Quarterbacks are always in demand, and the supply almost always runs dry before all suitors are satisfied.
The 2025 draft class lacks the star power of the 2024 crop headlined by Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels at the top.
But the final big year of COVID eligibility has led to impressive depth late in the draft to go with a handful of projected top-50 picks.
At the top stands Georgia’s Carson Beck—but the order behind him is in flux.
1. Carson Beck, Georgia
The consensus top quarterback at this stage of the year, Beck has done little to change the perceptions about being a steady, controlled passer who can hit every level of the field with touch and accuracy. He lacks the type of explosive play ability that has become typical of recent top quarterbacks, but there’s a safe floor as a starting-level passer heading into the NFL level. He should lock in the top spot if he plays like he did last year throughout conference play.
2. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
The winner of the class’ award for most dynamic quarterback, Milroe still has quite a bit of developing to do when passing over the middle of the field, but his abilities as a runner make him an easy player to bet on tools with. He’s similar to Jalen Hurts as a prospect, albeit with a more live arm and better burst when he gets a lane to take off. Some scouts will want to see a more well-rounded passing game from him, though running a 4.40 40-yard dash could still land him in the top five picks.
3. Cameron Ward, Miami
A productive passer in his last two years at Washington State, Ward initially declared for the draft last year before pivoting to Miami. The move turned out to be a good one, as he has helped himself go from a likely day three pick to being a possible first rounder. Currently on pace for over 40 touchdowns, his outstanding performance against Florida at the start of the year solidified his status as a high-end prospect.
The departure of top receivers like Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy left a lot of questions about how Texas and Ewers would go forward, but the Longhorns are off to a blazing start at 4-0 with a 19-point win over defending champs Michigan. A touch thrower with timing and rhythm to drop passes over linebackers and safeties, Ewers won’t wow when things fall apart, but he can keep the offense chugging.
Best defined as a showman, Sanders will rub many scouts the wrong way with his mentality and the situation he is coming from at Colorado. He is a legitimate prospect though, producing at a high level and showcasing impressive accuracy despite playing behind a patchwork offensive line. It will be hard to separate the signal from the noise both with the player and the person, but a day two dice roll will make sense for most quarterback-needy teams.
A slow-throwing and risk-averse passer with a big arm, Allar’s accuracy is the biggest thing holding him back right now.
Nearly an 80 percent passer through four games, Dart will need some time to quicken his processing and adjust to an NFL offense, but he has been on fire through the opening frame of the year.
One of the best dark horse prospects in this class, Moss lit up Louisville at the end of last year and looked like a top 50 pick in the process. He hasn’t been quite as good so far this year, though he has eased the entry into the Big Ten for the Trojans.
Prior to the surge of Jayden Daniels last year, there were rumors that he could be supplanted by Nussmeier. It makes sense now with Nussmeier firmly in the Heisman mix despite a lack of offensive playmakers. His timing and anticipation will make him an intriguing option if he declares.
4. Quinn Ewers, Texas
5. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Honorable Mentions
Drew Allar, Penn State
Jaxson Dart, Mississippi
Miller Moss, USC
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU