It's way too early to actually try and break down the 2026 draft class. But, since the Steelers will be loaded with draft picks and have the flexibility to go get pretty much any quarterback they want, it's fun to look at a way-too-early ranking of the top signal callers for 2026.
These top five quarterbacks are based on Pro Football Focus' 2026 big board. Again, this is so, so early. There's a whole college season to be played. Some of these names may not actually be in next year's class. A lot can happen between now and next year.
In the meantime, let's have our imagination run wild:
Should he opt to enter the draft next year, it'll likely be because he lived up to the hype of the Manning name. The upcoming season will be his first as the full-time starter, and the expectations are through the roof for the redshirt sophomore. Manning's the betting favorite to take home the Heisman Trophy (+700 on DraftKings Sportsbook). He's got great size, unsurprisingly special arm talent, advanced processing for being 20 years old and he's a much better athlete than his uncles, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. The big question with Manning is if he will declare for the draft or not.
2. CADE KLUBNIK, CLEMSON
• Height: 6-2 • Weight: 210 • 2025 class: Senior
Klubnik took a huge step forward as a junior, completing 62.6% of his passes for 3,642 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, good enough for a 104.4 NFL passer rating -- an improvement from an 85.6 NFL passer rating the season prior. His 36 touchdown passes ranked only behind Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders in the FBS last season. The former top quarterback recruit in the 2022 high school class is primed for a big year as a senior, setting up to potentially be a top quarterback in next year's class. He's got the arm talent and potential dual-threat ability, but needs to show NFL teams he can take another step forward before next year's draft.
3. DREW ALLAR, PENN STATE
• Height: 6-5 • Weight: 235 • 2025 class: Senior
Despite ending the Nittany Lions' season on a sour note, Allar silenced a lot of critics with a huge step forward as a junior in 2024. After setting the FBS record for 311 attempts without an interception to start his career, he's maintained the ability to protect the football while vastly improving on pushing the ball downfield last season, despite having -- outside of Tyler Warren -- a lackluster crop of weapons. He posted a 116.0 NFL passer rating on all throws beyond 20 yards downfield, producing 11 of his 24 touchdown passes. Because of his size, underrated mobility and a rifle arm that can help him make any throw on or off platform, he's earned Josh Allen comparisons if he hits in the NFL. He needs to clean up some serious mechanical issues. One scout told me throughout this draft process that his upper body and lower body can get out of sync too often, leading to unnecessarily inaccurate throws.
After sitting on the bench for three years, Nussmeier finally got his chance to start as a redshirt junior. He wound up with the fifth-most passing yards in the nation (4,043) and tied for seventh in PFF's big-time throws statistic (26). He definitely plays more like a gunslinger, resulting in 12 interceptions in 13 games last season. He's also not a threat with his legs, but he's confident in the pocket and has potentially the best arm talent in next year's class, being able to make almost any throw on the field.
After spending one season at Michigan State, Leavitt transferred to ASU and was one of the biggest reasons why the Sun Devils went from back-to-back 3-9 seasons to winning the Big 12 and nearly knocking off Texas in the college football playoffs. With running back Cam Skattebo being drafted this year, there’s pressure on Leavitt to take his game to another level. So far, he's proven he's got a good arm and is good taking care of the football. Like Allar and other young quarterbacks, he needs to limit unnecessary off-platform throws that lead to inaccurate passes. He's not a true dual-threat guy, but is mobile enough to pick up yards with his legs.
IS THIS CLASS ANY BETTER?
This sounds like a copout answer, but it’s truly too early to tell. Again, there is a whole college season to be played. A lot can and will change between now and when the national champions are crowned next January,
However, both draft evaluators and, more importantly, those with the Steelers do feel the 2026 class will be better than this year’s class. If Manning does end up declaring for the draft, that’ll definitely elevate it.
One thing that stands out above the 2025 class is the level of natural talent. Manning is unsurprisingly gifted. Allar has phenomenal size and a cannon for an arm with high processing capabilities. Nussmeier might have the best overall arm talent of them all. And, just for the sake of time, I didn’t even bring up South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava, Oklahoma’s John Mateer or Miami (FL)’s Carson Beck.
We have to see how all of this plays out. But, for now, it does appear the Steelers have a better chance of finding the next guy to take a swing on. And with the team projected to earn the maximum of four compensatory picks, they’ll be loaded with a ton of capital to make whatever move they need to get the guy they want.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
12:11 am - 04.28.2025South SideWay-too-early look at 2026 quarterback class
It's way too early to actually try and break down the 2026 draft class. But, since the Steelers will be loaded with draft picks and have the flexibility to go get pretty much any quarterback they want, it's fun to look at a way-too-early ranking of the top signal callers for 2026.
These top five quarterbacks are based on Pro Football Focus' 2026 big board. Again, this is so, so early. There's a whole college season to be played. Some of these names may not actually be in next year's class. A lot can happen between now and next year.
In the meantime, let's have our imagination run wild:
1. ARCH MANNING, TEXAS
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 225
• 2025 class: Sophomore (RS)
Should he opt to enter the draft next year, it'll likely be because he lived up to the hype of the Manning name. The upcoming season will be his first as the full-time starter, and the expectations are through the roof for the redshirt sophomore. Manning's the betting favorite to take home the Heisman Trophy (+700 on DraftKings Sportsbook). He's got great size, unsurprisingly special arm talent, advanced processing for being 20 years old and he's a much better athlete than his uncles, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. The big question with Manning is if he will declare for the draft or not.
2. CADE KLUBNIK, CLEMSON
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 210
• 2025 class: Senior
Klubnik took a huge step forward as a junior, completing 62.6% of his passes for 3,642 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions, good enough for a 104.4 NFL passer rating -- an improvement from an 85.6 NFL passer rating the season prior. His 36 touchdown passes ranked only behind Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders in the FBS last season. The former top quarterback recruit in the 2022 high school class is primed for a big year as a senior, setting up to potentially be a top quarterback in next year's class. He's got the arm talent and potential dual-threat ability, but needs to show NFL teams he can take another step forward before next year's draft.
3. DREW ALLAR, PENN STATE
• Height: 6-5
• Weight: 235
• 2025 class: Senior
Despite ending the Nittany Lions' season on a sour note, Allar silenced a lot of critics with a huge step forward as a junior in 2024. After setting the FBS record for 311 attempts without an interception to start his career, he's maintained the ability to protect the football while vastly improving on pushing the ball downfield last season, despite having -- outside of Tyler Warren -- a lackluster crop of weapons. He posted a 116.0 NFL passer rating on all throws beyond 20 yards downfield, producing 11 of his 24 touchdown passes. Because of his size, underrated mobility and a rifle arm that can help him make any throw on or off platform, he's earned Josh Allen comparisons if he hits in the NFL. He needs to clean up some serious mechanical issues. One scout told me throughout this draft process that his upper body and lower body can get out of sync too often, leading to unnecessarily inaccurate throws.
4. GARRETT NUSSMEIER, LSU
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 200
• 2025 class: Senior (RS)
After sitting on the bench for three years, Nussmeier finally got his chance to start as a redshirt junior. He wound up with the fifth-most passing yards in the nation (4,043) and tied for seventh in PFF's big-time throws statistic (26). He definitely plays more like a gunslinger, resulting in 12 interceptions in 13 games last season. He's also not a threat with his legs, but he's confident in the pocket and has potentially the best arm talent in next year's class, being able to make almost any throw on the field.
5. SAM LEAVITT, ARIZONA STATE
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 200
• 2025 class: Sophomore (RS)
After spending one season at Michigan State, Leavitt transferred to ASU and was one of the biggest reasons why the Sun Devils went from back-to-back 3-9 seasons to winning the Big 12 and nearly knocking off Texas in the college football playoffs. With running back Cam Skattebo being drafted this year, there’s pressure on Leavitt to take his game to another level. So far, he's proven he's got a good arm and is good taking care of the football. Like Allar and other young quarterbacks, he needs to limit unnecessary off-platform throws that lead to inaccurate passes. He's not a true dual-threat guy, but is mobile enough to pick up yards with his legs.
IS THIS CLASS ANY BETTER?
This sounds like a copout answer, but it’s truly too early to tell. Again, there is a whole college season to be played. A lot can and will change between now and when the national champions are crowned next January,
However, both draft evaluators and, more importantly, those with the Steelers do feel the 2026 class will be better than this year’s class. If Manning does end up declaring for the draft, that’ll definitely elevate it.
One thing that stands out above the 2025 class is the level of natural talent. Manning is unsurprisingly gifted. Allar has phenomenal size and a cannon for an arm with high processing capabilities. Nussmeier might have the best overall arm talent of them all. And, just for the sake of time, I didn’t even bring up South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava, Oklahoma’s John Mateer or Miami (FL)’s Carson Beck.
We have to see how all of this plays out. But, for now, it does appear the Steelers have a better chance of finding the next guy to take a swing on. And with the team projected to earn the maximum of four compensatory picks, they’ll be loaded with a ton of capital to make whatever move they need to get the guy they want.
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