Quarterbacks to look at for 2026 NFL Draft

With the 2025 NFL Draft now behind us, the focus shifts to the prospects eyeing the 2026 NFL Draft. As the quarterback position remains a cornerstone of every draft class, it’s never too early to spotlight the signal-callers who could hear their names called in Pittsburgh. There are a good amount of quarterbacks on here but with the 2026 draft so far away, this list is just the audience to start learning the names of quarterbacks. I will have missed some quarterbacks so I could probably do a second quarterbacks list.

Senior Quarterbacks

Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)

In his first season as a starter, Nussmeier was one of the top passers in the SEC. Throwing for over 4000 yards, Nussmeier looks to improve in his 2nd season as starter for the Tigers. He can make every throw on the field, and shows toughness in the pocket. He also had NFL bloodlines with his dad being the offensive coordinator for the Saints.

Drew Allar (Penn State)

Allar took a leap in his second full season as the starter for the Nittany Lions. He has a lot to improve on but showcases great size, arm strength, and has underrated mobility. With a loaded Nittany Lions roster this upcoming season, it will be interesting to see if Allar can stake his claim as QB1 of this draft.

Cade Klubnik (Clemson)

Klubnik vastly improved in his second season as starter for Clemson. He has good athleticism and can make a lot of throws. He vastly reduced his turnover problem from his first year as a starter, and led Clemson back to an ACC Championship and playoff berth. If he can eliminate his problem of relying on his athleticism to get out of problems, Klubnik can easily be in the race for QB1 of the draft class.

Haynes King (Georgia Tech)

One of the best running quarterbacks in the country, King has played a lot of football in his time at both Georgia Tech and Texas A&M. With his running ability and ability to make every throw on the field, King could certainly get a lot of looks in the draft.

Taylen Green (Arkansas)

Showcasing his talent at Boise State, Taylen transferred to Arkansas and helped the Razorbacks beat Texas Tech and Tennessee last year. Green showcases athleticism, arm strength and NFL size for the position. Taylen is still growing as a passer but he can get looks if he continues to improve in the accuracy department.

Quarterbacks who will still have eligibility

Arch Manning (Texas)

We all know the name. We have seen the glimpses of his talent the past two seasons. Now, Arch Manning is going to start his first full season in college football. A easy pick for QB1 in next year’s draft, Arch’s arm talent and mobility will be some of the things to look at. However, it is not a guarantee that he declares for next year’s draft.

Sam Leavitt (Arizona State)

Cam Skattebo was the main focal point of the Sun Devils offense last season. However, Leavitt proved that he is a good player in his own. His mobility was on full display last season, but his accuracy on the run and toughness makes him an intriguing prospect. If he can display either the same or more success this upcoming season, he could be a candidate to go first round.

LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)

South Carolina’s resurgence last season started with Sellers running the show. Sellers is a dynamic scrambler who has a lot of arm strength and talent. With athleticism mixed with his size, Sellers has the potential to become one of the top quarterbacks in the draft should he declare in 2026.

Avery Johnson (Kansas State)

One of the most hyped recruits in Kansas State history, Johnson has oozed so much potential for offensive coaches. A true dual threat, Johnson displays true athleticism with a quick release. His arm strength is solid and he needs improvement in his mechanics but Johnson can give teams a look with his athletic traits.

Kevin Jennings (SMU)

Leading SMU to the CFP playoff, Jennings has showcased true athleticism while leading the Mustangs. As a quarterback who is twitchy and can make plays off script, Jennings also has solid arm strength to drive the ball. His size and lack of experience (13 career starts) are concerns but a full season of starting will squash the experience question, if he can truly showcased the ability to read defenses.

Eli Holstein (Pittsburgh)

While banged up with injuries last season, Holstein looked to be one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC during the first half of the season. Holstein showcased running ability and the ability to make throws off-platform. A full season starting will help Holstein get looks from scouts, as

Quarterbacks who need a bounce-back season

Noah Fifita (Arizona)

Arizona’s 10 win season in 2023 put Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan (Pick #8 to Carolina) in the spotlight. Arizona struggled this past season with Fifita and the offense struggling to replicate the same success. While he is undersized and struggles reading defenses, Fifita can place the ball in tough windows and is good at anticipating throws. If Arizona replicates some of the 2023 season success, it can help Fifita’s draft stock.

Jalon Daniels (Kansas)

Daniels was one of the more highly regarded quarterbacks in Kansas history, but injuries really hurt his 2022 and 2023 seasons. As the full time starter last year, Daniels showcased a solid arm and touch with the football. Durability and arm strength concerns are some of the questions with Daniels but if he can help lead Kansas back to a bowl game, he can really be getting looks for the future with the NFL.

Aidan Chiles (Michigan State)

This one is not really a quarterback who needs a bounce-back season as much as the others but he fits in my category. Chiles was a highly rated prospect in 2023, and followed Jonathan Smith to Michigan State. Chiles is talented but struggled very early in the season with turnovers and accuracy. He progressed throughout the season but still had a 13:11 TD:INT ratio. A strong 2nd season as the starter can help Chiles and the Spartans get more looks from the national media.

Quarterbacks at new schools

Nico Iamaleava (UCLA)

Everyone saw the tumultuous end of the Nico-Tennessee relationship. Transferring to UCLA, Nico has the opportunity to change the narrative of him. While leading the Volunteers to the playoff, Nico showcased his arm strength, size and mobility. However, he struggled against SEC competition and Ohio State so if he has a big season with the Bruins, it can slowly repair the image of him.

Carson Beck (Miami)

Many people like me had Carson Beck as QB1 for the 2025 NFL Draft before the start of the 2024 season. Well, Beck can fit into two categories on my list (bounce-back season). While having solid size and arm talent, Beck’s diagnosis of plays was adequate and his athleticism is limited. It will be interesting to see how successful he is this season, given that he is playing for a OC that helped Cam Ward go No. 1 overall in the 2025 Draft.

Connor Weigman (Houston)

The starter at the beginning of Texas A&M’s season, Weigman really struggled to showcase consistency before being benched for Marcel Reed. Now at Houston, Weigman has the potential to turn it around especially in Slade Nagle’s offense. Durability is a concern, so if he can stay healthy and show success, he can help build back some of his draft stock.

Kaidon Salter (Colorado)

Liberty’s success the past two seasons had a lot to do with Kaidon Salter at quarterback. A true dual-threat quarterback, Salter is a twitchy athlete who has a quick release and shows toughness. His size and inconsistency are initial concerns, but if he can lead Colorado to success in the post-Shedeur Sanders era, he can squash some of the concerns.

Miller Moss (Louisville)

It was at this time last year that people were talking about Miller Moss potentially going in this draft, due to being coached by Lincoln Riley. Starting off hot last year, he struggled and eventually transferred. Jeff Brohm has sent 2 of his 3 most recent QBs to the league (Aidan O’Connell and Tyler Though) so there is potential. Miller has a quick release and knows how to throw receivers open.

Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)

Mendoza has been a little under the radar but showcased potential at Cal. At 6’5″ and 225 pounds, he offers solid size for the position and does not put the ball in many dangerous situations. Transferring to Indiana where Kurtis Rourke helped himself into becoming a draft pick, Mendoza can help develop his game more in Mike Shanahan’s offense.

Preston Stone (Northwestern)

People forget that Preston Stone led SMU to the 2023 American Championship game before getting hurt. While he got benched for Kevin Jennings, he showcased a quick release and solid arm talent. If he can control his gunslinger mentality while lacking prototypical quarterback height, he can help improve his draft stock.

Steve Angeli (Syracuse)

Notre Dame fans have seen glimpses of Angeli’s potential, coming in the Sun Bowl and the Orange Bowl game. Seeming to fall behind CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey, Angeli transferred to Syracuse and is presumably QB1 for the Orange. Kyle McCord lead the nation in passing last season, so this offense can help unleash Angeli’s passing potential.

John Mateer (Oklahoma)

New offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle is one of the more exciting offensive coordinators in college football. He moved to Oklahoma, and brought his quarterback who is an exciting dual threat quarterback. John Mateer is a true dual threat, throwing for over 3000 yards and ran for over 800 yards. He is hyper athletic and a competitor but needs to work on his accuracy and mechanics.

Mark Gronowski (Iowa)

Iowa hasn’t been known for their offense the past couple of years, but Gronowski is an intriguing player. A former Walter Payton Award winner (FCS Heisman), Gronowski is known for his toughness and athleticism while also showcasing the ability to make a lot of throws. If he can improve his mechanics, Gronowski could see his name on draft boards in 2026. He is coming off an injury so it will be interesting to see how healthy he is when the season starts.