Top 5 most overhyped QBs in the 2024 Manning Award Watch List ft. Graham Mertz
The 2024 Manning Award Watch List was announced on Thursday. The award is given annually to the best college football quarterback in the nation.
Some names on the Watch List were expected to be there, but there were also a few overhyped quarterbacks.
Let's take a closer look at a handful of the overhyped quarterbacks that found their way onto the 2024 Manning Award Watch List.
Overhyped QBs in 2024 Manning Award Watch List
Graham Mertz, Florida
Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz may have had an excellent statistical season last year, but it is difficult to picture him replicating that with a winning season also.
Mertz finished the 2023 college football season going 261-of-358 (72.9%) for 2,903 yards with 20 passing touchdowns to just three interceptions.
However, the team went 5-6 in those games and failed to get going. If he does not contribute to winning, do not be surprised to see true freshman quarterback DJ Lagway get some action towards the end of the season. He might, thus, knock Graham Mertz out of the 2024 Manning Award Watch List.
Byrum Brown, USF
Byrum Brown of the South Florida Bulls was able to put up great counting stats last season under center, but the effectiveness leaves a lot to be desired.
He finished last season with 26 touchdowns to 11 interceptions and a QBR of 57.3, which ranked 73rd in all of college football. Brown has shown the ability to scramble out of the pocket and have massive gains on the ground.
However, he lacks the ability to be a consistent quarterback and be considered a candidate to win the 2024 Manning Award.
Hudson Card, Purdue
Hudson Card is a good quarterback but he should not be considered among the top college football QBs.
Last season, he was just an average quarterback as he posted a 58.9 completion percentage with 15 passing touchdowns to eight interceptions, less than a 2:1 ratio.
He could improve as he finished with back-to-back three touchdown games to end the season, but Card is not likely to be a star quarterback this season.
Brayden Schager, Hawaii
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors quarterback Brayden Schager showed himself able to put up passing yards, but not enough to be a quarterback on the 2024 Manning Award Watch List.
He finished last season with a 26:14 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a putrid 38.0 QBR. It is way too difficult to even imagine Hawaii having a good enough season to get recognition.
Also, Brayden Schager is not talented enough to have that type of season with the Rainbow Warriors.
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, Colorado State
Colorado State Rams quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is a good quarterback. But for him to be on the 2024 Manning Award Watch List just proves how overhyped he is presently.
He had a 22:16 touchdown-to-interception ratio and threw an interception in all but two games last year. Fowler-Nicolosi also had just a 51.4 QBR, according to ESPN, which is slightly above average. Just because he puts up passing yards does not mean he is at that level.