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<\/div>\nRob Rang<\/p>\n
NFL Draft Analyst<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The past two NFL<\/a> drafts were polar opposites at the quarterback position. In 2024, a record six quarterbacks were among the first 12 overall selections. Shedeur Sanders<\/a> was the sixth QB picked this past April. He, of course, wasn\u2019t selected until the fifth round<\/i>, at pick No. 144.\u00a0<\/p>\n The 2026 NFL Draft<\/a> should fall somewhere in between, as it features a deep and talented group, including a couple of potential franchise-changers.\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m eager to share my thoughts with you on this year\u2019s crop, but, as you\u2019ll see below, we\u2019re unveiling them in a different way. Rather than simply rank the quarterback prospects, we’re placing them into tiers to illustrate the depth of the class as well as the range in draft projections.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll be updating these QB tiers throughout the college football season and into the spring, surely highlighting more than the 15 QBs listed below, with future articles featuring risers and fallers, detailed player comparisons, best NFL team fits and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n 1. <\/strong>Arch Manning<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Texas<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n With just two college starts under his belt, it seems preposterous to stamp anyone as a first-round NFL draft pick, but Manning is far from just anyone. Mentally, he\u2019s light years ahead of most college quarterbacks entering their first year as a starter, having participated as both a player and coach in his family\u2019s prestigious Manning Passing Academy his entire life. Because of that exposure, scouts are already quite familiar with Manning, who boasts all the physical traits desired at the position, including a prototypical 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, a strong right arm, pinpoint accuracy and much greater mobility and speed than either of his Super Bowl<\/a> champion uncles.\u00a0<\/p>\n The defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes<\/a> have a great opportunity to delay the Manning hype train this weekend, but make no mistake, there is no stopping it. Barring injury, whenever the 21-year-old Manning chooses to make himself eligible for the NFL Draft, he will likely be viewed as a top 10 cinch and potentially big favorite to go No. 1 overall.\u00a0<\/p>\n Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up prior to the start of the SEC Championship game between the Texas Longhorns and the Georgia Bulldogs on December 7th, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n 2. <\/strong>Garrett Nussmeier<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>LSU<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Like the aforementioned Manning, Nussmeier has NFL bloodlines, inheriting a combination of instincts and accuracy that makes projecting him to the next level relatively simple. His father, Doug Nussmeier, was drafted by the New Orleans Saints<\/a> in 1994 and spent seven seasons in pro football \u2014 six years in the NFL before before winning the Grey Cup as the starting quarterback of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League back in 2000. He\u2019s since served as the quarterbacks coach for the Cowboys<\/a>, Chargers and Eagles<\/a> and is entering his first year as offensive coordinator in New Orleans, giving him a prime view of his son\u2019s progress in Baton Rouge.\u00a0<\/p>\n At just 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds, Garrett Nussmeier lacks the frame scouts would prefer, but he shows impressive spatial awareness in the pocket, dipping and ducking through traffic and throwing the ball with great awareness and precision.\u00a0<\/p>\n Garrett Nussmeier #13 of the LSU Tigers looks on before the start of a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n 3. <\/strong>Cade Klubnik<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Clemson<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Klubnik is an accomplished multiyear starter and, like Manning and Nussmeier, a star signal-caller for a legitimate national title contender. He also has a potential runway to the first round, but perhaps not quite to the extent of his peers. Klubnik possesses average size for the position at 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds and doesn\u2019t own a howitzer.\u00a0<\/p>\n History has proven that size and arm strength are two of the more unreliable factors in determining future NFL success at the quarterback position, however. Some scouts will instead focus on Klubnik\u2019s fit in the quick game, and his 13 career rushing touchdowns speak to his athleticism. He’s a dangerous passer on the move, as well, showing NFL-starter-level vision, accuracy and touch \u2014 especially in the short to intermediate zones.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers looks on during the spring game at Memorial Stadium on April 05, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman\/Getty Images for ONIT)<\/span> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n 4.<\/strong> LaNorris Sellers<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>South Carolina<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Scouts are attracted to traits like a moth to a flame and, with all due respect to Manning, there isn\u2019t a quarterback in this class with a more exciting combination of size, arm strength and running ability than Sellers. To be clear, Sellers\u2019 game tape from last year \u2014 his first as a starter \u2014 is much more of a roller-coaster ride than the names listed above. But the flashes \u2014including a flat-footed 75-yard deep ball against Old Dominion and a game-winning scramble to beat Klubnik and rival Clemson in Memorial Stadium \u2014have scouts drooling.\u00a0<\/p>\n At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Sellers already has an NFL frame, but it is important to remember that he is just a redshirt sophomore. South Carolina does boast a proven quarterback developer in Mike Shula calling the shots on offense, so optimism is high that Sellers will develop into a more nuanced and accurate passer this year. If the draft were today, Sellers would likely be considered an Anthony Richardson-like roll of the dice.\u00a0<\/p>\n South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) runs with the ball during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Illinois Fighting Illini on December 31, 2024 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n 5. <\/strong>Fernando Mendoza<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Indiana<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Speaking of Richardson, he is one of a handful of quarterbacks in recent years who emerged out of seemingly nowhere to become first-round picks. Some of those passers \u2014 like Joe Burrow<\/a> and Bo Nix<\/a> \u2014 found quick success in the NFL, whereas others \u2014 like Richardson, Kenny Pickett<\/a>, Zach Wilson<\/a> and Mac Jones<\/a> \u2014 have really struggled. Mendoza could be this year\u2019s out-of-nowhere first-round QB \u2014 at least, he\u2019ll likely be characterized as such. In reality, Mendoza (and his prototypical size) is already well known in the scouting community after turning heads at Cal a year ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n With all due respect to the aforementioned Klubnik and 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward<\/a>, Mendoza delivered some of the best downfield strikes I saw from any quarterback in the ACC a year ago. He certainly looks the part at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds and he\u2019s got a quicker setup and release than most passers with his long arms. Mendoza threw 16 touchdown passes a year ago at Cal. Don\u2019t be surprised if he doubles that number this year in Curt Cignetti\u2019s offense and zooms into the first-round conversation along the way.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fernando Mendoza (15) passes during a college football game between the California Golden Bears and the Florida State Seminoles on September 21st, 2024 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL. (Photo by Chris Leduc\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n 6. <\/strong>Drew Allar<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Penn State<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Allar offers a similar combination of size (6-foot-5 and 220 pounds) and arm strength to Mendoza and is a much more experienced player, having already played in 39 career games, mostly against elite competition. There are plenty of big-time throws on Allar\u2019s tape, but my enthusiasm is a bit tempered \u2014 at least for now \u2014 as I see too many deer-in-the-headlights moments for a quarterback with his experience. I\u2019m eager to see if he can put it all together as a senior.\u00a0<\/p>\n Drew Allar (15) makes a pass attempt during the Penn State Nittany Lions versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Peter Joneleit\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n 7. <\/strong>Nico\u00a0Iamaleava<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>UCLA<\/strong><\/a> It isn\u2019t often that middle-round picks develop into quality NFL starting quarterbacks, so teams typically take one of three approaches at this stage of the draft. Some clubs simply ignore the position in the middle rounds. Take the Denver Broncos<\/a>, for example. Denver has invested 13 draft picks on quarterbacks since the turn of the century, but all of those picks were either top-50 selections or late-round fliers. The last time the Broncos drafted a QB between the third and fifth rounds was back in 1998 (Brian Griese).\u00a0<\/p>\n Other organizations are willing to gamble on traits at this point in the draft. Those clubs would seemingly jump at the chance to land one of the aforementioned prospects, should they be available next spring.\u00a0<\/p>\n Iamaleava is sure to generate plenty of interest. He possesses rare size (6-foot-6, 220) for the position and is one of the best deep-ball throwers in the country, passing with a trajectory and spin that makes it easy for receivers to track down. That skill set translates nicely to the NFL, of course, but he\u2019ll need to convince critics that he also possesses the intangibles expected at quarterback, following the squabble that led to his transfer from Tennessee.<\/p>\n Nico Iamaleava warms up prior to the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. \u00a0(Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Others \u2014 like Mateer and Green \u2014 are currently better runners than throwers, but they offer undeniable upside if allowed time to develop in the NFL.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some teams prefer so-called game managers, who might lack the eye-popping athletic traits of their peers but deliver consistently catchable passes and seem to play well in big moments. Becht got the early start on the competition this year, showing his trademark pillow-soft touch on two deep touchdowns to help the Cyclones blow past Kansas State in last week’s opener in Ireland. Pavia accomplished the same a year ago in Vanderbilt\u2019s stunning upset of Alabama. Leavitt\u00a0<\/strong>(and ASU star wideout Jordyn Tyson) could shine in 2025, now that he\u2019s not being overshadowed by new New York Giants<\/a> running back Cameron Skattebo.\u00a0<\/p>\n 13. <\/strong>Carson Beck<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Miami<\/strong><\/a> From a scouting perspective, there are plenty of negatives to the NCAA\u2019s liberal transfer policy, but one huge positive is the opportunity for players to get a fresh start elsewhere. Beck, Altmyer and Van Dyke have all shown enough talent to earn an NFL opportunity.\u00a0<\/p>\n Had they entered the 2025 NFL Draft, each likely would have been selected outright or offered a chance to compete as an undrafted free agent, similar to the path that Quinn Ewers<\/a> (Miami Dolphins<\/a>, 7th-round) and DJ Uiagalelei<\/a> (Los Angeles Chargers<\/a>, UDFA) are taking now. Things haven\u2019t always gone as expected for Beck, Altmyer and Van Dyke \u2014 each of whom has transferred \u2014 but they are firmly on NFL scouts\u2019 radars with a final season to restore some luster.<\/p>\n Carson Beck warms up prior to the game against the Texas Longhorns in the 2024 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 7, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland\/Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Rob Rang<\/i><\/a> is an NFL Draft analyst for FOX Sports. He has been covering the NFL Draft for more than 25 years, with work at FOX, Sports Illustrated,\u00a0CBSSports.com, USA Today, Yahoo,\u00a0NFL.com\u00a0and NFLDraftScout.com, among others. He also works as a scout with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. Follow him on X <\/i>@RobRang<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? <\/i>Create or log in to your FOX Sports account<\/u><\/i><\/a>, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n What did you think of this story?\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \n recommended\n <\/p>\nTOP-10 TALENT<\/h2>\n
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FIRST ROUND<\/h2>\n
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TOP 50\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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MIDDLE ROUNDS<\/h2>\n
8. <\/strong>John Mateer<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Oklahoma<\/strong><\/a>
9. <\/strong>Taylen Green<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Arkansas<\/strong><\/a>
10. <\/strong>Rocco Becht<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Iowa State<\/strong><\/a>
11. <\/strong>Diego Pavia<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Vanderbilt<\/strong><\/a>
12. <\/strong>Sam Leavitt<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Arizona State<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0\/0\/gettyimages-2187711015.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
LATE ROUNDS\/UDFAs<\/h2>\n
14. <\/strong>Luke Altmyer<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>Illinois<\/strong><\/a>
15. <\/strong>Tyler Van Dyke<\/strong><\/a>, <\/strong>SMU<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0\/0\/gettyimages-2189247561-scaled.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
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