The Farrell Five: 2024 Draft QBs, Most Overrated Quarterbacks, Programs in the Best Shape

Everyone loves lists. The best this, the strongest that. Let’s apply that randomly to college football shall we?

NFL Draft QB rankings

1. Drake Maye, UNC

2. Caleb Williams, USC

3. Bo Nix, Oregon

4. Michael Penix Jr., Washington

5. Michael Pratt, Tulane

Breakdown:

I’d take Maye over Williams because he’s bigger, can move just as well, and has a better mental makeup. Williams is an exceptional talent, but he can be a bit of a diva and has some on and off-field eccentricity that would make me pause when taking him as a No. 1 overall. Penix Jr. has the bigger arm, but I’m not a fan of drafting lefty QBs for many reasons so I have Nix slightly ahead, and Pratt is a solid round two option.

Jan 2, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) and offensive lineman Bobby Haskins (70) and offensive lineman Jonah Monheim (79) in action during the game between the USC Trojans and the Tulane Green Wave in the 2023 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium.

Overrated QBs heading into 2023.

1. Joe Milton, Tennessee

2. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina

3. JJ McCarthy, Michigan

4. Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma

5. Sam Hartman, Notre Dame

Breakdown:

Milton has a cannon of an arm and a lot of upside, but let’s not forget he failed at Michigan and lost his job with the Vols to Hendon Hooker, so he hasn’t shown success. The late-season numbers have him rated very highly by many. To a lesser extent, the same can be said for Rattler, who is still an enigma to me. McCarthy needs to improve his accuracy for me to buy in on the hype just yet Gabriel is injury prone, and I’m not sure he’s the Heisman hopeful everyone in Norman thinks he is. And finally, I like Hartman, but I’m not sure he’ll have the same success at Notre Dame with that schedule as he did at Wake Forest.

Oct 15, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The healthiest college football programs.

1. Georgia

2. Alabama

3. Ohio State

4. Michigan

5. Texas

Breakdown:

What does healthy mean? It means financially well-off and winning. UGA is in the top five in college football revenue, and they’ve won two straight national titles, so it doesn’t get better than that. Alabama and Ohio State are also revenue juggernauts and consistent playoff teams. Michigan is new to the playoff the last couple of seasons but in great shape overall and a top-five team from a revenue standpoint. Texas could be the surprise here, but they rake in money and are improving in wins as they head to the SEC in 2024.