Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) during Tennessee’s Orange and White spring football game at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The college football season begins in force this week, filled with established stars such as Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham and Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon III.
But the beginning of each season is filled with the promise of new stars – players ready to blossom due to bigger roles, changes of scenery or just doing what college kids are supposed to do: Grow up.
Here are 20 get-to-know players for 2024, including the 10 members of the next wave of quarterbacks we’re likely to be talking about from Week 1 and years to come.
20. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State – A 12-game starter at safety for the Buckeyes, Styles moved to linebacker in the spring. Watch his tackle count soar for a nasty OSU defense.
19. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona – The senior is a ready-for-the-Big 12 running back after rushing for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns on 189 carries last season at New Mexico. He’ll make sure opponents can’t just focus on the elite passing game in the Wildcats go-go offense.
18. Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia – How to replace Brock Bowers? It’s Delp’s time to shine after catching 24 passes for 345 yards and three touchdowns last season.
17. Brock Vandagriff, QB, Kentucky – The former five-star recruit got caught in the QB traffic at Georgia. If he’s all everyone thought he was out of high school, the Wildcats are going to problems in the SEC.
16. Adepoju Adebawore, DE, Oklahoma – Raves poured in about the sophomore’s bulked-up body in camp to complement his athleticism off the edge. He’s a real X-factor as the Sooners step into the SEC wars.
15. Aidan Chiles, QB, Michigan State – The athletic sophomore provided a tease of his ability in small doses at Oregon State before following coach Jonathan Smith to East Lansing, as the Spartans try to move past a 4-8 season.
14. Grayson “Pup” Howard, LB, Florida – The South Carolina transfer (19 tackles as a freshman last season) was a force in camp for the Gators, facing a critical year for coach Billy Napier.
13. Kyron Drones, QB, Virginia Tech – Dual-threat QB might already be a “known” after starting 11 games last season, but both he and the Hokies (7-6) will kick it into a higher gear this season.
12. Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota – Who doesn’t love an FCS-to-FBS success story? Brosmer makes the jump after throwing for 8,713 yards and 70 TDs across five years at New Hampshire.
11. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU – Don’t expect the running of LSU’s Mr. Heisman, Jayden Daniels, but Nussmeier, a junior, has done nothing but look the part whenever he’s gotten a chance.
10. Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson – No more time share for Mafah, who can carry the load all by himself. Remember the 36 carries for 186 yards against Notre Dame last season?
9. Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan – Junior gets the Big Blue spotlight after making 23 starts at Maryland. Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore has called him a “physical specimen.”
8. Miller Moss, QB, Southern California – Let’s assume the six passing touchdowns in a bowl victory over Louisville was the truth and nothing but the truth.
7. Anthony Hill, LB, Texas – A 2023 Freshman All-American (66 tackles, eight for loss, five sacks) who is going to make the jump to everybody’s All-American in 2024.
6. Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M – No longer hidden away at Purdue, Scourton was one of the biggest portal prizes this offseason, looking to improve upon his 10-sack effort from last year.
5. Avery Johnson, QB, Kansas State – Hasn’t started a regular-season game, but his work as a dual-threat backup pushed started Will Howard to Ohio State. Raw talent is off the charts.
4. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State – The No. 1 prospect in the 2024 class is going to be a Day 1 starter, and nobody could tone down the expectations even if they tried.
3. Jackson Arnold, QB, Oklahoma – The gunslinging former 5-star recruit is wired to embrace the Heisman legacy of OU’s QB position … and to spread the ball all over the offense.
2. Dylan Raiola, QB, Nebraska – The savior of Huskers’ football? The true freshman said it best this week: “Buckle up, it’s gonna be a fun ride.”
1. Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee – Tall, athletic and flashed greatness in the bowl win over Iowa, he’s the full package for a Vols squad with eyes on the College Football Playoff.
–Anthony Gimino, Field Level Media
