2026 NFL Draft Summer Scouting: Quarterbacks to Watch, Arch Manning and LaNorris Sellers Lead a Deep and Diverse Class

The journey to the 2026 NFL Draft begins now.

As we gear up for another exciting college football season, Football Scout 365 is launching our Summer Scouting Series—a preview of the top NFL Draft prospects at each position heading into the 2025 campaign. These early evaluations serve as a watchlist, not final rankings, designed to guide our in-season scouting, film study, and big board updates.

In this breakdown, we evaluate each quarterback’s current draft grade and ceiling projection, offering insight into what each prospect can become with further development. Some already carry top-10 potential, while others may rise with better decision-making, improved mechanics, or refined poise under pressure.

📊 Check Out The Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Big Board

Our NFL Draft Big Board is built using a proprietary scouting model that blends film evaluation, athletic metrics, production analytics, and projection traits. Players are tiered based on expected role outcomes—from Elite Franchise Cornerstones to Developmental Day 3 Upside Picks.

You can follow every update to the Big Board and find position-by-position breakdowns on FootballScout365.com.

Understanding Our Summer Scouting QB Tiers: Grading by Ceiling Potential

During the summer scouting period, each quarterback is evaluated based on their current grade and projected ceiling potential ahead of the 2025 college football season. These tiered projections provide insight not just into who a player is today—but who they could become with growth in key developmental areas.

For example, a quarterback currently graded as a Mid-Level Starter may show Elite or High-End Starter potential, helping identify the traits and refinements needed to reach that next level. This framework is essential for projecting how players could rise (or fall) during the 2025 season and into the 2026 NFL Draft process if they declare.

Below are the QB to watch in 2025

Elite Starter Ceiling

A rare, franchise-changing quarterback with elite physical tools, refined mechanics, and high-level football IQ. Can dominate from Day 1 and lead a team immediately, making him a likely top 5–10 pick in the NFL Draft.

Arch Manning, Texas

• Ht/Wt: 6-4, 220 | Class: RSO

• Current Grade: High-End Starter Potential (2nd–3rd Round Projection)

• Potential Ceiling Grade: Elite Starter Potential (Top 5 Pick)

• Player Comparison: Joe Burrow × Trevor Lawrence × Justin Herbert

Analysis: A third-year quarterback with 12 appearances and a 2–0 record as a starter, Arch Manning enters 2025 as one of the most naturally gifted passers in the country. In limited action last season, he completed 68% of his passes for 939 yards, 9 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions—posting an elite 184.0 passer rating. A smart, mobile playmaker with exceptional off-platform ability, Manning fits best in a modern pro-style system built around play-action and layered reads. He’s already earned recognition as SEC Co-Freshman of the Week and Earl Campbell National Player of the Week. Though currently graded as a High-End Starter, Manning could push into Near Elite or Elite territory with improved anticipation, faster processing under pressure, and more live-game reps against top-tier competition.

LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

• Ht/Wt: 6-3, 242 | Class: R-Sophomore

• Current Grade: Low Level Starter Potential (5th–6th Round Projection)

• Potential Ceiling Grade: Elite Starter Potential (Top 5 Pick)

• Player Comparison: Anthony Richardson × Jalen Milroe × Josh Dobbs

Analysis: A rare blend of size, speed, and arm strength, LaNorris Sellers enters 2025 as one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in college football. In his first full season as South Carolina’s starter, Sellers threw for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions with a 65.6% completion rate and a 69.8 QBR, while adding 674 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground. His explosive dual-threat ability, highlighted by 47 forced missed tackles and over 580 yards after contact, has drawn comparisons to Anthony Richardson. Sellers is nearly impossible to bring down in space and delivers laser throws from a variety of platforms. However, his turnover-worthy play rate (4.7%) and streaky decision-making post-snap remain areas for development. If he can clean up his processing, improve timing, and refine his mechanics under pressure, Sellers has the raw tools to rise into the No. 1 overall pick conversation by next April.

Near Elite Starter Ceiling

High-upside quarterback with Pro Bowl potential and only minor development needs. Displays outstanding athleticism and consistency with coachable flaws. Expected to break out by Year 2 and develop into a long-term team leader, projecting as a mid-to-late first-round pick.

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

• Ht/Wt: 6-2, 200 | Class: R-Junior

• Current Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential (4th–5th Round Projection)

• Potential Ceiling Grade: Near Elite (Mid-to-Late 1st Round)

• Player Comparison: Tony Romo × Derek Carr × Kirk Cousins

Analysis: The son of former NFL QB and current Saints OC Doug Nussmeier, Garrett Nussmeier enters 2025 as LSU’s full-time starter with high expectations. In his first full season of action, he threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while completing 64.2% of his passes and finishing with an 80.0 QBR. A confident pocket passer with a strong arm and clean throwing mechanics, Nussmeier shines in vertical passing concepts and thrives when working from structure. He’s shown a natural feel for pressure, flashes command at the line, and isn't afraid to challenge tight windows. However, his tendency to lock onto first reads, force throws into coverage, and drift outside the pocket unnecessarily limits his consistency. If he sharpens his decision-making, accelerates his progressions, and proves he can operate full-field reads, he has the tools to rise significantly in the 2026 draft conversation.

Drew Allar, Penn State

• Ht/Wt: 6-5, 240 | Class: Junior

• Current Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential (4th–5th Round Projection)

• Potential Ceiling Grade: Near Elite Starter Potential (Late 1st–Early 2nd Round Projection)

• Player Comparison: Josh Allen × Joe Flacco × Kerry Collins

Analysis: A former five-star recruit and Ohio’s Mr. Football, Drew Allar enters his senior season as one of the most naturally gifted passers in the country. He threw for 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 2024 while completing 66.5% of his passes and posting a 77.5 QBR. Allar’s frame, arm strength, and processing ability are standout traits in a vertical-based offense, particularly under new OC Andy Kotelnicki. He thrives hitting layered throws between zones and has shown growth working through progressions. However, inconsistent footwork and touch still lead to accuracy issues, especially when throwing on the move or off-platform. If Allar refines his mechanics and improves his decision-making under pressure, he has the talent to emerge as a first-round quarterback and long-term NFL starter.

Sam Leavitt, Arizona State

• Ht/Wt: 6-2, 200 | Class: R-Sophomore

• Current Grade: High-End Starter Potential (2nd–3rd Round Projection)

• Potential Ceiling Grade: Near Elite Starter Potential (Late 1st Round Projection)

• Player Comparison: Bo Nix × Desmond Ridder × Brock Purdy

Analysis: Sam Leavitt emerged as one of the nation’s breakout quarterbacks in 2024 after transferring from Michigan State, leading Arizona State to a Big 12 title and College Football Playoff appearance. He threw for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions, adding 443 rushing yards and ranking ninth among FBS quarterbacks with an 89.1 PFF grade. Leavitt excels in Marcus Arroyo’s spread scheme with his ability to extend plays, protect the football (1.1% turnover-worthy play rate), and attack all areas of the field with velocity. His quick decision-making, dual-threat ability, and poise beyond his years give him serious top-50 potential. If he continues to grow as a post-snap processor and improves his intermediate ball placement, Leavitt could rise into the first-round conversation as a modern system-ready quarterback with all the tools.

High-End Starter Ceiling

A well-rounded prospect with NFL starter traits who still has areas to polish. With proper coaching, he can grow into a high-level contributor, typically landing in the second to third round of the NFL Draft.

Carson Beck, Miami

• Ht/Wt: 6-4, 220 | Class: Senior

• Current Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential (4th–5th Round Projection)

• Potential Ceiling Grade: High-End Starter Potential (2nd–3rd Round Projection)

• Player Comparison: Jared Goff × Christian Hackenberg

  
  

Analysis: After going 24–3 as Georgia’s starting quarterback, Carson Beck transferred to Miami for his final season in hopes of elevating his draft stock following an injury-shortened 2024 campaign. He threw for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions last season while completing 64.7% of his passes and finishing with an 80.9 QBR. A rhythm-based passer with prototypical size and strong pocket presence, Beck excels in timing-based and play-action systems that allow him to work the middle of the field with anticipation. His experience handling full-field progressions and manipulating defenders with his eyes makes him one of the most polished decision-makers in this class. However, his accuracy declines when forced off-platform, and his efficiency plummeted under pressure in 2024. With improved poise against blitz packages and more confidence pushing throws outside the numbers, Beck could push his stock into Day 2 range as a system-specific NFL starter.

Cade Klubnik, Clemson

Ht/Wt: 6-2, 205 | Class: Senior

Current Grade: Mid-Level Starter Potential (4th–5th Round Projection)

Potential Ceiling Grade: High-End Starter Potential (2nd–3rd Round Projection)

Player Comparison: Desmond Ridder × Baker Mayfield × Taylor Heinicke

Analysis: A former five-star recruit with elite high school credentials, Cade Klubnik enters 2025 as a dual-threat playmaker with 37 games of experience and 28 starts. In 2024, he passed for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions with a 63.4% completion rate and 78.7 QBR, while adding 784 rushing yards and 13 career rushing scores. Klubnik flashes plus arm strength, clean mechanics, and athleticism to extend plays in Garrett Riley’s Air Raid system, especially when working outside the pocket or attacking the middle of the field. His high-end throws are NFL-caliber, particularly on layered touch passes and back-shoulder fades. However, inconsistent decision-making under pressure, turnover-worthy tendencies, and a “hero ball” mentality hold back his projection. If Klubnik improves his post-snap processing, trust in progressions, and short-area ball placement, he has the skill set to develop into a quality NFL starter in the right system.

Rocco Becht, Iowa State

• Ht/Wt: 6-1, 210 | Class: R-Junior

• Current Grade: Low-Level Starter Potential (6th–7th Round Projection)

• Potential Ceiling Grade: High-End Starter Potential (2nd–3rd Round Projection)

• Player Comparison: Brock Purdy × Andy Dalton × Colt McCoy

Analysis: A coach’s dream and the son of a former NFL first-rounder, Rocco Becht has quietly developed into one of college football’s most efficient and poised quarterbacks. In 2024, he passed for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions, adding 318 rushing yards and 8 more scores—leading Iowa State to an 11-3 record, a Big 12 Championship appearance, and a Pop-Tarts Bowl win. Becht owns an active school-record 18-game streak with at least one touchdown pass and has orchestrated multiple clutch fourth-quarter comebacks. While he lacks elite arm strength or physical measurables, his ability to manipulate coverages, make accurate throws under pressure, and manage tempo make him a high-floor NFL prospect. If he improves his intermediate placement and consistency against disguised coverages, Becht could rise into the Day 1 conversation as a system-ready quarterback with long-term starter potential.