After NFL draft decisions and transfer portal entries, the quarterback picture around college football is beginning to take shape for the 2024 season.
Some expected College Football Playoff contenders return proven quarterbacks, such as two who lost in the semifinals (Alabama's Jalen Milroe, Texas' Quinn Ewers). Other notable teams had expected departures, either to the NFL or the portal, but have clear-cut successors who are ready to take on larger roles. There are also teams with somewhat fluid quarterback situations that could clear up through offseason competition or the spring transfer window (April 15-30).
So, let's examine the highest-profile replacement quarterbacks around college football. Some names will be instantly recognizable, as they already boast starting experience for other programs or received accolades as recruits. Others may need more of an introduction. The list includes some quarterbacks who have waited multiple seasons for their opportunities, including LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and USC's Miller Moss. In a sign of the times, Dillon Gabriel appears both as a key departure (Oklahoma) and a key replacement (Oregon).
Here's a look at 10 teams that lost notable quarterbacks, and who is primed to replace those quarterbacks this fall. Draft projections are based on Jordan Reid's latest ESPN mock draft.
USC Trojans
Who departs: Caleb Williams
What USC is losing: 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, Maxwell Award and AP Player of the Year recipient; USC single-season record holder for passing yards (4,919) and touchdown passes (42); 10,082 passing yards, 93 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in three-year career at USC and Oklahoma; projected No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL draft; 27 career rushing touchdowns
The replacements: Miller Moss, USC redshirt junior; Jayden Maiava, sophomore, UNLV transfer
What to expect: USC's post-Williams outlook seemed to shift in the Holiday Bowl as Moss, who had played sparingly behind Williams the past two seasons, set a bowl record with six touchdown passes in a win over Louisville. Moss completed 23 of 33 attempts for 372 yards in his first career start, spreading the ball to nine different receivers and twice connecting for touchdowns to both Tahj Washington and Ja'Kobi Lane. "Shoot, he may have scared off anybody that would want to come here anyway," coach Lincoln Riley said afterward; USC had been mentioned as a possible destination for Will Howard and other notable transfers.
Although Moss had only 59 career pass attempts before the Holiday Bowl, he's a former ESPN top-40 recruit in the 2021 class who has waited his turn. The Trojans also picked up Maiava, who originally committed to Georgia before flipping. Maiava had 3,085 passing yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023, while adding 277 rushing yards and three touchdowns for a resurgent UNLV team that reached the Mountain West championship game. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Maiava certainly could push Moss for the top job and provides depth in a quarterback room that got thinner with Malachi Nelson's transfer to Boise State.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Who departs: Drake Maye
What North Carolina is losing: 8,018 passing yards, 63 touchdowns over the past two seasons, in which Maye started 26 games for UNC; 2022 ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year; projected No. 2 pick in NFL draft; second-team All-ACC in 2023 with 3,608 passing yards and 24 touchdowns; 1,147 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns as UNC's starter.
The replacements: Max Johnson, senior, Texas A&M transfer; Conner Harrell, redshirt sophomore, North Carolina
What to expect: Johnson kicked off this year's quarterback transfer cycle by committing to North Carolina on Nov. 29, before the portal window opened for non-graduates. The left-hander began his college career at LSU in 2020 and started throughout the 2021 season for the Tigers, passing for 2,815 yards with 27 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He finished with two 300-yard performances in wins over Louisiana-Monroe and Texas A&M, where he would transfer to after the 2021 season.
Johnson started 11 games over two seasons for the Aggies but was clearly behind Conner Weigman prior to Weigman's season-ending injury in the fall. Johnson is the favorite to replace Maye but must hold off Harrell, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound sophomore who saw his first significant action in the Duke's Mayo Bowl and had 199 passing yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in a loss to West Virginia.
LSU Tigers
Who departs: Jayden Daniels
What LSU is losing: 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, AP Player of the Year and SEC Offensive Player of the Year; led FBS in total offense (412.2 ypg), passer rating (208), rushing yards by a quarterback (1,134) and other categories in 2023; led FBS quarterbacks in rushing in 2022 (885 yards) and set LSU records for quarterback rushing and quarterback rushing touchdowns (11); only player in FBS history to pass for 12,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards; made 55 career starts at LSU and Arizona State (37-18 overall); projected No. 3 pick in NFL draft.
The replacement: Garrett Nussmeier, LSU redshirt junior
What to expect: Patience is a rarity among quarterbacks, especially those at high-profile schools, but Nussmeier has displayed plenty during his time with LSU. The son of longtime college and NFL coach Doug Nussmeier came to LSU as an ESPN four-star recruit, but sat behind Max Johnson in 2021, and then Daniels the past two seasons. He has capitalized on his limited opportunities, though, and finally is in line to lead the Tigers' offense as a senior.
Nussmeier had 294 passing yards and two touchdowns against Georgia in the second half of the 2022 SEC championship game, the highest passing total in any half in team history. He then sizzled in his first career start against Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl, passing for 395 yards and three touchdowns, and rallying LSU to a win while earning MVP honors. Although Nussmeier will have every chance to keep the top job, the Tigers added Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann, who had 2,731 passing yards with 22 touchdowns in two seasons.
Michigan Wolverines
Who departs: J.J. McCarthy
What Michigan is losing: 27-1 record as Michigan's starter, including a national title and two Big Ten championships; 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 4 interceptions in 2023, completing 72.3% of his passes (sixth in FBS); 2,719 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, 5 interceptions in 2022; Manning Award finalist in 2023; Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten in 2023, second-team in 2022; projected No. 12 pick in NFL draft (QB4).
The replacements: Alex Orji, redshirt sophomore, Michigan; Jadyn Davis, freshman, Michigan; transfer TBD
What to expect: The national champions face uncertainty at a number of positions, including quarterback after McCarthy's departure to the NFL. Davis, ESPN's No. 116 recruit in the 2024 class, arrives amid a good deal of excitement, but would Michigan really go with a true freshman after McCarthy's historic career?
Orji proved effective as a changeup quarterback this past season, averaging 5.7 yards per carry with a touchdown. He has 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns in two seasons at Michigan, but only one career pass attempt. Michigan almost certainly will pursue a transfer in the spring to add actual college experience to the quarterback room. The Wolverines don't ask their quarterbacks to do as much as other top-10 teams, but they will miss McCarthy's efficiency and ability to make throws on the move.
Washington Huskies
Who departs: Michael Penix Jr.
What Washington is losing: 2023 Maxwell Award winner and Heisman Trophy runner-up; second-team AP All-America selection in 2023; led FBS with 4,903 passing yards while adding 36 touchdowns (third nationally) on 65.4% completions; finished second nationally in passing yards in 2022 (4,641), setting a team record that he broke in 2023; 9,544 passing yards and 67 touchdowns in two seasons at Washington; 13,741 career passing yards, 96 touchdowns.
The replacements: Will Rogers, senior, Mississippi State transfer; Demond Williams Jr., freshman, Arizona transfer
What to expect: Washington's quarterback situation looked extremely tenuous until Tuesday night, when Rogers, the prolific Mississippi State transfer who had entered the transfer portal after coach Kalen DeBoer's departure to Alabama, reaffirmed his commitment to the program. Rogers had 8,713 passing yards and 71 touchdowns over the 2021 and 2022 seasons at Mississippi State with coach Mike Leach. He owns SEC records for both single-season completions (505 in 2021) and career completions (1,264), as well as Mississippi State records for passing yards (12,315) and passing touchdowns (94).
Although his numbers fell off last season under a new coaching staff, he could thrive under new Huskies coach Jedd Fisch, who has worked with different types of quarterbacks during his career. Rogers' pledge is especially significant as Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita, who shined under Fisch last fall, will remain with the Wildcats. Washington also got a boost from Williams, an ESPN 300 recruit who signed with Fisch at Arizona but entered the portal and committed to Washington over the weekend. Last month, Washington signed ESPN three-star recruit Dermaricus Davis, who posted a broken heart emoji on X following DeBoer's departure.
Florida State Seminoles
Who departs: Jordan Travis
What Florida State is losing: 2023 ACC Player of the Year, finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting; 2,756 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 2 interceptions in 11 games in 2023; first-team All-ACC in 2023 after earning second-team honors in 2022; set career highs for passing yards (3,214), completions (226) and passing touchdowns (24) in 2022; recorded 8,644 career passing yards, 65 passing touchdowns, and 1,910 rushing yards and 31 rushing touchdowns at Florida State (began career at Louisville).
The replacement: DJ Uiagalelei, senior, Oregon State transfer
What to expect: Uiagalelei's fascinating college career makes a third stop in a familiar league, as the former Clemson starter returns to the ACC at a rival program. He spent the 2023 season at Oregon State, hoping to absorb a pro-style offense in a more low-key setting, and he certainly achieved some of what he wanted. Uiagalelei set a career high in passing yards (2,638) with 21 touchdowns, one shy of his career high at Clemson, although his completion percentage dropped to 57.1%.
The 6-foot-4, 252-pound senior seemingly has all the tools to be elite but needs to put them together in coach Mike Norvell's offense, which helped Travis become a national star. Uiagalelei, who had 545 rushing yards for Clemson in 2022, could once again become a bigger threat on the ground. If he struggles, Brock Glenn could get an opportunity, although he will need to show significant improvement after struggling in the ACC championship game and the Orange Bowl. FSU lost reserve quarterbacks Tate Rodemaker and AJ Duffy to the portal.
Oregon Ducks
Who departs: Bo Nix
What Oregon is losing: 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist (third in voting), Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award finalist; led FBS in completion percentage (77.4) and set team records in each of the past two seasons, becoming the first Oregon quarterback to eclipse 70% completions for the season (ranked No. 2 nationally at 71.9% in 2022); most experienced QB in FBS history with 61 career starts; had 8,101 passing yards, 74 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 744 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns in two seasons at Oregon.
The replacements: Dillon Gabriel, senior, Oklahoma transfer; Dante Moore, sophomore, UCLA transfer
What to expect: Oregon showed why it's a top destination for quarterback transfers by landing arguably the biggest name of the cycle in Gabriel, who started multiple seasons at both Oklahoma and UCF. He earned all-league honors in three of the four seasons he completed, and comes to Oregon with staggering career numbers, including 14,865 passing yards, 125 touchdowns and 1,050 completions. Gabriel completed a career-high 69.3% of his passes last season and could maintain the efficiency and dual-threat ability -- he has 1,060 career rushing yards and 26 touchdowns -- that Nix brought to the Ducks' offense.
Gabriel will lead Oregon into the Big Ten, which boasts several elite defenses but also doesn't typically feature too many quarterbacks as talented or as accomplished. Oregon also added Moore, a one-time commit and the No. 2 recruit in the 2023 class, who had a bumpy first season at UCLA but boasts tremendous arm strength and pocket-passing skills.
Oklahoma Sooners
Who departs: Dillon Gabriel
What Oklahoma is losing: 2023 first-team All-Big 12 selection, Manning Award finalist and Maxwell Award semifinalist; completed 69.3% of his passes for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns with six interceptions; led Big 12 in passing offense, passing touchdowns, passing efficiency and completion percentage; 49 career starts at Oklahoma and UCF with 14,865 passing yards, 125 touchdowns and 1,062 rushing yards, 26 rushing touchdowns; Maxwell Award semifinalist at UCF and has eclipsed 3,100 passing yards four times.
The replacements: Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma sophomore; Casey Thompson, senior, Florida Atlantic transfer
What to expect: Oklahoma had prepared for Gabriel's departure in 2024. Although the NFL seemed like the probable destination for Gabriel rather than another college team, the Sooners were ready for Arnold to lead the offense under new coordinator Seth Littrell. The transition between the two seemed smooth, and Arnold, ESPN's No. 3 recruit in the 2023 class, certainly has the talent to propel the Sooners.
Arnold had 563 passing yards and 4 touchdowns with 3 interceptions in 7 games as a freshman. He started in place of Gabriel against Arizona in the Alamo Bowl and showed both promise (361 passing yards, two touchdowns) and areas to improve (three interceptions, 57.8% completions). Arnold averaged 3.7 yards per carry and can be a threat on the ground as well. The Sooners also have some insurance with Thompson, the son of former OU quarterback Charles Thompson. Casey Thompson has started games at Texas, Nebraska and FAU, and twice has eclipsed 2,100 passing yards.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Who departs: Kyle McCord
What the Buckeyes are losing: 2023 third-team All-Big Ten selection who went 11-1 in his only season as Ohio State's starter; finished second in the Big Ten in both passing yards (3,170) and passing touchdowns (24), while completing 65.8% of his attempts; four 300-yard passing performances in 2023; 3,776 career passing yards and 27 touchdowns at Ohio State.
The replacement: Will Howard, senior, Kansas State transfer
What to expect: The Buckeyes are in an interesting spot after the departure of McCord, who had a solid season but was the first Ohio State quarterback under Ryan Day not to become a national star. Day is set to turn over playcalling to Bill O'Brien, the former Penn State coach and NFL coach and coordinator. After some initial hesitancy about adding a portal quarterback, the Buckeyes brought in Howard from Kansas State.
Howard started games in each of the past four seasons, helping the Wildcats to a Big 12 title in 2022. He set several team records, including touchdown passes by a freshman (eight). He has 5,786 passing yards and 48 touchdowns, as well as 921 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, in 27 career starts. Howard has 39 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions over the past two years but has only reached the 60% completions mark once in a season. Devin Brown competed with McCord throughout the last offseason but hasn't logged meaningful game action, as an ankle injury cut short his start against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. The Buckeyes also bolstered their future with Alabama transfer Julian Sayin, ESPN's top quarterback and No. 3 overall recruit in the 2024 class. Sayin joins Air Noland, ESPN's No. 31 overall recruit, in Ohio State's incoming class.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Who departs: Sam Hartman
What the Fighting Irish are losing: ACC record-holder for career touchdown passes at Wake Forest, who had 2,689 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in his only season with Notre Dame; eight games with multiple touchdown passes and four of at least 72% completions; 15,656 career passing yards, 134 touchdown passes and 979 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.
The replacement: Riley Leonard, senior, Duke transfer
What to expect: For the second consecutive winter, Notre Dame targeted an established ACC quarterback in the portal and landed its man. The hope is Leonard can elevate the offense even more than Hartman, who performed very well against mid-level and weaker opponents but struggled against some of the better defenses Notre Dame faced in 2023. Leonard showcased legitimate dual-threat capabilities in his last full season in 2022, passing for 2,967 yards with 20 touchdowns, and adding 699 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. If healthy, he gives new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock wide-ranging options to attack defenses. Notre Dame also returns Steve Angeli, who completed 78.9% of his passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions in a Sun Bowl win over Oregon State and finished with seven touchdowns and one interception for the season. CJ Carr, ESPN's No. 38 overall recruit in the 2024 class, also enters the mix but likely wouldn't see the field until 2025.