NFL · 2 hours ago

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Ranks the Top 13 Quarterbacks for the 2026 NFL Draft Updated

Danny Mogollon

Host · Writer

Dropped Out: Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
UPDATE: Expected to return to Ole Miss for the 2026 college football season.

Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 200

Trinidad Chambliss took the nation by storm this season, being one of the most talked-about stories in all of college football after assuming the starting spot for an injured Austin Simmons at the start of the season. The D2 transfer initially was viewed as a premier backup, but his success in the starting role quickly made the Rebels' offense look explosive and made it impossible to pull him from the starting lineup. Finishing the season with 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and three interceptions through the air, while adding on 527 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, Chambliss has increased his draft stock significantly.

As of now, Chambliss availability in the 2026 NFL Draft remains up in the air as the QB continues to fight for an extra season of eligibility, but if he is forced to forego an additional year of college football, the rising star will be a name to monitor.
2026 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Jr. QB Rankings
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes are on the quarterback position. Fortunately, ESPN’s legendary analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has released his definitive big board for the signal-callers. From record-setting Heisman winners to polarizing dual-threat projects, this list defines the future of the league.

We know Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the undisputed No. 1 overall pick. Click through to see Kiper's full top 14 rankings.
1) Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (Previous: 1)
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 225

Fernando Mendoza is far and away considered the top quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class after a huge season at Indiana. Not only did the Miami native win the 2025 Heisman award, but he led a long-struggling Hoosiers program to their first National Championship win all in the same season. Totaling 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and only six interceptions on the season, while adding another seven touchdowns on the ground,

Mendoza is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in April.
2) Ty Simpson, Alabama (2)
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 208

Ty Simpson lands at the No. 2 spot in Mel Kiper's rankings after a strong starting campaign at Alabama this past year. The junior impressed in his lone season as a starter for the Crimson Tide after three years of waiting for his opportunity at the SEC powerhouse, where he tossed for 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Despite that, many still felt that one more college season under his belt could greatly benefit the pocket passer.

Nonetheless, Simpson's reluctance to suit up for another program and potentially burnish his Alabama legacy led him to the NFL Draft, as former five-star Keelon Russell seems to be the direction head coach Kalen DeBoer is heading in for 2026.
3) Drew Allar, Penn State (4)
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 235

Entering the 2025 season, Drew Allar was viewed as one of the top quarterback prospects to monitor regarding the 2026 NFL Draft. After two impressive seasons as the starter at Penn State in both 2023 and 2024, many felt that the six-foot-five quarterback could have entered the 2025 NFL Draft and been among the top available QBs then.

However, Allar opted to run it back for one last season with the Nittany Lions, hoping to make a National Championship run. Instead, the senior faced a trying start to the year that ultimately cost longtime head coach James Franklin his job and ended in an injury to Allar. Fortunately, his college totals of 61 passing touchdowns and 13 interceptions could bode well for his evaluation at the next level.
4) Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (6)
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 205

When talking about players whose draft stock took a significant hit in 2025, Garrett Nussmeier immediately comes to mind. The LSU star entered 2025 with the chance to solidify himself as the top quarterback available in the 2026 NFL Draft after a strong 2024 campaign, totaling 29 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Instead, the Louisiana native was dealt with an injury-riddled season that ended early after tossing for 12 touchdowns and five interceptions, leading a struggling Tigers team backwards in comparison to where many expected them to be in 2025. Now, Nussmeier faces an uphill climb to revamp his draft stock before April's NFL Draft, which began with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
5) Carson Beck, Miami (5)
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 220

Carson Beck is another QB that many believed could have entered the 2025 NFL Draft after a pair of impressive seasons at Georgia, where he proved to be a viable starter in the Bulldogs' offense. Nonetheless, a UCL injury just before the College Football Playoffs abruptly ended his time in Athens before his decision to not only return for another season of college football, but to enter the transfer portal.

In his lone season at Miami, the experienced pocket passer posted a career year throwing for 3,813 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while leading a Hurricanes' squad that snuck into the postseason on a cinderella run to the National Championship. Looking ahead, Beck has the chance to be a central riser with a strong showing at the NFL Combine.
6) Cole Payton, North Dakota State (7)
Cole Payton put himself on the map this past year in his lone season as the starting quarterback at North Dakota State. In his first year as the starter for the Bisons, the dual-threat quarterback impressed, totaling 29 touchdowns (16 passing, 13 rushing) and limiting himself to four turnovers.

Obviously, the last pair of notable North Dakota State quarterbacks to be selected high in the NFL Draft are Carson Wentz and Trey Lance, who both put together much better seasons in comparison to Payton. Nonetheless, in a draft class that many consider weak, the Nebraska product could be a riser.
7) Cade Klubnik, Clemson (9)
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 210

You can't talk about disappointments from the 2025 season without mentioning former five-star recruit Cade Klubnik and the Clemson Tigers. Not only did Clemson take a significant step back this season after a College Football Playoff bid last year, but Klubnik, without a doubt, TANKED his draft stock.

Comparing his 2024 campaign, where he tossed 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, to his final season at Clemson, posting 16 passing touchdowns and six interceptions in total, there's no way to ignore just how much his draft stock took a hit. Klubnik has talent, but the weaknesses he put on display this past year against lackluster ACC competition will ultimately impact his rank for not just Kiper but also NFL scouts.
8) Taylen Green, Arkansas (10)
Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 224

Taylen Green may be one of the most fascinating prospects to monitor in the entirety of the 2026 NFL Draft. The dual-threat QB posted a career-best season at Arkansas, combining for 27 total touchdowns (19 passing, 8 rushing) and 11 interceptions, while adding 777 rushing yards on the ground.

Green could interest several teams willing to take a swing at potential. The Texas native could be a project to develop, but for the right team, it may be a swing worth taking.
9) Luke Altmyer, Illinois (Unranked)
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 205

Luke Altmyer quietly put together one of the steadier quarterback seasons in the Big Ten, even if it didn’t always grab national headlines. Operating as the consistent force of Illinois’ offense, Altmyer showed improved command from the pocket and a willingness to take care of the football while still pushing the ball downfield when opportunities arose.

He wrapped up the 2025 campaign with 3,007 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, a stat line that reflects both his growth as a decision-maker and his reliability week to week. While he narrowly misses the top tier of quarterback prospects for now, Altmyer’s consistency and upward trajectory keep him firmly on the NFL radar as a developmental option worth monitoring moving forward.
10) Sawyer Roberston, Baylor (8)
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 220 lbs

Sawyer Robertson being ranked this low on Kiper's list comes as a bit of a surprise, considering his success under center at Baylor the last two seasons. In fact, after a career-year totaling 3,681 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, it wouldn't have been a shock to see the six-foot-four senior find himself in the top five of available quarterbacks.

Nonetheless, Robertson still has some heads to turn, and he'll have the opportunity to do precisely that at the NFL Combine, and who knows, maybe he could be the next Dak Prescott?
Just Missed: Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Height: 5-foot-9 | Weight: 207

Diego Pavia emerged as one of the most electric breakout players in college football during the 2025 season, turning himself into a weekly problem for opposing defenses and a legitimate Heisman contender. Despite being undersized for the position, Pavia consistently made up for it with toughness, creativity, and an ability to extend plays when things broke down.

He accounted for 29 passing touchdowns against eight interceptions while adding a massive 862 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground, showcasing a dual-threat profile that fueled his meteoric rise. Although he ultimately came up short in the Heisman race, Pavia’s production and competitive edge forced evaluators to take notice, even as his size remains a central talking point as his NFL projection continues to take shape.
Just Missed: Joe Fagnano, UConn
Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 225

Joe Fagnano’s path to this point has been anything but conventional, but the seven-year senior finally delivered his most complete and efficient season in 2025. Serving as the steady hand behind UConn’s offense, Fagnano played with confidence and poise, rarely putting the ball in harm’s way while consistently capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

He finished the year with 28 passing touchdowns against just one interception, a remarkable ratio that underscores his growth as a decision-maker and his command of the offense. While his age and lengthy college journey will be part of the evaluation process, Fagnano’s career-year efficiency has positioned him as an intriguing late-blooming quarterback prospect to keep an eye on.
Just Missed: Jacob Clark, Missouri State
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 220

Jacob Clark helped put Missouri State on the quarterback map in 2025, serving as the engine behind an offense that leaned heavily on his arm throughout the season. Clark wasn’t afraid to test tight windows or take chances downfield, a trait that led to consistent production but also came with some volatility.

He closed the year with 28 passing touchdowns against 11 interceptions, a stat line that reflects both his playmaking mentality and areas still in need of refinement. While he remains more of an under-the-radar name in the broader quarterback landscape, Clark’s willingness to compete and produce keeps him in the conversation as a developmental prospect with upside.
Dropped Out: Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
UPDATE: Expected to return to Ole Miss for the 2026 college football season.

Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 200

Trinidad Chambliss took the nation by storm this season, being one of the most talked-about stories in all of college football after assuming the starting spot for an injured Austin Simmons at the start of the season. The D2 transfer initially was viewed as a premier backup, but his success in the starting role quickly made the Rebels' offense look explosive and made it impossible to pull him from the starting lineup. Finishing the season with 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and three interceptions through the air, while adding on 527 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, Chambliss has increased his draft stock significantly.

As of now, Chambliss availability in the 2026 NFL Draft remains up in the air as the QB continues to fight for an extra season of eligibility, but if he is forced to forego an additional year of college football, the rising star will be a name to monitor.
2026 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper Jr. QB Rankings
As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes are on the quarterback position. Fortunately, ESPN’s legendary analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has released his definitive big board for the signal-callers. From record-setting Heisman winners to polarizing dual-threat projects, this list defines the future of the league.

We know Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the undisputed No. 1 overall pick. Click through to see Kiper's full top 14 rankings.