Go Back Young Man! These QBs are not ready for the 2024 NFL Draft
Three Quarterback prospects that should return to school in 2024
After the conclusion of rivalry weekend, it became clear for three prospects that they needed to return to college for another season of NCAA football.
Who should go back and remove themselves from the 2024 NFL draft class?
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Buffalos
the news broke Monday that Sanders was unavailable for Colorado’s last game due to a fracture in his back. That is a scary and significant injury that would have NFL evaluators dropping Sanders down their draft boards. From the front office perspective, a quarterback who's known for his mobility on the positive and his inability to avoid sacks on the negative, A significant back injury would even lead to the removal from some teams’ boards altogether.
Now, this is not to say that Sanders is in a terrible situation any more than he was a week ago. The hint has been out in the rumor mill for several weeks that he might return to Boulder. From a maturation perspective on the field and a physical perspective for his future, this has to become the reality. It would be a grave mistake for Sanders to enter the 2024 NFL Draft at this point. Expect him to return to the Buffaloes in 2024.
Jalon Daniels, Kansas Jayhawks
Daniels was one of the most anticipated quarterbacks of the 2023 campaign. Unfortunately, he came up with a back injury in September and has not been on the field since. Despite suiting for several games, Daniels does not appear ready to resume play action. He seems to be taking the conservative approach to protecting his body and preparing for next season. That will set up a 2024 head-to-head matchup with Colorado’s Sanders in Lawrence.
It has already been announced that Daniels is returning to The Jayhawks in 2024. Presumably, Cole Ballard, son of Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard, will back him up in the next campaign. Hopefully, Daniels will not need it and be able to compete in a class free of Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. Daniels could be a riser in the 2025 draft class.
Quin Ewers, Texas Longhorns
Rumors have squirreled around Longhorn nation. With the drubbing of Texas Tech and a lock on the Big 12 championship game, Quinn Ewers got some needed rest when Arch Manning was sent in to relieve him this week. Manning has possibly been the most highly anticipated quarterback in college football over the last five years. The question is… when will he get on the field?
At this point, the correct decision for Ewers is to return to Austin for another season. Rumors have swayed back and forth on his decision point following this season, one that saw him miss significant time. That time cost him much-needed development and maturation. He would not be considered a top-five quarterback in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft class. The best solution for Ewers and for the NFL is for him to return and get further seasoning. Can the Longhorns hold off the avalanche of Manning fans as they make a leap to the SEC conference? Success in the SEC could make Ewers a prime prospect in the hunt for the top QB in the 2025 NFL Draft.