The college football season is approaching, and with that comes a new crop of NFL prospects to evaluate. The 2027 quarterback class could be one of the richest in recent memory, making it critical to get an early start in evaluations.
Quarterback is the most prominent and difficult position to play in all of sports, and just as tough to evaluate. Here are my top 10 quarterback prospects before the 2026 college football season.
1. Arch Manning, Texas
6’4″ | 219 | 22 | Junior
Strengths
• Great feel for the pocket. Knows when to climb, stand in, or bail
• Attacks all levels of the field with ease
• 3/4 release with no wasted motion
• Athletic. Can create on his own
Weaknesses
• Does not always properly step into the throw
• Minimal anticipatory throwing. Does not throw to spot/throw receivers open
• Can miss high/low at times
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Can he clean up accuracy/zip?
• Advancement in anticipation. Throwing receivers open in the middle of field/throwing to spots
2. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
6’3″ | 240 | 20 | Sophomore
Strengths
• Elite arm talent – effortless deep ball, accuracy to all fields. Multiple arm angles and speeds
• Handles pressure well. Breaks pocket, keeps eyes downfield. Good pocket movement – climbs and steps up
• Works through progressions, finds checkdown under pressure
• Snappy release despite holding the ball low. His feet move with his eyes, always in position to throw
Weaknesses
• Lesser competition
• Appears lean for 240 pounds
• Very confident in his arm. May get caught with more mistakes against higher competition
• Takes hits when running the ball
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Continued success against higher competition
• Work through progressions quicker against better pass rushers
• Add strength/weight
• Hold the ball at the chest instead of the beltline while in the pocket
3. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
6’1″ | 208 | 20 | Sophomore
Strengths
• Good arm talent. Can drive the ball to all fields, throw on the run, and off platform
• Works the middle of the field with conviction
• Works through progressions well and uses eyes to manipulate
• Takes sacks and throws the ball away to avoid bad plays
Weaknesses
• Undersized. Has struggled to see field from the pocket, but not a consistent issue
• Rarely faces a consistent pass rush
• Can lock onto target at times
• Inconsistent feeling rush. Can get caught with unnecessary sacks while looking downfield
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Is he a benefactor of elite OL and WR play?
• How will he hold up against a consistent pass rush/covered receivers?
• Can he improve feeling the rush and manipulating the pocket?
• Will his undersized frame hold up against hits?
4. Darian Mensah, Miami
6’3″ | 205 | 21 | Junior
Strengths
• Rare arm talent. Can drive the ball to all fields, good deep ball, and throw on the run
• Works through reads quickly
• Ability to throw accurate passes to “NFL open” receivers and throw to spots to lead receivers open
• Good off-script play. Throws well on the run and keeps eyes downfield
Weaknesses
• Not comfortable in the pocket. Bails early and rarely steps up or into throw
• Relies heavily on arm talent
• 205-pound frame raises durability concerns
• Good athleticism, but will find it harder to escape in NFL
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Does he have clutch ability? Will be answered at Miami
• Can he work from the pocket more consistently? May not be able to live off-script in the NFL
• Can he add bulk to a 205-pound body?
• Take a step forward with talent and productivity with a better supporting cast?
5. Dante Moore, Oregon
6’3″ | 206 | 21 | Junior
Strengths
• Quick, sidearm release
• Athletic with good speed and elusiveness in the pocket
• Mental & physical toughness
• Makes good plays off script. Good thrower on the run
Weaknesses
• Single reads – One read, screens and checkdowns
• Processes slowly, late on throws
• Not as elusive of a runner as you would expect. Takes a lot of hits
• Puts the ball in harm’s way. Throws into coverage and loose with the ball in the pocket
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Can he advance in progressions and throwing on time?
• Solidify footwork/accuracy from the pocket
• Protect himself better as a runner
• Better ball security
6. Jayden Maiava, USC
6’4″ | 225 | 22 | Senior
Strengths
• Works through progressions
• Layers passes over defenders. Good touch, especially on deep routes
• Solid pocket presence and movement. Stands tall in the pocket
Weaknesses
• Lacks ideal zip
• Inconsistent footwork. Throws flatfooted and relies on arm talent too often
• Appears to need bulk to take NFL hits
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• A lot of production from 50/50 balls in ’25. Can he continue his success without Lane and Lemon, or rely on it less?
• Wide windup with shot put release. Speeds it up when needed, but can he make it more consistent?
• Can he drive the ball to the perimeter?
7. Drake Lindsey, Minnesota
6’5″ | 230 | 20 | Sophomore
Strengths
• Great NFL build
• Natural arm talent. Can drive the ball deep effortlessly and throw receivers open by aggressively targeting spots
• Plays with great rhythm from his drop, mechanics, and timing
• Naturally works through progressions
Weaknesses
• Lacks athleticism. Can struggle to break the pocket when in trouble
• Inaccurate when he has to speed up the throw
• Arrested for underage drinking with a fake ID
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Can he elevate the play of himself and his team against tough Big 10 competition?
• Does the limited athleticism limit him as a player, or does he make up for it with quick pocket play?
• Increased zip on short and intermediate passes
8. C.J. Carr, Notre Dame
6’2″ | 209 | 21 | Sophomore
Strengths
• Solid mechanics. Good stance. Feet and eyes are married
• Good touch and placement on deep and 50/50 balls
• Sneaky athleticism and elusiveness
• Can get the ball downfield with a clean pocket and windup
Weaknesses
• Lacks ideal arm talent. Below-average zip and arm power
• Relies heavily on 50/50 balls and short game
• Appears thin. Could use more weight and strength
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• What’s his superpower? Lacks an elite trait
• Can he work the middle of the field?
• Can he handle pressure? Worked mostly from a clean pocket in ’25
• Can he throw off platform?
9. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
6’3″ | 240 | 20 | Junior
Strengths
• Arm talent. Snappy release, wrist thrower, great arm strength, and can throw off platform
• Elite athleticism. Running vision, speed, runs north and south with toughness
Weaknesses
• No feel for rush/pocket presence. Often runs directly into rush or never sees/feels pressure
• Struggles with accuracy due to being unsettled in pocket. Has happy feet
• Forces passes into tight coverage. Doesn’t seem to find weaknesses in coverage or throw to spots
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Show progression in pocket presence. Settle feet and subtle moves to avoid rush
• Better supporting cast? Bad OL
• Improved patience/progressions
10. John Mateer, Oklahoma
6’1″ | 218 | 22 | Senior
Strengths
• Excels at driving the ball to the middle of the field and layering passes to the perimeter
• Good athleticism with rushing upside. Tough runner capable of reading blocks
• Adequate pocket presence, throws with solid mechanics from the pocket
• Works through progressions when asked. Mostly single read/PA offense
Weaknesses
• Undersized at 6’1″
• Gunslinger mentality that gets him into trouble
• Production drop in ’24, 29/7 to 14/11 TD/INT in ’25. 15 rushing TDs to 8
What I’m Looking For in 2026
• Cut back on turnovers and recreate 2024 production?
• Work from the pocket more consistently
• Can he throw an NFL-caliber deep ball?
• Can he stay healthy with a reckless playstyle?
• Will 6’1″ height hinder the ability to play from the pocket?
Quarterbacks are just the first position group that I have scouted. Throughout the summer, I’ll offer rankings for each position leading up to the beginning of the college football season. Once the season concludes, that’s when the players are officially graded and stacked in time for the NFL Draft.
If you made it this far, make sure to give me a follow on X for MUCH more NFL & draft content @JLSports24
