Honestly, if you're still chasing 2024 NFL rookie cards of guys who are already in the league, you’ve missed the biggest boat of the year. The real action moved to the Saturdays. For months, everyone was obsessing over CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson, but the smart money quietly pivoted toward the 2024 Bowman University football release. It's the wild west of the hobby right now.
Collecting college cards used to be a niche thing—something you did if you were a die-hard alumni or couldn't afford "real" NFL logos. Then NIL happened. Now, a kid like Ryan Williams or Ashton Jeanty can have a "1st Bowman" card while they’re still destroying defenses in Tuscaloosa or Boise. This isn't just a side quest anymore. For a lot of people, this is the main game.
What's actually inside 2024 Bowman University football?
The 2024 set is huge. We're talking about a 200-card base set covering 80 different schools. Topps really leaned into the variety this year, which is great for team collectors but can be a bit of a headache if you're trying to track down every parallel.
If you rip a Hobby box, you're basically guaranteed two autographs. If you're more of a "Jumbo" person, you’re looking at three. But here's the kicker: the parallels. They've introduced things like "Stealth" refractors that are exclusive to breakers and "Teal Lava" refractors that only pop up in Mega boxes.
Don't ignore the short prints either. The "Physical Education" and "After School Special" inserts are the ones everyone is screaming about on Fanatics Live right now. The "Big Kahuna" is back too, and if you manage to pull a 1/1 SuperFractor version of that, you’ve basically won the month.
The players that actually matter
Forget the filler. You’re looking for a handful of names that have the potential to carry this set for the next decade.
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Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
He’s the one. His "1st Bowman" is the chase card of the cycle. You can find his base cards for a buck or two, but his Red Refractors (numbered to 5) have already been spotted clearing the $1,000 mark on secondary markets. He’s putting up video game numbers, and collectors are treating his cards like blue-chip stocks.
Ryan Williams (Alabama)
The kid is seventeen. Seventeen! By the time he’s eligible for the NFL, he’ll have three years of card history. His Black Sapphire and Black Refractors are the ones to hold. People are betting on him being the next generational wideout, and the 2024 Bowman University football set is where that legacy starts.
The Quarterback Room
Nico Iamaleava and DJ Lagway are the high-variance plays here. If you’re risk-averse, Quinn Ewers is the stable choice, but the ceiling on Nico’s autographs is massive. Carson Beck is another one to watch; his Fuchsia Mini-Diamond refractors (numbered to 125) are surprisingly affordable right now considering his draft stock.
Why people get the "Sapphire" edition wrong
In December 2024, Topps dropped the Sapphire version. It was $179.99 a box and sold out almost instantly. Most people think Sapphire is always better because it’s "limited." Sorta.
While Sapphire is definitely prettier with that cracked ice finish, it actually removes most of the inserts. You lose the "Big Kahuna." You lose the "Path to Glory." You’re paying for the brand and the guaranteed autograph, but you lose the "chase" of the unique short prints found in the standard Chrome release. If you want the rarest parallels, stick to Sapphire. If you want the coolest-looking cards, the standard 2024 Bowman University football Hobby box is actually the better rip.
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The "1st Bowman" trap
You’ve got to be careful with the "1st Bowman" logo. Just because a card has it doesn't mean it's the only one.
Topps and Panini are in a brutal licensing war. While Topps has the Bowman name, Panini still has Prizm Draft Picks. The 2024 Bowman University football set is generally considered the "Gold Standard" because of the 1st Bowman branding, which carries over from the baseball world. Collectors value that "1st" logo more than almost anything else. If you see a card without it, even if it's a parallel, it’s usually going to trade for 20-30% less than the one with the logo.
Where to find the value right now
If you can't afford a $200 hobby box, don't sweat it. Retail is actually decent this year. The "Value Blasters" ($25) and "Mega Monster" boxes ($60) are all over Target and Walmart.
- Blasters: You get three exclusive Pink Lava refractors. These aren't worth a ton individually, but if you hit a top prospect, they cover the cost of the box.
- Megas: These are the real sleeper. You get four Teal Lava parallels and a much higher chance at an autograph than previous years.
- Breaker Delight: These are high-end, single-pack boxes with exclusive "Stealth" parallels. Unless you’re a high-roller, these are probably better to watch on a stream than to buy yourself.
Common misconceptions about NIL cards
A lot of old-school collectors think these cards will be worthless once the players get their NFL uniforms. That’s just not how the market works anymore. Look at CJ Stroud’s Bowman University cards—they’re still moving.
The "1st Bowman" is the first time a player is featured on a major licensed product. For many collectors, that holds more weight than an NFL rookie card because it represents the beginning of the journey. Plus, with the 2024 Bowman University football checklist being so deep, you’re getting guys who won’t even be in the NFL for another two or three years. You’re literally getting ahead of the professional market.
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Practical steps for your collection
Don't just buy boxes and hope for the best. That's how you go broke.
Instead, look for "lots" of base cards of the top guys like Luther Burden III or Garrett Nussmeier. You can usually snag a stack of 10-20 base cards for the price of one blaster box. If they blow up, you have multiple copies to sell.
Also, keep an eye on the "image variations." These are short-printed cards where the player is in a different pose or jersey. They look like regular base cards at first glance, so people often list them for cheap on eBay because they don't realize they've pulled a rarity. Look for the code on the back of the card—the variations have different ending numbers than the standard base cards.
Finally, if you're holding for the long term, prioritize the "Refractor" parallels over the base. In five years, a base card of a superstar might be worth $10, but the Gold Refractor (numbered to 50) could be a mortgage payment.
Focus on the numbered stuff. Ignore the hype on the unnumbered inserts unless it’s a "Big Kahuna." Stick to the 1st Bowman logos, and you’ll be ahead of 90% of the people currently ripping packs at their kitchen table.
Check the back of any 2024 Bowman University cards you currently own for the "CMP" code at the bottom of the fine print. If the code ends in a different number than the standard base (usually #508 for base), you likely have a Short Print (SP) or Image Variation that is worth significantly more than the standard version. Keep those separate and consider getting them graded if they are in mint condition.