Spotlight: The Top 3 Quarterbacks in Conference USA for 2024

© Brian Bishop-USA TODAY Sports

These guys can sling it all around the yard.

In 2023, quarterbacks from the Group of 5 conferences were among the best in the FBS, with four ranked in the top 10 in passing yards per game, and nine in the top 20, including a young man on this list from Conference USA.

 No. 3 Nicholas Vattiato, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Vattiato would have had an even more spectacular 2023 season if he stopped throwing the football to the other team. A 3,000-yard (3,092) passer a season ago, Vattiato tossed 23 touchdowns and 13 INTs. However, he did complete a respectable 67 percent of his passes. In addition, Vattiato rushed for 397 yards and two more scores. On the plus side, Vattiato recorded eight games with multiple TD passes, including two games with 4 passing touchdowns.

Of those 13 INTs, Vattiato posted four games with multiple giveaways, including three against Sam Houston to end the season. Vattiato must cut down on the mistakes and will have his favorite target back in TE Holden Willis, who caught 46 passes for 697 yards and 5 touchdowns.

No. 2 TJ Finley, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

A transfer from Texas State, Finley thrived in the Bobcats offense under GJ Kinne. Finley threw for 3,439 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only 8 INTs (in 414 attempts), and ranked no. 18 in the FBS with 264 passing yards per game. Taking care of the football, Finley did not throw an INT until Week 4 in a win over Nevada.

In addition, Finley accomplished the following:

• Five games of 300-plus yards passing

• Five games with 3 passing TDs

• Six games of 70 percent or better completion percentage

Finley takes over the quarterback duties from a departed Austin Reed, who threw for more than 8,000 yards and 71 touchdowns in two seasons with the Hilltoppers.

No. 1 Kaidon Salter, Liberty Flames

Coming off a 13-1 record a season ago and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl (a 45-6 loss to Oregon), coach Jamey Chadwell returns 14 starters this season, including six on offense and none more important than Salter. Salter accounted for 3,965 total yards and 44 total touchdowns in 2023 and ranked 10th in the FBS and third in CUSA in total offense at 283 yards per game.

Salter was equally adept at taking care of the football, not throwing an INT until Week 4 against FIU. During that time, Salter threw 9 TD passes and zero INTs. Ranked third in the FBS in passing efficiency at 176.6, Salter threw at least one TD pass in every game in 2023. Against Buffalo, Salter accounted for 410 yards and 6 touchdowns in a 55-27 win.

In 2024, Salter will be one of the top college quarterbacks in the country and was selected as preseason first-team All-Conference USA by Phil Steele. If Salter can repeat his production from 2023, the Flames will burn bright on their way to a berth in the College Football Playoff.