The Best Returning QB in Every College Football Conference for 2024
College football is losing a ton of firepower at the quarterback position with stars like LSU's Jayden Daniels, Washington's Michael Penix Jr., Oregon's Bo Nix and North Carolina's Drake Maye off to the NFL.
But the cupboard is far from bare.
While the Big Ten is going to be restocking the pantry at that position (even with expansion), the Big 12 and SEC are loaded with talent. The transfer portal has changed the game around the nation, too, with a couple of these guys expected to do big things in new digs.
From a potential megastar quarterback with a well-known name to a 2023 freshman phenom whose name you may not know to an injury-plagued lower-level star hoping for a big return, the top quarterback in every conference is a list with diverse skill sets.
Since "Independent" really isn't a conference, Notre Dame's Riley Leonard (who transferred from Duke) isn't on the list, but he very well could have been if the Fighting Irish had a league home. And though the Pac-12 was gutted and is down to two teams, it technically still exists, so it's represented here.
Let's take a look at the big-time QBs to watch in 2024.
AAC: Byrum Brown, South Florida Bulls
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This was one of the toughest decisions because there are two major qualified candidates from the AAC. Do you go with record-setting Memphis veteran quarterback Seth Henigan, or an up-and-comer who can post huge numbers in a top-tier offense.
We went with the latter, choosing South Florida's Byrum Brown, who appears to be the perfect maestro to lead Alex Golesh's high-octane offense.
The former Tennessee offensive coordinator and Josh Heupel disciple did big things in Tampa during his first season, and the Bulls may be a sleeper for the College Football Playoff in 2024. Brown's return is the reason, because he has special ability.
The Bulls are going to be hard to handle in the AAC, and with Willie Fritz gone from Tulane and SMU off to the ACC, that conference is even more open. Preston Stone's elite potential left with the Mustangs, and UTSA's Frank Harris out of eligibility.
But Brown is a 6'3", 209-pound rising sophomore who had phenomenal stats in his first season as the Bulls' starter, completing 65 percent of his passes for 3,292 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also ran for 809 yards and 11 more scores.
It's that dual-threat ability that puts him over Henigan, who threw for 32 touchdowns and did his own positive things running the ball, but nowhere near Brown's running ability. Both guys have big-play potential, but Brown is explosive.
ACC: Cam Ward, Miami Hurricanes
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For a while, it looked like Washington State transfer signal-caller Cameron Ward was going to wind up in the NFL draft, and even though he is still an unfinished product, pros are going to love his tool box and upside.
They're going to have to wait, though, because instead of going to the NFL, he's taking his talents to South Beach for a year to try to help Mario Cristobal turn around Miami.
The 6'2", 223-pound Texas native was a revelation the past two years for a mediocre Cougars team, and he threw for 3,735 yards, 25 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in 2023. He transferred from FCS team Incarnate Word a couple of seasons ago and has gradually improved in Pullman.
Now, he will try to put the Hurricanes on his shoulders, and even though the ACC has a lot of intriguing quarterbacks, Ward's potential and his body of work give him the nod.
Florida State transfer DJ Uiagalelei returns to the ACC after a one-year stint at Oregon State, but he has to prove his consistency in his final year. Clemson's Cade Klubnik (who replaced Uiagalelei, leading him to transfer) hasn't yet lived up to his former 5-star ability, either.
Georgia Tech senior Haynes King is a big-time dual threat who finished second on this list with Drake Maye off to the NFL, but Ward is the man here. He gives Miami a playmaker who can help the Hurricanes turn the corner and win right now.
Then, he can perhaps parlay a big year into a first-round draft grade in a less-loaded '25 draft class.
Big Ten: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon Ducks
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J.J. McCarthy is off to the NFL, which leaves the Michigan Wolverines without a known commodity at quarterback. Ohio State is searching for a star at the position after a season of Kyle McCord simply being a game manager.
The quarterback position is an enigma across the Big Ten, but two newcomers look to lead the way.
Oregon is entering the conference and should compete for the Big Ten (and national) title in 2024, and even though the Ducks lost Bo Nix, getting a commitment from Oklahoma sixth-year transfer senior Dillon Gabriel was massive.
For the Sooners a year ago, he threw for 3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions, and he will be a veteran gunslinger in Will Stein's offense and the perfect heir to Nix. Because of that ideal fit, he gets the nod.
You had to know the Buckeyes weren't going to be down at the position for long, and coach Ryan Day swooped in and convinced Kansas State transfer Will Howard to head to Columbus for his final year rather than go to USC or another place. That pull makes Howard second on the list.
Drew Allar has a lot of potential at Penn State, but he hasn't put it together, and while Miller Moss could blossom in Lincoln Riley's offense at USC, he's unproven.
Gabriel has nothing left to prove; he's a star. And he will be dynamic for the Ducks.
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Big 12: Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes
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The toughest decision on this list came down to the new-look Big 12, where a pair of former Pac-12 players should enter the league vying for all-conference quarterback.
First, there's Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, a big-armed prospect and son of Deion Sanders, who is going to have NFL scouts salivating. He may be the top overall signal-caller selected in the '25 draft.
If the Buffaloes get him protection, he's going to put up huge numbers. In 2023, Sanders ran for his life in his first season in the Pac-12, and he threw for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He did this while taking more sacks than any quarterback in the country.
Coach Prime has done work in recruiting and the portal to try to get his son protection, and that could be huge news for the Buffs as they look to improve on a disappointing end to the '23 season.
He narrowly gets the nod over Arizona's freshman phenom Noah Fifita, who will be entering his second season with the Wildcats and appears to be sticking around in Tucson, despite coach Jedd Fisch leaving for the Washington job. Fifita is special, and he has Tetairoa McMillan to throw to, as well, so he could easily usurp Sanders in the top position.
If Kansas' Jalon Daniels stays healthy, he could be a factor, too, as could returning Utah senior Cam Rising, who missed the entire '23 season recovering from a knee injury.
Conference USA: Kaidon Salter, Liberty
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The easiest decision on this list came when Kaidon Salter decided to withdraw his name from the transfer portal after a brief entry and return to the Liberty Flames.
He is a dynamic force for second-year head coach Jamey Chadwell, and with the duo leading the way, Liberty is going to be the heavy favorite to repeat as the Conference USA champion.
Salter is an alpha with Power Five talent playing the Group of Five. He originally committed to Tennessee out of high school but moved on to the Flames after the Volunteers dismissed him from the program after he was arrested and faced charges of simple possession and driving without a license.
Since being at Liberty, Salter has done great things.
The 6'1", 200-pound rising junior completed 61 percent of his passes in 2023 for 2,876 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions, and he ran for 1,089 yards and 12 more scores, making him perhaps the top playmaker in the Group of Five.
He is special when he takes off and runs, and he has major arm talent, too. Even though there are several quality quarterbacks in CUSA, none of them have the elite ability of Salter, who would have been coveted by top-tier programs across the country had he elected to stay in the portal.
He is going to put up huge numbers in '24 for the Flames, if he doesn't enter the portal in the spring window.
MAC: Brett Gabbert, Miami (Ohio) RedHawks
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No conference was gutted by the raid on talent more than the MAC. Several of the league's top playmakers bolted via the transfer portal for Power Five programs.
The biggest two were quality quarterbacks Kurtis Rourke, who left Ohio for Indiana and Curt Cignetti's program, and former Toledo signal-caller DeQuan Finn, who will play for Dave Aranda and Baylor next year.
Otherwise, the league wasn't heavy on standouts under center. Beyond them, where do you look for stars?
Brett Gabbert may be a forgotten talent.
The Miami (Ohio) quarterback lost a large swath of the season to a broken fibula and tibia, and the 6'0", 210-pound St. Louis native is returning after throwing for 1,634 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.
After originally being noncommittal about his future in an interview with the Miami student newspaper, he told the Cincinnati Enquirer's Dave Clark he's returning to the RedHawks in 2024.
That's big news, even if it's uncertain just how good Gabbert will be upon his return and if he will make a full recovery. This is two consecutive seasons he's dealt with injuries, but when he's healthy, he's very good. Back in '21, he completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,648 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions.
That's the kind of production he's capable of, and what the RedHawks need moving forward.
Mountain West: Mikey Keene, Fresno State Bulldogs
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The Fresno State Bulldogs have been known for strong quarterback play for years, dating back to the Carr brothers (David and Derek), as well as Jake Haener and more. They've certainly got a quality guy to lead the program in '24.
UCF transfer Mikey Keene shared time with John Rhys Plumlee when he was with the Knights, but he left Orlando to run his own show in Fresno. Coach Jeff Tedford and the Bulldogs obviously are glad he did.
In 2023, he filled stat sheets and, when he was healthy, he only improved as the year progressed, culminating by torching New Mexico State in the New Mexico Bowl.
For the season, Keene completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,976 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Despite being just 5'11", 198 pounds, Keene proves that smallish quarterbacks can do big things, too.
The Bulldogs will be Boise State's biggest competition in the Mountain West next year, and the Broncos have a wild card with humongous upside in quarterback Malachi Nelson, a former 5-star who transferred from USC with four seasons left to play.
Nelson has the ability to unseat Keene for the best in this league, but, beyond him, the Mountain West needs to find some signal-callers to step up in '24. Either Jay Butterfield or Chubba Purdy could do big things at San Jose State, and with Sean Lewis now coaching San Diego State, Florida State transfer AJ Duffy or freshman Danny O'Neil could shine, too.
They'll have to have big years to be better than Keene.
Pac-12: Zevi Eckhaus, Washington State Cougars
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There's no way anybody can know who is going to play quarterback for the two teams remaining in "The Artist Formerly Known as the Pac-12."
Following conference realignment, only Oregon State and Washington State remain in the league, and both programs were decimated by the transfer portal. The Beavers even lost head coach and alum Jonathan Smith, who left for Michigan State in the Big Ten.
At Oregon State, the starter likely will be either Ben Gulbranson (DJ Uiagalelei's backup in '23); former Jerry Rice Award winner Gevani McCoy, who grabbed the award in '22 that goes to the FCS's top freshman; or talented Missouri transfer Gabarri Johnson.
Washington State got a transfer commitment from former FCS Bryant transfer Zevi Eckhaus, who could be a nice addition, too, after he was a finalist for the 2023 Walter Payton Award after throwing for 28 touchdowns.
So, out of that huge pool of unknown, the guess is Eckhaus will be the best of the bunch. Coach Jake Dickert has led some pretty strong offenses with Cameron Ward at the helm the past two years, so the Cougars know how to put up points.
Now, they are getting one of the top lower-level signal-callers to come to Pullman and fill Ward's huge shoes.
The 6'1", 205-pound Culver City, California, native threw for 2,907 yards, 28 touchdowns and just seven interceptions this past year, and he will have a tall task ahead of him in '24 to bring Wazzu back to respectability.
SEC: Carson Beck, Georgia Bulldogs
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The SEC has a lot of intriguing options for this list in 2024.
Everybody is eager to see how Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe continues to progress in his final year in Tuscaloosa with head coach Kalen DeBoer and coordinator Ryan Grubbs leading the new Crimson Tide offense. Jaxson Dart could take a huge step toward stardom again at Ole Miss.
Texas joins the fray with Quinn Ewers still under center, and youngsters Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee) and Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma) show a lot of potential. Don't forget Brady Cook at Missouri.
But Carson Beck did great things in his first season as Georgia's starting quarterback in 2023, and the Bulldogs may have been the nation's best team once again, even if it had one loss (to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game).
Beck is a pure passer who has a knowledge of the Mike Bobo offense and has been in the program four years. The 6'4", 220-pound Jacksonville, Florida, native threw for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions this past season.
Though the Bulldogs probably would have loved to see him throw more scores, their strong corps of running backs normally finished the deal.
With Beck at the helm in 2024, Georgia appears to be a shoo-in for the College Football Playoff, and he could be a Heisman Trophy candidate. Then, it'll be off to the NFL.
Sun Belt: Jaylen Raynor, Arkansas State Red Wolves
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Options abound in the Sun Belt when it comes to top-shelf quarterback honors, and the potential power of the position in the league got better with the recent news that former Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura was going to Texas State.
But the biggest buzz this season came from Arkansas State true freshman quarterback Jaylen Raynor, so he's getting the nod here.
Butch Jones was on the scorching side of the hot seat when he inserted Raynor into the lineup, and he became a revelation, helping the Red Wolves turn around an awful several seasons.
Raynor was a dual-threat force, throwing for 2,550 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions and running for 373 yards and five more scores. That's just the surface of what he can do, though.
He played in 11 games, and while he struggled in a 21-19 loss to Northern Illinois in the Camellia Bowl while the Red Wolves dropped to 6-7, the 6'0", 204-pound North Carolina native was the catalyst that got them to the postseason in the first place.
He is going to be one of the young stars to watch in the game.
All stats courtesy of CFBStats and Sports Reference unless otherwise noted. Recruit rankings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.
Follow Brad Shepard on Twitter, @Brad_Shepard.
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