Top Quarterbacks in Next Year’s Draft

By Cooper Girolamo

The 2025 NFL Draft did not have much top-end talent at the quarterback position outside of Cam Ward. The 2026 draft, on the other hand, looks like it will be filled with top QB prospects for all needy NFL teams. We will look at the top prospects in this paper. It sounds like Arch Manning will not be entering the draft after next season, so he will not be covered.

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier would have been a top selection in this year’s class had he declared, but opted to stay one more year and get more experience. This past season he put up over 4,000 yards, 29 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. Another year in college as a starter will do Nussmeier wonders, as he will be ready to step in and take the reins for an NFL franchise from Day 1 next season. He is very comparable to Tony Romo with his ability to remain calm under pressure and make accurate throws. It is important to note he is also the son of New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. With a final successful college season, he has the potential to be the first QB off the board come next April.

LaNorris Sellers from South Carolina was unknown at the start of last season, but put up 2,500 yards, 18 touchdowns through the air and 700 yards and seven scores on the ground. This put him on everybody’s radar. He gave South Carolina their most successful season in recent memory and almost led them to the College Football Playoff. His 6’3″, 240-lb. frame mixed with dual-threat capabilities has scouts oozing over the possibility of adding him to their team next year. He is the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy and has the Gamecocks in a prime position to make the CFP this season. If this next season lives up to the hype he will be at the top of every team’s draft board next offseason.

Drew Allar from Penn State may be the next Josh Allen. The Cleveland Browns would have highly considered him as the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft had he declared. He led the Nittany Lions to the college football semi-finals last season and is looking for revenge and a national championship this year. The 6’5″ gun-slinger is also a major force in the run game. This past season he put up 3,300 yards and 24 touchdowns through the air and paired that with 300 yards and six scores on the ground. If he can exceed that production this season, any team would be a fool to pass up on a physical specimen like that.

Sam Leavitt, the tall, strong-armed QB from Arizona State, is another intriguing prospect in next year’s draft. He led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 title and their first ever College Football Playoff appearance. He is another talented dual-threat quarterback and has great poise and composure in the pocket. He had 24 touchdowns passes to only six interceptions last season along with 400 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. If Leavitt can put together a solid junior season, he could be a lock to go in Round 1 in 2026.

Cade Klubnik had a disappointing sophomore season for the Clemson Tigers in 2023, but he put on an absolute clinic his junior season. He boasted 3,600 yards and 36 touchdowns through the air and was only picked off six times. He also put up over 450 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Scouts are a little hesitant on Klubnik because he has his ups and downs, but if he can replicate last season he will be a no doubt first-round caliber player and in discussions for the Heisman Trophy. The college football world should watch out because Cade Klubnik is coming.

Carson Beck and Nico Iamaleava are two other names to watch out for. The quarterbacks for Miami and UCLA, respectively, are very talented players. They have a lot of baggage that comes with them and have had lots of ups and downs in their careers so far. If they have good upcoming seasons, they could sneak into the first round come next years draft.