The Steelers had representation at several college football games this weekend, which just so happened to have quarterbacks that could be legitimate first-round options in the 2026 NFL Draft.
According to various reports, the Steelers had scouts in attendance to watch Texas' Arch Manning, Clemson's Cade Klubnik, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, Arizona State's Sam Leavitt and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers. The Steelers also have someone in attendance for Carson Beck's debut with the Hurricanes after transferring from Georgia.
The performances by each quarterback this weekend varied. Manning failed to live up to the hype, though he faced a dominant Ohio State defense in a hostile environment in Columbus. Nussmeier looked like a pro quarterback in a number of ways, especially with his cadence and reading defenses before the snap. Sellers, a true dual-threat quarterback, had a volatile but tantalizing performance. He made a few eye-popping throws and a few plays with his legs, none better than this gem to convert third-and-13 late in South Carolina's win over Virginia Tech:
The Steelers are projected to have 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. With that kind of capital, they could be in line to trade up to snag one of the best quarterback's in next year's class, regardless of where they'll be picking in the first round.
While Aaron Rodgers gives the Steelers a viable solution at quarterback this season, he's not a long-term solution. The Steelers are tired of one-year fixes. That's why, given the intention of acquiring compensatory picks in free agency, the Steelers are expected to be aggressive in next year's draft for a top quarterback.
"We addressed it last year. We're addressing it this year," Omar Khan said at the owners' meetings in March. "At some point, we have to find the long-term solution."
THE ASYLUM
Steelers scouting college's top quarterbacks
The Steelers had representation at several college football games this weekend, which just so happened to have quarterbacks that could be legitimate first-round options in the 2026 NFL Draft.
According to various reports, the Steelers had scouts in attendance to watch Texas' Arch Manning, Clemson's Cade Klubnik, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, Arizona State's Sam Leavitt and South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers. The Steelers also have someone in attendance for Carson Beck's debut with the Hurricanes after transferring from Georgia.
The performances by each quarterback this weekend varied. Manning failed to live up to the hype, though he faced a dominant Ohio State defense in a hostile environment in Columbus. Nussmeier looked like a pro quarterback in a number of ways, especially with his cadence and reading defenses before the snap. Sellers, a true dual-threat quarterback, had a volatile but tantalizing performance. He made a few eye-popping throws and a few plays with his legs, none better than this gem to convert third-and-13 late in South Carolina's win over Virginia Tech:
The Steelers are projected to have 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. With that kind of capital, they could be in line to trade up to snag one of the best quarterback's in next year's class, regardless of where they'll be picking in the first round.
While Aaron Rodgers gives the Steelers a viable solution at quarterback this season, he's not a long-term solution. The Steelers are tired of one-year fixes. That's why, given the intention of acquiring compensatory picks in free agency, the Steelers are expected to be aggressive in next year's draft for a top quarterback.
"We addressed it last year. We're addressing it this year," Omar Khan said at the owners' meetings in March. "At some point, we have to find the long-term solution."
WEEK 1 NOTABLE QUARTERBACK STATS
• Arch Manning, Texas (Loss at Ohio State): 17 for 30, 170 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, 58.0 ESPN QBR, 76.0 PFF grade
• Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (Win at Clemson): 28 for 38, 230 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions, 82.7 ESPN QBR, 75.0 PFF grade
• LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina (Win vs. Virginia Tech): 12 for 19, 209 yards, 2 touchdowns (1 rushing), 0 interceptions, 75.7 ESPN QBR, PFF grade TBD
• Drew Allar, Penn State (Win vs. Nevada): 22 for 26, 217 yards, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions, 39.3 ESPN QBR, 77.1 PFF grade
• Cade Klubnik, Clemson (Loss vs. LSU): 19 for 28, 230 yards, 0 touchdowns, 1 interception, 31.4 ESPN QBR, 59.4 PFF grade
• Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (Win vs. Old Dominion): 18 for 31, 193 yards, 1 touchdown (rushing), 0 interceptions, 66.9 ESPN QBR, 74.4 PFF grade
• Sam Leavitt, Arizona State (Win vs. Northern Arizona): 25 for 39, 257 yards, 4 touchdowns (2 rushing), 1 interception, 50.4 ESPN QBR, 58.0 PFF grade
• Carson Beck, Miami (FL) (Win vs. Notre Dame): 20 for 31, 205 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 84.9 ESPN QBR, 71.0 PFF grade
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