Seven college football QBs who could emerge as potential first-round draft picks with standout 2024 seasons

Transfers and veterans poised for breakout seasons make up this year's underrated quarterbacks

By Cameron Salerno Apr 26, 2024 at 3:31 pm ET• 5 min read

The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft saw a historic run on quarterbacks. For the first time since the legendary "class of 1983", six signal callers (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix) came off the board in the first round. While the 1983 class saw six quarterbacks spread over the first 27 picks, the 2024 class did it in just 12 -- the fastest in NFL history. 

The run on 2024 quarterbacks gives us clear insight into how NFL scouts view the 2025 crop. Outside of Georgia's Carson Beck, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Texas' Quinn Ewers, next year's class appears to be light in bona fide first-round prospects under center.

There is still an opportunity for more names to join that list, though. Daniels wasn't considered a first-round pick around this time last year, but his 2023 Heisman Trophy season sent him rocketing up draft boards to the No. 2 overall spot. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is next up in the Tigers offense. He hopes to follow a similar trajectory and become the third LSU quarterback in five years to go in the first round. 

Many others could see their stock rise this fall with strong performances, but as of now, these seven quarterbacks are best positioned to jump into the conversation as potential first-round selections.