As the College Football Playoff (CFP) approaches, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has revised his top 10 quarterbacks for the 2026 NFL Draft, creating anticipation as these young athletes gear up for crucial games. Kiper’s list presents some surprises, most notably that the Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza, is not ranked as the top quarterback.
Leading Kiper’s rankings is quarterback Moore from the Oregon Ducks, who has shown remarkable development in his first season as a starter. With an impressive record of 2,733 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, just six interceptions, and a completion percentage of 72.5% across 12 games, Moore is a strong contender to be the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Despite winning the Heisman Trophy, Mendoza finds himself in the second spot on Kiper’s list. He had a stellar season, posting 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns, and six interceptions, paired with a 71.5% completion rate over 13 games. Should Mendoza lead his team on a deep playoff run or clinch a national title, there is potential for him to ascend to the number one position.
Third on Kiper’s list is Simpson, who has demonstrated elite skills at times this season. He has borne the weight of his team’s offense, accumulating 3,268 yards, 26 touchdowns, five interceptions, and maintaining a completion percentage of 64.3% over 13 games. Enhancing his prospects further in the draft looks likely if he can deliver in the playoffs.
Mateer, the dual-threat quarterback from Oklahoma, is another exciting prospect following an earlier injury. This season, he has tallied 2,578 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, along with 416 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. With a total of 44 career touchdown passes and 25 rushing touchdowns, he remains an intriguing player to watch as the Sooners prepare for their CFP matchup against Alabama.
Darian Mensah has had a standout season, transitioning from Tulane to Duke, leading the Blue Devils to an ACC title and nearly reaching the CFP. His stats include 3,646 yards, 30 touchdowns, and a 67.9% completion percentage, placing him firmly among Kiper’s elite quarterbacks.
Also making the list is Beck, who after transferring from Georgia to Miami, has solidified his position with a record of 3,072 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, boasting an impressive completion rate of 74.7%. He has led Miami into the College Football Playoff, adding to his draft appeal.
Chambliss, despite not being the original starting quarterback at Ole Miss, stepped into the role following an injury and has led his team to the playoffs with notable performance stats of 3,016 yards, 18 touchdowns, and three interceptions this season.
Nussmeier’s season with LSU was marked by challenges, yet his prototypical NFL qualities keep him in the conversation despite the team’s woes. He has totaled 1,927 yards, along with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions this year.
Lastly, Maiava has thrived in the Lincoln Riley offense at USC, completing his transformation into a solid quarterback with 3,431 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in his first full season as a starter.
With Kiper’s latest rankings offering insight into the potentials of these young quarterbacks, the excitement for the upcoming draft and the CFP intensifies, setting the stage for you not only to look forward to this year’s playoff matchups but to the future stars of the NFL.