Seven college QBs who could play way into first-round of the 2024 NFL Draft

Even a year out, the top two quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft are seemingly set. Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are likely to be the first names off the board. Teams across the league will be hoping to get their hands on one of them, potentially changing their franchise.

Others such as Quinn Ewers, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix are currently considered first-round talent. As the NFL Draft can never have enough quarterback discussion, there are plenty who could also work to hear their name called on that Thursday night.

CBS Sports put together a list of QBs who could work toward being a first-round pick, naming seven players. There will be a lot to prove during the 2023 season, especially since a few names have experience on college football’s biggest stage.

• Jayden Daniels, LSU
• Joe Milton, Tennessee
• JJ McCarthy, Michigan
• Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
• Jordan Travis, Florida State
• DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State
• Tyler Van Dyke, Miami

Of these seven, McCarthy might have the most pressure to perform this fall. Michigan has now made two consecutive College Football Playoff semifinals, falling in both. McCarthy is expected to be given more freedom in the passing game, hopefully elevating the Wolverines to a different level. While the running back has been the bread and butter, the quarterback has to elevate them as some point.

Not only would that help his team but potentially be beneficial to his NFL career moving forward.

Two former five-star prospects named potential first-rounders in NFL Draft

Of the two names mentioned by CBS Sports, two were considered five-star prospects by the On3 Industry Rankings in their respective recruiting class. Both have transferred out of their original programs, as Uiagalelei began at Clemson while Rattler was at Oklahoma.

Uiagalelei has headed back to the west coast, looking for a fresh start at Oregon State. A program potentially on the rise, adding someone such as Uiagalelei is a big step forward for head coach Jonathan Smith. While Cade Klubnik may have taken over the starting role at Clemson, there is still plenty of potential for the formerly No. 2 ranked quarterback in the country.

As for Rattler, he has stepped into a stable situation with South Carolina. Being run out of town himself in Norman, he got to reunite with Shane Beamer and enjoyed some success last season. Now, it’s time for the duo to get Rattler ready for the NFL and fulfill the first-round pick potential everyone thought Rattler had.