2024 college football quarterback battles: Iowa unsettled, leader emerging at Michigan as fall camp unfolds

Fewer things command more attention than quarterback battles during college football’s offseason. As the stars of yesterday move onto the NFL or other ventures, prominent programs spend the months between bowl season and Week 1 trying to identify a new leader for their offense. 

Sometimes, succession plans are clear. But in the era of the transfer portal, replacing a quarterback tends to be a bit more murky. 

There are still some major schools that are searching for an answer at the most important position on the field as fall camp unfolds. Ohio State was one of those, but it appears as if Kansas State transfer Will Howard is starting to put some distance between himself and the rest of the pack. 

The same cannot necessarily be said for other Big Ten competitors, including reigning national champion Michigan. There’s still plenty to settle in one of the nation’s premier conferences and, perhaps, some new controversies emerging as the calendar churns towards the 2024 season. 

So, as fall camp reaches its halfway point, CBS Sports got with some 247Sports team site experts around the nation to provide updates on some of college football’s most prominent quarterback battles. Here’s the latest from Nebraska to North Carolina and many places in between. 

Iowa’s QB situation far from settled 

Most assumed entering Iowa’s fall camp slate that former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara was well-entrenched as the starting quarterback. After all, the veteran opened the 2023 season as Iowa’s starter before tearing his ACL in late-September vs. Michigan State. 

While McNamara is still first in line to run the offense, a recent uninspiring performance at Iowa’s Kids’ Day Practice has left the door at least slightly ajar for other options. Iowa did bring in Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan, who has started games in the Big Ten and provides some upside as a rushing option. 

“Kirk Ferentz said on Saturday that it’s clear that McNamara is still trying to get back into form,” Hawkeye Insider’s Sean Bock said. “He has had some strong moments behind the scenes during fall camp, but he hasn’t been healthy in two years, and getting used to playing the position again after two straight season-ending injuries is not easy. Meanwhile, Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan has had the better fall camp.

“McNamara is still Iowa’s starting quarterback and will likely be the starting quarterback in Iowa’s season opener against Illinois State on Aug. 31. However, Sullivan has made things interesting and could continue to push for the QB1 job the next few weeks.” 

Latest from Hawkeye Insider: Unpacking Cade McNamara’s struggles during Kids’ Day

Leader emerging for Michigan 

Michigan has spent the last several months trying to identify a replacement for J.J. McCarthy. It’s certainly a crowded room, with five scholarship options jostling for position — and Michigan didn’t even take a transfer during either portal window. 

But one name has generated more buzz than the others during fall camp: rising junior Alex Orji, who played in six games off the bench during Michigan’s run to the national championship. Orji is a stellar athlete who was often brought into games as a rushing option in special packages. He’s only attempted one career pass, though, a three-yard completion. 

He will continue to spend the next few weeks trying to prove he’s capable of much more. 

“Right now the Michigan quarterback race appears to be led by third-year Alex Orji as it was in the spring,” The Michigan Insider’s Steve Lorenz said. “He still has the highest ceiling of the group but has also had an impressive fall camp so far and continues to hold off veterans Jack Tuttle, Davis Warren and younger players like Jayden Denegal and Jadyn Davis. Right now we expect him to be under center when the team kicks off in a few weeks.”

Latest from The Michigan Insider: Alex Orji looks like a different type of athlete

Future is now in Nebraska 

Heinrich Haarberg started eight games for Nebraska last season and returns as the Huskers’ only scholarship quarterback with actual collegiate snaps under his belt. But he may have to give way for the future. 

Five-star freshman Dylan Raiola, the No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 class, is making his presence felt early on in his career. 

“Nebraska has yet to officially name a starting quarterback as the Huskers traverse the third week of fall camp, but things continue to point to five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola getting the starting nod for the season-opener against UTEP,” Husker247’s Michael Bruntz said. “In every public availability so far during fall camp, it’s been Raiola taking the first snaps at quarterback over returning starter Heinrich Haarberg and fellow freshman Daniel Kaelin. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule hasn’t offered a timeframe for when a starter will be named, but things are likely headed toward Raiola being the guy for Nebraska in 2024.”

Latest from Husker247: Important things to know about Nebraska as season approaches

Two-horse race for North Carolina 

Replacing former ACC Player of the Year Drake Maye, who was the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is no easy task. To help smooth the transition, the Tar Heels went and grabbed Max Johnson (Texas A&M) and Jacolby Criswell (Arkansas) — a former UNC signee — from the transfer portal. 

Johnson has SEC starting experience, giving him a slight edge. But third-year sophomore Conner Harrell, who started in North Carolina’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl showdown against West Virginia last season, is a name to watch. 

“Max Johnson got the most action with the first team in UNC’s most recent open practice last week,” according to Inside Carolina’s Jeremiah Holloway. “Chip Lindsey said that Johnson, Conner Harrell and Jacolby Criswell have continued to rotate first-team reps, dividing opportunities on a “reward system” based on practice performance. But ahead of the season opener, Johnson and Harrell are the top two guys, having the advantage of playing in the spring.”

Latest from Inside Carolina: Inside notes on North Carolina’s training camp

Everything in play at Maryland 

Maryland’s quarterback battle is likely to come down to the wire. Veteran presence Billy Edwards Jr., who long served as Taulia Tagovailoa’s backup, is duking it out with NC State transfer MJ Morris for the honor of leading the Terrapins into the new-look Big Ten. 

Edwards has done well given his limited opportunities. He was even named the 2023 Music City Bowl MVP after throwing for 126 yards and a touchdown and rushing for another touchdown in a win against Auburn. But Morris likely has the higher ceiling and flashed some serious arm talent in his seven career starts with the Wolfpack. 

“Maryland’s quarterback competition remains unfinished, at least publicly,” InsideMDSports’ Jeff Ermann said. “Mike Locksley likes to keep these things close to the vest, so he might not announce a starter until the season-opener against UConn is near. Most have speculated that MJ Morris will win the job because of his pedigree as a former four-star who went 3-1 as a starter at N.C. State. 

“But veteran Billy Edwards is a team leader with toughness and leadership traits you can’t teach. Perhaps the most respected member of the team, Edwards also has the advantage of having been in the system and working with the coaches and players for three years.”

Latest from InsideMdSports: Youth movement making waves for Maryland