Ranking college football's top 25 quarterbacks in 2024 | Sporting News (2024)

Which quarterback will take advantage of the opportunity in 2024?

The top six quarterbacks on Sporting News' Top 25 QBs in 2023 were the first six quarterbacks taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. That included the last two Heisman Trophy winners in Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels.

Who is No. 1 in 2024? Georgia's Carson Beck, Texas' Quinn Ewers and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel are among the seven quarterbacks who return to this list from last season. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is our top-rated QB prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft. There are always a few surprise quarterbacks that make that jump, too, but the top is easy to spot most of the time.

A look at the last five quarterbacks to be ranked No. 1 on our list the last five seasons.

That list included three No. 1 picks in the NFL Draft. Who made our top 25 quarterbacks for 2024?

MORE: Ranking the college football coaches from 1-134

Top 25 college QBs for 2024

25. Kaidon Salter, Liberty

2023 stats: 2,876 yards, 61%, 32 TDs, 6 INTs

Salter totaled 44 TDs last season – which trailed only Bo Nix (51) and Jayden Daniels (50) last season. Salter is the perfect fit in Jamey Chadwell's offense with the Flames, and that led to the school's first New Year's Day Six appearance. The 45-6 loss to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl was a reality check – mainly because Salter was not a factor in the running game – where he had 1,089 yards and four games with 100 or more yards rushing. Salter briefly entered the transfer portal last season – but he returned to Liberty and could lead a CFP run.

24. Seth Henigan, Memphis

2023 stats: 3,883 yards, 66.8%, 32 TDs, 9 INTs

Henigan averaged 319.8 yards per game in total offense, which is second among returning FBS quarterbacks. He's a four-year starter (at one school!) with a 18-13 record, and that experience translated into 10 wins last season. Henigan had eight games with 300 or more passing yards, and he closed the season with a 364-yard, four-TD performance against Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl.

23. Garrett Greene, West Virginia

2023 stats: 2,406 yards, 52.9%, 16 TDs, 4 INTs

Greene also had 772 rushing yards – most among Power 4 quarterbacks on this list – and 13 TDs. That feature became prominent in the Mountaineers' last three games — all victories – when he rushed for 321 yards on 9.4 yards per carry. That suggests Greene could be a breakout player in the Big 12 this season, especially if he improves in completion percentage. That was the issue in losses to ranked Oklahoma and Penn State teams in 2023.

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22. Miller Moss, USC

2023 stats: 681 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT

This ranking operates on a few educated guesses – starting with the belief Miller will be productive in Lincoln Riley's offensive system. The Trojans did not get competition via the transfer portal, and Moss closed last season with a record-setting 372-yard, six-TD performance against Louisville in the Holiday Bowl. It's a limited sample, but Moss has a career 71.7% completion percentage. If that holds up in the Big Ten, then the production will follow with ease.

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21. Grayson McCall, NC State

2023 stats: 1,919 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs

McCall – a sixth-year quarterback – is on this list for the fourth time. He peaked at No. 4 in 2022 after consecutive prolific seasons with Coastal Carolina. McCall struggled without Jamey Chadwell last year and did not play after suffering a head injury against Arkansas State on Oct. 21, 2023. The transfer to NC State offers a chance to see it on the Power 4 stage – and McCall has 88 TDs and 14 interceptions for his career. It should work out well with the Wolfpack.

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20. Drew Allar, Penn State

2023 stats: 2,631, 59.9%, 25 TDs, 2 INTs

Allar will have NFL scouts' attention with a 6-5, 241-pound frame. He was 10-2 in his first year as the full-time starter and had an excellent TD-to-INT ratio. He needs to improve in the deep passing game – where he completed just 30.1% of his passes last season. Allar also struggled with a 45.1% completion percentage in the losses to Ohio State, Michigan and Ole Miss last season. That's not all on Allar – but those are the games the NFL scouts will be watching the most heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.

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19. Brady Cook, Missouri

2023 stats: 3,317 yards, 66.1%, 21 TDs, 6 INTs

Cook led the Tigers to an 11-2 record and Cotton Bowl victory against Ohio State, and the third-year starter could help Missouri take the next step toward a CFP berth in 2024. Cook was 4-1 in starts against ranked teams last season, and that came with 205.2 yards per game, five TDs and five interceptions. Those aren't overwhelming numbers, and Cook might be given that “game manager” label heading into the next level. Still, he will put up numbers with All-American receiver Luther Burden III for another year.

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18. Preston Stone, SMU

2023 stats: 2,589 yards, 58.6%, 23 TDs, 6 INTs

Stone took advantage of his first full season as the starter for the Mustangs. Stone is a high-volume passer in Rhett Lashlee's system, but the quarterback excelled in the intermediate passing game (10-19 yards) with a 71.6% completion rate, 10 TDs and one interception. Stone threw just one interception in SMU's last seven games. He suffered an ankle injury before the American Athletic Conference championship game. It will be interesting to see how Stone's game translates in the first season of ACC play.

17. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee

2023 stats: 314 yards, 62.2%, 314 yards, 2 TDs

Looking for a next-level Heisman Trophy sleeper? If the five-star sophom*ore builds on an impressive showing against Iowa in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, then this is the guy. Iamaleava is a natural fit in Josh Heupel's scheme at Tennessee, and the combination of quick reads in the passing game and mobility will be a huge plus for the Volunteers. Iamaleava played in complete control against the Hawkeyes' top-10 defense – and the SEC stage should not be too much to handle as a first-year starter.

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16. Cam Rising, Utah

2023 stats: DNP because of injury

Rising was ranked No. 8 on this list last season – the highest of any returning quarterback. There's an obvious caveat for the seventh-year quarterback whose career began at Texas in 2018. He received a medical redshirt while recovering from a knee injury suffered during the 2023 Rose Bowl. Rising – who led the Utes to a pair of Pac-12 championships – gets one more opportunity in the new-look Big 12. He averaged 2,763 passing yards and 482 rushing yards in 2021-22. Can he replicate those numbers?

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15. DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State

2023 stats: 2,638 yards, 57.1%, 21 TDs, 7 INTs

Uiagalelei has been one of our toughest evaluations since he took over as the Clemson starter in 2021. We had him ranked No. 3 coming into 2021. This is his third school in three years, and a chance to break through with Mike Norvell at Florida State. He averaged 2,579 yards, 22 TDs and seven interceptions the last two seasons between Clemson and Oregon State. The key will be the continued development of efficiency with the Seminoles. Uiagalelei had six games with a completion percentage of 55% or less last season. The Beavers were 2-4 in those games.

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14. Conner Weigman, Texas A&M

2023 stats: 979 yards, 68.9%, 8 TDs, 2 INTs

Weigman is another potential sleeper if he stays healthy at Texas A&M this season. Weigman had 1,875 yards, 16 TDs and two interceptions across the last two seasons, but he missed most of 2023 with a foot injury. According to PFF, he's 14 of 31 (45.1%) with five TDs and no interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more. Weigman is on his third offensive coordinator in three seasons with Collin Klein, who was hired by first-year coach Mike Elko. The new-look regime should benefit Weigman, but again, he has to stay on the field.

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13. Haynes King, Georgia Tech

2023 stats: 2,842 yards, 27 TDs, 16 interceptions

King won't be the ACC's best-kept secret much longer. He helped Georgia Tech to a 7-6 season in 2023, and that included the clutch touchdown pass in the 23-20 victory against Miami on Oct. 7. He added 737 rushing yards and 10 TDs, and a second year for the Texas A&M transfer should produce even better results. King does need to cut down on the interceptions. The Yellow Jackets were 1-3 in games where he threw multiple picks – with the Miami game the only victory.

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12. Avery Johnson, Kansas State

2023 stats: 479 yards, 56.1%, 5 TDs, 0 INTs

Here is a high-upside dual-threat quarterback who should emerge in the Big 12 this season. Johnson had five rushing TDs against Texas Tech on Oct. 14, and he got his first start in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against NC State – where he showcased that talent with 178 passing yards, 71 rushing yards and three total TDs. Johnson has a live arm, but it will need to be refined in his first full year as a starter. He is a strong candidate to lead the FBS in total offense in 2024.

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11. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

2023 stats: 1,102 yards, 57.6%, 3 TDs, 3 INTs

Leonard opened last season with a memorable Labor Day performance against Clemson, but an ankle injury ended his 2023 season. He had a follow-up procedure in March that kept him out of Notre Dame's spring practice, so health will be a question mark heading into fall camp given Leonard totaled 352 rushing yards in 2023 and 699 yards with 13 TDs in 2024. A dominant season with the Irish could push Leonard into the first round, but we said the same thing about Sam Hartman – who was ranked No. 10 last season.

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10. Will Howard, Ohio State

2023 stats: 2,643 yards, 61.3%, 24 TDs, 10 INTs

Howard – who was 14-11 as a starter at Kansas State – transferred to Ohio State – where he will have one of the best supporting casts in 2024. The running back tandem of TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins will help along with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, and Howard should be able to develop a rapport with a loaded receiver room that includes Emeka Egbuka and five-star freshman Jeremiah Smith. Howard still has to hold off Devin Brown for the starting job in fall camp, but the pieces are there for Howard to lead a national championship run.

MORE: Where Ohio State QBs stand after spring game

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9. Noah Fifita, Arizona

2023 stats: 2,869 yards, 25 TDs, 6 INTs

Fifita was arguably the hottest quarterback in the country at the end of last season. He led the Wildcats to seven straight victories. He averaged 349.3 passing yards per game with 14 TDs and three INTs in Arizona's last five games. Leading receiver Tetairoa Millan returned this season, too, which means Fifita should maintain a solid down-field throwing presence with new coach Brent Brennan. Fifita was 5-2 as a starter against ranked teams in 2023.

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8. Cam Ward, Miami, Fla.

2023 stats: 3,736 yards, 66.6%, 25 TDs, 7 INTs

Ward – whose career began at Incarnate Word in 2020 and continued with Washington State the last two seasons – is making another stop at Miami. He has 119 TDs and 30 interceptions between the FCS and FBS. He had consistent year-to-year numbers with the Cougars, and he did that with a rushing attack that ranked 130th in the FBS last season. Ward transferred to Miami. The Hurricanes are 12-13 the last two seasons. If Ward can push this program into ACC contention, then he could make the leap as a first-round pick.

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7. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

2023 stats: 3,364 yards, 65.1%, 23 TDs, 5 INTs

Dart is 18-7 as the starter for the Rebels the last two seasons, and he improved on his passing totals in 2023. He also became a more effective threat in the running game with eight TDs and 19 runs of 10 yards or more. According to PFF, Dart had a 16.1% completion rate with four TDs and three interceptions on passes of 20 yards or more. That will need improvement in order for Dart to attract more next-level attention. Leading Ole Miss to a CFP berth would increase that stock, too.

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6. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

2023 stats: 2,834 yards, 65.8%, 23 TDs, 6 INTs

It took a third of the season for Milroe to take hold of the starting job, but he led the Crimson Tide to an SEC championship once he put things all together late in the season. Milroe led all returning Power 4 quarterbacks with a 172.7 passer efficiency rating, and he added 531 yards and 12 TDs. Milroe bypassed the 2024 NFL Draft and will be a fit with new coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. If Milroe becomes a more accurate passer in the intermediate range – where he hit 52.3% of his passes last season – then another SEC championship run is possible.

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5. Jalon Daniels, Kansas

2023 stats: 705 yards, 74.7%, 5 TDs, 1 INT

Is this too high? Not if Daniels can stay healthy for a full season. Combine his totals from 12 games in the last two seasons, and you get 2,719 passing yards with 23 TDs and five interceptions with 499 rushing yards and seven TDs. That comes with a 68.2% completion percentage. Daniels is a playmaker poised to keep the Jayhawks in the Big 12 championship hunt with head coach Lance Leipold and new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. If Daniels puts it all together at once, then a trip to New York as a Heisman finalist is a realistic possibility.

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4. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

2023 stats: 3,230 yards, 69.3%, 27 TDs, 3 INTs

Sanders' 510-yard, four-TD debut with Colorado was a grand entrance to the Coach Prime era, and Shedeur was among the September favorites for the Heisman Trophy as a result. The talent is real, but he took 52 sacks and had the worst rushing attack in the FBS. If those two factors improve, then Sanders will continue to be in the discussion to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Another reason to be high on Sanders – in the fourth quarter last season he had a 72.8% completion percentage and 207.1 efficiency rating with 11 TDs and no interceptions. Sanders has already proven he can perform with high visibility. Can he lead the Buffaloes to a bowl game in 2024?

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3. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

2023 stats: 3,660 yards, 69.3%, 30 TDs, 6 INTs

Gabriel is the highest-ranked first-year transfer QB on this list. He averaged 3,276 passing yards per season with 55 TDs and 12 interceptions the last two seasons. He transferred to Oregon, where he will be a fit in the Ducks' high-powered offense that averaged 44.2 points per game last season. Gabriel also averaged 350 rushing yards and nine TDs per season with the Sooners. He's that perfect blend of dual-threat talent and experience – he's 33-16 as a starter between UCF and Oklahoma. He also shares a Hawaiian connection with Oregon Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.

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2. Quinn Ewers, Texas

2023 stats: 3,479 yards, 69.0%, 22 TDs, 6 INTs

Ewers led Texas to the College Football Playoff, and had a signature performance with 349 yards and three TDs in a 34-24 victory at Alabama. Ewers improved across the board in his second season as the Longhorns' starter. He was especially good in the second half of games – with a 71.6% completion percentage, 177.9 passer rating, 11 TDs and no interceptions. The last step is more consistency in the deep passing game – where he is 32 of 99 (32.3%) with seven TDs and three interceptions the last two seasons. The arm strength has always been there, and the decision to stay in his school will improve his chances to be a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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1. Carson Beck, Georgia

2023 stats: 3,941 yards, 72.4%, 24 TDs, 6 INTs

Beck had 3,941 passing yards last season, which is tops among returning FBS quarterbacks. He had a 72.3% completion percentage on throws of less than 20 yards, and he had five games with 300 yards or more. Yes, the setup at Georgia is favorable, but Beck averaged 282.2 passing yards with 14 TDs and three interceptions in six starts against ranked teams. He will have a re-tooled group of receivers without tight end Brock Bowers and receiver Ladd McConkey, but Beck is in the best position to lead a national championship run and become a first-round pick.

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Just missed: Kyle McCord, Syracuse; Aidan Chiles, Michigan State; KJ Jefferson, UCF; Will Rogers, Washington; Graham Mertz, Florida.