Patrick Conn of USA TODAY Sports named Manning and six others as quarterbacks to keep an eye on for the 2026 draft cycle.
The 2025 NFL Draft has barely wrapped, but attention is already turning to next year’s quarterback class, which is expected to be a significant upgrade over this year’s group. Patrick Conn of USA TODAY Sports has revealed his preliminary list of quarterbacks to watch for the 2026 NFL Draft, headlined by Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning.
Manning, who will step into a full-time starting role for Texas this fall, is widely projected as the top quarterback prospect for 2026. Despite only two career starts, Manning’s pedigree and flashes of arm talent have scouts and analysts eager to see how he performs as the Longhorns’ leader. His blend of athleticism and football IQ, combined with the Manning family legacy, has made him the early favorite to be the first quarterback off the board next year.
Conn’s early list features seven quarterbacks to keep an eye on for the 2026 draft cycle:
- Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
- Drew Allar, Penn State
- Carson Beck, Miami
- Cade Klubnik, Clemson
- Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
- Arch Manning, Texas
- LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
While some of these underclassmen, including Manning, could opt to return to school for another season, they remain on the radar until official decisions are made next offseason.
The anticipation for the 2026 class is fueled by a consensus that this year’s quarterback crop underwhelmed, making the upcoming group’s potential all the more enticing.
With a full college football season still to play, the list of top prospects will continue to evolve. For now, Conn’s selections offer a glimpse at the names fans and NFL scouts will be watching closely as the 2025 college football season approaches and the 2026 draft cycle begins in earnest.
Arch Manning is for sure to be at the forefront of the entire NFL’s eyes, as well as other teams vying for the hopes of a possible NIL transfer, which odds would be slim to none. “I want to be the quarterback at the University of Texas. Sometimes it’s worth the wait,” Manning said.
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