Hypothetical trades send Quinn Ewers up North, finds Penn State QB Drew Allar another pass game weapon, among other contenders trying to upgrade
We are right near the midway point of the 2024 college football season, which means we are beginning to gain a much deeper understanding of the full landscape around the country. Teams have been rising, falling, and some continue to stagnant. Some schools are also dealing with injuries, which is never ideal this time of […]
We are right near the midway point of the 2024 college football season, which means we are beginning to gain a much deeper understanding of the full landscape around the country. Teams have been rising, falling, and some continue to stagnant. Some schools are also dealing with injuries, which is never ideal this time of the year as we get deeper into conference play.
With the inclusion of the transfer portal and NIL offerings, college football programs basically have their own version of free agency every offseason. One thing they don’t have is trades, at least not currently. In a fun hypothetical, let’s test what a trade market would potentially look like.
Here are some fun trade projections that could help several college football contenders take the next step. If you aren’t a fan of fun, this probably isn’t the place for you. Open your mind and let’s explore some interesting possibilities to upgrade your favorite team.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers for Michigan DT Mason Graham
This is going to be a controversial one, but it’s also one that does make sense when you really dig deeper into it. For the Texas side, Ewers is a good player, but there is clearly higher upside with Arch Manning behind center. Ewers feels like a guy who can take a team to a championship, but I’m not so sure he can win it for you. In comparison, Manning feels like a player who can potentially really elevate others around him. He’s also the long term future for the Longhorns, and has been efficient in the opportunities he’s had.
For Michigan, Graham is an elite defender, but they have the depth up front to stomach that loss. On offense, they don’t have a player who can currently complete a forward pass. Will Ewers completely save their passing offense? Nobody truly knows (and we obviously never will) but it certainly makes you more competitive. In the world of the 12-team playoff, they are still alive, but will never get there without a competent passer.
Georgia OT Monroe Freeling for Ohio State WR Brandon Inniss
Ohio State didn’t just lose against Oregon this past week, they also suffered an even bigger loss with starting left tackle Joshua Simmons out for the year. He has been so good this season, and now the Buckeyes have to find a new starter at left tackle. In this hypothetical, they get Freeling, who was a former high caliber recruit with outstanding measurables. Georgia has their starters entrenched at offensive tackle, and Freeling is kind of just waiting his turn. He would immediately challenge to be the fill-in starter, and possibly the future.
On the Georgia side, the wide receiver group has been pretty underwhelming so far. Inniss was a former five-star pass catcher but is buried a bit behind Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate. Mixing him in with Arian Smith, Dominic Lovett, and Dillon Bell would go a long way to making for a strong group with quarterback Carson Beck. The Bulldogs need to find more explosive plays, and this could be a move to put them over the top.
BYU WR Chase Roberts for Penn State RB Kaytron Allen
Who’s Chase Roberts? A good football player! Penn State has arguably the best tight end in college football with standout Tyler Warren, but the wide receiver room is still just a middling group. Roberts not only gives that room more production (26 receptions for 397 yards and three touchdowns this season), but it also gives you some size outside at 6-4 and 210 pounds. You just don’t have much impact size in that room outside of the tight ends.
For the Cougars, they are dealing with some injuries in their backfield right now that have limited them. Starting running back LJ Martin has been banged up and has only played in three games, as is Hinckley Ropati who suffered a knee injury. They need healthy running backs and the Nittany Lions have so much depth there. Outside of Nicholas Singleton, Penn State also has a couple very talented freshmen who could contribute in Quinton Martin and Corey Smith. Allen isn’t anything close to dynamic, but he’s dependable and a very tough runner.
