Analyst Ranks Haynes King Among the Best Quarterbacks in College Football for 2024
After a great 2023 season, Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King feels like he is flying a bit under the radar heading into the 2024 season.
King had one of the best single seasons in Georgia Tech history in 2023 and 247Sports Analyst Brad Crawford thinks King is one of the 25 best quarterbacks coming back to College Football next season, ranking him No. 23. There were four ACC quarterbacks ranked ahead of King: Miami QB Cam Ward (No.9), Florida State quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei (No. 19), SMU's Preston Stone (No. 20) and NC State quarterback Grayson McCall (No. 18).
Here is what Crawford had to say about King:
"The former Texas A&M signal caller came into his own last season at Georgia Tech with a standout season and now, has the Yellow Jackets thinking dark horse ACC title bid ahead of 2024. The former four-star is beginning to show some of the traits that made him such a coveted prospect as a top signal caller coming out of Longview, Texas several years ago."
King is one of only two players in the nation with at least 2,700 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, 25 touchdown passes, and five touchdown runs this season (joining LSU’s Jayden Daniels), and one of only six ACC players to achieve those numbers in a regular season since 2000. He led the ACC in touchdown passes and was fourth in passing yards.
According to PFF (Pro Football Focus), King will be the fourth-highest-graded returning quarterback in the ACC, behind SMU's Preston Stone (91.3 Overall Grade), Florida State's DJ Uiagalelei (82.0), and Miami's Cam Ward (80.7).
There is one big area that Haynes King needs to improve upon in 2024 and that is decision making and cutting down turnovers. King led the ACC with 16 interceptions last season and he needs to cut that number in half. A lot of his turnovers came in a handful of games. King threw 11 interceptions in four games (Bowling Green, Miami, Clemson, and Boston College) and Georgia Tech was 1-3 in those games. If he cuts down on the turnovers and makes better decisions, King should have another special season.