2024 college football quarterback battle: Ohio State, Duke agree to star transfer; USC selects bowl game hero

Quarterback battles are often College Football offseason. Especially in an era when the transfer portal and immediate commitments to play elsewhere make it extremely difficult to develop a solid succession plan.

Although coaches like to have things in place before the actual season begins, quarterback competitions often continue into the fall. Some competitions are still ongoing when the actual season begins, as teams use early season warm-up games to see if one quarterback can pull ahead of another in the real game.

Now that fall camps are in their final week at most schools across the country, many high-profile programs have already identified their quarterbacks. Ohio State University and Wisconsin Their offensive leaders have been identified, each of whom is trying to make a significant impact in the Big Ten.

elsewhere, College Football playoff rivals Boise State University Made a rather surprising decision regarding its quarterback. The Broncos were one of many teams in the Power Five conference that decided to go with a more experienced quarterback instead of an exciting new entry in the transfer portal.

While there are still many questions to be answered, here’s a rundown of the quarterback battle that has already been decided as the 2024 season approaches.

Ohio State University

This isn’t necessarily surprising, but Ohio State officially transfers Kansas State’s Will Howard To guide their attack. Howard Really had to outlast some stiff competition, mostly from returning backups Devin Brown and companion transfer Julian Sahin （Alabama), but it was clear from day one that Ohio State brought in Howard to win the quarterback position.

Now that Howard has officially joined Ohio State, he brings an interesting dimension to the offense. He may not be the prolific passer we’re familiar with in the red and gray, but he does bring the physicality that Ryan Day has wanted his team to have in recent years.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound Howard is a tough runner who is difficult to stop when he’s sprinting. He rushed for 921 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Wildcats and should fit in nicely with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.

University of Southern California

USC names Miller Moss starting quarterback After a long battle, until the end of pre-season training camp. Moss served as Caleb Williams‘Served as a backup for the past two seasons and will face the 2023 Holiday Bowl against LouisvilleHe set a bowl game record with 372 passing yards with six touchdowns in the 42-28 win.

Moss was seen as the favorite to succeed the former Heisman Trophy winner and beat out University of Nevada, Las Vegas Transfer Jaden Miawawho originally committed to the Trojans Georgia Out of the gate. In his freshman season with the Rebels, Maiava threw for 3,085 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Previous Texas Quarterback Malik Murphy On Monday, Murphy was named Duke’s starting quarterback. Riley Leonardwho moved to Our Lady. Murphy made two starts for the Longhorns last season. Quinn Evas‘Sat out and passed for 477 yards and three touchdowns.

Murphy is considered a potential prospect by new coach Manny Diaz because of his strong arm. The Southern California native A top 200 player in the 247Sports high school rankings and is the No. 40 available transfer player.

Wisconsin

Tyler Van Dyke Once looked like the next big thing in college football, but injuries and inconsistency set him back a bit. MiamiSo he decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal and take his talents to Wisconsin, hoping that offensive coordinator Phil Longo — known for his high-flying offense — could revitalize Van Dyke’s career a bit.

Van Dyke will have a chance to make a splash in the Big Ten After the beating Brayden LockeVan Dyke, who started three games for the Badgers last season, will be the starting quarterback. Van Dyke has played for three different offensive coordinators in his three years in Miami, so the team’s stability could work in his favor.

Michigan State University Transfer Sam Levitt Will enter the 2024 season as Arizona State University’s starting quarterback. According to ESPN. Levitt defeated fellow transfer student Jeff Simswho has starting experience at Nebraska, Georgia Institute of Technologyand Trenton Burgetta starter in five games for the Sun Devils last season.

Of the Arizona State options, Levitt is the top prospect. The former four-star recruit from West Linn OregonAs a freshman at Michigan State, he didn’t play much, but he performed well, completing 15 of 23 pass attempts for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

Baylor’s offense has a chance to become exciting again. The Bears are expected to Toledo Transfer Fendquan As their starting quarterback, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sportsgiving new offensive coordinator Jake Spavital one of the Big 12’s most exciting options at the position.

Finn has been competing against junior players Sawyer Robertsonthe 2023 MAC MVP at the University of Toledo, totaled 3,220 yards and 29 touchdowns, including seven on the ground. He is a threat to defenses in multiple aspects of his game and should be fun to watch as he improves in his game.

Boise State University

One of the first real surprises of the offseason, Maddux Madsen Named Boise State’s starting quarterback Over a former five-star prospect Malachi Nelson. Most people thought the job was what Nelson got when he committed to the Broncos after leaving the University of Southern CaliforniaBut Madsen had a strong spring and fall in his third year in Boise.

Madsen did play a lot last season as a redshirt freshman, catching 81 passes for 1,191 yards and nine touchdowns. In his first (and so far only) career game against New Mexicohe threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover.

Still, Nelson is at least one of the most intriguing backups in the country. He’s the No. 13 overall pick and No. 5 quarterback in the 2023 class. He’s a solid option in crunch time.

San Diego State enters the Sean Lewis era with a true freshman under center, and the Aztecs are turning to their 2024 signee Danny O’Neill Organize the offense. O’Neal persisted Florida State University Transfer AJ Duffya former four-star player in the Class of 2022, received the honor.

O’Neal was at least familiar with Lewis. The 6-foot signal-caller from Indianapolis, Indianahas been committed to ColoradoLewis was the offensive coordinator on Deion Sanders’ inaugural 2023 coaching staff.

In transfer battle, former Miami and Missouri Quarterback Jack Garcia beat former michigan state quarterback Katin Hauser Winning the starting job at East Carolina University. I love how things are playing out in modern college football.

Garcia didn’t play at Missouri last year, but he does bring some starting experience from his two seasons in Miami. He threw for 859 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021-22, with the bulk of the work coming in 2022 as Van Dyke dealt with injuries.

There seems to be a trend among schools in the Mountain West where the incumbents are beating up the incoming Big Four quarterbacks. Brendan LewisHe played for the Colorado Wolfpack and started 10 games in 2023. Nebraska Transfer Chaba Purdy to maintain his spot at the top of the depth chart.

Lewis isn’t the best passer — he threw for just 1,313 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions last season — but he’s a dynamic threat who can impact the game with his legs. He finished second among Nevada’s rushers last season with 495 yards and four touchdowns.

Kent State had a rotation at quarterback last season and went 1-11, so it hopes a new starter Devin Kargman At least it can provide some stability. Tommy Ulatowskiwho made three starts in 2023 and finished second on the team.

Kagman in the Kent State season finale against Northern Illinois And he was arguably Kent State’s best quarterback all year, completing 16 of 28 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns.