Lower than per week in the past, we discovered which underclassmen determined to enter their names within the 2024 NFL Draft, whereas among the high quarterbacks from the 2021 recruiting cycle declared for the draft. Some opted to return to high school for one more 12 months.
This can be a good time to look again and re-rank the quarterbacks from the 2021 cycle.
Right here is our re-rank of the Class of 2020.
Notice: All rankings are from the 247Sports Composite.
Unique rating: No. 2 QB (No. 7 total)
Why he’s right here: In three seasons, Williams accounted for 120 complete touchdowns, gained a Heisman Trophy and almost led USC to a Faculty Soccer Playoff look in 2022. He made highlight-worthy performs week in and week out and displayed a uncommon knack for thriving on off-schedule performs. The staff accolades are lacking — no convention championships — however Williams was one of the best faculty participant among the many 2021 quarterback class, and he’s the favourite to be the No. 1 choose within the upcoming NFL Draft.
Unique rating: No. 9 QB (No. 56 total)
Why he’s right here: Maye redshirted in 2021 and burst onto the scene in 2022 when he threw for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns to simply seven interceptions and rushed for 698 yards and 7 scores whereas main North Carolina to the ACC Championship Recreation. He remained with the Tar Heels in 2023 regardless of hypothesis that some high-profile packages had been attempting to lure him through the switch market. His numbers declined this previous season (3,608 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 9 picks) after shedding his high two receivers to the NFL and whereas working with a brand new offensive coordinator. However his talent set, athleticism and measurement (6-foot-4, 230 kilos) are what make him a lock to go very, very excessive within the draft.
Unique rating: No. 5 QB (No. 25 total)
Why he’s right here: He’s the winner among the many group. McCarthy went 27-1 as Michigan’s starter and is the one quarterback within the class who gained a nationwide championship. The Wolverines’ basis was constructed on their run sport and protection, although, so McCarthy wasn’t requested to do a ton. His 2023 stat line wasn’t overwhelming: 2,991 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. However he made performs when he wanted to towards Ohio State and within the Faculty Soccer Playoff towards Alabama and Washington. McCarthy declared for the draft a number of weeks in the past and shall be an intriguing prospect for NFL groups to guage.
4. Quinn Ewers, Texas (through Ohio State)
Unique rating: No. 1 QB (No. 1 total)
Why he’s right here: Ewers was initially part of the 2022 recruiting cycle till he reclassified in August 2021 and enrolled at Ohio State. He transferred to Texas after one semester and posted his greatest season this previous 12 months (3,479 yards and 22 landing passes) as he led the Longhorns to their first CFP look. Whereas Ewers has proven some optimistic flashes, he’s missed a number of video games in every of the previous two seasons due to accidents and has had bouts of inconsistency which have prevented him from dwelling as much as his lofty recruiting hype. Ewers opted to return to Texas for yet another 12 months and may ship one other stable season.
🤘 pic.twitter.com/eWkYFu49zl
— Quinn Ewers (@QuinnEwers) January 11, 2024
Unique rating: No. 13 QB (No. 82 total)
Why he’s right here: That is the place the rankings get tough. There are legitimate arguments to be made for a number of gamers to be ranked fifth. Different quarterbacks have higher stats or are extra polished passers, however Milroe performed nicely on large levels this season — notably towards LSU and Georgia (he’s the one quarterback previously two years to beat the Bulldogs). He definitely has room to enhance as a pure quarterback — because the Rose Bowl displayed — however he’s a dynamic runner (531 dashing yards, 12 touchdowns in 2023) who has gained lots of video games. Now, we get to see what he can do being coached by Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb.
6. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (through USC)
Unique rating: No. 10 QB (No. 69 total)
Why he’s right here: Dart took a step ahead in 2023 after Lane Kiffin introduced in two quarterback transfers to compete with him within the offseason. As a junior, Dart handed for 3,364 yards, 23 touchdowns and 5 interceptions and rushed for 391 yards and eight scores whereas main Ole Miss to its greatest season this century (11-2 document and a New Yr’s Six bowl win). Dart shall be among the best quarterbacks within the SEC in 2024 and may have Ole Miss in place to make a run at its first Faculty Soccer Playoff look in an expanded 12-team subject.
7. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado (through Jackson State)
Unique rating: No. 26 QB (No. 247 total)
Why he’s right here: It was exhausting to get a learn on what to anticipate from Sanders in 2023 given the transition from the FCS degree to Energy 5. However he was the largest vivid spot in Colorado’s 4-8 season. The Buffaloes struggled in lots of areas, however Sanders threw for 3,230 yards and 27 TDs with solely three INTs whereas finishing 69.3 % of his passes. He took a beating within the pocket — Colorado allowed 56 sacks, which was second-most nationally. A part of that was from Sanders holding onto the ball too lengthy, looking for the large play. But when Colorado improves its offensive line play and offers Sanders a semi-decent run sport, he ought to take one other step ahead in 2024.
Unique rating: No. 15 QB (No. 111 total)
Why he’s right here: Touchdown Stone was a big victory for SMU in the course of the 2021 recruiting cycle. He sat behind starter Tanner Mordecai his first two years on campus however loved a breakout season in 2023 with 3,197 yards passing and 28 landing passes as he led SMU to the AAC championship (although he missed the title sport with a damaged leg). Stone and Rhett Lashlee type a promising QB/head coach combo, and that may assist SMU tremendously because it transitions to the ACC in 2024.
Unique rating: No. 47 QB (No. 682 total)
Why he’s right here: Leonard possesses excellent measurement (6-4, 212 kilos) and is an efficient athlete — he’s rushed for 1,224 yards and 19 touchdowns in three seasons — however he handled ankle and toe accidents final 12 months and has performed only one full season in his profession. That got here in 2022 when he threw for two,967 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 699 yards and 13 scores. Leonard was one of many extra high-profile quarterback transfers of the offseason after spending his first three years at Duke. We’ll see if he can return to his 2022 type whereas surrounded by extra expertise at Notre Dame.
Unique rating: No. 78 QB (No. 1,187 total)
Why he’s right here: Henigan has been extraordinarily productive for 3 seasons at Memphis, with 10,764 yards passing and 79 touchdowns in his profession. His greatest season got here in 2023 when he handed for 3,883 yards, 32 touchdowns and 9 picks whereas main the Tigers to a 10-win season and a Liberty Bowl win. Henigan has determined to remain at Memphis and shall be among the best Group of 5 QBs subsequent fall.
Others thought of
It was powerful to depart some quarterbacks off the record. Right here’s who else was thought of:
Kyle McCord, Syracuse through Ohio State (No. 6 QB, No. 28 total): McCord was one in all two five-star signees introduced in in the course of the cycle. He earned the beginning job this previous season and did OK, throwing for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, however he didn’t play as much as the excessive customary Ohio State has set at QB. McCord entered the portal as soon as the common season ended, and the Buckeyes seemed to improve on the place by including Kansas State switch Will Howard.
Kaidon Salter, Liberty through Tennessee (No. 17, No. 143 total): Salter’s profession bought off to a bumpy begin when he was dismissed from Tennessee after he was arrested on misdemeanor drug prices. He landed at Liberty and performed a complete season for the primary time in 2023. He put up a formidable stat line: 2,876 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and 6 picks, and 1,089 dashing yards and 12 touchdowns. He additionally led the Flames to a C-USA title. Salter briefly entered the switch portal however determined to stay with Liberty for the 2024 season.
Regulate
These are Class of 2021 quarterbacks who’ve posted some good numbers just lately or could also be in line for extra enjoying time this season:
Brock Vandagriff, Kentucky through Georgia (No. 4 QB, No. 17 total): Vandagriff was one of many extra hyped quarterbacks on this class however tried simply 21 passes in three seasons at Georgia whereas enjoying behind extra skilled quarterbacks. He transferred to Kentucky this offseason so we should always get our first prolonged glimpse of him this 12 months.
Miller Moss, USC (No. 12 QB, No. 76 total): Moss is likely one of the more and more uncommon quarterbacks who has stayed at his faculty regardless of not beginning for his first three seasons. He earned his first begin within the Vacation Bowl a month in the past and thrived, throwing for 372 yards and 6 touchdowns. With Williams headed to the NFL, Moss is the favourite to earn the beginning function for the Trojans.
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Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (No. 14 QB, No. 84 total): Like Moss, Nussmeier has patiently waited for his flip and is seemingly in line to begin for the Tigers subsequent season. We bought a preview of Nussmeier when he accomplished 31 of 45 passes for 395 yards and three TDs towards Wisconsin within the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Taylen Inexperienced, Arkansas through Boise State (No. 79 QB, No. 1,223 total): Inexperienced was productive together with his arm and legs in his two seasons of enjoying time at Boise State. He’s uncooked and nonetheless must develop as a passer, however his measurement (6-6, 221 kilos) and athleticism make him an attention-grabbing match at Arkansas.
Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech through Baylor (No. 28 QB, No. 263 total): Drones had one of many extra under-the-radar spectacular seasons in 2023. He threw for two,085 yards and 17 TDs and rushed for 818 yards and 5 scores, main Virginia Tech to its first profitable season since 2019 and first bowl win since 2016.
What occurred to the remainder of the top-10 QBs?
Sam Huard, Cal Poly through Washington (No. 3 QB, No. 12 total): Huard transferred from Washington after throwing 44 passes in two seasons and went the FCS route, the place he was reunited together with his former highschool coach Sheldon Cross, who’s the Mustangs offensive coordinator. Huard handed for two,247 yards with 18 TDs and 10 INTs as Cal Poly went 3-8 in 2023.
Ty Thompson, Tulane through Oregon (No. 7 QB, No. 40 total): Thompson arrived at Oregon with loads of hype however couldn’t unseat Anthony Brown in 2021 and was recruited over twice by Dan Lanning, who introduced in Bo Nix two years in the past and Dillon Gabriel this offseason. Thompson threw for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns in aid responsibility this season however ought to have an even bigger function at Tulane.
Jake Garcia, East Carolina through Missouri through Miami (No. 8 QB, No. 48 total): Garcia started his profession at Miami and earned some enjoying time in 2022 in aid of an injured Tyler Van Dyke. He transferred to Missouri final offseason however didn’t try a move in 2023. He just lately transferred to East Carolina, the place he’ll be with new offensive coordinator John David Baker, who was a part of a USC teaching employees that recruited Garcia in 2019 and 2020.
(Images: Quinn Ewers: Jerome Miron; Drake Maye: Brett Davis; Caleb Williams: Jessica Alcheh / USA In the present day)
