Dillon Gabriel ranked as one of nation’s best QBs entering 2024 season
In 2023, the Oregon Ducks had one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, with Bo Nix leading the Heisman Trophy conversation throughout the year, and finishing as one of the finalists in New York City.
While Nix goes on to the NFL this offseason, expected to be one of the first five quarterbacks off of the board, the Ducks seem to be in great hands once again, with Oklahoma Sooners transfer Dillon Gabriel coming to Eugene and taking the reigns.
The addition of Gabriel has Oregon in a great spot entering the 2024 season, where they stand as one of the top-ranked teams in the nation. A lot of that has to do with Gabriel and the experience he brings, having started 49 games in his career and throwing for more than 14,000 yards and 125 touchdowns.
As we get set for spring football to get underway in a couple of weeks, ESPN recently ranked the top quarterbacks in the nation entering this season. Here is where they had Gabriel ranked among the nation’s best:
Carson Beck — Georgia Bulldogs
Career Stats: 4,427 yards, 30 TD, 8 INT
2023 Stats: 3,941 yards passing, 24 TD passes, 6 INTs, 117 yards rushing, 4 TD rushes
Our Analysis: Near the end of the 2023 season, we really started to see the high ceiling that Carson Beck brings to the table. It’s not hard to see why he is among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024.
Dillon Gabriel — Oregon Ducks
Career Stats: 14,865 yards, 125 TD, 26 INT
2023 Stats: 3,660 yards passing, 30 TD passes, 6 INTs, 373 yards rushing, 12 TD rushes
Our Analysis: There’s no more experienced QB at the Power 5 level than Dillon Gabriel at this point, and he may be leading the most prolific and explosive offense in the nation at Oregon. Early odds are for Gabriel to be one of the Heisman favorites in 2024, and it’s not hard to see why.
Quinn Ewers — Texas Longhorns
Career Stats: 5,656 yards, 37 TD, 12 INT
2023 Stats: 3,479 yards passing, 22 TD passes, 6 INTs, 75 yards rushing, 5 TD rushes
Our Analysis: Many expected Quinn Ewers to enter the NFL draft this year, but he opted for another year at Texas where he sill be among the veteran-most quarterbacks in the nation, and has the Longhorns as an early championship favorite.
Jalen Milroe — Alabama Crimson Tide
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Career Stats: 3,172 yards, 29 TD, 9 INT
2023 Stats: 2,834 yards passing, 23 TD passes, 6 INTs, 531 yards rushing, 12 TD rushes
Our Analysis: The start of the 2023 season was a bit rocky for Jalen Milroe, but he managed to lead Alabama to a College Football Playoff appearance, and now with Kalen DeBoer leading the charge, he could reach an even higher level in 2024.
Noah Fifita — Arizona Wildcats
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Career Stats: 2,997 yards, 26 TD, 6 INT
2023 Stats: 2,869 yards passing, 25 TD passes, 6 INTs, -33 yards rushing, 0 TD rushes
Our Analysis: Noah Fifita burst onto the scene last year, taking the starting job from Jayden de Laura at Arizona and turning the Wildcats into a top-25 team. With the tandem of Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona will be a fun team in 2024.
Jaxson Dart — Ole Miss Rebels
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Career Stats: 7,691 yards, 52 TD, 21 INT
2023 Stats: 3,364 yards passing, 23 TD passes, 5 INTs, 391 yards rushing, 8 TD rushes
Our Analysis: Ole Miss is doing a great job of building a championship-worthy roster, and Jaxson Dart has shown that he can be a dynamic passer. If he keeps it up in 2024, the Rebels may be real championship contenders.
Jalon Daniels — Kansas Jayhawks
Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Career Stats: 4,297 yards, 31 TD, 12 INT
2023 Stats: 705 yards passing, 5 TD passes, 1 INT, 74 yards rushing, 0 TD rushes
Our Analysis: His season was cut short by an injury last year, but when on the field Jalon Daniels as proven to be among the most electric players in the nation, so watching him fully healthy this year should be exciting.
Shedeur Sanders — Colorado Buffaloes
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Career Stats: 3,230 yards, 27 TD, 3 INT
2023 Stats: 3,230 yards passing, 27 TD passes, 3 INTs, -77 yards rushing, 4 TD rushes
Our Analysis: Shedeur Sanders was fun to watch at the Power 5 level a year ago, and if Colorado can find a way to improve the offensive line in front of him, he could have a really nice season in 2024.
Cameron Rising — Utah Utes
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Career Stats: 5,572 yards, 46 TD, 14 INT
2023 Stats: None
Our Analysis: We didn’t get to see Cameron Rising at all in 2023 because of his knee injury recovery, but he is among the most experienced QBs in the nation this year, and could make a lot of noise in the Big 12.
Cameron Ward — Miami Hurricanes
Career Stats: 6,986 yards, 48 TD, 16 INT
2023 Stats: 3,735 yards passing, 25 TD passes, 7 INTs, 144 yards rushing, 8 TD rushes
Our Analysis: Cameron Ward was a dynamic player at Washington State, but will he be able to keep that up now with Mario Cristobal at Miami? We’ve seen QBs drop in production under Cristobal’s watch, so that’s something to watch this season.
