Which QBs could be future legends for your team- and which have the "bust" label written all over them already?
As the 2024-25 college football season is soon to be underway, many players prepare to show the NFL exactly why they deserve to be a part of it. Today, we dive into the most important position in sports, examining which guys have the best shot to come off the board highly and become something special for their franchise.
Quinn Ewers - RS JR - Texas
Background:
Coming out of Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas, Ewers was one of the most highly touted QBs in his recruiting class, and ended up taking his talents to Columbus to join the Ohio State Buckeyes. Unfortunately, a logjam of more experienced QBs limited his early reps, and after being relegated to the backup role behind current Houston Texan CJ Stroud, Ewers hit the transfer portal, ending up back home under offensive mastermind Steve Sarkisian. After a rocky 2022 season, Ewers skyrocketed in 2023, throwing for 22 touchdowns to just 6 picks and leading the Longhorns to a 12-2 record, reaching the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs.
The Good:
Possesses arm talent in abundance, including ability to make throws from multiple arm angles (see above picture).
Solid under pressure, avoiding panic, extending plays, and getting the ball out when facing the rush.
Impressive ball placement and touch, especially on shorter and mid-level throws.
Solid mobility, able to take what the defense gives him as a runner
Saved his best play for big games in 2023, picking apart top-shelf defenses such as Alabama and Texas with ease.
The Bad:
Had a plethora of NFL caliber weapons to utilize, with talent at RB, WR, and TE all getting drafted in 2024.
Accuracy on the deep ball was inconsistent at times.
Occasionally slow to get through reads, leading to ill-advised passes.
Showcases smooth footwork while in rhythm, but can easily get tangled up when navigating a collapsing pocket.
Outlook:
Ewers, and the Longhorns offense as a whole, figure to face much more challenges in 2024 than the year prior, transferring to the toughest conference in college football, the SEC, and an obvious downgrade in talent with many weapons off to the pros. However, Ewers has made massive strides in his game every year so far, and I see no reason for that to change this year. He has every tool necessary to truly elevate a team, but just has some cleaning up to do to tie his game together. In short, the sky is the limit for this young man, and I believe the doubters will be silenced as he answers any questions posed about his ability to be a top QB in the league.
Current Grade: Mid-late 1st round
Player Comparison: Baker Mayfield
2. Carson Beck - RS Senior- Georgia
Background:
Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, Beck showed his aptitude as a signal-caller early, leading his high school to a Florida state championship. However, after committing to play college ball at Georgia, Beck's CFB career got off to a slow start, only seeing limited action as the backup behind Stetson Bennet IV. After finally getting his shot in 2023, Beck never looked back, throwing for 3,738 yards on the year and finishing with a resounding Orange Bowl victory. Beck elected to stay on for one final year in 2024, citing "unfinished business" involving another national championship for the highly touted Bulldogs side.
The Good:
Surgical mechanics as a passer with a clean pocket, consistently demonstrating excellent accuracy through the short and intermediate areas of the field.
Displays confidence targeting the middle of the field, rare for a college QB.
Has a high football IQ, able to easily diagnose coverages pre-snap and get through his reads post-snap.
NFL-ready frame at 6'4 and 215 pounds.
Has experience lining up play-action, rare in the college game.
The Bad:
Prone to bad misfires under pressure, especially visible in the SEC Championship Game.
Arm is good but average by NFL standards, leading to underthrows when throwing over 45 yards.
Not able to create much as a runner outside extending plays.
Outlook:
Carson Beck definitely has a lot of things going for him, what with performing admirably in Kirby Smart's pro style offense and having near perfection as far as pocket mechanics are concerned. Unfortunately, concerns about his arm talent and ability to create outside of the pocket have me doubting his ability to be a true game-changer at the position. He has everything it takes to be a good QB in the league, but would likely be best suited for a 49ers-type offense, where the importance is placed more on football IQ and accuracy over dual-threat ability.
Current Grade: High-Mid 2nd Round
Player Comparison: Kirk Cousins
#3: Cameron Ward - SR - Miami(FL)
Background:
Playing high school football at Columbia High in Texas, Ward faced a unique situation in that he ran an option offense, resulting in him getting just one scholarship offer, at D2 school Incarnate Word in San Antonio. After blowing up the stat sheet with 4,648 yards and 47 TDs to just 10 interceptions as a sophomore, Ward hit the transfer portal and ended up a Cougar at Washington St. He showcased an innate dual-threat ability to pile up stats as a passer and runner, which led to him declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. In the end, Ward ended up returning to school, transferring to the Hurricanes for one final season to raise his draft stock.
The Good:
Excellent ability to "make it happen", finding ways to get yardage even from broken-down plays
Impressive touch and layer on his balls, able to lead his route-runners well to create after the catch.
NFL-ready arm, possessing the ability to make all the necessary throws.
Flashes brilliance as a runner, breaking long plays with a combination of quickness and long speed
Cam make throws from multiple arm slots where the ball feels like it "jumps out of his hand."
The Bad:
Footwork in the pocket is clunky at times, leading to some throws with poor strength and accuracy.
Tends to hold onto the ball longer than necessary, leading to unwanted sacks and fumbles.
Crumbles under pressure at times, struggling with decision-making
Will be 23 years young as his rookie year begins
Outlook:
In terms of raw ability and pure playmaking as a QB, Ward stands head and shoulders above the other prospects in the class. While he could likely do wonders if paired with the right offensive coach, Ward has several fundamental issues with his game that are uncharacteristic of such an experienced prospect. I hope Ward can polish off some of these rough edges this year at Miami, but even so he is likely to be viewed as one of the lowest floor, highest ceiling prospects in a long time.
Current Grade: Mid 2nd Round
Player Comparison: Justin Fields
#4: Jaxson Dart - SR - Ole Miss
Background:
Dart excelled in two sports in high school, becoming an all-state baseman at Corner Canyon High in Utah while impressing on the gridiron. In fact, his high school senior year, where he threw for an unreal 67 touchdowns and ran 12 more, earned him the MaxPreps National Player of the Year award, and a scholarship offer from USC. He showed plenty of promise his freshman year with the Trojans, but as rumors swirled about new 2022 coach Lincoln Riley bringing his old QB, 2024 draftee Caleb Williams, to be the new starter, Dart ended up transferring and becoming a Rebel. He has some difficulties his first season under Lane Kiffin, tossing 11 picks, but in 2023 he led the Rebels to an 11-2 record and a Peach Bowl victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions.
The Good:
Shows plenty of toughness in the pocket, not fazed easily by various pressures from the defense.
Very effective distributor in rhythm, dropping "darts" to his guys against tough defenses such as Penn State.
Able to extend plays while still keeping his eyes downfield, leading to some brilliant plays off-script.
Throws with solid anticipation, positioning his receivers to get maximum yards after the catch.
Not a true dual-threat QB, but uses his legs very effectively to gain yards when necessary.
The Bad:
Has decent touch on his throws, but is lacking a little in pure strength and distance.
Is prone to getting stuck on his first read at times, leading to him throwing the ball harmlessly away.
Could use some work on his footwork in the pocket.
Outlook:
The modern NFL has several different models of successful QBs, but guys like Dart, with an innate feel for both the passing and running game, will always be appreciated by head coaches in the league. Footwork and processing concerns could limit upside at the next level, but overall it's hard to find pocket passers as refined as he is in the college game. If he can take another step this season before declaring for the draft, he could be someone to watch out for to sneak into the back end of Round 1.
Current Grade: Mid Round 2
Player Comparison: Jordan Love
#5: Shedeur Sanders - SR - Colorado
Background:
Being the son of HOF CB Deion Sanders, the spotlight was on Shedeur early on, starting when he enrolled at D2 school Jackson State, playing for his dad. He proved a lack of familial bias early on, completing over 70% of his passes for 3,732 yard en route to the SWAC Player of the Year Award. After transferring along with his father to Colorado, Sanders again played without missing a beat, passing for 27 scores to just 3 interceptions, albeit the Buffaloes limping to a 4 win season after a hot start.
The Good:
Very quick and accurate release with a clean pocket, helping him dissect defenses without a hitch in rhythm.
Has the experience of a veteran when it comes to reading the defense before the snap.
Solid NFL arm allows him to rip the ball into tight windows other quarterbacks are unable to reach.
Not a true dual-threat, but very adequate rushing upside
The Bad:
Spotlight can be a double-edged sword, as both him and his father have drawn their fair share of criticism, even from former players.
Takes FAR too many sacks even with solid protection, indicating difficulties to sense blindside pressure.
Footwork and poise in the pocket are also concerns, contributing to the alarming pressure-to-sack percentage (25%).
Outlook:
Although many fans are content to simply connect the hype with his last name, Sanders has many of the traits associated with great QBs in the NFL. His blend of arm and talent is intriguing, but plenty of mechanical issues lower his floor at the next level. If a team is willing to look past all the hate and take a flyer on the kid, there is definitely a world in which Sanders silences the doubters and has a fruitful career for a long time in the league.
Current Grade: Late Day 2
Player Comparison: Geno Smith
6: Jalen Milroe - RS JR - Alabama
Background:
Milroe shot onto the scene at Tompkins High School in Katy, Texas, earning himself an offer to join the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. He spent his first 2 seasons backing up Bryce Young, receiving mostly garbage-time reps and playing just OK with his chances. Once Young was off to the NFL in 2023, Milroe was able to earn the starting job, but underwhelmed at first, leading to his benching after a loss to Texas. He impressed by staying strong and not giving up though, and went on a tear once he got the job back, torching defenses with his arm and his legs en route to a SEC Championship, finally losing in the Rose Bowl to eventual nation champs Michigan.
The Good:
Has the biggest arm out of all prospects mentioned so far, and deep ball accuracy shines on tape.
Very explosive as a runner, demonstrated in a brilliant Kentucky game where he threw for 3 TDs and ran in three more.
Has innate playmaking ability to extend plays until he can find an open man downfield.
Shows great intangibles to come back and lead his team following his benching.
Clutch under pressure, seen in a heroic last-second win over rivals Auburn
The Bad:
Lagging behind other prospects as a processor, struggles to get through reads and find the open man.
Often makes poor decisions in the pocket, leading to unnecessary turnovers.
Could stand to improve as far as ball placement and touch are concerns.
Outlook:
Milroe is clearly one of the more raw prospects in the class, but that might not be such a bad thing, especially with the raw tools he possesses. In his first season starting, he showed plenty of promise and flashes of what he could be someday, leading to high expectations from the draft community. While I am not as sure on whether he can hit those massive projections, it's clear that another season at Alabama, especially under new coach Kalen DeBoer, can only push up his chances at becoming a franchise QB someday.
Current Grade: Late Day 2/Early Day 3
Player Comparison: Malik Willis
#7: Connor Weigman - RS SO - Texas A&M
Background:
Another two-sport athlete, Weigman excelled in both football and baseball, earning the National Quarterback of the Year award as a senior and committing to become an Aggie. While he intended to redshirt his freshman year as the 3rd string QB, he ended up starting the last few games of the season, and making quite an impression. He was named the starter for the 2023 season, but ended up suffering a season-ending injury after just 4 games.
The Good:
Brilliant under pressure at times, making several "how is that possible?" throws.
Very compact release allows him to complete short and intermediate passes with ease
Baseball background helps him with above average arm talent to reach all levels of the field
One of the better runners in the class, with good short-range agility.
Just 20 years old currently, one of the younger high-end QBs.
The Bad:
Could improve as a processor, sometimes alerting safeties by fixating on one read.
Accuracy suffers at times due to inconsistent footwork in the pocket.
Foot injury could limit him somewhat early on in the year.
Outlook:
Weigman's spot in these rankings is obviously the one which could climb the highest this season, for the simple fact that we have seen so little of him so far. When on the field, his pure courage in the face of any defense is something that makes him very unique at any level. When all is said and done, it would not surprise many if Weigman ends up the best QB out of everyone talked about today.
Current Grade: Late Day 2/Early Day 3
Player Comparison: Carson Wentz
Honorable Mentions/Sleepers:
I couldn't find the space to write more than 7 full reports here, but a few other QBs have interesting cases for why they should be future NFL signal-callers. While he is definitely on the older side, Dillon Gabriel more than makes up for it with his combo of smarts and leadership. The southpaw could have a career year in a talented Oregon offense. While I love Noah Fifita's pocket presence and confidence attacking a defense, the size concerns are going to be tough to overcome, as we saw with Bryce Young this past season. He could potentially stay on till 2026, but his connection with stud WR Tetairoa McMillan is always fun to watch. Another name overshadowed by his game-changing WR is Brady Cook at Missouri, using his toughness and mobility to try and cover up his limited arm. He figures to at least blow up the stat sheet passing to the aforementioned Burden and Theo Wease Jr. Last but not least, while we haven't seen much of Garrett Nussmeier due to sitting behind 2024 1st rounder Jayden Daniels, their bowl game win over Wisconsin showed the limitless upside he has. He has a lot to prove as a redshirt junior, but the sky is the limit for him with the arm talent he has.
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