The quarterback position is one that the Rebels aren’t looking at via the transfer portal. Several quarterbacks have committed to clubs that will face Ole Miss in 2024. Let’s take a look at four quarterbacks the Rebels could face next season.
Brock Vandagriff, Kentucky
Ole Miss welcome Kentucky to Oxford in week 5 of the 2024 college football season. The defense could be facing Georgia QB transfer, Brock Vandagriff.
Vandagriff was a five-star recruit for Georgia from the 2021 class. In his first two seasons with the Bulldogs, Vandagriff had only three passing attempts, losing the backup job to Carson Beck. In 2023, Beck beat out Vandagriff for the starter’s job. The Georgia native made a few appearances on mop-up duty during this season. He had 18 passing attempts, completing 12 of them for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
Vandagriff is a great pick-up for Kentucky who will lose their starting QB Devin Leary after their bowl game. Vandagriff has plenty of weapons at hand, with talented receivers Barion Brown, Dane Key and North Texas transfer Ja’Mori Maclin.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Arkansas lost starting quarterback KJ Jefferson to the transfer portal yesterday. However, they seemed to anticipate the news, with Boise State transfer Taylen Green committing last week.
Vandagriff is a great pick-up for Kentucky who will lose their starting QB Devin Leary after their bowl game. Vandagriff has plenty of weapons at hand, with talented receivers Barion Brown, Dane Key and North Texas transfer Ja’Mori Maclin.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Arkansas lost starting quarterback KJ Jefferson to the transfer portal yesterday. However, they seemed to anticipate the news, with Boise State transfer Taylen Green committing last week.
Green was the Mountain West Freshman of the Year in 2022, throwing 14 touchdowns and adding ten on the ground. The third-year QB dropped off a little in his sophomore season but still managed to lead the Broncos to a Mountain West title.
The Razorbacks are getting a dangerous dual-threat quarterback. Alongside the hire of new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, Green could have a good first season in Fayetteville.
AJ Swann, LSU
Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann looked to be on his way to South Carolina. However, LSU continued the pursuit and yesterday Swann committed to the Tigers.
With Heisman-winning QB Jayden Daniels heading to the NFL Draft, Swann will compete for the starter’s job with four-star 2021 recruit Garrett Nussmeier. Swann made 15 appearances in two seasons with the Commodores. He started the first five games before an injury ended most of his season, appearing in the final game against Tennessee.
AJ Swann will be hoping Brian Kelly and quarterback coach Joe Sloan can tap into some untouched potential. It could be a tough season for the starting QB at LSU, with a bunch of inexperienced pass catchers in 2024.
Blake Shapen, Mississippi State
Ole Miss have come up against the same QB in the Egg Bowl for the last two seasons. Will Rogers has headed off to Washington, which leaves a space at quarterback. In comes Baylor transfer Blake Shapen to play under new head coach Jeff Lebby.
Shapen was with Baylor for three seasons, starting in 23 games. Another Louisiana native, he threw for 5,574 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Shapen was a frustrating player with the Bears, with his performances fluctuating. The hope is that Lebby, who has worked wonders with past quarterbacks in his previous coordinator roles, can do the same again. The offense as a whole, needs a kick start for the Bulldogs in 2024.
