On Wednesday, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers put NFL scouts on notice when he announced he was declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Less than 24 hours later, ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. adjusted his quarterback draft rankings to accommodate Ewers’ announcement.
Ewers will have no shortage of competition in the draft. With dual-threat prospects such as Jalen Milroe and dynamic passers like Shedeur Sanders entering the draft alike, NFL teams are likely licking their chops to dip into the QB draft pool this spring.
Of course, some prospects are more desirable than others in Kiper’s eyes. Let’s dive into his latest quarterback rankings for the 2025 NFL draft class.
Shedeur Sanders maintained his No. 1 spot in Kiper’s rankings this week. The Colorado QB completed 74.2% of his pass attempts this season, the highest completion percentage in the country, for 3,926 passing yards and 35 touchdowns.
“I’m always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right,” Kiper wrote. “He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he’s not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.”
Cam Ward transferred to Miami this past offseason and made the most of his opportunity in the spotlight. Ward finished the 2024 regular season with 4,123 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, the most in the nation.
“When things break down around him, Ward can extend plays with his legs, either throwing on the move or picking up first downs as a runner,” Kiper wrote. “I like his toughness, swagger and confidence.”
Jaxson Dart cemented his name in the Ole Miss history books this season, shattering Eli Manning’s longstanding record for the career passing yards in program history. Dart racked up 10,163 passing yards and 68 touchdowns over his three-year career at Ole Miss.
In the 2024 campaign, Dart recorded career-highs of 3,875 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. His 322.9 passing yards per game were the most in the SEC. With great size and above-average arm strength, Dart has only moved up on NFL teams’ draft boards as the draft draws nearer.
Jalen Milroe is the most dangerous running threat on Kiper’s list. The Alabama QB notched 719 yards and 20 touchdowns in the ground game this season. However, his passing was often inconsistent, ultimately throwing 10 interceptions compared to 15 touchdowns.
Milroe’s inconsistencies spelled disaster for the Crimson Tide, who ultimately failed to make the College Football Playoff after falling 24-3 to Oklahoma in Week 13. In the loss, Milroe only completed 11-of-his-25 pass attempts and threw three interceptions.
For the second straight season, Quinn Ewers led Texas to the CFP semifinals. While he once again was unable to boost the Longhorns to a national championship appearance, he is largely responsible for the resurgence of Texas Football.
In his three years with the Longhorns, Ewers played and started in 36 games. He amassed 737 completions for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns while throwing 28 interceptions. He recorded a 64.9% career completion percentage. Now, Ewers will have a chance to try and bring similar success to an NFL organization in need.
Will Howard’s season isn’t over yet but he’s done wonders for his draft stock thus far in the CFP. Howard was particularly spectacular in the Buckeyes’ 41-21 win over Oregon. In the victory, Howard completed 17-of-his-26 pass attempts for 319 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception.
With one more standout performance, Howard could lead Ohio State to its first national title in a decade. The victory would not only add to Howard’s legacy in Columbus but solidify him as a winner in the eyes of NFL scouts around the league.
Kyle McCord turned heads this past offseason when he decided to leave his starting role at Ohio State to transfer to Syracuse. However, he quickly silenced any doubters, collecting a nation-high 4,326 passing yards, to go with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
While McCord’s build isn’t ideal, he’s more than capable of slinging the football and may prove to be a serious option for a team looking to take a risk. After all, he wouldn’t be the first later-round QB to succeed when given the chance.
Indiana was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 campaign, reaching the CFP in its first season under head coach Curt Cignetti. While Cignetti deserves his flowers, the Hoosiers’ success wouldn’t have been possible without Rourke.
Rourke exploded for 3,042 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, in contrast to just five interceptions this season. In a veteran QB draft class, Rourke was one of the most experienced. He has six collegiate seasons under his belt, including four as a starter.
Although Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough’s name may not be as popular as some of the other QBs on Kiper’s list, he shouldn’t be overlooked. Shough tallied 3,195 passing yards and 23 touchdowns this season while only tossing six interceptions.
Standing at 6-foot-5, there’s no area of the field Shough can’t see from the pocket. Moreover, he’s mobile too, able to make the defense pay if they give him enough open space to take off.
While Travis Hunter ultimately walked away with the Heisman Trophy, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel was the highest-voted quarterback, finishing third in the voting. College football experts’ praise for Gabriel is no coincidence.
In his first season at Oregon, Gabriel led the Ducks to a perfect 12-0 regular season record, a Big Ten championship and the No. 1 overall seed in the CFP. With over 18,423 passing yards and 70 touchdowns on his collegiate résumé, Gabriel knows how to pick apart a defense better than perhaps any other quarterback in this year’s draft class.
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