Next Gen QBs: Early Scouting Report on the Top Quarterback Prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft

The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and the search for the next generation of elite signal-callers is always underway. As we look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, several college quarterbacks have already captured the attention of scouts and analysts. With the 2025 college football season set to kick off, let’s dive into an early scouting report on some of the top quarterback prospects who could be making waves in the NFL in the years to come. Last season, ten quarterbacks threw for over 3,600 yards, and the anticipation is high to see who will emerge as the frontrunners in the upcoming season.

Arch Manning (Texas Longhorns)

No discussion about the 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class can begin without mentioning Arch Manning. The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch carries a significant amount of hype and expectation. Despite only two career starts, Manning is positioned to be the No. 1 overall pick due to his talent, tools, and pedigree. In 2024, Manning appeared in 10 games, throwing for 939 yards and 9 touchdowns in 90 attempts, starting two games when Quinn Ewers was injured.

Strengths:

Arm Talent: Manning possesses exceptional arm strength and the ability to make all the throws required at the NFL level.
Size and Athleticism: At 6’4″ and 225 pounds, Manning has the ideal size for an NFL quarterback, combined with good athleticism and mobility.
Pedigree: Coming from a family of legendary quarterbacks, Manning has been around the game his entire life and possesses a high football IQ.

Areas for Improvement:

Experience: With limited starting experience, Manning needs to showcase his abilities as a full-time starter in 2025.
Decision-Making: Improving his decision-making under pressure will be crucial for Manning’s development.

Garrett Nussmeier (LSU Tigers)

Garrett Nussmeier is another name frequently mentioned among the top quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. Nussmeier has a strong arm and isn’t afraid to show it off, routinely fitting the ball into tight windows. Nussmeier completed 64 percent of his passes for 4,403 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Strengths:

Arm Strength: Nussmeier possesses a powerful arm and has no issue going vertically downfield.
Pocket Presence: He avoids sacks extremely well. His 9.8% pressure-to-sack conversion rate, according to PFF, was an elite number and trailed only Tyler Shough in last year’s draft class.
NFL Throws: Nussmeier had more high-level “NFL throws” on tape last year than anyone else in the class.

Areas for Improvement:

Mobility: In a league where it’s increasingly important to have a quarterback who commands attention in the run game, Nussmeier can be safely ignored by defenses in that regard.
Age: He’s also significantly older than your average top quarterback prospect, as he’ll be 24 years old on draft day.

LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina Gamecocks)

LaNorris Sellers is quickly gaining attention as one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in college football. Sellers is a true dual-threat quarterback with dangerous running ability and has real arm talent. In 2024, Sellers completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,534 yards with 18 touchdown passes, seven interceptions, and seven rushing touchdowns.

Strengths:

Dual-Threat Ability: Sellers combines elite-tier arm strength with tight end size and running back mobility.
Athleticism: His mobility, athleticism, and creativity to ad lib his team into a big play is very desired by pro teams.
Improvement: He already showed drastic improvement from the first half of 2024 to the second. In Sellers’ first six outings last season, he averaged 163 passing yards per game and had only five touchdowns with four picks. In his final six contests, he averaged 260 passing yards per game and 13 passing touchdowns with three picks.

Areas for Improvement:

Accuracy: His accuracy and consistency as a passer, particularly on deep throws, are primary concerns.
Ball Security: He also needs to protect the football better, having fumbled six times over just seven games last season.

Cade Klubnik (Clemson Tigers)

Cade Klubnik is another quarterback prospect drawing attention from NFL scouts. Klubnik threw for 36 touchdowns to only six interceptions and added seven scores on the ground and nearly 500 rushing yards.

Strengths:

Playmaking Ability: The talented playmaker is a dynamic offensive weapon with polished passing skills and explosive running ability.
Experience: Klubnik will enter the 2025 season with more experience and a blossoming group of stars on offense.
Production: Klubnik threw for 36 passing touchdowns and added seven rushing touchdowns to his numbers last season. That placed him third in the entire country in touchdowns responsible for, while also only throwing six interceptions.

Areas for Improvement:

Consistency: Klubnik needs to maintain a high level of performance throughout the 2025 season.
Decision-Making: Improving his decision-making in critical situations will be key for his development.

Drew Allar (Penn State Nittany Lions)

Drew Allar is a highly-regarded quarterback prospect with the potential to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Allar has been far better on the field the last two years than his detractors give him credit for—Penn State is a legitimate national title contender this year, and Allar is one of the biggest reasons why.

Strengths:

Size and Arm Strength: At 6’5″ and 238 pounds, Allar possesses the ideal size and arm strength for an NFL quarterback.
Potential: Allar has the potential to be a franchise quarterback if he can continue to develop and improve his skills.
Team Success: Penn State enters 2025 with far fewer questions than any other program in the Big Ten.

Areas for Improvement:

Consistency: Allar needs to improve his consistency and accuracy as a passer.
Performance in Big Games: He needs to step up and perform in the big moments.

Sam Leavitt (Arizona State Sun Devils)

Sam Leavitt has generated a lot of draft buzz. Leavitt broke out on a bigger stage last season as a QB. Arizona State was picked to finish last in the Big 12, but ended up winning the conference and made the College Football Playoff. It helped that Leavitt, in his first year as the starter, threw for almost 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns compared to just six picks.

Strengths:

Improvisation: Leavitt’s 73.3 PFF grade under pressure last year was one of the 2026 draft-eligible class’ best marks.
Production: Leavitt threw for almost 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns compared to just six picks.
Athleticism: Leavitt is a more athletic version of Brock Purdy.

Areas for Improvement:

Size: Leavitt’s size is a question mark.
Time to Throw: Leavitt’s average time to throw of 3.04 seconds is elevated.

Fernando Mendoza (Indiana Hoosiers)

Fernando Mendoza is emerging as a premier gunslinger. Mendoza is ranked as the top quarterback in this class.

Strengths:

Arm Talent: Mendoza has arm talent.
Potential: Mendoza has the potential to be a first- or second-round pick.

Areas for Improvement:

Consistency: Mendoza needs to be more consistent.
Experience: Mendoza needs more experience.

John Mateer (Oklahoma Sooners)

John Mateer is a wild boy. He has football instincts when you watch him, he does a lot of creative type stuff.

Strengths:

Athleticism: Mateer has some sneaky athleticism elusiveness to him.
Creativity: He’s a guy I think he has football instincts when you watch him, he does a lot of creative.

Areas for Improvement:

Ball Security: He just needs to protect the football overall.
Risk Management: Minimizing risk.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class is shaping up to be a potentially special one, with a diverse group of talented players vying for the top spots. As the 2025 college football season unfolds, these quarterbacks will have the opportunity to showcase their skills and solidify their positions as top prospects. NFL fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see who emerges as the next generation of elite NFL quarterbacks.