by Sean Szymczak

Built on defenses and dominating the line of scrimmage, the Big Ten rarely boasts the country’s best quarterbacks. While there is some great potential in Big Ten QB rooms in 2024, there are seemingly just as many question marks. Half of the 18-team conference has a quarterback competition to monitor this spring.

However, not all QB battles are made the same. Some are wide open, while others seem more like formalities than a legitimate competition.

We break down every battle and predict the winner below:

Wide Open Battles

Michigan

Alex Orji vs Jayden Denegal vs Jack Tuttle vs Jadyn Davis

Sherron Moore has his work cut out for him in replacing two-year starter JJ McCarthy. Of all the QB competitions in the Big Ten, this one might be the tightest and most consequential.

As the only quarterback among the bunch to see meaningful snaps in 2023, Alex Orji seems like the logical choice to step up. He didn’t attempt a pass but he rushed for 86 yards and a TD on 15 carries in a wildcat role. He even popped off a key 20-yard scamper against Ohio State. Orji stands at 6’3″ 240lbs and is a threat in the open field. But his ability as a passer is far from proven.

According to Michigan’s staff, Jayden Denegal is the most improved quarterback on the roster. Like Orji, Denegal is a 3-star prospect from the 2022 class. He attempted five passes last year and appears to be a more natural thrower than Orji. Although he isn’t quite the athlete, Denegal possesses ideal size at 6’5″ 235lbs.

Jack Tuttle is the dark-horse to watch in this QB battle. A 4-star prospect from the 2018 class, Tuttle has been a career backup at Indiana and Michigan. He has completed 60% of his 199 career attempts for 1,031 yards, 6 TDs, and 6 INTs. He may not be the flashiest option, but he is probably the safest. With a defense and offensive line that will again be among the nation’s elite, Michigan’s QB won’t be asked to do too much. If Jack Tuttle can master the playbook and avoid mistakes, he has every chance of starting for the Wolverines week 1.

Jadyn Davis is a true freshman and the QB of the future in Ann Arbor. It’s rare to see true freshman start at this level, but Davis enrolled early and will compete throughout the spring. He will have every chance to win the job and Wolverine fans across the country are excited to see what the consensus top-200 prospect brings to the table. But if he ends up winning the starting job, it might be more of red flag for the rest of the group than anything.

Prediction: Alex Orji, Jayden Denegal, and Jadyn Davis all have the potential to be Michigan’s next long-term starter at quarterback. The collective athleticism in this room alone is enough to keep any defense on their toes.

But come week 1, I think Sherron Moore will play it safe and go with the 7th-year Tuttle. He brings a sense of reliability that the other quarterbacks simply don’t. However, I expect Alex Orji’s role as a change-of-pace quarterback to expand. I could see him accounting for 10-20% of Michigan’s offensive snaps to start the season.

That doesn’t necessarily mean he will be QB2. If Tuttle should falter, I think it will be Denegal who is called upon. At the end of the day, I think Tuttle, Denegal, & Orji will all get their fair share of snaps in 2024. Although the quarterback position may look very different than last year, Michigan will win games the same way they did in 2023: with a strong run game and fierce defense.

Rutgers

Gavin Wimsatt vs Athan Kaliakmanis

Gavin Wimsatt was once the source of tremendous optimism at the QB position for Rutgers. A 4-star prospect from the 2021 class, Wimsatt possessed a rare combination of size, speed, and arm strength from the moment he stepped on campus. However, he battled injuries and failed to secure the full-time starting gig in his first couple seasons.

Wimsatt was finally given the starting job last season. Needless to say, it didn’t go great for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers was bottom-three in the Big Ten in passing yards, passing TDs, completion percentage, and QB rating. Wimsatt completed less than 50% of his passes on the season and still has a negative TD:INT for his career.

Although Wimsatt still possesses much of the physical tools required to be a good college QB, it’s become evident that he may never reach that potential. So Rutgers brought in a new QB in Athan Kaliakmanis to battle Wimsatt for the starting job.

The bad news for Rutgers is that the Minnesota transfer didn’t have much more success than Wimsatt did in 2023. Also a 4-star from the 2021 recruiting class, Kaliakamanis completed 53% of his passes for 1,838 yards, 16 total TDs, and 9 INTs for the Gophers.

Kaliakmanis isn’t the athlete that Wimsatt is, but he appears to be a more natural thrower. Throughout an abysmal 2023 seasons, Kaliakmanis did show glimmers of potential with a few “Josh Allen-esque” throws – passes that soared 50+ yards downfield with a mere flick of his wrist. His accuracy and decision-making need to be reeled in, but Athan Kaliakmanis seems to have the raw talent necessary to revive a Rutgers passing attack that has been anemic for the better part of the last decade.

Both Wimsatt and Kaliakmanis were essentially handed their starting jobs last season. Neither had to beat out quality competition in order to be named the team’s starter. That will change this off-season, as the two fourth-year quarterbacks will have to battle it out in order to earn the starting job. Despite an ugly season from both Gavin Wimsatt and Athan Kaliakmanis in 2023, the hope is that iron will sharpen iron throughout this competition and Rutgers will have a competent starting QB in 2024 thanks to it.

Prediction: Gavin Wimsatt is the better athlete and the only quarterback of the two that forces defenses to account for his legs. However, that extra dimension simply doesn’t matter if defenses don’t respect your ability to throw the ball downfield. We haven’t seen Wimsatt develop as a passer throughout his career or one season as a full-time starter, so I have a hard time believing we will see much improvement in 2024.

Kaliakmanis, reunited with his former OC Kirk Ciarrocca, still has a long way to go in his development as a quarterback. But I believe he has the tools necessary to make defenses respect the Rutgers aerial attack – at least a little bit. With virtually every single starter returning in 2024, that’s all the Scarlet Knights need in order to put together another winning season.

Athan Kaliakmanis will win Rutgers’ QB battle and be their starter come week 1 of the 2024 season. However, Gavin Wimsatt may maintain some packages as a “wildcat” quarterback to keep defenses on their toes.

Maryland

Billy Edwards vs MJ Morris

Maryland ushers in a new era of football as they say goodbye to three-year starter Taulia Tagovailoa. Billy Edwards and MJ Morris will compete to replace the Big Ten’s all-time passing leader.

Billy Edwards is a 3-star prospect from the 2021 class and originally enrolled at Wake Forest. He transferred to Maryland in 2022 and has appeared in 15 games with 2 starts over the past couple seasons for the Terps. He’s completed 50% of his passes for 441 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT on just under 6 yards per attempt.

Those certainly aren’t eye-popping numbers. But Edwards’ strength has been his ability to break tackles and make plays with his legs. He has racked up 227 yards and 8 TDs on the ground in his limited play time.

MJ Morris is a year younger than Edwards and transfers in from NC State. He has appeared in 9 games over the past two seasons for the Wolfpack. Morris completed 58% of his passes for 1,367 yards, 14 TDs, and 6 INTs on 6.9 yards per attempt. He isn’t quite the running threat Edwards is, but Morris has no problem extending plays and making throws on the run.

Prediction: At this point in the off-season, MJ Morris appears to be a much more polished passer than Billy Edwards. The offensive line is once again a massive question mark for the Terps, meaning neither quarterback will have a steady run game to lean on. For that reason, I think the more proven passer in MJ Morris will win the job.

But Edwards’ experience, size, and mobility may be too valuable to keep off the field entirely – especially in the red-zone or short yardage situations.

Maryland’s schedule in the first half of the season is more than manageable, with their most difficult matchups coming at home against Michigan State and Northwestern. If their offense falters early with Morris, I wouldn’t be surprised to see any early switch to Billy Edwards as the starter.

Battles With Definitive Favorites

Indiana

Tayven Jackson vs Kurtis Rourke

Brendan Sorsby emerged as a very reliable quarterback for the Hoosiers in the back-half of 2023. Unfortunately, Sorsby hit the portal not long after the season concluded.

Tayven Jackson – a 4-star prospect form 2022 – is the lone holdover from last year’s quarterback room. He transferred to Bloomington last year after one season with Tennessee. With a strong grade out of high school and a quick, beautiful release, Jackson brought some optimism with him last year. But that never materialized on the field. He appeared in 5 games, completing 61% of his passes for 914 yards, 2 TDs, and 5 INTs.

Jackson will have every opportunity to win this QB battle but he will have to beat out a multi-year starter. New head coach Curt Cignetti brought in long-time Ohio U quarterback Kurtis Rourke to compete for the job.

Rourke enters his 6th year as a college quarterback. He was the MAC OPOTY in 2022 and helped lead the Bobcats to back-to-back 10-win seasons. In his three years as a starter, Rourke completed 66% of his passes for 7,265 yards, 50 TDs, and 16 INTs. At 6’5″ 235lbs, Rourke is also a threat with his legs. He’s racked up nearly 800 rush yards and 11 TDs over the past three seasons.

Prediction: There are plenty of Indiana fans who are holding out hope that Tayven Jackson can meet the potential many saw when he was in high school and become a multi-year starter for Indiana. But I think that will have to wait until 2025. Kurtis Rourke did not transfer to Indiana to be relegated to backup.

I think Kurtis Rourke will be named the starter after spring practice and provide the Hoosiers with the most reliable QB play they’ve seen since Michael Pennix was here. Hopefully sitting behind a veteran quarterback will help Tayven Jackson win the starting job next off-season.

UCLA

Ethan Garbers vs Collin Schlee

With former 5-star Dante Moore off to Oregon, Ethan Garbers is the logical choice to step into UCLA’s starting QB role. He split time with Moore last year, appearing in 11 games with 6 starts.

Garbers originally enrolled at Washington in 2020 as a 4-star, top-200 prospect. He transferred to UCLA in 2021 after not seeing any game action as a true freshman. He has appeared in 29 games over the past 3 seasons, completing 66% of his passes for 1,735 yards, 17 total TDs, and 7 INTs.

Garbers was a bit inconsistent last year and stumbled down the stretch – as did UCLA’s entire team. But he did play the best football of his career and proved he can be a threat with his legs. Chip Kelly spoke very highly of Garbers last year and the 5th-year quarterback’s experience has him positioned to become the Bruins’ full-time starter at QB.

But don’t discount Collin Schlee. He originally enrolled at Kent State in 2019, earning the full-time starting gig in 2022. In 11 games, he accounted for 2,500 total yards, 17 total TDs, and 5 INTs. Schlee transferred to UCLA last year and appeared in parts of 7 games. He completed 25 of 47 passes on the season and added 425 yards and 3 TDs on the ground at over 10 yards per carry.

Schlee’s speed and athleticism is what makes him unique and a legitimate contender to steal the starting QB job from Garbers. Schlee actually started in UCLA’s bowl game vs Boise State while Garbers nursed an injury. But Garbers ended up replacing Schlee in that game, leading the Bruins to a 21-0 3rd quarter and ultimately the win.

If Chip Kelly were still here, there wouldn’t even be a QB competition. Ethan Garbers would be the starter. He said as much after their bowl game. But with a new head coach at the helm, an open quarterback competition is sure to ensue this spring and may bleed into the fall.

Prediction: With question marks lingering on the offensive line, a speedy quarterback might be exactly what the Bruins need in order to find an offensive pulse next year. That is why I think Collin Schlee will give Ethan Garbers everything he can handle in this quarterback competition.

But Garbers has proven to be a capable and willing runner. His experience on this team and connection with weapons like J Michael Sturdivant and Logan Loya will ultimately be the difference. Ethan Garbers will be UCLA’s starter in 2024.

If Schlee decides to stick around and not enter the transfer portal, he is still athletic enough to command some snaps on offense. And who knows – he could be one injury or poor performance away from becoming QB1. With 2024 likely being a transition year for UCLA, it is possible that both of these quarterbacks see a lot of the field.

USC

Miller Moss vs Jayden Maiava

If you haven’t heard, Caleb Williams isn’t the QB at USC anymore. He’s quietly going about the NFL Draft process without igniting any controversies or debates whatsoever.

Miller Moss is the favorite to win the starting job in Williams’ place thanks to his epic performance against Louisville in the Holiday Bowl, tossing 6 TDs. On the season, Moss attempted about three games’ worth of passes (92 attempts). He completed 71% of his passes for 914 yards, 11 total TDs, and just 1 INT on 10.5 yards per attempt. Not too shabby.

Moss is a bit undersized at 6’1″ 205lbs and isn’t a threat with his legs like Caleb Williams was. But he was a 4-star, top-200 prospect in the 2021 class for a reason. His pocket presence is far beyond what you’d expect out of someone with such little starting experience. Moss has an incredibly quick release and has proven to be be able to throw with both touch and velocity. He is a pure pocket passer and possesses all the tools needed to be successful in Lincoln Riley’s offense.

But Miller Moss won’t be handed the starting job. He will have to beat out UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava. A year younger than Moss, Maiava was also a 4-star and top-200 prospect coming out of high school. He’s more physically imposing, standing at 6’4″ 220lbs.

Maiava started the final 12 games for UNLV last year, going 8-4 as a starter. He completed 64% of his passes for 3,085 yards, 17 TDs, and 10 INTs and added 277 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. He isn’t quite as polished of a passer as Moss is, but he has more starting experience, a big arm, and can extend plays with his legs.

Prediction: Lincoln Riley likes a quarterback who can scramble and improvise, but he also likes to throw the ball all over the field. This presents yet another situation in which both quarterbacks may see the field in some capacity.

But as far as the week 1 starter goes, my money is on the favorite – Miller Moss. I think his ball placement and overall command of the offense will be superior to Maiava’s. That will be abundantly important as they break in a litany of inexperienced guys at the skill positions.

Caleb Williams is a once-in-a-decade type talent. But with a quarterback who is more comfortable playing from the pocket, USC’s offense may actually be more structured and all-around efficient in 2024.

Semi-Formal Battles

Ohio State

Will Howard vs Devin Brown vs Air Noland vs Julian Sayin vs Lincoln Keinholz

Will Howard transferred from Kansas State to be Ohio State’s starter, compete for a championship, and boost his NFL Draft stock for 2025. He is also the most mobile out of the bunch which is perfect for Chip Kelly’s zone-read run scheme. With 17 career starts under his belt, a 6’5″ 245lb frame, and a strong arm, it would be an utter shock if Will Howard did not win this job.

However, Ryan Day is in no position to approach this battle democratically and name the starter on seniority alone. A win over Michigan and Big Ten title seems like the least he can do to keep the heat off his seat for another year. If there is a better quarterback than Will Howard on this roster, he will play.

Devin Brown seemed like Ryan Day’s favorite to win the starting job last off-season, but April thumb surgery ultimately put him behind McCord. With a missile for a right arm, a strong build, and fiery approach to the game, Brown is a prototypical Ryan Day quarterback. On paper, that is. In the few opportunities Devin Brown has been given, he’s either failed to step up and execute or he’s gotten hurt. He’s sticking around to fight for the job, but I don’t foresee a big jump in his play this off-season.

Lincoln Keinholz finished the godforsaken Cotton Bowl vs Missouri after Devin Brown exited in the first half. Although he was playing behind a tissue-paper offensive line, Keinholz didn’t do much to impress Buckeye nation. He went 6-17 for 86 yards.

True freshmen Air Noland and Julian Sayin are the dark-horses to watch here. They each have already enrolled at OSU and posses exciting potential.

Air Noland was a late riser in the 2024 recruiting rankings, earning a 5-star grade from Rivals and becoming a consensus top-10 QB in the class. A lefty and a dual-threat, Noland has impressed coaches early with his pinpoint accuracy. If Ryan Day can slow the game down for him, Air Noland might have the most potential out of anyone in this room.

Julian Sayin was a late flip from Alabama. He was a consensus 5-star and top-10 prospect in the 2024 class. Sayin was the MVP of the Elite 11 and has underrated athleticism that allows him to climb the pocket and make throws on the run.

Prediction: There is a lot of exciting talent in this QB room. But Will Howard should win this competition running away.

That doesn’t mean the race for Ohio State’s QB2 won’t be just as fascinating. Not only will that player have a leg up on next year’s QB battle (which is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the program’s history), but he could be a play away from stepping into the starting role due to injury or poor performance. After all, I doubt Ohio State’s starter will be on as long of a leash as Kyle McCord was on last year.

Northwestern

Brendan Sullivan vs Ryan Hilinski vs Jack Lausch

This is the same group of quarterbacks Northwestern had at the conclusion of the 2022 season. The same group of quarterbacks that inspired the coaches to bring in Ben Bryant from Duke. Bryant is out of eligibility, so the job is back up for grabs.

Brendan Sullivan appears to be the obvious choice. The redshirt junior has appeared in 13 games with 8 starts over the past two seasons, completing 69% of his passes for 1,303 yards, 10 TDs, and 5 INTs. He’s also tough to bring down, accumulating over 250 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. Brendan Sullivan appears to be more than capable of managing this offense.

That being said, Sullivan is only 2-6 as a starter. David Braun will certainly reassess the QB position as a whole with Ben Bryant gone.

Ryan Hilinski is a 6th-year senior and former top-200 prospect from South Carolina. In his career, Hilinksi has completed 57% of his passes for 5,101 yards, 25 total TDs, and 16 INTs. He only attempted four passes last year, indicating he is a good step back from Sullivan.

Jack Lausch is a sneaky name to watch. He’s the most athletic out of the trio and has the potential to add another dimension to the Northwestern offense. Lausch went 6-11 passing last year and rushed for 56 yards on 4 carries, showing some of his playmaking ability.

Prediction: Brendan Sullivan will be Northwestern’s starting quarterback in 2024. He’s a legit dual-threat which limits the room for Lausch to see some snaps as a changeup.

However, Northwestern has showed a propensity to start multiple quarterbacks over the past few years. Should that be the case again this season, it will be interesting to see if David Braun goes with the versatile Jack Lausch or veteran Ryan Hilinksi. I expect Lausch to be next in line behind Sullivan.

Minnesota

Max Brosmer vs Max Shikenjanski vs Drake Lindsey

Some Minnesota fans were happy to move on from longtime starter Tanner Morgan after 2022. I’d like to know where they are now. Athan Kaliakmanis did not pan out in 2023 then dipped for Rutgers. In 2024, Minnesota will be relying on a transfer from the FCS.

Max Brosmer has spent the past five seasons at New Hampshire. Over the past two seasons as the full-time starter, Brosmer accumulated a 17-7 record while completing 63% of his passes for 6,613 yards, 56 TDs, and 14 INTs. He was a volume passer, picking apart the defense with short and intermediate throws rather than deep down the field. Brosmer’s TD:INT stands out and indicates a control of the offense – something Minnesota desperately needs.

However, the talent difference between the FCS and Big Ten cannot be understated. It is yet to be seen how Brosmer will adapt, making this an open competition.

Max Brosmer doesn’t look to be facing the stiffest competition, though. Max Shikenjanski is the lone returner from last year. He was a 2-star prospect and weighed only 165lbs coming out of high school. Needless to say, Shikenjanski needs to develop physically in order to start for Minnesota.

Drake Lindsey, an early enrollee from the 2024 class, is the only other QB on the roster. His 6’5″ 235lb is certainly enticing, but it’s hard to envision a true freshman beating out a 23-year old veteran for the starting job.

Prediction: Max Brosmer will certainly be the Gophers’ week 1 starter. But you never know how a college football season will shake out. No matter what, I think it’s safest for Minnesota fans to brace for another shaky year at the quarterback position.