Big Blue View
Who’s stock is up, and who’s is down?
The 2024 college football season is really starting to heat up. We just finished Week 12 of the season and are inching closer to Rivalry Week, Championship Weekend, and then the College Football Playoffs.
The NFL’s draft process is also getting ready to spin up, as teams start to separate and we get some clarity in the draft order.
It’s looking increasingly likely that the New York Giants will be in the market for a new quarterback in 2025. What we don’t know, at least not yet, is whether the Giants will like the 2025 quarterback class enough to draft one of them. To that end, we’re keeping an eye on the top quarterback prospects and tracking their draft stock as the draft class takes shape.
Stock: Down
Ward is still QB1 in this draft, and one game doesn’t eclipse his prior body of work since 2022. However, his issues were on display in Miami’s loss to Georgia Tech. Ward’s ability to extend and go big play hunting has been an asset for the Hurricane, but in this game it was a liability. Ward’s playmaking instincts were the reason why Miami was in position to win, but he also took unnecessary hits and put the ball on the ground in a crucial situation that lead to the loss.
Teams interested in drafting Ward will need to dive into those negative plays and cold stretches to find out exactly why they happen. The challenge with Ward will be harnessing and focusing his game to create those big plays within the structure of the offense without dulling his edge.
Next game: Miami vs. Wake Forest (11/23)
Stock: Up
Between wild lead changes and flying tortillas, Colorado’s game against Texas Tech was certainly chaotic. It also showed off Sanders’ strengths — and weaknesses — at quarterback. His bloodline conjures up images of world-class athleticism, but Shedeur isn’t the same kind of dynamic athlete as his father and looks a bit awkward when running the ball himself. He also benefitted from some poor defensive play by Texas Tech.
However, Shedeur also showed off his patience in the pocket, field vision, and accuracy. He completed some legitimately impressive passes over the course of the game, attacking tight windows and placing the ball with precision. He also showed good anticipation when throwing downfield.
Next game: (20) Colorado vs. Utah (Fox, noon - 11/16)
Stock: Up
The conditions for Alabama’s game against LSU weren’t conducive to quarterback play. It was raining hard and handling the ball was a problem. That, however, gave Milroe the opportunity to show off his prodigious athleticism and run for 185 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries (15.4 yards per carry). Milroe manages to be quick, fast, agile, and powerful as a runner — and unlike other powerful runners like Cam Newton or Josh Allen, he doesn’t subject himself to unnecessary hits....
