When observing the potential strengths of Texas A&M’s 2024 roster, the defensive line and the quarterback room usually come up in any relevant conversation as what could drive the Aggies toward consistent success in SEC play under new head coach Mike Elko.
With redshirt sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman returning after missing eight games during the 2023 season, he still managed to finish with eight touchdowns, nearly 1,000 passing yards, and just two interceptions, while junior signal caller Jaylen Henderson took over for the final five games, finishing with 715 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions before suffering his season-ending injury during the bowl game loss versus Oklahoma State.
Lastly, sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed has a bright future ahead of him. He possesses the arm strength and dual-threat ability to thrive in Collin Klein’s offense in the coming years. After relieving Henderson in the bowl game, Reed, in his first career start, threw for 361 yards and ran for a touchdown.
On Wednesday, On3’s Jesse Simonton ranked his top 10 quarterback rooms ahead of the 2024 college football season, which, as it should, includes Texas A&M’s impressive room. Here are those rankings.
10
Texas A&M Aggies
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback room:
Projected starter: RS Sophomore Conner Weigman (979 yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions)
Projected backup: Junior Jaylen Henderson (715 yards, six touchdowns, two interceptions)
Third-string: Sophomore Marcel Reed (374 yards, one touchdown, one interception)
9
Florida Gators
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback room:
Projected starter: RS Senior Graham Mertz (2,903 yards, 20 touchdowns, three touchdowns, three touchdowns)
Projected backup: Freshman DJ Lagway
Third-string: RS JR Clay Miller
8
LSU TIgers
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Projected starter: RS Junior Garrett Nussmeier (591 yards, four touchdowns, one interception
Projected backup: Junior AJ Swann (1,457 yards, twelve touchdowns, seven interceptions with Vanderbilt in 2023)
Third-string: RS Freshman Rickie Collins
7
Ole Miss Rebels
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Quarterback room:
Projected starter: Senior Jaxson Dart (3,364 yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions)
Projected backup: RS Sophomore Walker Howard
Third-string: RS Freshman Austin Simmons
6
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback room:
Projected starter: Senior Riley Leonard (1,102 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions)
Projected backup: RS Sophomore Angeli Steve
Third-string: RS freshman Kenny Minchey
5
Alabama Crimson Tide
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterback room:
Projected starter: RS Junior Jalen Milroe (2,834, 23 touchdowns, six interceptions)
Projected backup: RS Sophomore Ty Simpson
Third-string: RS Freshman Dylan Lonergan
4
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia running back Trevor Etienne (1) takes a handoff from Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) during spring practice in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
Quarterback room:
Projected starter: RS Senior Carson Beck (3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions)
Projected backup: Sophomore Jaden Rashada (485 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions with Arizona State)
Third-string: RS Sophomore Gunner Stockton
3
Oregon Ducks
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws the ball during the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Quarterback room:
Projected starter: RS Senior Dillon Gabriel (3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns, six interceptions with Oklahoma)
Projected backup: Sophomore Dante Moore (1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions with UCLA)
2
Ohio State Buckeyes
April 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA;
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) of the scarlet team throws a pass to running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Projected starter: Grad transfer Will Howard (2,643 yards, 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions with Kansas State)
Projected backup: RS Sophomore Devin Brown
Third-string: Freshman Julian Sayin
1
Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns quarterbacks Arch Manning (16), left, and Quinn Ewers (3) throw passes while warming up ahead of the Longhorns’ spring Orange and White game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, April 20, 2024.
Projected starter: RS Junior Quinn Ewers (3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns, six interceptions)
Projected backup: RS Freshman Arch Manning
Third-string: Freshman Trey Owens
