ESPN College QB rankings

[insaniti]

So ESPN released their top 15 college QB rankings for the 2025 season. And that got me thinking, as a lot of people suggesting that we tank this year, or skip drafting a QB this year, in anticipation for next years QB class. Now keep in mind, this isn't a ranking of SENIOR QB's, or even QB's that will be in the draft next year. But I also wanted to compare that to the rankings from 2024. I'll link both articles, but for those that don't want to click:

top 10 for 2024
1. Carson Beck, Georgia
2. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
3. Quinn Ewers, Texas
4. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
5. Noah Fifita, Arizona
6. Jaxon Dart, Ole Miss
7. Jalon Daniels, Kansas
8. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
9. Cameron Rising, Utah
10. Cameron Ward, Miami

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39615705/ranking-top-10-college-football-quarterbacks-2024

it's interesting that they only ranked 10 for 2024, but have 15 for 2025. So lets get to the 2025 list:

1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson *
2. Drew Allar, Penn State *
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU *
4. John Mateer, Oklahoma
5. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
6. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
7. Carson Beck, Miami *
8. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
9. Haynes King, Georgia Tech *
10. DJ Lagway, Florida
11. Kevin Jennings, SMU
12. Arch Manning, Texas
13. Luke Altmyer, Illinois *
14. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor *
15. Darian Mensah, Duke

https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/44391723/college-football-best-quarterbacks-2025-arch-manning-carson-beck-drew-allar

So there's your comparison of this years class vs next years class. Seniors for the 25 class have the asterisk.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Could we have rankings from someone that doesn’t suck? ESPN rankings blow imo

See their 2024 list for proof
Their 2025 lucky pretty sus too

I’ll take those rankings with a pound of salt

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

I'll take Haines king right now

 

[KStilley]

Keep an eye on Austin Simmons who will replace Jaxon Dart at Ole Miss. The kid is a lefty, strong arm, great relief pitcher as well. Won’t turn twenty until November but entering his third year at Mississippi. I think he already had enough credits for an associates degree coming out of high school. 6’4 and a little thin at 216 or so. Can run as well.

 

[slashsteel]

I'll take Haines king right now

I will pimp their number 1 on the list Cade. He has an arm strength and can scrambled expect his accuracy to improve into the late 60s too.

Arch will balloon based on pedigree but don’t sleep on Cade next season.

 

[SteelerFan448]

So ESPN released their top 15 college QB rankings for the 2025 season. And that got me thinking, as a lot of people suggesting that we tank this year, or skip drafting a QB this year, in anticipation for next years QB class. Now keep in mind, this isn't a ranking of SENIOR QB's, or even QB's that will be in the draft next year. But I also wanted to compare that to the rankings from 2024. I'll link both articles, but for those that don't want to click:

top 10 for 2024
1. Carson Beck, Georgia
2. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
3. Quinn Ewers, Texas
4. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
5. Noah Fifita, Arizona
6. Jaxon Dart, Ole Miss
7. Jalon Daniels, Kansas
8. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
9. Cameron Rising, Utah
10. Cameron Ward, Miami

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39615705/ranking-top-10-college-football-quarterbacks-2024

it's interesting that they only ranked 10 for 2024, but have 15 for 2025. So lets get to the 2025 list:

1. Cade Klubnik, Clemson *
2. Drew Allar, Penn State *
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU *
4. John Mateer, Oklahoma
5. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
6. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
7. Carson Beck, Miami *
8. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
9. Haynes King, Georgia Tech *
10. DJ Lagway, Florida
11. Kevin Jennings, SMU
12. Arch Manning, Texas
13. Luke Altmyer, Illinois *
14. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor *
15. Darian Mensah, Duke

https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/44391723/college-football-best-quarterbacks-2025-arch-manning-carson-beck-drew-allar

So there's your comparison of this years class vs next years class. Seniors for the 25 class have the asterisk.

I know things will change and players will develop and step up, but if these are the same rankings entering the 2026 draft, so much for a deep QB class. Those top 3 right now are quite underwhelming.

 

[WindyCitySteel]

Draftable, right? Cuz Julian Sayin is gonna cook at Ohio State.

Anyway, this is why you need to be careful putting all of your eggs into next year’s draft, look at last year’s predictions.

 

[slashsteel]

I know things will change and players will develop and step up, but if these are the same rankings entering the 2026 draft, so much for a deep QB class. Those top 3 right now are quite underwhelming.

They won’t stay the same. There is some potential with the next class. I have a good feeling that will be the class to draft a QB. We will revisit.

 

[slashsteel]

Draftable, right? Cuz Julian Sayin is gonna cook at Ohio State.

Anyway, this is why you need to be careful putting all of your eggs into next year’s draft, look at last year’s predictions.

This one isn’t without potential. I think that Pickett class has people a little more reserved. I mean rightfully so it is a hard position to project.

 

[Ye Black Knight]

Draftable, right? Cuz Julian Sayin is gonna cook at Ohio State.

Anyway, this is why you need to be careful putting all of your eggs into next year’s draft, look at last year’s predictions.

I have high hopes for Sayin. Dude was not just a beanpole last year though, he was a malnourished beanpole. Apparently he’s hit the gym hard though or so they say. He has all the talent in the world, so if he doesn’t end up winning the QB battle that will shock me. I’m sure it’s his and Day is just being coy about it.

 

[slashsteel]

I have high hopes for Sayin. Dude was not just a beanpole last year though, he was a malnourished beanpole. Apparently he’s hit the gym hard though or so they say. He has all the talent in the world, so if he doesn’t end up winning the QB battle that will shock me. I’m sure it’s his and Day is just being coy about it.

I am thinking St. Clair is a future top ten. (Way premature prediction)

 

[Ye Black Knight]

I am thinking St. Clair is a future top ten. (Way premature prediction)

You very well may be right. That kid is a stud.

 

[Hypocycloids]

Could we have rankings from someone that doesn’t suck? ESPN rankings blow imo

See their 2024 list for proof
Their 2025 lucky pretty sus too

I’ll take those rankings with a pound of salt

Take it with a grain of salt is the correct idiom.

Now you can tell me to go pound salt. LOL.

 

[madinsomniac]

Espn IMO kind of sucks at all things ratings for some reason... i think they tend to go out of their way to be avant garde...

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Draftable, right? Cuz Julian Sayin is gonna cook at Ohio State.

Anyway, this is why you need to be careful putting all of your eggs into next year’s draft, look at last year’s predictions.

Happens all the time around here.

A few suggest “tank for next years’s QB”.

The tank for Jameis Winston posts really cracked me up.

I’m not ever a fan of tanking. If you go into a season without the goal of a Lombardi your attitude as an owner/coach/player sucks.

Next year is never guaranteed, lay it on the line and play like ya mean it…life ain’t a dress rehearsal.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Take it with a grain of salt is the correct idiom.

Now you can tell me to go pound salt. LOL.

ESPN needs things pounded into that crevasse that usually exits things.

Sand should be replaced with salt, in this case. Also note: It will take much more than a pound of salt as ESPN has many crevasses that need pounding, with more than a pound.


Salute the nation

 

[TDX27]

I'm curious to see how Allar progresses. His first year starting, the entire O struggled with very conservative schemes similar to the Steelers. They opened things up last year and Allar improved significantly. He isn't a speedster but can move around as needed. If he has another offseason of continuing to get in better shape and improving, in general, I can definitely see him being taken in the 1st round.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Take it with a grain of salt is the correct idiom.

Now you can tell me to go pound salt. LOL.

I fully meant a pound of salt
Meaning gonna take a lotta salt cuz those rankings blow…gonna need much more than a grain of salt

Now go kick salt kid…and stay off my damn lawn (shakes fist angrily in the air)

 

[SteelerFan448]

I'm curious to see how Allar progresses. His first year starting, the entire O struggled with very conservative schemes similar to the Steelers. They opened things up last year and Allar improved significantly. He isn't a speedster but can move around as needed. If he has another offseason of continuing to get in better shape and improving, in general, I can definitely see him being taken in the 1st round.

His size and arm strength will get him drafted in the first round. I don't like his limited mobility and he doesn't have great pocket presence relative to other top QBs. Maybe it's minor, but his body language in the playoffs when the defense couldn't get a stop was awful and when he got his chance to go back out there he promptly threw an interception.

 

[WindyCitySteel]

His size and arm strength will get him drafted in the first round. I don't like his limited mobility and he doesn't have great pocket presence relative to other top QBs. Maybe it's minor, but his body language in the playoffs when the defense couldn't get a stop was awful and when he got his chance to go back out there he promptly threw an interception.

Reminds me of Daniel Jones, all the tools, but kind of a milquetoast.

 

[WindyCitySteel]

One more example of year-early draft projections not being accurate — Google “way too early 2020 mock draft”, the consensus top 3 QBs were Tua, Herbert, and Jake Fromm. No mention of Burrow, guys like Eason and Shea Patterson sneaking into the bottom of the first, Hurts and Love not getting much love.

 

[madinsomniac]

Happens all the time around here.

A few suggest “tank for next years’s QB”.

The tank for Jameis Winston posts really cracked me up.

I’m not ever a fan of tanking. If you go into a season without the goal of a Lombardi your attitude as an owner/coach/player sucks.

Next year is never guaranteed, lay it on the line and play like ya mean it…life ain’t a dress rehearsal.

Generally Tanking doesnt work in the NFL, because scouting doesnt translate as well as with other sports...

The NHL or NBA's generational talents are often known while they are still high schoolers... the NFL, its a crapshoot even at the top of the draft... every year guys are pimped to be all time generational talents and they are meh guys in the NFL...

I mean pull up a list of 1st overalls and tell me who was worth actually tanking a season for since Peyton Manning?
Now I will cede the point that once a team is out of contention, it makes sense to play younger developmental guys and try new experimental schemes and plays to see what they can do and not actively try to win out down the stretch. Higher draft position does have some value... but its certainly not worth intentionally blowing a season over while there is still hope.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Generally Tanking doesnt work in the NFL, because scouting doesnt translate as well as with other sports...

The NHL or NBA's generational talents are often known while they are still high schoolers... the NFL, its a crapshoot even at the top of the draft... every year guys are pimped to be all time generational talents and they are meh guys in the NFL...

I mean pull up a list of 1st overalls and tell me who was worth actually tanking a season for since Peyton Manning?
Now I will cede the point that once a team is out of contention, it makes sense to play younger developmental guys and try new experimental schemes and plays to see what they can do and not actively try to win out down the stretch. Higher draft position does have some value... but its certainly not worth intentionally blowing a season over while there is still hope.

So true

Even MLB if a guy can pitch (velocity, location, break) he can pitch…if a guy can hit he can hit
Same with NBA and NHL as you stated. A talent will shine in several locations.

Football is such a team sport where your individual results rely greatly on all of your teammates.

The scouting department has to be in lockstep with the GM who has to be in lockstep with the HC to acquire the right pieces to make that award winning gumbo. A player drafted by the Steelers will look much different than if he is drafted by the Chiefs.

The cohesive strategy and communications are essential to build the roster.

Unfortunately the Steelers seem to have many info gaps between all those involved in roster building and lack a clear defined collective strategy. We end up with too many square pegs before they even get to the lack of resources for development of the assets.

Then this all gets further complicated by the game day voice behind the Shades and his issues when it comes time to field said roster.

 

[insaniti]

One more example of year-early draft projections not being accurate — Google “way too early 2020 mock draft”, the consensus top 3 QBs were Tua, Herbert, and Jake Fromm. No mention of Burrow, guys like Eason and Shea Patterson sneaking into the bottom of the first, Hurts and Love not getting much love.

This isn't draft rankings, this college QB rankings. Who they think will have a good college season.

 

[insaniti]

Could we have rankings from someone that doesn’t suck? ESPN rankings blow imo

See their 2024 list for proof
Their 2025 lucky pretty sus too

I’ll take those rankings with a pound of salt

May not be the best rankings, but it gets the conversation going. Again, not draft rankings...