Maybe the biggest question for this year’s QB class is which guys will declare for the draft and which guys won’t. This year’s QB class is talented, but as we saw last season, with the state of NIL in college football, it is never a guarantee who will declare for the draft or who will return to school.
Last year, guys like Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmier, Cade Klubnik, and Carson Beck were all in the conversation for the top QBs in the draft. All four elected to return to school, and surely NIL played a part in that decision. This decision has paid off well for Beck, but not as much for the other three… So, which players in this year’s class could take the risk and return to school?
First, let’s talk about the obvious decisions. Unless something major happens, I think it is all but certain that Mendoza and Simpson will declare for the draft this offseason. Mendoza looks like the best QB in the draft and likely has nothing to gain from returning, and Simpson is a Heisman favorite. Both guys feel like they will declare, and if they don’t, it would be a mistake. On the other hand, I think it is a near guarantee that Arch Manning, John Mateer, and Jackson Arnold will return to school, so let’s take a look at some guys who may be on the fence.
Players who should declare for the draft
Dante Moore
Moore is only on the fence due to a lack of experience. If he were graded on this season alone, he’s the top QB in the draft. This year at Oregon, Moore has stepped right in, following guys like Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel, and has led Oregon to several big wins. The lack of experience shows up on tape every now and then, but he has proven he has the skills to be an elite NFL QB.
LaNorris Sellers
This one may be somewhat controversial, but I do not think Sellers will do himself any good by returning to school. He is one of the most athletic QBs in the draft, and while he may not have the volume of production that scouts are looking for, he clearly has the tools to succeed at the NFL level. As of today, I think Sellers is a first-round pick, and teams will take a shot on his traits. He needs NFL coaching, and I do not think another year at college is worth the risk.
Byrum Brown
I have a similar argument for Brown that I have for Sellers. Teams will take a chance on his traits, and a return to school comes with the risk of injury, regression in performance, and basic inconsistency. Brown has the option to transfer to a bigger school, but if he struggles, his stock could plummet. Brown should declare and utilize his athletic prowess to boost his stock this offseason.
Jayden Maiava
I am not sold on Maiava as a prospect, but several scouts have a day-one grade on him, and it is likely there is a team that will take him in the top 100. I have concerns that if Lincoln Riley leaves, as well as his top receiving targets, Maiava could see his stock fall quite a bit.
Players who should return to school
Nico Iamaleava
Nico was considered one of the top prospects in this year’s draft at the end of the 2024 season. But after his debacle with Tennessee and then early struggles at UCLA, his stock fell off a cliff. There is clearly talent there for Nico, and I genuinely think he could be an elite NFL QB. He should return to school, whether that is at UCLA or elsewhere, and try to play solid ball and let the controversy blow over.
Brendan Sorsby
Sorsby is one of my guys in the draft, and I have said multiple times that I think he has the traits to be an elite NFL QB. He is 6’3/235, with tons of arm talent, pocket strength, and plenty of mobility to make all the NFL-level plays you could ask for. He has struggled somewhat at Cincinnati, and he will simply need to improve his ability to read a defense. I think a transfer could be huge for his development, and I would love to see him at Texas Tech, USC, Texas, or Oregon, where he can be under a good offensive coach and develop his skills.
Josh Hoover
Hoover looks solid at TCU, and I respect his loyalty to the program, even when he knows he can get multi-million dollar offers elsewhere. Hoover has the skills to be an NFL QB, and while he may never be a first-round talent, I think if he returns to TCU and builds his resume, he could see a boost in stock. Hoover could very possibly become the TCU all-time passing leader if he returns to school, and that is something I think could appeal to teams early on day three.
Sam Leavitt
Leavitt simply is going to be a much better college player than he will be at the NFL level, and I think he should stay at Arizona State (or with Kenny Dillingham) as long as possible. He has great mobility, but plays like a much smaller player, and often relies on his legs to make plays, something I suspect he won’t be able to do as much in the NFL. Leavitt is a superstar in college, and staying for an extra year will likely allow him to get paid and may even boost his stock with good stats.
