Anyone looking for the next Cam Ward might want to settle in for an extended wait.
To most, the No. 1 pick of the Tennessee Titans in this year’s NFL draft didn’t clear the threshold of a ‘generational’ talent that his future team first floated months before his selection. But his path to the point is a unique one unlikely to be followed anytime soon. Passed over by almost every college as a zero-star quarterback who operated in a Wing-T offense in high school, he climbed from Incarnate Word at the Football Championship Subdivision to Washington State before last year transferring to Miami (Fla.), where he would become arguably the most dynamic passer in college football. At a position where players tend to be known commodities from their early high school years, it’s unlikely that anyone will replicate this meteoric rise right away.
But that doesn’t mean that the outlook at quarterback in any given draft is static. In recent years, several quarterbacks have rocketed into the early first round, with the likes of Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr. and Anthony Richardson among those who changed the conversation about their capabilities thanks to stellar final seasons.
With evaluation efforts now turning toward 2026, there are already several entities who have become fixtures of way-too-early mock drafts, including Penn State’s Drew Allar, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and, yes, even Texas’ Arch Manning. But keep an eye on these 10 quarterbacks who could enjoy a significant rise in next year’s draft with a strong showing this upcoming season:
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Maybe it seems like a cheat to include Sellers on this list, as he’s squarely in the conversation of candidates to be the first quarterback taken next spring. To reach that point, however, he’ll need to raise his baseline when operating from the pocket. Nevertheless, his inherent electricity as a dual-threat playmaker makes tolerating his unevenness more than worthwhile. The 6-3, 242-pounder might be one of the most formidable rushing threats behind center from the moment he enters the NFL, and he stands out as perhaps college football’s pre-eminent creator thanks to his ability to deliver strikes to every level of the field. If Sellers can become a more decisive and anticipatory passer while also cleaning up the fumbling issues that dogged his debut starting campaign, he’ll have few peers capable of measuring up to him in the draft.
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
With Carson Beck (Georgia to Miami) and John Mateer (Washington State to Oklahoma) each headed to new schools, Mendoza was hardly the headliner among quarterbacks in this winter’s transfer portal rush. But his move might be among the most consequential for next year’s draft. In leaving Cal for Indiana, Mendoza departs a program that was sapped of its top talent – the Golden Bears lost five running backs to the transfer portal as well as their No. 1 receiver and tight end, among others – for one infusing its roster with even more promising players. After helping develop another tall, strong-armed transfer in Kurtis Rourke last season, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti should be well-positioned to guide the progress of his new 6-5, 225-pound passer. Mendoza can operate far more quickly and with more precision (68.7% completion rate last season) than Rourke did, but he’ll need to better navigate pressure after taking 41 sacks last season – the most of any returning passer in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
The Mississippi State transfer didn’t receive widespread recognition in 2024, as he only took over as starter three games into the year. Now, however, Robertson could be in line to receive his proper due. The 6-4, 220-pound signal-caller is one of the country’s most precise downfield passers, and his heady play helped propel the Bears to a 6-0 run to end the regular season before the team fell to LSU in the Texas Bowl. His prototypical build and arm strength are major pluses, but his ability to balance an attacking mentality while infrequently putting the ball in harm’s way reveals that he’s more than merely just a package of traits. And with enough athleticism to escape the pocket and extend plays, he looks like exactly the kind of quarterback who can raise his profile significantly with another impressive campaign.
Eli Holstein, Pitt
After leaving Alabama following just one season spent redshirting, the former four-star recruit acclimated nicely to his new setting, throwing for 15 touchdowns in his first five games. The Panthers’ up-tempo offense under new coordinator Kade Bell hit a midseason snag, however, with the team dropping its final six games after starting 7-0. Holstein’s health played a major factor in that unraveling; the 6-4, 225-pounder missed almost the entirety of Pitt’s final four contests due to leg and head injuries. With ample arm strength to push the ball downfield, the redshirt sophomore should have little trouble catching scouts’ eyes, whether for the 2026 draft or beyond. Holstein will need to stay healthy and prove he can hold up against top competition after feasting on the leaner part of last year’s schedule, but if he’s afforded better protection along with more playmaking support at the skill positions, he could resume his ascent.
Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
True scorched-earth scenarios are few and far between in the NFL draft – at least for players of a certain level of ability. That’s the silver lining for Iamaleava as he navigates the fallout from his unceremonious split with Tennessee following a practice no-show and widespread reports of a clash over name, image and likeness pay. The 6-6, 215-pound passer still has considerable work to do to deliver on the immense potential he teased as the former No. 2 overall recruit who built an immense buzz before even taking the field. But if he can elevate an offense that ranked in the bottom 10 in the FBS for scoring (18.4 points per game), Iamaleava can put the focus back on his physical tools and quiet – at least temporarily – the discussion about off-field matters.
Dante Moore, Oregon
Iamaleava isn’t the only former five-star quarterback from the 2023 recruiting class in need of a do-over. Moore joined the Ducks last year after an inauspicious freshman campaign at UCLA in which he completed just 53.5% of his passes and threw for 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions. After sitting for a season, he’ll take over an offense that boasted Heisman Trophy finalists in each of the last two years with Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel – who were both fellow transfers as well. Moore will have to reaffirm the poise and precision that made him such a highly sought-after recruit, but Oregon should equip him with the proper schematic and personnel support to allow him to flourish.
Miller Moss, Louisville
Few players in the transfer portal era have exhibited the patience of Moss, who spent three years as a backup before getting his shot to become the starter at USC. After setting a Holiday Bowl record with six touchdown passes in place of Caleb Williams and then opening last season with a dazzling win over LSU, everything seemed to be falling into place for him to be Lincoln Riley’s next prized passer. But Moss was benched after nine games, and now he’s taking over for the team he torched in his first career start. No one will confuse the 6-1, 205-pounder with Tyler Shough, the 6-5, 219-pound signal-caller who became a second-round draft pick – and potential rookie starter for the New Orleans Saints – thanks to his career resurgence with the Cardinals in 2024. But in teaming up with one of college football’s most acclaimed offensive minds in coach Jeff Brohm, Moss could be poised to follow his predecessor’s path with a reset that allows him to get his development back on track.
Austin Simmons, Mississippi
Placement on this list might seem far-fetched given that Simmons has yet to make a single start in his career. But after skipping two grades in high school and graduating from Mississippi earlier this month at 19, the 6-4, 215-pound lefty – who also was a relief pitcher for the school last year before deciding to focus on football – is a clear outlier. Simmons gave a glimpse of his capabilities when he stepped in temporarily for injured starter Jaxson Dart to complete five of six passes for 64 yards in the Rebels’ upset win over Georgia last year. Now, he’ll be counted on to keep Lane Kiffin’s high-powered offense running strong after Dart’s handle on the system helped him become a first-round pick. Given his inexperience and age, Simmons might be a name to watch further down the line. But if he proves himself comfortable against top competition, he’s shown he has no problem operating ahead of schedule.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
It doesn’t require a deep dive to see the pro potential of a 6-6, 230-pound passer who ran for more than 600 yards last season. Still, despite starting two years at Boise State and making the jump to Arkansas last season, Green has yet to put everything together as a passer, with his ball placement, pocket awareness (32 sacks taken last season) and decision-making all requiring refinement. But between his superlative raw arm strength and rare running ability, he can tax defenses in a manner that few other signal-callers can. If Green overcomes an exceedingly difficult schedule and an overhauled receiving corps that lost go-to target Andrew Armstrong, he’ll pique plenty of teams’ interests, at least as a developmental prospect.
Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
In following coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to Michigan State in December 2023, Chiles gave the Spartans some much-needed hope as they looked to turn the page on the Mel Tucker era. Yet nothing came easily to a program stuck in transition, and the former four-star recruit threw for just 13 touchdowns with 11 interceptions as his team stumbled to a 5-7 mark. Tamping down on his turnover-prone ways will be a vital step in Chiles’ development this season. But with his often dazzling deep balls and abundant athleticism, the 6-3, 217-pounder will capture plenty of attention if he can boost his efficiency and consistency.
This post appeared first on USA TODAY
