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    Big 12 QB Rankings 2024: Shedeur Sanders, Jake Retzlaff Lead New-Look Big 12 QBs

    Shedeur Sanders leads the Big 12 QB Rankings as undefeated BYU QB Jake Retzlaff cracks the Elite Tier with the Colorado gunslinger.

    The most updated Big 12 quarterback rankings are here. Following the action from Week 9, here are the top Big 12 QBs, ranked from 1 to 16.

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    2024 Big 12 QB Rankings

    As with all of our conference rankings and our national quarterback evaluations, the Big 12 QB rankings below consider everything involved with quarterbacking at the major college football level.

    While statistics are listed, they were not the lone deciding factor in ranking the athletes.

    Other factors in these rankings include but are not limited to game film, injury history, play-calling, offensive system knowledge and continuity, general quarterbacking mechanics, level of competition, the elevation of supporting casts, and several other influential factors.

    All Other QB Rankings
    National 1-134 | ACC | Big Ten | SEC | Pac-12AAC | CUSA | MAC | MWC | Sun Belt | Independent

    Tier 1: The Elite Big 12 QBs

    1) Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

    Shedeur Sanders doesn’t get the credit he deserves because of Travis Hunter, his father, and a litany of other reasons. But when you put the tape on (and I highly recommend you do), you’ll see why he should be receiving a ton more praise. Sanders is a dynamic athlete from inside the pocket, routinely making plays happen that aren’t there, throwing with great anticipation, and elevating the talent around him. He’s a high Heisman candidate on my ballot.

    2) Jake Retzlaff, BYU

    When the season started, no one really knew what to make of BYU or Jake Retzlaff. Now, nine weeks and eight victories later, Retzlaff has won over Cougar nation and climbed into the Elite Tier of our Big 12 QB Rankings. He’s accurate, powerful, decisive, and runs Aaron Roderick’s offense brilliantly. All of those are a major reason why BYU is a perfect 8-0 after Week 9.

    Tier 2: Well-Above-Average Big 12 QBs

    3) Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati

    It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Cincinnati Bearcats are given a chance to win every game in front of them with Brendan Sorsby at quarterback. When he’s able to stand tall and deliver, he’ll rocket passes into tight windows and has great anticipation. Though he may have his struggles with accuracy downfield and under pressure, he’s done more than enough to lift the Cincinnati roster this season.

    4) Rocco Becht, Iowa State

    At a time in the very near future, Rocco Becht has an NFL future. Until then, he can continue to hone in on what makes him a special college quarterback with his abilities to progressively read defenses, rocket shots accurately on in- or out-breaking routes, and give his receivers a chance.

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    5) Avery Johnson, Kansas State

    What a dynamic athlete Avery Johnson is, and he’s shown that more times in 2024 than we anticipated. He’s leading Kansas State to a potential Big 12 Championship Game appearance with his dual-threat abilities, and for every errant throw he’s made this season, he’s followed it up with a quick memory and even more accurate, coverage-beating throws behind them.

    Tier 3: Above-Average Big 12 QBs

    6) Behren Morton, Texas Tech

    Texas Tech may have a conundrum on their hands because Behren Morton has been very, very good this season. It’s appeared that the game has started to slow down for Morton and he’s dicing up defenses when he’s clean from the pocket. However, after an injury let us on to the talent that is Will Hammond, any mistake from Morton will have fans clamoring for the freshman. It’s a developing situation to watch in Lubbock.

    7) Noah Fifita, Arizona

    What could have been this season really has unfolded the opposite direction for Arizona in 2024. That isn’t really the fault of Noah Fifita who has showcased the rare blend of arm strength and accuracy that he possesses more often than not. He elevates the talent around him and doesn’t get enough credit for the creation abilities he has from within the pocket.

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    8) Sam Leavitt, Arizona State

    Though Sam Leavitt hasn’t played since Week 7, it’s clear his impact on the Arizona State offense when they looked a shell of what we’d seen them this season when he wasn’t in the lineup. Leavitt has thrown for eight touchdowns but that hardly tells the story as he’s done a great job of reading defenses and keeping the Sun Devils on schedule offensively.

    9) Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

    What was supposed to be Dequan Finn’s last ride has quickly become Sawyer Robertson’s redemption journey in 2024. He’s looked the part in some games, most notably throwing eight touchdowns in his last two, but prior to that, struggled against stout, man-coverage defenses. If he can continue to put it together like he has the past two outings, this is the lowest we’ll see him.

    10) Josh Hoover, TCU

    There is no throw on the football field that Josh Hoover doesn’t think he can make. And for the most part, he can make them all. However, that trust in his arm sometimes is his biggest downfall as he’ll put the ball in harm’s way too often. When he is on his game, however, he elevates and rallies the Horned Frogs to victories like few do around the country.

    Tier 4: Average Big 12 QBs

    11) Jalon Daniels, Kansas

    A more dynamic athlete in the Big 12, there is only one (his in-state rival to boot), and Jalon Daniels has kept Kansas in just about every single game this season with his dual-threat abilities. Though it feels like 2024 has been a bit sluggish in terms of his down-to-down consistency, he’s still flashed his high-level abilities on a handful of occasions that remind you that the talented potential next-level QB is still in there.

    12) Garrett Greene, West Virginia

    The high hopes that we had for West Virginia and Garrett Greene have passed, and the injury to Greene that sidelined him in Week 9 indicates just how important positive QB play is for the Mountaineers offense. When Greene (or Nicco Marchicol) plays on top of their game, this is still a dynamic and dominant WVU offense. We just haven’t seen that consistently from the QB position this year.

    13) Alan Bowman, Oklahoma State

    Alan Bowman should know better by now. And only thanks to the season-ending injury to Garret Rangel are we still ranking Bowman for Oklahoma State after he lost his job only to return right back into the lineup in Week 8. Bowman looks terrific against below-average defenses and he himself looks below-average against just average defenses. The big conundrum is why Oklahoma State can’t find anyone better.

    Tier 5: Work-To-Be-Done Big 12 QBs

    14) Donovan Smith/Zeon Chriss, Houston

    So, color us ones who never were on board with the Donovan Smith hype in Houston this season. And now you can color the coaching staff the same. With Zeon Chriss the starter, the Cougars knocked off Utah (as bad as they are this year) and Chriss looked the part, save for some untimely ball security issues. Those notwithstanding, are Houston’s woes this year thanks to Smith mainly?

    15) Isaac Wilson, Utah

    We weren’t supposed to see Isaac Wilson in this capacity this season. No, no we weren’t. But now that we have seen him in this extended action, there has been some good. That good, however, has been marred by head-scratching, ‘what-you-doing’ moments from the youngster that showcases why true freshmen usually sit for a season. The high-level throws are there, and hopefully, for Utes’ fans, those will be here more often than not… next season.

    MORE: Take the College Football Network Mock Draft Simulator for a spin!

    16) KJ Jefferson/Jacurri Brown, UCF

    KJ Jefferson was pulled from the lineup for Jacurri Brown, a player essentially boo’d out of town from Miami just a handful of months ago. It’s not good in Orlando right now, it’s just not good. Brown is inaccurate and indecisive, and neither quarterback has an accurate arm when targeting past the line of scrimmage. The season has fallen away quickly from the Knights.

    College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.

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