This college season has been nothing short of unpredictable, from not just the rankings and who has stood above the rest, but also in the QB rankings. We started this season with a Top 5 big board that had real promise and a ton of hype going. However, in a shocking turn of events, four of the top five QBs to begin the year have all fallen out of the Top 5.
It’s left to question if the 2026 QB class is even worth investing in, with numerous players like Julian Sayin and Marcel Reed, who are both leading undefeated Ohio State and Texas A&,M are worth waiting for next year. However, other Quarterbacks in the 2026 class have risen to the challenge and have created a fascinating new Big Board as we go into the Playoff chase. Before we get into the Big Board, let’s break down what’s gone wrong for those who have fallen off our Big Board, with a name to keep an eye on.
Who’s Fallen Out?
Cade Klubnik- The Preseason #1 QB on the board has sadly completely regressed to what he was towards the beginning of last year and before that. With his lack of physicality as a passer, he’s going to struggle to be drafted at this rate. Sad to see, considering he’d possibly be a Top 3 Round pick if he declared last year. Sometimes you should strike while the iron is hot.
Drew Allar- He would’ve possibly been the #1 overall pick had he declared last offseason. Now with regression and PSU disappointing, and now has been knocked out for the season. It’s questionable if he’s worth drafting now. He still has the same issues in big games and needs a real QB guru to teach him.
Garrett Nussmeier- Like the other two before, Nussmeier has regressed as well, but not as much. Actually, Nuss has a higher completion percentage than he did last year. The problem with him will be that he’s a true gunslinger, and because of that, he’s prone to more mistakes. However, he’s not the reason for LSU’s disappointment. Maybe if Brian Kelly is let go, we see a resurgence down the stretch?
LaNorris Sellers- There’s no denying he’s the most physically gifted QB in this class. But it’s clear whether it’s South Carolina’s fault or his own, he’s regressed to the point where he needs to return to college. Transfer to a legit school with a legit Offensive Guru (Indiana?, USC?, Alabama?).
Honorable Mention- Taylen Green, Arkansas– Arkansas may be bad, but it’s not because of Green. I almost wish Green were on a better team to see what he truly could do. He has every trait much like LaNorris Sellers, but more production this year. However, I think he’s more raw as a passer. Still, he’s fascinating and will be someone teams like in the process.
5. Jayden Maiava, USC
You talk about a player that wasn’t on my radar going into the season. Maiava was a guy who had some promise, but never really grasped his talent. While his Notre Dame game was a mixed bag, he’s had strong performances against Michigan and Illinois that make you wonder what his ceiling is.
What stands out with Maiava is that he has the ideal size you want at the position and the arm to back up his physicality. With the way this class has looked, you’re looking for QBs with upside and the ability to develop. What you’re getting with Maiava is a guy with the arm you want and the confidence to do whatever he wants with it. His best trait is his ability to handle the pocket and keep his eyes down the field. However, he tends to lock onto receivers and doesn’t handle pressure the best and will make bad throws. Yet, these things with a good coaching staff that believes and develops him are traits that are fixable. At this point, he’s at worst a high-end backup QB in the NFL, but the upside from his development this year shows he’s got starting potential in the NFL.
4. Darian Mensah, Duke
If you’re looking for a QB with more than 1 year of experience, the size, arm, mobility and track record of success…look no further than Mensah.
A year ago, Mensah was on a Tulane team that put up the 16th most points per game in college football. Now in a tougher conference at Duke, he’s running the 25th-best offense in the country and one of the best passing attacks in the country.
Mensah comes in at around 6’2’’-6’3’’ and around 205-210lbs., and while he could lose weight, he gets the ball out quickly, and he’s extremely smart and accurate with his passes. He’s already surpassing his Tulane numbers, while cutting back on his interceptions and raising his completion percentage. The kid went into Clemson and won (while not much this year, still…that’s a tough environment). He can make every throw and has more mobility than he shows as he’s a passer first.
The questions lay in that he’s too skinny. Can he take the beating he will take at the next level? What kind of offense will he thrive in at the next level? It seems he can fit in numerous schemes, unlike many QBs, but which one is best for him? The biggest question is, while he may only be 20 right now, will he even declare for the draft? The way he’s playing, Mensah could make real noise if he declares with his upside.
3. Dante Moore, Oregon
Moore was a guy that I had on my Top 5 QB Board for the 2027 NFL Draft. I thought he’d build some success this year and return next year and be a top pick going for 2027. Well…he decided to be a year ahead of schedule. Moore has come into 2025 on a mission. He’s completed over 70% of his passes this season, and outside of a bad game against Indiana, he’s been possibly the best QB in the nation.
He probably throws as good of a deep ball as anyone in this class and has the mental capabilities you love to see at the line breaking down defenses. He’s also been raved for his leadership, which you can see clearly as Oregon smoothly transitioned from Dillon Gabriel to Moore.
The mobility in and escaping the pocket leaves more to be desired, and you hope he can build up a bit more muscle to handle the hits he’ll take at the next level. He was knocked out of the Wisconsin game from a hit in the 3rd quarter. The question remains, will he stay at school or declare? It could go either way. However, I feel like he could easily look at Klubnik, Allar, and Nussmeier falling off this year and realize the time to declare is now and not risk it. However, his personality could push him to stay and fight for a National title next year. If he declares, he’s a first-round lock.
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
To be completely honest, I didn’t see Ty Simpson coming. Credit to Kaleb DeBour and the staff at Alabama for really elevating Simpson to that next level. He has a lightning-quick release and, as evidenced in the Georgia game, can read the defense and easily fit passes into tight windows. Add to that, the Georgia game was on the road and ending a 33-game home winning streak there.
His athletic ability is probably the best of the Top 5 on my board. He can maneuver in the pocket and gain yards when he needs to. However, he keeps his eyes down the field looking for the play. What I love most about him is his ability to throw in tight windows and his lightning-quick release. These are two things that will easily translate to the next level.
However, he’s got possibly the smallest track record of my Top 5. I’ve always instituted a rule going back to 2014: you don’t buy into one-year wonders. I once broke that rule with Zach Wilson in 2021 and have stayed firm on it ever since. Simpson is making me question the rule, considering the level of play he’s playing in now and dominating.
For that reason, I don’t blame people for ranking him at #1. But I’m going to stop short of it, and for his strengths, I’m feeling comfortable putting him at #2. However, I want to see this consistency the rest of the way.
- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
We called Mendoza the guy who could be the one who flies up the board, and he’s done just that. It’s amazing how working with an Offensive Guru and a far better O-Line with weapons helps. He commands the line of scrimmage, understanding schemes and reading the defense like a pro. He doesn’t fear the blitz and is willing to take the hit. His release is quick, and the ball placement is that. To add to that, he’s elevated Indiana’s receiving group, another positive sign for a QB. He now also has his signature moment coming up with a last-minute game-winning TD at Penn State.
Where he lacks is more on the physical side. He has functional mobility, rather than athletic mobility. His arm strength is average to above average. I also wonder if his lack of body mass could add more strength to his arm. If so, he has some upside that teams may like.
He’s beaten Oregon and Illinois, but there are tougher matchups ahead. These games are going to be the deciding factor in where Mendoza becomes the bona fide #1 pick in the NFL draft. As it stands, he’s trending to locking it down.
There’s still plenty of Football to be played down the stretch, and for plenty of the new Top 5, there will be big games against major opponents. While it looks pretty strong that Fernando Mendoza has a stranglehold on the #1 spot, strong performances down the stretch by Ty Simpson or Dante Moore, especially, can still bump him down, considering both have better arm talent.
However, at this point in the season, this QB class won’t be the much hyped class we thought it would be. For even the players that fell off like Nussmeier and Klubnik, these last few games can be the difference between getting back into the Day 1 or 2 conversation or not even getting drafted at all. It’s do-or-die time for these prospects.