2024 college football season preview: 3 QBs who could be a bust this year ft. Garrett Nussmeier
The 2024 college football season is less than a month away when play begins on August 24 when eight teams take the field. While each team has goals of contending for the College Football Playoff, some programs' aspirations are far more realistic.
Strong quarterback play goes a long way to accomplishing such goals, which is why it has been labeled the most important position in the sport. Take a look at three quarterbacks - two of whom are playing for a new program - who could be busts in 2024 below.
Three college football QBs who could be a bust this year
#1 Garrett Nussmeier
Garrett Nussmeier joined the LSU Tigers as a four-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class.
In three seasons with the program, the first of which he redshirted, he has seen limited playing time. He has thrown for 1,720 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 58.9% of his pass attempts.
While he has hardly played and been inconsistent when he saw the field, many publications have listed Nussmeier as a top-10 quarterback in college football entering the 2024 season.
Several have cited Jayden Daniels' Heisman Trophy winning 2023 campaign, but the two have different play styles. Nussmeier very well could reach those lofty expectations, but it's just likely that he falls short.
#2 Riley Leonard
Riley Leonard will be donning a different uniform in 2024. After spending the first three seasons of his career with the Duke Blue Devils, the three-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irish via the transfer portal.
He threw for 4,450 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with the Blue Devils. Leonard completed 61.7% of his passes while adding 1,224 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 229 carries.
He will, however, face much more scrutiny as a member of the Fighting Irish. While he has been projected as a top-15 quarterback in 2024, it's not difficult to envision things going south.
#3 Grayson McCall
Grayson McCall is yet another quarterback who will be in a new situation this season.
After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, he will suit up for the NC State Wolfpack in 2024. He has thrown for 10,005 yards, 88 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. McCall has completed 69.9% of his passes while adding 1,113 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 350 carries.
He's projected as a top-20 college football quarterback in the nation after putting up great numbers with Coastal Carolina. It's unclear, however, if McCall will be able to deal with playing in a power conference.