This article covers the top QBs in the Big 12 next season, some underrated recruits in the 2024 class, and if Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss can finally get past Alabama this coming season.
Top Big 12 QBs
Quinn Ewers, RS Freshman, Texas
The former five-star transfer from Ohio State came in and started from day one. Dealt with some injuries throughout the season, but has a full offseason to get right along with a cupboard full of weapons to take Texas to bigger heights this season.
Dillon Gabriel, RS-Senior, Oklahoma
Also transferring in was Mr. Dillon Gabriel. Coming from UCF where he set records, he had an up-and-down season for his standards with first-year head coach Brent Venables. Kind of small stature, but can let it rip with the best of them. With another full offseason and a top recruiting class coming in, we should see a major jump.
Hunter Dekkers, Senior, Iowa State
The former four-star recruit is coming into his second full season as the starter. After sitting behind Brock Purdy all he did in 2022 was lead the conference in completion percentage. He should be even better next season.
Blake Shapen, RS-Junior, Baylor
In his first year as the full starter, he showed some promise. Would like for the turnovers to come down a little bit, but he can be a player. Finished third in the conference in completion percentage.
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Will Howard, Senior, Kansas State
Has started on and off throughout his career with the Wildcats, but came on strong in the back half of last season. The former four-star recruit has a prototypical size at 6’5, 242 lbs. Should definitely be someone to watch with an entire season under him.
Under the Radar 2024 recruits
WR Jelani Watkins, Klein Forest HS, Houston, TX
- 5’9, 160 lbs
- Four-star ranked 130th nationally
- Small in stature but he makes up for it with heart and skill. Quick as a cat and is a technician at route running. Can also play outside as well as the slot. Even running back at times. LSU should be ecstatic.
LB Edwin Spillman, Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, TN
- 6’1, 216 lbs
- Four-star ranked 234th nationally
- The younger brother of 2023 Tennessee signee Nate Spillman, Edwin is a pure old-school linebacker that can do it all. Runs all over the field making plays, whether the run or pass. Seems like it’s a two-man race between Tennessee and Ohio State for his commitment.
https://twitter.com/PMacCoon/status/1598366866317410305
LB Brayden Platt, Yelm HS, Yelm, WA
- 6’2, 240 lbs
- Four-star ranked 264th nationally
- Plays both ways as a superb athlete but will ultimately play linebacker. He is a thumper who can also run very well.
QB Demond Williams, Basha HS, Chandler, AZ
- 5’11, 180 lbs
- Four-star ranked 292nd nationally
- Not the biggest guy but he makes up for it with his play. One of the best dual-threat QBs in his class and should be used very well in Lane Kiffin’s offense.
https://twitter.com/OMRebelNation/status/1608906531675983873
RB Tovani Mizell, Cardinal Newman, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 6’0, 195 lbs
- Four-star ranked 425th nationally
- While this is an underrated list, being rated this low you might be wondering why he still made the cut. Well, this is one of those cases where the rankings don’t matter as he was committed to Georgia until recently. His offer list also says otherwise. With that being said he is a pure running back that can make you miss inside and outside while also helping out in the passing game. Keep an eye on this kid.
Can Lane Kiffin finally beat Nick Saban?
Well, my fellow college football readers it is around that time to start talking about the season seriously again now that spring ball is over and the portal is officially closed. Players already in the portal can still transfer as they please of course, but for the most part, all teams are set except for a few. That ultimately means we get to talk about matchups, whether that be between the coaches or a specific matchup between players. In this article though we talk about the lighting rod matchup that seems to be every year with Ole Miss Head coach Lane Kiffin and Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Now for the record Lane Kiffin has never beaten Nick Saban. Granted he has only faced him as a head coach a handful of times, but it takes a special coach and team to beat ole Saban. Or you happen to get lucky one day. Just ask Jimbo Fisher. His all-time record against his former assistants is 25-2 which only seems to get better by the year.
Now back to why we love the Kiffin/Saban Matchup so much. In Kiffin’s case over the years he has been a headline for numerous things throughout his career. Whether that be him being the youngest head coach in the NFL at one point with the Oakland Raiders, being one and done at Tennessee after many failed promises, or him getting left off the USC team bus and ultimately fired. He always finds a way. One positive thing we know is that he is a heck of a play caller, which is why Saban scooped him up. Not long after though the ego of both coaches got the best of them and someone had to go. That someone means Kiffin. Since then he has been the head coach at FAU before coming to Ole Miss. With all that being said, after the first couple of tries and seeing what Saban has come back I just don’t see it happening. That coupled with Kiffin’s seemingly never-ending immaturity. I mean just look at his fourth down attempt antics. It’s just not smart football in my opinion no matter what the analytics say. Now Alabama does have a QB battle to be won, but by the time they play, it should be handled. By the end of the day on September 23rd this coming fall we should see another W in the win column for ole Saban.
