As the college football season of 2025 unfolds, anticipation builds for the 2026 NFL Draft, set to take place in less than six months. While last year’s draft saw a mere two quarterbacks selected in the first round due to a perceived shortage of talent at the position, the current college season is shaping up to showcase a more promising group of signal-callers.
Among those under scrutiny this season, Carson Beck from Miami has struggled to meet expectations. Initially expected to lead the Hurricanes to a College Football Playoff spot, Beck has thrown for 1,947 yards, with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions through eight games. His performance in Miami’s losses, notably against Louisville and SMU, where he threw six interceptions combined, raises concerns about his draft prospects.
Cade Klubnik of Clemson also finds himself in a tough spot this season. Initially pegged as a late first-round pick, Klubnik’s performance has dipped significantly, with just 1,915 yards passing, 13 touchdowns, and five interceptions for a struggling Clemson team that sits at 3-5. The pressure has mounted following an ankle injury that sidelined him in mid-October.
Garrett Nussmeier from LSU began the year with hopes of securing the top overall pick but has seen his stock plummet amid the Tigers’ ongoing offensive struggles, leading to his head coach’s dismissal. Currently, Nussmeier has posted 1,806 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions, a far cry from his 2024 stats.
A notable bright spot among prospects is LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina, whose impressive physical attributes (6-foot-3 and 240 pounds) paired with dual-threat capabilities initially had him trending as a potential draft pick. However, despite showing flashes of brilliance in previous seasons, he has faced a challenging year in 2025, accumulating 1,536 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions while dealing with a hefty number of sacks.
John Mateer, who transferred to Oklahoma after a strong showing with Washington State, has also encountered difficulties this season. Despite a promising start, injuries and turnovers have hampered his performance, leading to struggling stats that mirror those of his previous year.
Dante Moore from Oregon, on the other hand, has been having a standout season, throwing for 1,772 yards with 19 touchdowns and only four interceptions. With several strong performances, including leading the Ducks to a playoff position, he remains one of the more preferable candidates for the upcoming draft.
Fernando Mendoza of Indiana has emerged as a top quarterback prospect, boasting impressive stats including 2,124 yards, 25 touchdowns, and a completion percentage of 72.3%. His leadership is a significant factor in making Indiana a College Football Playoff contender this year.
Rounding out the list is Ty Simpson from Alabama, who has quickly established himself as a formidable contender after stepping into the starting role. With 2,184 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just one interception so far, Simpson’s consistent performance has made him a candidate for the top of the draft board, especially as Alabama aims for postseason glory.
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, the landscape of quarterback prospects continues to evolve, and several players still have opportunities to raise their stock in the remaining games of the season. The uncertainty and excitement surrounding these young talents could lead to an intriguing draft class reminiscent of previous strong years in quarterback selection.