2025 NFL Draft: Midseason Quarterback Big Board

We’ve reached the halfway point in the new era of the 12-team college football playoff! It’s time to look at the 2025 NFL Draft’s top quarterbacks on the midseason big board. Who are the best of the best in a class that doesn’t have the hype of classes past and future? Are there any gems to be had for any quarterback-needy teams? Which prospects will make a name for themselves as the season progresses deeper into the process? What teams need one to find their next franchise passers to build around?

Note: All statistics current through Week 7 and courtesy of College Football Reference

Midseason Quarterback Big Board

“Rocking like a Hurricane”

1. Cam Ward | 6’2 223 | Miami

The double transfer is playing well this season and has truly arrived as a prospect in Coral Gables. He began his career at Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State in 2022. Ward then transferred to Miami for his final collegiate season in 2024 after pulling out of the draft. He’s an uber talented athlete with the arm talent to make any throw look effortless. Where he gets into trouble is that he’s too much of a gamer and plays hero ball on occasion when he doesn’t need to. The current Hurricanes star is a creative athlete that flashes some toolsy skillsets like a Lamar Jackson. He can make any throw on or off platform with ease. An experienced starter who’s seen it all so pressure doesn’t rattle him. Ward is QB1 and the leader of a contingent of Lone Star State stars.

Draft Projection: First Round

2024 Statistics: 148/214 (69%), 2,219 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions; 28 attempts for 161 yards and three touchdowns

“A Roaming Buffalo”

2. Shedeur Sanders | 6’2 215 | Colorado

Sanders is the most polarizing athlete in the class, given his last name, on-field exploits, and off-field charisma. He’s the poster child of the new era of college football. The issue is that his offensive line has done him no favors in Boulder. He’s been forced to make play after play and has been sacked an astounding 81 times over the past 1.5 seasons. He has the arm talent and platform to make any pro-level throw. Football IQ and diagnostic ability are positive traits and its clear that he’s been coached well in that regard. Due to the horrid offensive line play, Sanders does have some flaws to fix in his game, namely footwork in the pocket. The team that drafts him will need to coach that out of him. He’s a surefire first round selection.

Draft Projection: First Round

2024 Statistics: 172/237 (72%), 2,018 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions

“Is Texas Back?, Hook’em”

3. Quinn Ewers | 6’2 210 | Texas

Texas has transitioned its offense from one that consistently takes deep shots to one that is more reliant on the short stuff. Ewers hasn’t missed too many beats but did miss a couple games due to injury. He did not perform well against Georgia after returning against Oklahoma, wilting under constant pressure. The Longhorns star does have the arm strength to make any pass that he needs to and the off platform base to make it happen. Ewers does come with a lot of pedigree, named the top-ranked recruit in the 2021 class. He’s been an accurate passer in his career but has shown marked improvement in 2024. The prospect is yet another player with ties to the Lone Star State. He is projected as an late Day 1 to a middle Day 2 selection.

Draft Projection: First to Second Round

2024 Statistics: 78/108 (72%), 890 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions

“The Tide That Lifts All Boats”

4. Jalen Milroe | 6’2 225 | Alabama

The destroyer of defenses and breaker of Auburn hearts is back for another turn at the wheel for a revamped Tide squad. After breaking out as a first-year starter last season, Milroe has upped his game considerably under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. He’s been more accurate and taken more deep shots this season, with an average of 11.2 yards per attempt. Blessed with top-tier athleticism and possibly the strongest arm in the class, he could go as high as the first round. He’s on track to be a Heisman finalist. If there ever was an heir to the college football version of Lamar Jackson, Milroe is that guy. Milroe is yet another Lone Star State native making his mark in college. If he can keep on keeping on against Tennessee, Missouri, LSU, and Oklahoma, he’ll have a chance to go very high in the draft.

Draft Projection: First to Second

2024 Statistics: 96/132 (72%), 1,483 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions; 77 attempts for 319 yards and 11 touchdowns

“All Bark, No Bite?”

5. Carson Beck | 6’4 220 | Georgia

Given his pedigree and physical measurements, Beck has generated significant buzz as one of the top-rated passers in the class in the offseason. He has started for Georgia for 1.5 seasons and has been productive throughout, but there are concerns. Beck didn’t play his best during the first half against Alabama before leading a furious but futile comeback. His arm isn’t the greatest, which is concerning because of his size at 6’4. That being said, he does have some redeeming qualities, like just enough velocity, football IQ, and ability to operate within the system. He is at his best when the offense is structured around him, as it is in college. Rarely does he deviate from the play, which is a blessing and a curse. Currently, he’s on the borderline between Day 1 and Day 2.

Draft Projection: First to Second

2024 Statistics: 142/209 (67%), 1,818 yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions

“Ducks Fly High”

6. Dillon Gabriel | 6’0 200 | Oregon

Gabriel has been a much-traveled signal caller who has been productive everywhere he has been. He found a home in Will Stein’s short to intermediate passing system, much like his predecessor in Eugene, Bo Nix. While he is known as an accurate passer, he has jumped to another level, completing 76% of his passes this season. He does present a dual-threat capability for defenses to consider, as shown during his time at Oklahoma, but it’s been more toned down at Oregon. However, the arm talent and height are substandard for the next level so that teams will downgrade him to the latter stages of Day 3. The Ducks star passer is a master of the pace and space rhythm attack. He’s on pace to break multiple records, including the all-time passing yards mark.

Draft Projection: Fifth to Seventh

2024 Statistics: 153/201 (76%), 1,790 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions; 28 attempts for 103 yards and four touchdowns

“Darting through the SEC”

7. Jaxon Dart | 6’2 225 | Mississippi

The former USC transfer presents an intriguing option for a quarterback-needy team, provided he corrects some game flaws. Dart doesn’t have a howitzer arm, so he will have to manage around it with better accuracy compared to others in this class. He features an arm capable of making more complicated throws with his velocity changeups. He’s more mobile than given credit for and attempts to make plays on the run. Football IQ is above average as well. However, the Lane Kiffin offense is similar to a wide-open attack that frees up their receivers to make the plays happen. Dart will need to showcase that he can throw them open more often than not. Given his immense production, he has the physical tools to entice teams into taking him early on Day 3. The current Ole Miss starter needs an outstanding postseason all-star experience to advance.

Draft Projection: Fourth

2024 Statistics: 151/215 (70%), 2,384 yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions; 59 attempts for 183 yards and three touchdowns

“Roaring Up the Boards in the Bayou”

8. Garrett Nussmeier | 6’2 200 | LSU

Nussmeier has gotten his chance to start after waiting behind reigning Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. While he isn’t in Daniels’s stratosphere athletically, he has shown plenty of potential. His frame isn’t ideal, but he has the arm talent to make about any pass required. The coach’s son has improved his accuracy annually, a good omen for the next level. Few passers in his class can make the passes he can with the required touch. Being an offensive coach’s son gives him the football IQ and how to sequence throws together. He’s accurate to all three levels of the field. This Bayou Bengal signal-caller has the potential to rise up the boards as we get further into the season. He has a chance to go as high as Day 2.

Draft Projection: Third to Fourth

2024 Statistics: 160/249 (64%), 1,989 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions

“The Orange McCord”

9. Kyle McCord | 6’2 221 | Syracuse

After coming under relentless and unforgiving scrutiny as Ohio State’s starter last season, McCord needed a change of scenery. Boy, did he get one and blossomed into becoming a star at Syracuse. He doesn’t have the biggest arm or is the most fleet-footed passer, but he works well within those confines. The accuracy is steadily improving but still needs some work. His arm talent is average, and he can make most of the throws when he has the time to do it. Ball placement has been spotty at best. The current Orange signal-caller has significantly improved his stock after his transfer in his final collegiate season. He profiles as a middle to late Day 3 selection at this juncture.

Draft Projection: Fifth to Seventh

2024 Statistics: 185/282 (65%), 2,160 yards, 19 touchdowns and six touchdowns

“Hoos on Ten?”

10. Kurtis Rourke | 6’5 233 | Indiana

Rourke is one of the lesser-known class members to the football community, as he toiled for Ohio for five seasons before transferring to Indiana. The Hoosiers are undefeated under his watch, and he has been a riser on the board due to his career efforts. If the name sounds familiar, it’s a correct assumption, as Kurtis is Nathan’s younger brother, who starred at Ohio before heading to the NFL and CFL ranks. He has the moxie and arm talent to make almost any throw in the league today. The athleticism is above average. His accuracy has improved significantly this season, after several seasons in the middle 60 percentile. The Curt Cignetti offense has unleashed his potential as a pro-level passer. If he can continue his progress, there is a chance that he will be invited to an all-star event like the Hula Bowl.

Draft Projection: Sixth to Seventh

2024 Statistics: 118/160 (73%), 1,752 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions