Ranking the Big Ten: Quarterback
As the 2024 college football season quickly approaches, it is time to look at the top players at each position in the Big Ten.
We start our annual Ranking the Big Ten series today with the quarterbacks. The conference’s four newest additions will bring plenty of firepower to the position this season.
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1. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Now at his third school in six years, Dillon Gabriel has lit up box scores and re-written program record books everywhere he’s been. Now, the senior looks to do the same at his last stop with Oregon.
After breaking onto the scene at UCF, Gabriel returned from a 2021 season-ending injury with two impressive campaigns at Oklahoma. In 2023, he completed 69.3% of his passes for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He also carried it 93 times for 373 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns, which ranked second nationally among quarterbacks.
Gabriel was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection and a finalist for the Manning and Unitas awards. After hitting the portal again and landing with the Ducks, he’s now an early favorite for the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
RELATED: Dillon Gabriel shares how crazy Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium was to play in
2. Will Howard, Ohio State
Another Big 12 transfer, Will Howard arrived at Ohio State after four standout seasons with Kansas State.
A second-team all-conference selection, Howard set KSU records with 48 career touchdown passes and 24 scoring tosses last year. The 6-foot-4, 237-pound senior from Pennsylvania led the Wildcats to a 2022 Big 12 championship. He hopes to do the same and beyond with the Buckeyes.
With a bounty of skill weapons around him, expectations are soaring for Howard to be one of the most prolific QBs in the country in new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s scheme.
3. Drew Allar, Penn State
Few quarterbacks in college football fit the NFL prototype more than Penn State’s Drew Allar. At 6-5, 241, with a rocket arm, the junior has all the physical tools to be among the nation’s best.
Last season, Allar became the second FBS quarterback to post 25 touchdowns and two interceptions, joining Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker (2022). That included going his first 251 pass attempts without an interception.
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Still, the former five-star recruit has yet to reach his lofty potential, as he was only an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2023. Now entering his third year as a starter, the Nittany Lions hope the best is yet to come.
4. Will Rogers, Washington
Coming off a national title appearance, Washington must replace nearly everyone from its vaunted offense entering its Big Ten debut. Former Mississippi State transfer Will Rogers has as big of shoes to fill as anyone.
Replicating Michael Penix Jr.’s production won’t be easy, but Rogers has the credentials to do it. In 40 career starts, the senior set a whopping 29 single-game, season, and career school records at MSU.
He’s the Bulldogs’ all-time leader in passing yards (12,315) and touchdowns (94). He is the only SEC quarterback ever to surpass 1,000 career completions. Rebuilding the Huskies’ offense won’t be easy, but landing Rogers in the portal was critical for UW.
5. Miller Moss, USC
Miller Moss only played in five games with one start for USC last season. But, boy, did he make the most of his opportunities.
Moss completed 46-of-65 passes (70.8%) for 681 yards, seven touchdowns, and just one interception in 2023. His breakout performance came in the Trojans’ Holiday Bowl win over No. 15 Louisville.
Making his first career start, the Los Angeles native set a Holiday Bowl record with six touchdown passes. Moss was named the game’s MVP and solidified himself as USC’s field general heading into the Big Ten.
