Every week, Yardbarker screens the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Inexperienced Bay. This week, nevertheless, we’re taking an early have a look at quarterbacks within the 2026 class.
In a narrative revealed Tuesday, ESPN/The Ringer contributor Steve Muench gave simply two QBs within the 2025 class (Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward) first-round grades.
With that in thoughts, groups might wait till the 2026 draft to take a QB, the place there could possibly be higher choices. Listed here are 5 passers they might goal:
LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier
In November 2024, an NFL scout advised The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman he thought Nussmeier was the “most gifted” QB within the 2025 class.
Nussmeier (6-foot-2, 200 kilos) returned to highschool to realize extra expertise. He has solely began for one season at LSU.
When he changed Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels final season, Nussmeier confirmed flashes. In 13 video games, he completed fifth within the FBS in passing yards (4,052) and tied for tenth in landing 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 can be the third LSU QB to seize the award, becoming a member of Daniels and Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow.
Texas’ Arch Manning
Manning (6-foot-4, 225 kilos) has performed sparingly in two seasons at Texas, finishing 66.3% of his passes for 969 yards and 9 touchdowns. Regardless of the small pattern dimension, his upside may tantalize NFL groups.
In his 2025 mock draft that included underclassmen, Fox Sports activities’ Rob Rang had the Tennessee Titans take Manning with choose No. 1.
“Manning has already demonstrated the requisite dimension, arm power, accuracy and athleticism to challenge as a future NFL star, like his well-known uncles and grandfather,” wrote Rang.
Manning is not assured to enter the 2026 draft. On a “School GameDay” episode in September 2024, ESPN’s Pat McAfee said the redshirt freshman needs to remain at Texas for “4 years.”
Regardless, Manning — the nephew of two-time Tremendous Bowl champions Peyton and Eli — may carry Texas to its third straight School Soccer Playoff journey in 2025.
Penn State’s Drew Allar
Sports activities Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported on March 4 that groups “actively inspired” Allar (6-foot-5, 238 kilos) to enter the 2025 draft. The 21-year-old stayed in class as a substitute, which stands out as the proper resolution.
“There’s been important progress in Allar’s recreation, with extra important progress wanted for him to play at a constant sufficient degree to warrant being a starter within the NFL,” wrote The thirty third Workforce’s Kyle Crabbs in December 2024.
Allar produced first rate numbers in 2024, finishing 66.5% of his passes for 3,327 yards and 24 TD passes in 16 video games. He additionally led the Nittany Lions to their first CFP look.
How Allar fares with out star tight finish Tyler Warren — who has left for the NFL — may play a key function in figuring out his draft inventory.
Clemson’s Cade Klubnik
On March 27, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg revealed his top-15 QBs for school soccer in 2025, that includes coaches’ ideas. Klubnik (6-foot-2, 210 kilos) ranked No. 1.
“[Klubnik is] one of the crucial improved passers within the nation,” an ACC defensive coordinator advised Rittenberg. “I do know he was gritty, a competitor, however the passing actually bought higher final yr.”
Throughout 14 video games in 2024, Klubnik tossed a career-high 36 TD passes, guiding Clemson to the CFP. One other unbelievable season may launch the 21-year-old into the first-round dialog.
In a December 2024 scouting report, Bleacher Report’s Dame Parson wrote Klubnik “gives a possible franchise QB ceiling,” evaluating him to former Oklahoma standout Baker Mayfield (now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
Miami’s Carson Beck
Will Beck — who’s nonetheless recovering from a UCL tear in his proper arm — salvage his profession after underwhelming in his remaining season at Georgia? In 13 video games in 2024, the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder tossed a career-best 28 TD passes however threw a career-worst 12 interceptions.
Transferring to Miami may work for the 23-year-old. He is now enjoying in an offense that would maximize his abilities.
In 2024, Ward (6-foot-2, 219 kilos) transferred from Washington State to Miami, the place he tossed 39 TD passes in 13 video games and gained the Davey O’Brien Award as school soccer’s finest QB. He attributed his success to Hurricanes offensive coordinator/QBs coach Shannon Dawson.
“Do not actually have a look at the stat sheet, and what I did this yr, as a result of on the finish of the day, it wasn’t onerous,” Ward told the media at Miami professional day on March 24. “You are speaking a few quarterback within the coach Dawson offense, you need to throw no less than 30 touchdowns a yr.”
