Seven school soccer QBs who might emerge as potential first-round draft picks with standout 2024 seasons

The primary spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft noticed a historic run on quarterbacks. For the primary time for the reason that legendary “class of 1983”, six sign callers (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix) got here off the board within the first spherical. Whereas the 1983 class noticed six quarterbacks unfold over the primary 27 picks, the 2024 class did it in simply 12 — the quickest in NFL historical past. 

The run on 2024 quarterbacks provides us clear perception into how NFL scouts view the 2025 crop. Outdoors of Georgia’s Carson Beck, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Texas‘ Quinn Ewers, subsequent yr’s class seems to be gentle in bona fide first-round prospects below heart.

There may be nonetheless a chance for extra names to hitch that listing, although. Daniels wasn’t thought-about a first-round decide round this time final yr, however his 2023 Heisman Trophy season despatched him rocketing up draft boards to the No. 2 total spot. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is subsequent up within the Tigers offense. He hopes to comply with an analogous trajectory and grow to be the third LSU quarterback in 5 years to go within the first spherical. 

Many others might see their inventory rise this fall with robust performances, however as of now, these seven quarterbacks are finest positioned to leap into the dialog as potential first-round alternatives.

Cameron Ward, Miami

Ward’s 2023 season began robust. He lit up defenses and seemed like a possible Day 1 or 2 choice due to his dynamic dual-threat means. He hit a wall because the season wore on, although. The splits by the primary 4 video games in wins over Colorado State, Wisconsin, Northern Colorado, and Oregon State in comparison with the ultimate eight are drastically completely different.

Ward began his profession at FCS Incarnate Phrase and put up video game-like numbers earlier than transferring to Washington State. He initially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft earlier than electing to enter the switch portal and play his last season below coach Mario Cristobal at Miami. Ward has the instruments to be a profitable quarterback in each school and on the subsequent stage. He might simply sneak into the primary spherical if he can discover extra consistency in his last collegiate season.

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

After serving as a backup for the final three seasons, Nussmeier will get his likelihood to point out what he can do as a starter this fall. The 6-foot-2 sign caller gave LSU followers flashes of his potential in a 35-31 win over Wisconsin within the Reliaquest Bowl the place he accomplished 31 of 45 makes an attempt for 395 yards and three touchdowns. LSU can have a brand new offensive coordinator in Joe Sloan, who served because the quarterbacks coach at LSU for the final two seasons. LSU’s offensive scheme will not change a lot due to the in-house coordinator rent, however Nussemier’s quarterback fashion can be drastically completely different. He’s nowhere close to the athlete Daniels was and never a lot of a menace to run, however he makes up for his lack of athleticism with an correct contact and calm presence within the pocket. Some average enhancements on his deep ball might actually unlock Nussemier’s full potential. 

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

Ole Miss has captured headlines this offseason with a collection of switch portal strikes to beef up its protection, however the offense appears poised for an enormous yr as properly. Regardless of dropping star operating again Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State, the Rebels have the luxurious of a returning third-year starter at quarterback. Dart posted profession highs in passing yards (3,364), completion share (65.1%), and whole touchdowns (31) final fall. Nonetheless, he was sacked twice as a lot (14 to 27) because the yr earlier than. A few of that falls on the offensive line, however Dart additionally wants to enhance his processing velocity if he desires to climb NFL Draft boards and lead his crew to the School Soccer Playoff.

Drew Allar, Penn State

Hold your inventory (or purchase extra) in Allar. After McCarthy grew to become a top-10 decide this week, the blueprint is there for Allar to do the identical in 2025. He was the top-ranked quarterback prospect from the 2022 recruiting cycle based on 247Sports and spent a yr studying behind Sean Clifford earlier than taking on the beginning job final yr. You possibly can’t educate dimension, and Allar’s 6-foot-5 body ought to intrigue NFL decision-makers. He’ll have a chance to study below former Kansas offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki in 2024. Kotelnicki helped Jalon Daniels make an enormous improvement upon his arrival to the Jayhawks employees in 2022.

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

New Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer oversaw Penix’s improvement and helped turned him right into a top-10 decide. Can he do the identical at Alabama? Milroe seized Alabama’s beginning quarterback position after former coach Nick Saban rotated between Ty Simpson, Tyler Buchner and Milroe through the first few weeks of the 2023 season. He’s a extra dynamic runner than Penix and already a first-round expertise, relying on who you speak to. 247Sports’ Blake Brockermeyer‘s mock draft has Milroe going to the New Orleans Saints with the No. 7 decide. The DeBoer/Milroe combo is an intriguing match, and each events ought to profit.

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Gabriel will make the third and last cease of his school profession at Oregon this fall. After stints at UCF and Oklahoma, he’s the No. 8 all-time main passer in FBS historical past and simply 4,352 yards behind former Houston quarterback Case Keenum for the No. 1 spot. With a powerful season in Eugene, he might transfer up that listing and on draft boards. Gabriel’s fast launch and fast decision-making means might translate to the following stage. Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein helped Nix end with a historic completion share (77.4%) whereas concurrently producing two 1,000-yard receivers. The Geese are additionally bringing highly-touted receiver switch Evan Stewart from Texas A&M, which ought to give Gabriel an explosive goal as he and this system acclimate to the Huge Ten.

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

Mike Denbrock is again at Notre Dame because the offensive coordinator after spending the final two seasons in the identical position at LSU. Denbrock helped Daniels’ improvement, guiding him from Arizona State starter to Heisman Trophy winner. Now he’ll be paired with an skilled and achieved quarterback in Leonard. Step one can be getting the Duke switch again to full energy. Leonard has already endured two offseason ankle surgical procedures and missed Notre Dame’s spring recreation earlier this month due to the second process. Whereas well being is a priority, Leonard is a real dual-threat who can flourish on designed runs or damaged performs when he is at full energy.