Making the case for college football's most-improved offense in 2024
From conference realignment, to player and head coach movement, and the expansion of the 12-team College Football Playoff, there will be no shortage of exciting changes next college football season. But which offensive unit will change for the better in the 2024 season?
Offenses evolve regularly in the college football landscape with play-callers continuing to perfect their craft and talent on the offensive side of the ball, particularly at quarterback, continuing to increase. And this offseason numerous offensive units improved through building on experience, recruiting through the transfer portal and high school level, and bolstering up their coaching staffs.
On3’s Andy Staples selected three teams that he believes will have the most improved offenses in 2024 compared to their production last season. Check out his selections below.
Auburn Tigers
Staples tabs Auburn as one of the offenses that will make a jump in the 2024 season in their second season under head coach Hugh Freeze. Believing that one particular five-star weapon in their most recent recruiting class has the potential to take their offense to another level.
“I do know that of all the recruits in the class of 2025 Jeremiah Smith, receiver at Ohio State, probably the one people are most excited about. Cam Coleman the receiver coming to Auburn, probably a close second, and Ohio State they’re used to having incredible receivers all the time. Auburn? When is the last time Auburn had a truly dominant receiver?” Staples asked. “It’s been a long time … so this is a guy that should scare everybody.”
It’s still uncertain who will be starting under center for the Tigers and throwing to Coleman next season. But Staples believes that the addition of Coleman paired with the new implementation of player-to-coach helmet communication this upcoming season will give Freeze a strategic play-calling advantage with an uptempo offense.
“I do think no matter who winds up playing quarterback for Auburn, the Hugh Freeze calling plays of at all, having a dynamic receiver who scares people, and Hugh Freeze being able to directly communicate with the quarterback without signalers is a massive jump waiting to happen,” Staples said.
Utah Utes
Utah returns two-year starter and First-Team All-Conference quarterback Cam Rising under center in 2024 after he missed all of last season with a knee injury. Their offense took a major step back in his absence, but has the potential to bounce back in a major way with one of the most experienced passers in college football returning for the Utes.
“Utah, and this is very simple. Cam Rising is back,” Staples said. “Also Brant Kuithe coming back as well, which is a big target for him. But I think having Cam Rising as they go into the Big 12 will make that offense much more dynamic than it was.”
Penn State Nittany Lions
Rounding out Staples’ list is the Penn State offense, which he still has questions about, but on paper believes can make a jump. Staples mentioned that the Nittany Lions offense hasn’t been dynamic in quite some time, but has all the potential tools to change that theme in 2024.
“James Franklin brings in Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas, one of the more creative offensive minds you will ever see. Drew Allar‘s still there, they bring in Julian Fleming the receiver transfer from Ohio State coming home who’s a big-time prospect … Can Penn State be a dynamic offense?”