowl after the 2022 campaign. The Utes averaged only 23.2 points a game and 5.1 yards a snap, while the passing game finished last in the Pac-12 in per-contest production (165.8). Rising's return should provide an instant spark for coach Kyle Whittingham's team. Prior to the knee injury, the California native was among college football's top signal-callers. Over 27 games with the Utes, Rising threw for 5,572 yards and 46 touchdowns. He also added 953 yards and 12 rushing scores. Assuming Rising is back to full strength and doesn't have any lingering rust, he should quickly rebound back into a place among the top quarterbacks in college football.

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5. Avery Johnson, Kansas State

Johnson is easily one of the top breakout quarterbacks for the 2024 season. The Kansas native ranked as a four-star recruit in the '23 signing class and made an instant impact in his eight appearances. Even though Will Howard was entrenched as the starter, Johnson's playmaking ability was simply too valuable to leave on the sidelines. In limited snaps, Johnson connected on 37 of his 66 throws for 479 yards and five scores and ran for 296 yards and seven touchdowns. Although the bulk of Johnson's snaps came as a change-of-pace or backup, he started the Pop-Tarts Bowl victory against NC State and completed 14 of 31 throws for 178 yards and ran for 71 yards. Johnson is due for a few ups-and-downs as a first-time starter, but as showcased by his potential in limited time last year, the sophomore is ready to emerge as one of the top quarterbacks in the Big 12.

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6. Garrett Greene, West Virginia

Greene was one of the Big 12's top breakout players in 2023 and a big reason why West Virginia finished with a nine-win season. Coach Neal Brown built an offense to fit Greene's skill set, and the Florida native responded with 2,406 passing yards and 16 scores and by rushing for 772 yards and 13 touchdowns. Greene ranked fifth among Big 12 quarterbacks in total offense (264.8 yards a game) and finished third among players in yards per play (8.01). Per PFF, Greene completed 32 of 69 pass attempts of 20-plus yards for 1,179 yards and 12 scores. However, the senior has room to improve in the accuracy department after completing only 53.1 percent of his throws last year.

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7. KJ Jefferson, UCF

Jefferson was a huge get in the transfer portal for coach Gus Malzahn and should prove to be a terrific fit in the Knights' high-powered offense. In his first season as the starter at Arkansas in 2021, Jefferson accounted for 2,676 yards and 21 touchdowns through the air and ran for 664 yards and six scores. The Mississippi native was even better in '22, accounting for 2,648 yards and 24 touchdowns as a passer and rushing for 640 yards and nine scores in 11 games. Jefferson's '23 numbers were solid (2,107 passing and 19 scores and 447 yards on the ground), but a struggling offensive line and questionable offensive scheme limited his production. At 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, Jefferson brings an impressive physical skill set to Orlando. Also, his dual-threat ability and accuracy (65.1 percent in career) will be a lethal combination in UCF's offense this fall.

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8. Rocco Becht, Iowa State

Becht was solid in his first season as Iowa State's starter, throwing for 3,120 yards and 23 touchdowns in 13 starts. The Florida native nailed nearly 63 percent (62.9) of his throws and chipped in three rushing scores over 62 carries. Becht also ended the year on a high note with 446 passing yards and three touchdown tosses in the Liberty Bowl against Memphis. Additionally, Becht ranked fourth among Big 12 signal-callers in quarterback rating (150.7), averaged 8.5 yards per attempt, and finished second in the conference with eight completions of 50-plus yards.

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9. Behren Morton, Texas Tech

Morton hasn't quite lived up to his four-star billing coming out of high school, but the Texas native is coming off career numbers (1,757 passing yards and 15 touchdowns) and appears to be 100 percent after dealing with shoulder problems in the '23 season. Over 21 games in Lubbock, Morton has passed for 2,874 yards and 22 scores and chipped in six rushing touchdowns. Morton needs to be more cautious with the ball (14 picks in 465 attempts) and will be working behind a revamped offensive line and receiving corps in '24.

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10. Dequan Finn, Baylor

Baylor's offense is getting a fresh start with coach Dave Aranda entering a critical '24 campaign. Former Texas State coach and veteran play-caller Jake Spavital was hired as the team's new coordinator, and Finn was brought in to start at quarterback after the team struggled to get consistent play under center last fall. At Toledo in '23, Finn threw for 2,657 yards and 22 touchdowns to nine picks and ran for 563 yards and seven scores. The Detroit native led the MAC with 247.7 total yards a game and ranked first in the conference in completions of 30-plus yards (15). Finn's ability to make plays with his legs is a huge plus behind a Baylor offensive line in transition, but he will also have to adapt to the power conference level of play.

Related: Big 12's Top Impact Transfers for 2024

11. Donovan Smith, Houston

Houston is a program in rebuild mode under new coach Willie Fritz, with Smith one of just six returning starters in '24. However, Smith's return gives the Cougars a shot to make a push for bowl eligibility. The senior had offseason shoulder surgery but is on track to return to 100 percent by the opener. Smith transferred to Houston after spending the first three seasons of his collegiate career at Texas Tech. The Las Vegas native threw for 2,801 yards and 22 touchdowns and ran for 428 yards and six scores last fall and finished fourth in the conference in total yards per game (269.1). Smith will have to learn a new offense under coordinator Kevin Barbay, but his skill set and a healthy shoulder should help the senior deliver a standout '24 campaign.

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12. Alan Bowman, Oklahoma State

Bowman is back for his seventh season at the collegiate level and is tasked with elevating his game up a notch if Oklahoma State wants to win the Big 12 title and challenge for a spot in the CFB Playoff. After stints at Texas Tech and Michigan, Bowman transferred to Stillwater last fall and won the starting job. The Texas native produced a steady season in charge of the Pokes' attack, throwing for 3,460 yards and 15 touchdowns. Bowman's completion rate was solid (60.7), but the interception total (14) was too high. His 145 completions of 10-plus yards led all Big 12 signal-callers, while his 7.1 yards per attempt mark in conference games ranked 11th.

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13. Josh Hoover, TCU

Hoover is a name that could easily rise this list in the 2024 season. The Texas native played in 10 games as a redshirt freshman last year, starting the final six games for coach Sonny Dykes. During that stretch, Hoover threw for 2,206 yards and 15 touchdowns to nine picks. He also landed 62.1 percent of his throws and finished seventh in the Big 12 with 92 completions of 10-plus yards. Hoover posted two efforts of 400 or more passing yards (BYU and Baylor) and torched Oklahoma for four touchdowns in the season finale. With one of the Big 12's top receiving corps at his disposal, Hoover has potential to put up big-time numbers under coordinator Kendal Briles. Vanderbilt transfer Ken Seals and freshman Hauss Hejny round out the TCU quarterback depth chart.

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14. Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati

Cincinnati's passing game struggled in Big 12 contests (183.3 yards a game) last season, so coach Scott Satterfield looked to the portal for help. Sorsby arrives as an upgrade after playing in 11 contests at Indiana over the last two years. The Texas native showed promise in Bloomington last fall, completing 57 percent of his passes for 1,587 yards and 15 touchdowns. Sorsby tossed only five picks over 237 attempts and showed an ability to make plays on the ground with 276 rushing yards and four scores. The sophomore has plenty of room to improve, but his arm should give Cincinnati a better chance to stretch the field this fall than it had all of '23.

15. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State

With Jaden Rashada transferring to Georgia this spring, coach Kenny Dillingham has three signal-callers - Leavitt, Jeff Sims, and Trenton Bourguet - battling for the starting nod. Leavitt saw action in four games at Michigan State as a true freshman in 2023 and transferred to Arizona State this offseason. The Oregon native saw limited snaps in his four games with the Spartans, completing 15 of 23 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns and adding 67 yards on the ground. Bourguet has passed for 3,091 yards and 13 touchdowns in 21 games with the Sun Devils, while Sims arrived in Tempe after spring ball after spending the '23 season at Nebraska. Leavitt ranked as a four-star recruit coming out of high school and has the most upside of the three quarterbacks vying for the job. The guess here is Dillingham will be able to get quality play under center, with the winner (Leavitt) moving up this list by the end of '24.

16. Jake Retzlaff, BYU

BYU finished last in the Big 12 in passing offense last year (205.4 yards a game) and question marks surround the quarterback position again in '24. Retzlaff starred at Riverside City College in '22 before landing in Provo last year. The California native started the final four games for the Cougars last season, and as expected, needed time to adjust to the FBS level. Retzlaff threw for 648 yards and three scores and showcased his mobility with 116 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. However, his yards per attempt was low (5.2), while the completion rate (50.4) was also a concern. Retzlaff will have to hold off a pair of transfers - Gerry Bohanon (Baylor/South Florida) and McCae Hillstead (Utah State) - to start in '24.

Steven Lassan is the senior college football writer and editor for AthlonSports.com. Follow him on Twitter , Instagram , and Facebook .

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