Who are the top quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The 2026 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and this year’s crop of prospects will be looking to hear their names called on draft day, April 23-25, on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. 

Looking at this year’s quarterback prospects, there is a lot of great talent to go around, from players who helped lead their respective teams to conference titles and national championships to others who emerged from the woodwork after a strong season. 

Here is a look at some of the top quarterback prospects entering this year’s NFL Draft. 

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

In just one year at Indiana, Mendoza solidified himself as one of the top prospects in this year’s NFL Draft. After throwing for 3,004 yards his redshirt sophomore season at Cal, the 6-foot-5 gunslinger threw for 3.535 yards, 41 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Mendoza helped lead Indiana to a Big 10 title and the program’s first National Championship, capping off a perfect 16-0 season. 

Ty Simpson, Alabama

After serving as a backup quarterback his first three years at Alabama, Simpson broke out his redshirt junior season as the starter. In 15 games, the 6-foot-2 quarterback led the SEC in completions (305), throwing for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Simpson is perceived to be the No. 2-ranked quarterback prospect in this year’s draft behind Mendosza. 

Carson Beck, Miami (Fla.)

After spending the first five seasons of his collegiate career at Georgia, most notably leading the SEC in passing yards and completions in 2023, Beck put together a successful 2025 season at Miami, leading the Hurricanes on an upset run in the CFB playoffs, knocking off No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 6 Ole Miss before falling to Indiana in the national championship. Beck led the ACC in completion percentage and also ranked second in the nation behind Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, completing 73 percent of his passes. 

Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

After three years serving as a backup, Nussmeier served as LSU’s signal caller for two years. In 2024, Nussmeier was one of the top-ranked quarterbacks in the country, finishing third in the FBS in completions and fifth with 4,035 passing yards. The quarterback had an injury-riddled 2025 season, but started in nine games, throwing for 1,927 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

Drew Allar, Penn State

Coming into the 2025 season, Allar was recognized as one of the NFL’s top quarterback prospects after returning to college for his fourth season at Penn State. Following an ankle injury that sidelined the quarterback midway through the season, Allar will most likely be selected in the second round. In six games during the 2025 campaign, Allar threw for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, finishing with a Penn State career completion percentage record (63.2). 

Cole Payton, North Dakota State

One of the top quarterbacks out of the FCS, Payton had an historic year with North Dakota State, leading the Bison to a 12-1 record and a perfect 8-0 mark in conference play. He earned FCS All-America honors from several platforms, most notably from the Associated Press, along with an honorable mention from the AP as an all-purpose back. Payton’s .719 completion percentage ranked second in the FCS and also threw for 2,719 yards and 21 touchdowns.

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Cade Klubnik, Clemson

A three-year starter at Clemson, Klubnik was named the ACC Championship game MVP in 2022 after throwing for 279 yards and a touchdown against North Carolina. In his three years as a starter from 2023-25, the quarterback’s best season came in 2024, ranking ninth in the FBS completions (306) and 10th in passing yards 3,639, starting in all 14 games. During his senior season in 2025, Klubnik started in 12 games, throwing 16 touchdowns for 2,943 yards. 

Taylen Green, Arkansas

Following three years at Boise State where he was named the Mountain West Conference freshman of the year in 2022, Green transferred to Arkansas in 2024, throwing for 3,154 yards in 13 games as a starter, throwing 15 touchdowns to nine interceptions. This past season, Green started in 11 games, throwing for 2,714 yards and 19 touchdowns. 

Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

During his senior year at Baylor, Robertson ranked fifth in the FBS with 31 touchdowns, while also throwing for 3,681 yards. Robertson spent two years at Mississippi State in 2021-22 before transferring to Baylor in 2023. 

Luke Altmyer, Illinois

Before taking over as the starting quarterback at Illinois, he spent two seasons at Ole Miss, appearing in nine games. Once transferring to the Illini program, Altmyer became the starter in 2023, throwing for 1,883 yards and 13 touchdowns. In his second season, Altmyer continued to improve, throwing for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns, followed by a 3,000-yard season with 22 touchdowns and five touchdowns as a senior.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Here are the 2026 NFL Draft top quarterback prospects