2024 BOWMAN CHROME U FOOTBALL GUIDE
NOVEMBER 15th, 2024
**Since the product’s release I’ve noticed trends and am adjusting the Tiering accordingly.
As a Bowman Baseball fanatic, and huge football fan, this is one of my favorite products of the year. While I can’t cover every single player in the checklist (I’m just one man!), I will try to create a tier list, identify sleepers and hidden value. Keep in mind this is from my limited knowledge base and will focus on Skill Position Players only, as is my specialty.
I’ll focus more on the newcomers to this years product, the prospects that have the beloved ‘1st Bowman’ logo on the card.
You can find the full checklist and all product information HERE
TIER ONE - THE STARS
These are the players you want to pull from a box. The hype is real and current good product for them is limited so the market will be starving to acquire them.
Ashton Jeanty (1st)
A 5’9, 215lbs Junior Running Back at Boise St., Ashton Jeanty is far and away the star of this product. He’s having a legendary season, breaking records and completely dominating games. There is a little bit of many great backs in him, from Frank Gore to Maurice Jones-Drew to Doug Martin. Like those, Jeanty uses a low center of gravity, outstanding contact balance and natural vision to navigate through bodies with force. He’s only going to become a bigger name too between now and the start of the season, and could flip a team around instantly.
Ryan Williams (1st)
Ryan Williams, a 6’0, 175lbs Freshman Receiver from Alabama, has catapulted himself to star tier in less than one season. From being a top-of-the-class five star recruit to catching bombs, he’s done nothing but make big plays for Alabama. And there’s so much time left for growth. Williams is a true star in this product thanks to the current performance and hype, but, the risk is that there are several more seasons ahead for Williams to get more and more cards. Beware holding, get hyped pulling.
Luther Burden (1st)
Burden is a 5’11, 208lbs Junior Wide Receiver from Mizzou who is going to slide in to the role of number one receiver in a new type of NFL. Similar to Deebo Samuel at his peak, Burden can be used as a traditional inside/out receiver, but he’s also going to tear defenses apart on screens and jet sweeps. While he doesn’t have the same star potential of Jeanty or Williams, Burden is still at the top of this receiver class with good reason.
Tetairoa McMillan
McMillan had his first cards in last year’s Bowman release, which diminishes the value a little bit, but not enough to knock him down a tier. McMillan is a 6’5, 212lbs giant of a receiver with strength and body control who is looking to step in to Mike Evans shoes in the NFL. While speed isn’t his game, McMillan is built to win at the catch point and is surprisingly composed in routes considering his size. There will be arguments ahead about who the top receiver in the class is, and McMillan’s name will be in them.
Cam Ward
Ward is currently battling a few other Quarterbacks for the title of #1 QB in the Class. The 6’2, 220lbs Senior Quarterback of Miami is well traveled and experienced and it shows. Ward looks calm and composed with the ball and has a reputation for play-making under duress. Because of this he looks ready to step in and help a team right away, and many fans are crying out for him to be their savior in their dark times. Ward already has cards on the market, but when it comes to star Quarterbacks there are never enough.
TIER TWO - NO DRAFT SALE, BUT BIG HYPE
There are a large number of prospects in this Bowman release that have high ceilings but won’t be exposed to the NFL this year. They are still desirable in the short term, but if you’re in the game to buy low and sell high there is less likelihood you’ll be able to go big with these players by the time they arrive in the NFL Draft. They’ll likely get cards in future releases and their market will be diluted, and shiny new players could come along and outshine them.
DJ Lagway (1st)
Lagway was rated the #1 QB in the 2024 recruiting class and has the ideal dual-threat Quarterback ability at 6’3, 239lbs. He’s also already playing for a major program as a true Freshman which only adds to his accolades. Lagway at this point is more of a dream than a proven piece, but for as long as there is hype there is reward in getting his cards. Of course, being in this tier means you have to be prepared for several different outcomes. One is things don’t work out over the next few seasons. The other is that year after year he gets more and more card releases and the product from this year gets outshined and diluted.
Carnell Tate (1st)
At this point Ohio State feels like Wide Receiver U. They consistently churn out athletic and game ready receivers that can fit in to every role in the NFL. Tate, a 6’3 191lbs Sophomore, is currently fighting for receptions amongst a group with Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith which makes it hard to shine. But Tate was a five star recruit with a high ceiling as a smooth, long, athletic receiver. With a bit of a window Tate can perform and carve out an NFL future. You’d be getting in early here, but you’re also fighting with future products if his stock goes up.
Nico Iamaleava (1st)
With Hendon Hooker, the Vols built themselves back up in the SEC, and Joe Milton helped to keep them afloat. But when Milton left they needed someone to step in there and keep the momentum going. Enter the large, 6’6, 215lbs Redshirt Freshman Iamaleava who has kept Tennessee competitive while going through the learning process at the position. An elite five-star recruit in 2023, Iamaleava has dominant tools across the board and a sky high ceiling. It’s just wait and see now.
Jeremiyah Love (1st)
My god he’s fast. Love is a track star in a stacked and tall Running Backs body. You get two benefits from pulling Love cards: One is his absurd talent and ascending star, and the second is he plays for Notre Dame who has a large and fanatical fanbase. This is a top RB emerging before our eyes and doing it with monster home run plays.
Quinten Joyner (1st)
Joyner is a running back who is not only producing big plays regularly now, but is poised to become the bellcow runner for a very prominent program in USC. The spotlight will be on him, and if it keeps going like it is now there are lots of long runs in the future. Joyner is a 5’11, 215lbs Redshirt Freshman that in limited opportunities is constantly breaking off explosive plays behind starter Woody Marks (A player who can be found in previous Bowman U releases). If Joyner keeps ascending this is a good player to have considering the combination of one of the most iconic schools with flashy talent.
Noah Fifita (1st)
Fifita burst on to the scene last year Quarterbacking for the Arizona Wildcats. The undersized 5’10, 190lbs Quarterback stepped in to an underwhelming program and was a scrappy playmaker right away. He completed 72% of his passes with 26 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions. This year however all of that shine and hype has worn off as Fifita is barely throwing more TDs than INTs as Arizona finds itself as one of the bottom offensive teams in college. There’s no chance Fifita goes near the draft now, so even if he rebounds moving forward you might still be holding cards for a while.
Honorable Mention
CJ Baxter (1st), Brendan Sorsby (1st), Josh Hoover (1st)
TIER THREE - DRAFT DAY MONEY MAKERS?
One of the biggest advantages of Bowman Chrome U is the ability to collect prospects before the NFL Draft and then sell them when their hype peaks on draft night. NFL Draft weekend is the perfect time, as both college football fans and new NFL fans are eager to get their hands on these players’ cards, while the market won’t be flooded with their rookie cards for several months. This tier features players I believe will be both affordable to acquire and have strong selling potential come draft day and in the weeks following.
Isaiah Bond (1st)
I have a feeling Isaiah Bond’s name is going to get more popular after the Combine. A smaller-than-listed 5’11, 180lbs Receiver for the Longhorns, Bond is absolutely electric. He has first step quickness, elite burst and deep speed. And he’s more than just an athlete at receiver, as he can break off routes sharply and fight for the ball. His resume doesn’t match up with what you see on the screen, so there is a bit of buyer beware here, but I choose to believe what I see.
Jordan James (1st)
Jordan James, a 5’10, 210lbs Running Back for the Oregon Ducks, is a tough evaluation. On a stacked and balanced Ducks offense he is currently shining, but it’s hard to know just how he’ll fit in an offense with less open lanes. But as a prospect he’s a do-everything guy who excels at stretch plays with space where he can get to speed quickly. He’s much more of a physical slasher than Bucky Irving who came before him but could also find himself starting as a number two back in the NFL who can take over a backfield with opportunity.
Tez Johnson (1st)
Lightning quick, with an effortless glide and elite speed, Tez Johnson is a true threat from anywhere on the field. At 5’10, 165lbs, Johnson is sure to get lots of hype and win at the NFL Combine. His stature though is a massive risk in the NFL where he’ll get pushed around and pulled to the ground easily. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a future there. Lots of diminutive speedsters have taken over games and been adored, and Johnson is on the same path. Even if it’s a Tutu Atwell outcome, he was taken in the 2nd round.
Xavier Restrepo (1st)
Another fan favorite, Restrepo is a smaller slot receiver at 5’10, 198lbs out of Florida. He makes a living on being a quick and dependable receiver that puts focus in to breaks and works gaps in zone coverage with intelligence. Quarterbacks are going to love finding him in crucial situations and everyone will love him for his intensity. Restrepo’s name is going to be repeated a lot through the draft process because folks are going to love the way he plays the game.
Dylan Sampson (1st)
Dylan Sampson, the star Junior Running Back for the Vols, has emerged this year in a big way. As of this writing he has 20 TDs on the ground averaging 5.6 yards per carry. So you can see he’s a playmaker. At a listed 5’11, 201lbs (He looks to be leaner), Sampson is much more speed than power. His default mode is getting to use his sprinter speed and be a home run hitter for Tennessee. Because of his sprinter talents he often runs more straight ahead, opting to mix strides and spins instead of hard cuts. He can also be hesitant to dive in to traffic and get caught. Sampson has polarizing views right now but his current star and performance are undeniable. His athletic ability will help lift him through the process.
Kalel Mullings (1st)
It’s been a long road for the Senior Mullings who is finally getting a chance to showcase his athletic ability and football instincts. At a listed 6’2, 233lbs, Mullings looks the part of a former linebacker but with even better fluidity than you would expect. He can run with a loose and balanced style and has good burst in his legs. Predictably speed is his weakness, but as a power runner he shines and he’s still learning the position and growing. Coming from Michigan he’ll have a strong fanbase and his cards should move to both college and NFL fans alike, so long as his NFL stock stays afloat. Combine testing could weigh him down.
Omarion Hampton (1st)
Another Running Back with conflicting scouting reports is Hampton. Some love his violent style, build and power/speed combo. At a listed 6’0, 220lbs, the Junior Running Back has the prototypical bell-cow build and the level of athleticism to succeed at the next level. He wouldn’t be the first Running Back with these talents to leave a lot of yards on the field though. Hampton can be a bit of a blind banger against the line of scrimmage, and runs without a lot of nuance in his pace or vision. Sometimes it’s hard to project how a player like Hampton will grow in to the NFL. If you like him, invest.
Cade Klubnik
Maybe my hottest current take, but Klubnik is my QB1 in this class. The 6’2, 210lbs Junior for Clemson is a bag of tools at the position. If he were a baseball player he’d be considered a five-tool prospect. Klubnik is tough and poised with plus athleticism to scramble, create and extend plays. His arm is quick and snappy and he can hit all levels of the field. He might be missing a cannon but I don’t doubt he can operate any offense at the pro level. Unlike Caleb Williams last year I feel that Klubnik exists much much better in structure and will have less of a learning curve. I’m all in on Klubnik. Of course, this will be his third year with cards so the value is diminished.
Antonio Williams
Cade Klubnik’s go-to target, Williams is an all around playmaker for Clemson. A 5’11, 190lbs Redshirt Sophomore, Williams’ best trait is his versatility. From inside/outside receiver, to gadget runner and returner, Williams is fed the ball because Swinney has said he’s their best player. Nothing about Antonio Williams really jumps off the screen. He’s not shockingly explosive or quick, he’s not punishingly strong. He’s just smooth and composed and finds a way to make plays. NFL teams might value him quite highly as a role player and most likely a slot receiver.
Kaleb Johnson
Think of what an Iowa Running Back would look like and you’d probably picture Kaleb Johnson. A big and linear back that hits the line hard and is built to punish. Johnson at 6’0, 225lbs, might lack the footwork and creativity of other backs in the class but people will be drawn to his no-nonsense style of straight-ahead efficiency. Johnson’s profile is limited but absolutely has a place in the league and a team will value him highly.
Nick Singleton
One of my favorite running backs to watch, because the ceiling is so freakishly high. It can also be frustrating to watch Singleton because of how low the floor has become running in the mud for a Penn State system that doesn’t seem to benefit him. At 6’0, 227lbs, Singleton is a tall and rocked up runner with tree trunk legs. Yet he hits a powerful stride that reminds me of Vernon Davis running at full tilt. A big man shouldn’t be moving so fast. Singleton is going to test well and be drafted to a team that sees him as the three-down monster he can be.
Evan Stewart
An Oregon receiver? Guess what they’re like? Smaller frame but big in quickness? You bet. Like Tez Johnson who I wrote about above, Stewart is a lean and fast receiver at 6’0, 175lbs and wins with his speed and finesse moving through routes. Stewart won’t ever knock a body around at the catch point but he can win vertically or break off routes and not worry about the physical side as much because of his separation. This type of receiver profile is risky because of the increased physical intensity of the NFL, but Stewart will be given a chance to prove he can make plays at the next level.
Drew Allar
I’m not sure what Penn State has done with Singleton and Allar, but both are incredibly high ceiling players that haven’t consistently hit the peak. Allar is reminiscent of Justin Herbert when he entered the draft. 6’5, 238lbs with absurd arm talent and tight end athleticism to boot. And yet Allar’s weekly performance is more that of a game manager. So the question is, can Allar take over a game as a passer? I think he can, and I’m enamored with the potential he has.
Honorable Mentions:
Garrett Nussmeier (1st), Quinshon Judkins, Brady Cook, Jaxson Dart, Carson Beck, Donovan Edwards, Dillon Gabriel, Devin Neal, Emeka Egbuka,
TIER FOUR - SLEEPERS
This is the handful of players I feel are under the radar now but could see their stock rise in the coming months. The perfect low cost dice rolls. I’m exposing my own hidden gems just for you.
Bhayshul Tuten (1st)
Maybe my favorite prospect in this draft, Tuten is a 5’11, 210lbs Senior for the Hokies who has absurdly fast legs. Built with a prototypical thick RB build, Tuten is a plant-and-go runner who can explode off his cuts and run by second level defenders who he shocks with his speed. He’s a big play machine who runs for a lesser-watched program and therefore flies under the radar. But there’s a Kenneth Walker type of Running Back here that isn’t getting much fanfare, and that to me says Sleeper.
Jaylin Noel (1st)
Jaylin Noel, a 5’11, 200lbs Senior Receiver for Iowa State, is an electric shock on the field. To call him quick is an understatement. Snappy and razor sharp, Noel moves with a rare amount of juice in his cuts and will be a headache as a slot receiver in the pros. He’s built more like a small Running Back which creates his main negative which is a smaller catch radius, but if he has a Quarterback who can hit him on a short crosser he’s going to turn it in to big yards. Noel won’t get attention as a top receiver but he’s going to be highly valuable and command a lot of attention on the field.
Savion Williams (1st)
A large receiver that can play in the NFL is the unicorn chase, as many struggle to adjust to the composure and nuance of movement needed in the NFL. You have to work on the DB across from you with your hands and feet while getting to your spot on time, and for a big receiver that can be much more challenging. Savion Williams, a 6’5 225lbs Senior from TCU, will have that challenge ahead. But his size/speed combo and production are both undeniable. As a low cost dart throw, Williams could be worth it. He certainly has the absurd physical ability.
Aidan Chiles (1st)
Both Chiles and my following player Byrum Brown share the same qualifier that could put them in the Tier 3 group, as neither are headed to the draft this year. But, both definitely qualify as sleepers so I’m putting them here. Chiles, a 6’3 217lbs Sophomore Quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans, is being tasked with putting a struggling program on his back. So far the results haven’t been great, with more INTs than TDs. A former four-star recruit and four-star transfer player, Chiles isn’t short on talent as a dual-threat Quarterback. It just hasn’t come together yet. But if you want exposure to the Quarterback position in the product but don’t want to pay massive prices, Chiles is a good dice roll. Just don’t be surprised if it doesn’t come together.
Byrum Brown (1st)
Another buy-low Quarterback, Brown had a bit of a breakout year last year for USF with 3300 yards and 26 passing touchdowns, as well as 800 rushing yards and 11 TDs on the ground. Those are outstanding dual-threat numbers for the 6’3, 223lbs Junior. But this year an injury took him out early, and he wasn’t exactly playing great either. Where a leap was expected, instead Brown was barely getting by. There’s a chance he comes back from injury and reclaims his job, but there’s also a chance his career is pushed an entirely different direction. Brown is a dice roll but he’s put down a season that shows a high ceiling exists.
Cam Skattebo (1st)
Behind only Ashton Jeanty in all-purpose yards (as I type this), Skattebo is an anchor for the Sun Devils. A smaller than listed 5’11, 215lbs Senior for Arizona State, Skattebo is a versatile weapon and heart of the team. While he is lacking long speed, Skattebo is high-effort, physical and an energetic active runner with the ball and also comfortable as a receiver. Skattebo is the type of player that would drive opposing fans nuts in a Bill Belichick/Tom Brady offense similar to Danny Woodhead. The question is will he find that value from someone by next spring?
