Three extremely talented transfer quarterbacks who will define the 2024 college football season

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The 2024 college football season marks the beginning of the 12-team playoff era. That means more opportunity, more hope, but also great pressure on all of the top college football programs to make the 12-team playoff field in its inaugural season.

With the departure of Caleb Williams, Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, and several long-time quarterback veterans there is no clear “QB1” in the sport. Quinn Ewers at Texas, Carson Beck at Georgia, Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss and a handful of returning talents are in the mix. But! The key to the 2024 season may just come in the form of a top transfer quarterback who takes his game (and by extension his entire team) to another level.

So who are the best candidates to pull a Joe Burrow and carry their team to the promised land in 2024? And who could play spoilers for their rivals in what will surely be a program defining season as the 12-team playoff era begins?

Three quarterbacks stand out above the rest.

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon (via Oklahoma)

Many might not be aware, but there’s a real chance Dillon Gabriel breaks the all-time NCAA records for most career starts at quarterback, most career passing touchdowns, and most career passing yards this season. Yes, it helps that Gabriel has been playing college football since 2019, but he’s also become one of the best quarterbacks in the game.

In 2023 he posted the third highest QB Efficiency Composite (a combination of 16 qualitative stats) in the nation behind only Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix. He finished 3rd in EPA per play, 3rd in total touchdowns per game, 4th in QBR, and 4th in total adjusted net yards per attempt. By the numbers that matter he is the most efficient passer in all of college football heading into 2024.

If you want to see some of the highlights from his special 2023 here’s just a small sample of Dillon Gabriel’s greatness.

Now with his third team, Gabriel’s success or failure at Oregon will likely decide both the Big Ten Championship and how many Big Ten teams make it to the inaugural 12-team playoff. The Ducks play all three of Ohio State, Michigan, and Washington this fall. If Gabriel takes just one more step the Ducks could legitimately win a national championship.

Will Howard, Ohio State (via Kansas State)

Will Howard might actually be the longest shot to “pull a Joe Burrow” among this trio of transfers given his passing ability, but his dual threat ability may be the game changer that takes Ohio State over the top.

Last year, Kyle McCord logged a whopping -65 (yes, negative sixty-five) rushing yards on the season for Ohio State, proving to be a net liability on the ground. Will Howard on the other hand scored nine rushing touchdowns for Kansas State as he brought his career rushing total near 1000 yards. He’s no Lamar Jackson, but he’s mobile enough that Chip Kelly’s offensive system will create new problems for opposing defenses.

If Howard can take advantage of the top tier pedigree wide receiver talent at Ohio State then Ryan Day may finally get over the hump and win a national championship. However, if Howard’s passing doesn’t improve with the increased talent around him the season could go completely different. Howard actually ranked outside the top 20 in most every meaningful passing stat in 2023.

Ohio State plays all three Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan this fall. Howard’s success is a must for the Buckeyes.

Cameron Ward, Miami (via Washington State)

Miami quarterbacks have thrown 41 touchdowns to an embarrassing 26 interceptions over the last two seasons. Mario Cristobal has come in and fixed the recruiting for the Hurricanes, but the on-field results just simply haven’t been there yet. The potential cure? Cameron Ward, transfer from Washington State.

Ward brings with him some incredible experience having thrown over 1500 pass attempts in the last three seasons for both Incarnate Word and Washington State. He also brings some incredible physical tools, downfield accuracy, and adequate mobility to improvise as you can see in these highlights from his Oregon State performance last fall.

If Ward puts it together for Miami (FL) they could play spoilers for both Florida State and Clemson this year, the two other ACC favorites to make the new postseason format. Miami doesn’t play Clemson in the regular season, but they could see them in the ACC Championship game.

There are several other high impact transfers we’ll be highlighting soon here at A to Z Sports, but these three quarterbacks might be the most impactful players in the entire college football landscape for the 2024 season.