1. Fernando Mendoza – Indiana • Junior • 6’5” • 225 lbs
Mendoza was one of the top players in the transfer portal in 2025, following his massive breakout season at Cal the year before. He was heavily recruited by several top programs but elected to replace Kurtis Rourke, who was drafted to the 49ers in 2025. Mendoza is a big pocket passer who stands tall in the pocket and uses his big frame and strong arm to read the field and deliver the ball on time. He has a good feel for the game, the pocket, and receiver routes, hitting guys on time, in stride, or at the high point for contested balls. He lacks mobility and sometimes loses his footing under consistent pressure. Mendoza is still young, and with a good year playing in the Big Ten, he could see a boost in his draft stock.
Draft Range: Top 5
NFL Comparison: Joe Flacco
2. Ty Simpson – Alabama • Junior • 6’2” • 210 lbs
Once a five-star recruit who was consistently ranked as a top 50 high school football player in the nation, Simpson took over the starting job at Alabama after Jalen Milroe was drafted last offseason. He did not play much before the 2025 season and even redshirted as a freshman in 2022. Since taking over the job at Alabama, Simpson has shown flashes of a big arm, good mobility, and a confident, gunslinger mentality. But there has been an apparent lack of consistency in his accuracy and decision-making, which he will need to improve before he becomes a legitimate draft prospect. Simpson struggled in his first game against Florida State, but started to put it together afterwards. He showed impressive escapability, creating plays with his legs and impacting the game in various ways. He also has shown a strong arm with good accuracy across the middle, but can struggle with touch to place balls over the top. He has some inconsistent footwork as well, but the tools are clearly there for Simpson, and if he can polish things up a bit, he could have a successful career.
Draft Range: Top 75
NFL Comparison: Bo Nix
3. Carson Beck – Miami • Senior • 6’4” • 220 lbs
Beck was eligible for the draft in each of the last two seasons, and his draft stock has been on a rollercoaster ride throughout that time. In 2023, Beck came on to the scene, replacing Stetson Bennett, and looked incredible, showing off a big arm, impressive touch, and a good feel for the pocket, and was widely considered a top 50 prospect. Beck elected to return to school due to the strength of the 2024 QB class, hoping he could have more value in the 2025 class. This hope all but went down the drain in 2025 as Beck took a weird step back and seemed like a completely different player. Beck played well at Miami and surely improved his stock, but my biggest concern remains his struggles to bounce back after early setbacks and his tendency to crumble late in games.
Draft Range: Top 75
NFL Comparison: Matt Ryan
4. Drew Allar – Penn State • Senior • 6’4” • 230 lbs
Allar reminds me a bit of Josh Allen when he was in college, as he has a ton of upside and is an incredible athlete. Allar was once the No. 3 recruit in the 2022 class and the top QB, with a ton of hype about what he could become. He has a cannon arm and a fantastic frame to be an NFL QB, and the upside is off the charts. Allar has limited control over his arm and poor accuracy. But he is a top-tier athlete who moves very well for his size. He has a good feel for the pocket and will step up as needed. Penn State’s offensive play-calling is on a different level of awful and puts Allar in a horrible spot, but his skills will translate to the NFL. If he can go to a team and coach who knows how to develop a young QB, he could quickly become one of the best in the league. A brutal injury will impact his stock; we will need to see how that progresses.
Draft Range: Day 3
5. Taylen Green – Arkansas • Senior • 6’6” • 225 lbs
If Green can reach his ceiling, he will be the best QB in this class, and maybe one of the best in the NFL. The former Boise State QB transferred to Arkansas, where he took over for KJ Jefferson as the new big, mobile quarterback in their power-run offense. His massive frame, great arm, and impressive movement skills make Green the most athletically gifted QB in the class and put his potential sky high. Green still has a ways to go before he reaches the heights many feel he is capable of. I am predicting some development this year from Green, as he needs to polish his accuracy in the pocket, and put touch on the ball at the second level. Ideally, Green takes a step forward this year and is drafted by a team willing to take their time and give him the chance to polish his skills so he can reach the potential we all know he is capable of before he is thrown into the fire.
Draft Range: Day 3
NFL Comparison: Anthony Richardson
6. Sawyer Robertson – Baylor • Senior • 6’3” • 220 lbs
Robertson was a four-star recruit out of high school when he committed to Mississippi State. But after he did not find the role or future he was looking for, he hit the transfer portal and found his way back to his home state of Texas to play for Baylor. Robertson sat as a sophomore, but took over the starting job for Baylor in 2024. In that year, he looked solid, with a reasonable frame, a solid arm, and a good feel for the game, allowing him to read defenses and make throws with early anticipation. Robertson is a pure pocket passer who is more of a game manager than a playmaker offensively. He does not have much mobility and will not get too aggressive downfield. Despite being somewhat conservative, Robertson will have a lot of value in this year’s draft, where other top QBs have struggled mightily. He will have a long NFL career, but I think he is more likely a high-value backup.
Draft Range: Day 3
NFL Comparison: Kenny Pickett
7. Trinidad Chambliss – Mississippi • Senior • 6’1” • 200 lbs
Easily the biggest surprise of the season has been Trinidad Chambliss breaking out as one of the best quarterbacks in college football. Entering this year, Chambliss was not even a starter at Ole Miss and had just transferred to the Rebels after an outstanding D2 career at Ferris State. Chambliss has looked incredible and is a Heisman favorite halfway through the 2025 season. He is one of the best playmakers in college football, and his ability to create plays with his legs is elite. He does an incredible job of avoiding pressure and making precise, on-time throws to his receivers. I think in the NFL, he is the ideal backup: he has a good feel for the game and the traits to make plays, but his lack of specific characteristics will limit his production, and I would expect him to start his career as a backup.
Draft Range: Day 3
NFL Comparison: Tyrod Taylor
8. Grant Nussmeier – LSU • Senior • 6’2” • 200 lbs
Nussmeier is the prototypical QB in the draft and has the tools to be an outstanding one in the NFL. When I watch him, he shows flashes of having an elite arm both in the pocket and on the run. He has shown strength and touch on the ball at all three levels of the field and a good feel for the game. He can make questionable decisions when pushing the ball downfield, but that is something teams can address over time. I think he should sit for a year and will find the most success if he learns the whole offense in the NFL first. He isn’t quite there yet, but the tools are there, and now he has some proven success on the field to boost his stock.
Draft Range: Day 3
NFL Comparison: Jordan Love
9. Cole Payton – North Dakota State • Senior • 6’3” • 235 lbs
Cole Payton is a tough sell for me, but his performance this season, combined with a weak QB class has vaulted him into the top 10 conversation of QB prospects this year. Despite being on the older side for a prospect, and being a left-handed passer, Payton has defied the odds and has proven an ability to push the ball downfield. He has a unique throwing motion that could be offputting for some scouts, but when the ball comes out of his hand, it has a gorgeous shape and his deep ball has incredible touch. Athletically, Payton has the skills to be a top-tier playmaker with the ball in his hands which can open up the offense. Payton has NFL skills, but because he is at a smaller school, throwing from the left side and is a bit older, he could slip. But the skills are clearly there for him to have a role in the NFL.
Draft Range: Day 3
NFL Comparison: Justin Fields
10. Cade Klubnik – Clemson • Senior • 6’2” • 210 lbs
Klubnik is one of the hardest players for me to evaluate, as I love his athleticism and raw talent as a player, but the Clemson offense is one of the most frustrating things to watch in the world. Klubnik was a five-star recruit out of high school and was considered the next man up after DJ Uiagalelei. He ended up taking his job as a freshman and has held on ever since. This season will be a massive one for Klubnik’s draft stock as he will need to prove that he can compete with the best teams in the nation.
Draft Range: PFA
NFL Comparison: Ryan Tannehill
