Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay. This week, however, we’re taking an early look at quarterbacks in the 2026 class.
In a story published Tuesday, ESPN/The Ringer contributor Steve Muench gave just two QBs in the 2025 class (Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward) first-round grades.
With that in mind, teams may wait until the 2026 draft to take a QB, where there could be better options. Here are five passers they may target:
LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier
In November 2024, an NFL scout told The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman he thought Nussmeier was the “most talented” QB in the 2025 class.
Nussmeier (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) returned to school to gain more experience. He has only started for one season at LSU.
When he replaced Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels last season, Nussmeier showed flashes. In 13 games, he finished fifth in the FBS in passing yards (4,052) and tied for 10th in touchdown passes (29).
As of Thursday, DraftKings Sportsbook gives Nussmeier the second-best odds (+900) to win the Heisman. If he does, the 23-year-old would be the third LSU QB to capture the award, joining Daniels and Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow.
Texas’ Arch Manning
Manning (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) has played sparingly in two seasons at Texas, completing 66.3% of his passes for 969 yards and nine touchdowns. Despite the small sample size, his upside could tantalize NFL teams.
In his 2025 mock draft that included underclassmen, Fox Sports’ Rob Rang had the Tennessee Titans take Manning with pick No. 1.
“Manning has already demonstrated the requisite size, arm strength, accuracy and athleticism to project as a future NFL star, like his famous uncles and grandfather,” wrote Rang.
Manning isn’t guaranteed to enter the 2026 draft. On a “College GameDay” episode in September 2024, ESPN’s Pat McAfee said the redshirt freshman wants to stay at Texas for “four years.”
Regardless, Manning — the nephew of two-time Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli — could carry Texas to its third straight College Football Playoff trip in 2025.
Penn State’s Drew Allar
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported on March 4 that teams “actively encouraged” Allar (6-foot-5, 238 pounds) to enter the 2025 draft. The 21-year-old stayed in school instead, which may be the right decision.
“There’s been significant growth in Allar’s game, with more significant growth needed for him to play at a consistent enough level to warrant being a starter in the NFL,” wrote The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs in December 2024.
Allar produced decent numbers in 2024, completing 66.5% of his passes for 3,327 yards and 24 TD passes in 16 games. He also led the Nittany Lions to their first CFP appearance.
How Allar fares without star tight end Tyler Warren — who has left for the NFL — could play a key role in determining his draft stock.
Clemson’s Cade Klubnik
On March 27, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg revealed his top-15 QBs for college football in 2025, featuring coaches’ thoughts. Klubnik (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) ranked No. 1.
“[Klubnik is] one of the most improved passers in the country,” an ACC defensive coordinator told Rittenberg. “I know he was gritty, a competitor, but the passing really got better last year.”
Across 14 games in 2024, Klubnik tossed a career-high 36 TD passes, guiding Clemson to the CFP. Another fantastic season could launch the 21-year-old into the first-round conversation.
In a December 2024 scouting report, Bleacher Report’s Dame Parson wrote Klubnik “offers a potential franchise QB ceiling,” comparing him to former Oklahoma standout Baker Mayfield (now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
Miami’s Carson Beck
Will Beck — who’s still recovering from a UCL tear in his right arm — salvage his career after underwhelming in his final season at Georgia? In 13 games in 2024, the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder tossed a career-best 28 TD passes but threw a career-worst 12 interceptions.
Transferring to Miami could work for the 23-year-old. He’s now playing in an offense that could maximize his skills.
In 2024, Ward (6-foot-2, 219 pounds) transferred from Washington State to Miami, where he tossed 39 TD passes in 13 games and won the Davey O’Brien Award as college football’s best QB. He attributed his success to Hurricanes offensive coordinator/QBs coach Shannon Dawson.
“Don’t really look at the stat sheet, and what I did this year, because at the end of the day, it wasn’t hard,” Ward told the media at Miami pro day on March 24. “You’re talking about a quarterback in the coach Dawson offense, you should throw at least 30 touchdowns a year.”
