2026 NFL Draft: Meet the Quarterbacks
The 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class is already generating more hype than the 2025 group, and for good reason. With a mix of elite arm talent, athleticism, and pedigree, this year’s crop is deeper and more dynamic. While the pecking order will shift as the 2025 college football season unfolds, here are the early headliners at quarterback.
Arch Manning (Texas)
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 212 lbs
2024 Stats: 939 passing yards, 9 TDs, 4 rushing TDs | 88.1 PFF grade
Manning carries the weight of a famous last name, but he’s more than a legacy player. With clean mechanics, advanced processing, and sneaky mobility, he has the tools of a franchise QB. Despite limited college reps—just 99 pass attempts—he’s flashed enough upside to warrant QB1 conversations. Whether he declares early or stays at Texas through 2027 remains to be seen, but he’ll be at the top of every draft board discussion.
Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 210 lbs
2024 Stats: 4,403 yards, 29 TDs, 12 INTs | 4.7% big-time throw rate
Nussmeier plays with swagger and isn’t afraid to push the ball downfield. He racked up over 4,400 yards in LSU’s pro-style attack, and scouts love his fearless approach. His arm talent is NFL-ready, but decision-making and ball placement remain areas for improvement. If he sharpens those tools, he’s a legitimate Round 1 candidate.
Drew Allar (Penn State)
Height/Weight: 6’5”, 240 lbs
2024 Stats: 3,327 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs | 67% completion
Allar looks the part. At 6’5” and 240 pounds, he fits the mold of a classic NFL pocket passer. His arm strength is elite, and he showed growth in 2024. But questions linger about his poise under pressure and consistency in big games. A strong 2025 campaign could vault him into the top-10 conversation.
LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 242 lbs
2024 Stats: 2,534 passing yards, 18 TDs | 674 rushing yards
Sellers is a rare athlete with a cannon for an arm. He brings a true dual-threat element and has the kind of physical profile that turns heads—think Donovan McNabb with more raw explosiveness. He’s still refining his pocket presence, but if the mental side catches up with the physical, he could skyrocket up draft boards.
Cade Klubnik (Clemson)
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 205 lbs
2024 Stats: 3,639 yards, 36 TDs | 87.7 PFF passing grade | 28 big-time throws
After a rollercoaster start to his college career, Klubnik put it all together in 2024. He showed command, timing, and big-play ability, elevating Clemson’s offense with both his arm and legs. If he builds on that momentum and leads a successful 2025 campaign, he’ll be a first-round lock.
Other Names to Watch
Nico Iamaleava (UCLA): Elite traits and a massive ceiling, but still raw and has to start over at UCLA after leaving Tennessee amidst NIL unhappiness.
Fernando Mendoza (Indiana): Intriguing developmental prospect with natural feel who is making the jump from California to Indiana with big-time potential.
Carson Beck (Miami, formerly Georgia): Experienced and poised, with a new opportunity to shine post-transfer if he’s healthy from a torn UCL that ended his season in the SEC championship game.
The Big Picture
With multiple potential first-rounders and several intriguing wild cards, the 2026 QB class has front offices and fans already buzzing. Teams like the Browns and Rams have been quietly stacking draft picks in anticipation. After a 2025 draft where Cameron Ward went No. 1 and Jaxson Dart landed at No. 25, the contrast in top-end talent and depth is clear.
Expect rankings and scouting reports to shift as the 2025 season unfolds, but one thing’s certain: the 2026 quarterback class is loaded.