The most updated CUSA quarterback rankings are here. Following the action from Week 9, here are the top CUSA QBs, ranked from 1 to 10.
2024 CUSA QB Rankings
As with all of our conference rankings and our national quarterback evaluations, the CUSA 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 | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC | AAC | MAC | MWC | Sun Belt | Independent
Tier 1: The Elite CUSA QBs
1) Kaidon Salter, Liberty
The season has certainly not gone the way of the Flames, but that hasn’t been Kaidon Salter’s doing. He’s not quite lighting up the field like he did in 2023, but the game plan and play-calling have largely been at fault, as Salter has showcased on plenty of occasions that he still has the touch, accuracy, and strength to find every level of the field.
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2) Hunter Watson, Sam Houston
Hunter Watson has been a revelation for Sam Houston and Bearkats fans around the country. Sure, the WKU game was a bit much for the whole team, but Watson playing through injury was still a touch above anything we’ve seen from the SHSU QB position since their transition. He’s been sharp with his throws and even better with his legs, leading the team in rushing yards in the process.
Tier 2: Well-Above-Average CUSA QBs
3) Tyler Huff, Jacksonville State
The Gamecocks are on a collision course with the Conference USA Championship Game and Tyler Huff is one of the biggest reasons. Following a disastrous first start against Coastal Carolina, the Gamecocks have righted the ship behind Huff’s dual-threat abilities, throwing seven touchdowns to just two interceptions since Week 1. He’s flashed incredible skill on the ground and is well on his way to a potential 2,000-yard passing season and a 1,000-yard rushing season.
4) Caden Veltkamp, Western Kentucky
Stepping into the Tyson Helton offense isn’t going to be easy, but when you have a savvy veteran who has been with the program for three years, it makes it palatable. In fact, Cade Veltkamp’s abilities in the starting lineup have been more than palatable; they’ve exceeded expectations and done so to the tune of 14 touchdowns. He’s not been asked to unleash the full arsenal, but he’s shown he can make every throw with his massive frame.
Tier 3: Above-Average CUSA QBs
5) Keyone Jenkins, FIU
The FIU Panthers are a talented bunch — take out that trip to El Paso, by the way — and Keyone Jenkins is certainly quite talented himself. What happened, though, over the past two weeks, it’s felt like they’ve fallen apart, and Jenkins has forgotten how to throw accurately or read a defense. They’re at risk of slipping way down in these rankings with another one of those last two performances.
Tier 4: Average CUSA QBs
6) Evan Bullock, Louisiana Tech
Since taking over for Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs have looked more like a Sonny Cumbie offense with Evan Bullock at the helm. He’s thrown nine touchdowns, including a five-touchdown performance against Middle Tennessee that has helped La Tech right the ship a bit, winning two of their last three. Bullock doesn’t have the best arm in the conference, but he certainly knows how to take advantage of open throwing lanes.
7) Nicholas Vattiato, Middle Tennessee
Nicholas Vattiato deserves a ton of credit for sticking around despite a massive rebuild that Middle Tennessee was set to undergo in 2024. In fact, Vattiato probably deserves credit for both victories this year single-handedly as well as he does for keeping them in any other game they’ve kept it close. He’s exceeded expectations for Year 1 in Derek Mason’s offense and could hit 3,000 yards for the second straight season.
Tier 5: Work-To-Be-Done CUSA QBs
8) Skyler Locklear/Cade McConnell, UTEP
Skyler Locklear gives UTEP a chance to win, at times, but he comes fully equipped with a lack of top-tier abilities as a quarterback. Cade McConnell, however, trusts his arm a bit too much and had to be reeled in when he was in the lineup. JP Pickles came in in relief of Locklear in Week 9, and fans saw all they needed in the loss to Louisiana Tech. They’ll need Locklear back soon.
9) Davis Bryson, Kennesaw State
It was always set to be a tough ask for Kennesaw State in the FBS ranks, especially with Davis Bryson’s limitations as a passer. However, at times, we knew they would be able to catch teams by surprise with the run-first offense and some shots over the top. We didn’t expect to see Bryson dice up the Liberty defense, however, when asked to throw first. More of that, please, Kennesaw.
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10) Parker Awad/Santino Marucci, New Mexico State
Parker Awad or Santino Marucci, it really hasn’t mattered for New Mexico State this season. Marucci, at least, has a win to his credit after throwing for a touchdown against Louisiana Tech and leading the offense to their first FBS victory this season. However, the offense has largely been out of sync and there has been less than zero consistency with either at the helm.
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