The Group of Five QBs most on NFL radar as prospects for 2024 NFL draft

Of the 12 quarterbacks taken in the first five rounds of this year’s NFL draft, three were products of Group of Five programs.

It was the fourth straight year that multiple non-Power Five QBs were drafted. Next year will likely be no different.

In fact, it’s possible that next year’s draft could feature the highest number of G5 quarterback selections since at least 2018, when there were five.

Based on feedback from NFL scouting sources and Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy, here are seven senior Group of Five QBs on the NFL radar as prospects for the 2024 NFL draft.

Michael Pratt, Tulane

As we’ve mentioned before, Pratt is a legitimate possibility to go in the first three or four rounds of next year’s draft. Pratt led Tulane to a 10-win turnaround last season, guiding the Green Wave to a 12-2 record and a Cotton Bowl win over USC just a year after Tulane finished 2-10. Pratt had 27 passing touchdowns, 10 additional rushing scores and only five interceptions last season. “I love Michael Pratt,” an NFL scout told On3. “He’s big. He’s athletic. He’s poised. He’s got a good arm. He comes off as a really smart guy. He’s a stud. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s one of the top five QBs taken.”

Gavin Hardison, UTEP

Despite finishing 2022 with only 2,044 passing yards, a completion percentage of 52.1 and just 11 touchdown passes along with eight interceptions, Hardison may be the top non-Power Five QB prospect aside from Pratt. He threw for 3,218 yards with 18 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions in 2021 before losing star wide receiver Jacob Cowing to Arizona. During that 2021 season, Hardison helped UTEP win seven games for just the second time since 2005.

“He’s been a favorite of mine for a couple of years now,” Nagy said. “He was really flying under the radar. I got on him last summer when I was just doing tape on Jacob Cowing. I went back and I was watching his UTEP stuff and I was like, ‘Dang, who’s this quarterback?’ And then I pulled up his bio and I’m like, ‘Shoot, he’s eligible for us this year.’

“So we did all the work on him last year. And no, man, he’s done some really good stuff. He’s athletic. He’s tough. He can anticipate. He’s accurate. There’s some really good stuff on there. … He’s got an NFL skill set for sure.

Austin Reed, Western Kentucky

Western Kentucky likely has the top QB-wide receiver duo at the Group of Five level with Reed and potential early-round wide receiver Malachi Corley. In his first year with the Hilltoppers, Reed beat out West Virginia transfer Jarret Doege for the starting QB job and then led the nation with 4,744 passing yards. Reed, who transferred to WKU from Division II West Florida, also tied for third nationally with 40 touchdown passes. The only two quarterbacks with more TD passes last year were USC’s Caleb Williams and Ohio State’s CJ Stroud. “I like him,” Nagy said. “He knows how to play. Really like the intangibles. The game happens slow for him. He can process. He’s accurate. He throws with good touch. There’s a lot to like. He’s a good player.”

Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina

McCall went into the transfer portal in December and received Power Five interest, including from SEC schools, but ultimately returned to Coastal Carolina. Despite McCall being on the mend from offseason shoulder surgery last year and also missing time with a foot injury, it still ended up being his third straight season with at least 24 touchdown passes and fewer than four interceptions. While the NFL draft outlook for McCall isn’t at the same level as it was coming out of the 2021 season, he’s still on the radar for scouts as a later-round prospect.

Carter Bradley, South Alabama

Bradley, the son of veteran NFL coach Gus Bradley, transferred to South Alabama last year from Toledo. In his first season at South Alabama, Bradley broke school records with 3,326 passing and 28 passing touchdowns. He was a leading figure as the Jaguars won a school-record 10 wins. “He’s going to have one of the better arms in this class,” Nagy said. “Obviously a coach’s kid and has been around football. He really kind of showed out at their pro day this year where they had him throw at the pro day. … There was a good NFL contingent there that day and Carter threw a couple of really good deep balls and kind of put on a show. 

“The biggest thing with Carter is just second year in the system and being more comfortable, you’d like to see him do a little more off script, just moving around. But he can really throw it with anybody and all the intangible stuff is really good, being Gus’ son and being around football and really well-liked kid in the program. So yeah, he’ll have a chance.”

Kurtis Rourke, Ohio

Rourke is the reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year. After throwing just 11 touchdown passes in 2021, Rourke more than doubled that number last year with 25. He also ranked 10th nationally with an average of 296 passing yards per game. He’s currently regarded as a later-round prospect.

Rocky Lombardi, Northern Illinois

Lombardi, a former Michigan State transfer, is back for a third year at Northern Illinois after missing most of last season due to an injury. He threw for 2,587 yards with 15 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in 2021. He also ran for 472 yards and nine TDs. In a 2021 win over Kent State, Lombardi broke an NIU school record with 532 passing yards. At least some scouts have draftable grades on him entering the year.