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Jordan Reid
After solely two first-round picks at quarterback within the 2025 NFL draft, the 2026 NFL draft is anticipated to have much more thrilling choices. A number of already stand out — Cade Klubnik (Clemson), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Drew Allar (Penn State) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) soar to thoughts — and that does not even embody ballyhooed Texas sophomore Arch Manning, who has began simply two faculty video games.
Whereas Manning may keep in faculty till 2027, I will group him in with the highest 22 draft-eligible passers under. I will additionally reply a few questions on NFL groups that may be taking an extended have a look at these signal-callers. Gamers in every part are listed in alphabetical order.
Bounce to a piece:
Top names | Best of rest | Questions
High names to know
Top: 6-5 | Weight: 238
Class: Senior
The place he excels Allar skilled a leap in his growth in 2024, growing his completion proportion from 59.9% in 2023 to 66.5%. The large, prototypical pocket passer excelled beneath first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, throwing for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns with eight interceptions. His upper-tier arm energy provides him the boldness to check difficult throwing home windows in intermediate areas. He additionally has sufficient mobility for his measurement to flee defenders within the pocket.
The place he wants work: Whereas Allar’s completion proportion made a serious leap, his ball placement was nonetheless inconsistent. He too usually places the ball on the unsuitable shoulder and his throws may be too excessive or too low on what must be straightforward completions. His efficiency in opposition to top-ranked groups has additionally been woefully inconsistent. Scouts will likely be watching him intently in opposition to Oregon (Sept. 27) and Ohio State (Nov. 1). Penn State is the top-ranked group in ESPN’s post-spring Way-Too-Early Top 25, however it would want Allar to play higher in showcase video games to reside as much as that billing.
Top: 6-4 | Weight: 220
Class: Sixth-year senior
The place he excels: Beck was considered a candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2025 however had a disappointing ultimate season at Georgia, throwing for 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He now has an opportunity to revive his inventory at Miami, which simply produced the No. 1 pick in April’s draft in Cameron Ward. Beck is a rhythmic passer who performs effectively when he will get into an early groove. He will get the ball out in a rush and is a real distributor who can unfold the ball across the area.
The place he wants work: Beck experiences tough stretches with accuracy, particularly when he is not sharp early. Final 12 months’s Alabama game completely encapsulated Beck’s inconsistency, as he threw two interceptions whereas finishing 47% of his first-half passes. Then, he turned it round with 339 passing yards and three touchdowns within the second half to guide a near-comeback. He was a curler coaster in 2024, however there is a cause many evaluators had him because the QB1 coming into final season. Miami’s offense has Air Raid rules, which ought to accent his items as a passer.
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Carson Beck’s finest performs of the season for Georgia
Check out Carson Beck’s finest performs of 2024 for Georgia after saying his intention to enter the switch portal.
Top: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 210 kilos
Class: Senior
The place he excels: Klubnik entered 2024 with query marks after a tough sophomore season however emerged as a star, ending with 3,639 passing yards and 36 landing passes to solely six interceptions. He is in a position to repeat his mechanics and maintain his eyes, toes and throwing movement in sync whereas going by his progressions. Klubnik saved his finest sport of the season for the primary spherical of the School Soccer Playoff, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns against Texas. He must be arrange for achievement in 2025, as Clemson returns its prime three receivers. That is a giant cause why he was the No. 1 choose in my Way Too Early 2026 mock draft.
The place he wants work: Scouts across the league I’ve talked to have raised considerations about Klubnik’s arm energy and whether or not he can construct on his 2024 success. Questions on his arm floor when he is compelled to check tight home windows in beneath protection and along with his inconsistent trajectory on deep passes. Klubnik averaged solely 8.56 air yards per passing try in 2024, rating 58th within the FBS. He have to be extra assertive and prepared to problem protection in intermediate and deep areas.
Top: 6-2 | Weight: 210
Class: Redshirt sophomore
The place he excels: Leavitt was a revelation final season after transferring from Michigan State, passing for two,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions whereas main the Solar Devils to a Big 12 championship and the College Football Playoff. He is a relaxed and poised passer whose 80 QBR was the Tenth-best fee within the FBS. Leavitt all the time appears to be in management and persistently makes the proper play from the pocket. He is at his finest in play-action, as he can flip his again to the protection and reset his eyes to make throws.
The place he wants work: Leavitt has solely 13 profession begins, so the pattern measurement is comparatively small. He tends to be too bouncy within the pocket and must be extra constant in taking choices which are accessible to him early in progressions. He’ll additionally face much more strain this season, with star operating again Cam Skattebo off to the NFL and the Solar Devils not being a sleeper group anymore after their convention title win. Leavitt will likely be counted on because the catalyst of Arizona State’s offense.
Top: 6-4 | Weight: 222
Class: Redshirt sophomore
The place he excels: Manning has began simply two faculty video games, throwing for 583 yards, 4 touchdowns and two interceptions in these begins. He has a well-put-together body, permitting him to keep away from defenders within the pocket and bounce off tacklers in open house as a runner. Manning has a picture-perfect base and easy supply as a passer. He would not have a lot expertise in that division, as Texas used him primarily as a runner in 2024, however his prototypical construct and bodily instruments had been obvious on tape and provides him immense potential. He will likely be beneath the tutelage of one of many nation’s finest QB builders in Steve Sarkisian, however Manning’s lack of expertise makes him extra prone to be within the 2027 draft class on the earliest.
The place he wants work: Manning has solely 95 profession passing makes an attempt, so his pattern measurement is small and extra growth is important. He had a behavior of sticking to his major learn too lengthy in his begins, resulting in poor decision-making. He might want to enhance his timing in getting by progressions and understanding when to maneuver off his first learn. He may additionally use his mobility way more on non-designed QB runs to assist string collectively constructive performs. He’ll be examined on these items early, because the Longhorns start the season at defending nationwide champion Ohio State.
Top: 6-1 | Weight: 224
Class: Redshirt junior
The place he excels: Mateer joins the Sooners after three seasons at Washington State. He broke out in 2024, ending with 3,139 passing yards and 29 touchdowns to solely seven interceptions. He is an aggressive playmaker who has all types of funky releases, permitting him to reposition his physique and nonetheless get the ball out successfully. He has straightforward arm energy and is not hesitant to make far-hash throws. Mateer is a fierce competitor and a particularly efficient runner on scrambles and designed QB runs, dashing for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns final season. He represents a transparent improve for an Oklahoma offense that struggled mightily in 2024.
The place he wants work: Due to Washington State’s schedule, Mateer was in a position to get away with dangerous habits within the pocket that will not fly within the SEC. He tends to be a tick gradual on reads, counting on his arm energy to alleviate tardiness in his progressions. The arm overconfidence additionally results in him passing up simpler shallow reads for tougher deeper throws. He’ll be examined in opposition to a schedule that includes eight SEC colleges and a Week 2 nonconference game in opposition to Michigan. If he passes with flying colours, Mateer may climb draft boards shortly.
Top: 6-5 | Weight: 225
Class: Redshirt junior
The place he excels: Mendoza arrives at Indiana after being the hub of Cal’s offense in 2024, throwing for 3,004 passing yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions. He has a handy guide a rough launch that helps the ball come out of his hand with loads of life. Mendoza is a exact passer who places the ball within the correct place for his receivers, as evidenced by his FBS-best 5.1% off-target proportion final season. He’s efficient throwing from inside or outdoors the framework of the offense, rating ninth within the FBS with a 91.1 QBR on throws outdoors of the pocket. He additionally excels at figuring out and attacking advantageous one-on-one protection conditions.
The place he wants work: Mendoza’s escapability and effectiveness throwing from outdoors the pocket can result in him being impatient and breaking the pocket prematurely. He must have extra persistence in letting ideas unfold, particularly now that he’ll face upgraded defenses within the Huge Ten. However Indiana’s offense is eerily much like what he operated at Cal, giving Mendoza an opportunity to be a breakout candidate in 2025.
Top: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Class: Fifth-year senior
The place he excels: Nussmeier was up and down in his first season as a starter after changing Jayden Daniels, throwing for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett has a agency grasp of defensive buildings and coverages. He has essentially the most jaw-dropping spotlight tape of any QB within the class, as he routinely delivers the ball to the place his targets are presupposed to be. He additionally has a versatile arm, which permits him to change his arm slots whereas sustaining accuracy.
The place he wants work: Nussmeier’s confidence and daredevil mentality can typically backfire. Although he would not get sacked usually (his 2.9% sack proportion was the twelfth lowest within the FBS), he may be careless with the ball, particularly in opposition to higher defenses. He had three video games of two or extra interceptions in opposition to ranked groups in 2024. A variety of these errors occur when he’s flushed from the pocket, the place his decision-making should enhance.
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Garrett Nussmeier launches a 41-yard dime to Chris Hilton Jr. for an LSU TD
Chris Hilton Jr. catches a 41-yard throw from Garrett Nussmeier to pad the Tigers’ lead.
Top: 6-3 | Weight: 242
Class: Redshirt sophomore
The place he excels: Sellers is a toolsy, explosive dual-threat passer who accomplished 65.6% of his passes for two,534 yards and 18 touchdowns. On the bottom, he rushed for 674 yards and 7 touchdowns final season. He can simply throw to each degree of the sphere and his compact, sturdy body makes him a sport changer on designed QB runs. Sellers’ distinctive energy and imaginative and prescient within the pocket permits him to make performs in unfavorable conditions. Lots of his prime highlights final season had been the results of him avoiding and shaking off tacklers. His uncooked potential, instruments, youth (he is 20 years previous) and projected ascension are promoting factors groups are prepared to wager on early within the draft.
The place he wants work: The offense Sellers ran final season was a simplistic combination of mesh ideas, pre-snap reads and an occasional go route. He threw 27.4% of his passes at or behind the road of scrimmage, which ranked 92nd within the FBS. Together with growing his understanding and development of ideas, Sellers must take higher care of the ball. He had 11 fumbles (six misplaced) final season. He additionally must make choices faster — his 3.06-second common time to throw was the Eleventh-slowest within the nation.
Better of the remaining
Rocco Becht, Iowa State
Becht was regular as a third-year sophomore in 2024, throwing for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns with 9 interceptions. The son of former NFL tight finish Anthony Becht has a sudden over-the-top launch that matches completely in a Cyclones offense that primarily operates in 10 and 11 personnel units. The 6-1, 210-pound Becht would not have the bodily instruments of different passers within the class, however he’s constant in holding his eyes down the sphere and may make powerful throws with strain in his face.
Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
Chiles transferred to Michigan State from Oregon State previous to the 2024 season. He handed for two,415 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with the Spartans and has an explosive throwing launch, resulting in thrilling flash performs when protected. However safety was an issue for the 6-3, 217-pound Chiles, who was pressured on 42.3% of his dropbacks (eighth highest in FBS). That led to numerous turnover-worthy performs, particularly early final season.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Inexperienced enters his second season with the Razorbacks after spending his first three years at Boise State. He is a giant, dynamic dual-threat passer at 6-6, 230 kilos who had 602 yards and eight touchdowns on the bottom final season. He threw for 3,154 yards with 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Inexperienced’s throwing movement is a bit elongated, and he must work on his consistency in rhythm from the pocket.
Mark Gronowski, Iowa
Gronowski had a historic profession at South Dakota State, main the Jackrabbits to 2 nationwide championships and tying for the most-ever wins (49) for an FCS beginning quarterback. He flirted with coming into the 2025 NFL draft and even bought an invitation to the mix however determined to go to Iowa, whose offense confirmed enchancment in 2024. The 6-3, 230-pounder is a densely constructed passer who may make performs along with his legs.
Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh
Holstein thrived as Pitt’s starter final season after transferring from Alabama, throwing for two,225 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions. The 6-4, 225-pound Holstein is a strong-armed passer who can push the ball down the sphere with ease. He must play with extra management and enhance his ball placement, as his 14.7% off-target proportion ranked one hundredth within the FBS.
Josh Hoover, TCU
Hoover broke out as a redshirt freshman in 2024 with 3,949 passing yards and 27 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. The 6-2, 200-pounder possesses a compact launch that enables him to get the ball out in a rush. His 25 completions on passes of 20-plus air yards had been the twelfth most within the FBS final season.
Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Iamaleava’s offseason was eventful and ended up with him leaving Tennessee to play for the Bruins. He completed his first season as a starter with 2,616 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The 6-6, 215-pound Iamaleava is a slender, fluid passer with the arm expertise to get the ball to his desired spots, however he struggled along with his contact and accuracy on deeper passes. That will likely be price watching this fall, as will his adjustment from the Vols’ unconventional passing offense to a extra pro-style UCLA scheme.
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How Nico Iamaleava ended up at UCLA
Try the timeline that led to Nico Iamaleava going from Tennessee to UCLA.
Kevin Jennings, SMU
Jennings was a breakout star in his first season as a starter, throwing for 3,245 yards and 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions whereas including 354 dashing yards and 5 floor touchdowns. The 6-0, 189-pounder is a blur that defenses struggled to comprise because of his mobility and decision-making as a passer. His lack of measurement and quickness with the ball in his arms may make Jennings a candidate to play one other place within the NFL.
Avery Johnson, Kansas State
With 2,712 passing yards and a school-record 25 landing passes, Johnson was the engine of Kansas State’s offense final season. The thinly constructed 6-2, 192-pounder additionally ran for 605 yards and 7 touchdowns. He is equally efficient throwing and operating, as he rushed for 50 or extra yards in seven video games final season. He must proceed to develop as a passer, having thrown 10 interceptions final season, however Johnson is likely one of the most harmful dual-threat QBs within the nation.
Haynes King, Georgia Tech
King is coming into his third season as Georgia Tech’s starter after taking part in his first three seasons at Texas A&M. His passing numbers fell from 2,842 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2023 to 2,114 and 14, respectively, in 2024. However the 6-3, 215-pound King took care of the ball final season (two interceptions) and was efficient on designed runs, dashing for 587 yards and 11 touchdowns. He may be explosive on the bottom, however King must unlock the subsequent degree of his passing growth.
Darian Mensah, Duke
Mensah was a giant transfer portal pickup for Duke, as he handed for two,723 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions for Tulane final season. The 6-3, 200-pounder throws from a balanced, sturdy base and has good ball placement, finishing 65.9% of his passes. The third-year sophomore performs with a number of poise and management whereas displaying sturdy mechanics and pocket presence. Scouts will likely be monitoring how effectively Mensah handles the step-up in competitors from the AAC to the ACC.
Miller Moss, Louisville
Moss transferred to Louisville after spending 4 seasons at USC. He began 9 video games in 2024, ending with 2,555 passing yards and 18 touchdowns to 9 interceptions. The 6-1, 205-pounder has under common arm energy, so he depends closely on anticipation in brief and intermediate throws. He is able to shopping for time along with his legs and creating out of construction. He steps into a very good scenario, as Louisville coach Jeff Brohm is likely one of the finest QB builders within the nation. Brohm helped Aidan O’Connell and Tyler Shough develop into NFL draft picks.
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Robertson ignited Baylor’s offense in 2024, ending with the seventh-best QBR within the FBS (82.9). The 6-4, 220-pound Robertson is a decisive passer who understands methods to assault completely different protection appears to be like. He was particularly efficient down the stretch, throwing for 17 touchdowns to solely 4 interceptions in the course of the Bears’ six-game win streak to finish the common season. Robertson will purpose to construct on that run in his second 12 months as a full-time starter.
Different QBs to observe: Ty Simpson (Alabama), Conner Weigman (Houston), Maalik Murphy (Oregon State), Tommy Castellanos (Florida State), Noah Fifita (Arizona), Byrum Brown (USF), Kyron Drones (Virginia Tech), Dante Moore (Oregon), Kaidon Salter (Colorado), Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), Jayden Maiava (USC), Luke Altmyer (Illinois), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), Joey Aguilar (Tennessee), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), Behren Morton (Texas Tech), Jake Retzlaff (BYU)
Huge QB questions for NFL groups
At this level, which group most must draft a QB to construct round?
Pittsburgh Steelers. Drafting Will Howard in Spherical 6 this 12 months hardly answered the Steelers’ long-term quarterback questions. The group is set to signal Aaron Rodgers, however he’ll be 42 years previous in December. The Steelers at the moment have eight picks in 2026 (their seven choices plus Dallas’ third-rounder from the George Pickens trade) and will stand up to 4 further compensatory choices. Anticipate the Steelers to be aggressive subsequent spring of their seek for a franchise quarterback, particularly for the reason that 2026 draft will likely be in Pittsburgh.
Who’s a sleeper group to observe at QB?
Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have two first-round picks in 2026 and will get aggressive with a commerce up for Matthew Stafford‘s inheritor obvious. Stafford is coming into his age-37 season on a reworked two-year contract, so the Rams have time to establish a signal-caller from what must be a powerful 2026 crop. They may draft a passer subsequent 12 months and be afforded the luxurious of getting him study behind Stafford for a full season.