For all the hype about this being a top quarterback class, the quarterback play this season has been underwhelming to say the least. That was especially the case in Week 3. Arch Manning and Cade Klubnik continue to struggle. Garrett Nussmeier had a strong performance, but didn’t light up the stat sheet by any means. On the bright side, that also means there could be less of a need for the Rams to trade into the top-10.
Every week throughout the college football season,
I will be watching some of the top quarterback prospects for 2026 and rating their performances. My ratings will also take into account the opponent
Garrett Nussmeier is QB1 until further notice
The LSU offense wasn’t necessarily impressive against Florida, but Garrett Nussemeier will be QB1 until further notice. There has been some bad quarterback play to start the college football season. Nussmeier is the only player that consistently looks poised, makes anticipation throws, and doesn’t panic under pressure. To put it simply, he looks the part and seems to have a lot of the mental stuff down.
Nussmeier didn’t necessarily stand out on the stat sheet. He was only 15-of-27 for 220 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Still, the completions from Nussmeier come with purpose. He seems to understand what the defense is doing and actively processes it mentally. The LSU quarterback is separating himself from the pack.
Player Performance Rating: 7/10
Carson Beck continues to grow on me
Carson Beck may not be the most exciting prospect and it is certainly worth noting that the Miami offensive line has been a wall this season. The Hurricanes also have an impressive group of playmakers. At the same time, Beck is playing very well. As Dane Brugler wrote in The Athletic,
“The main takeaway from Saturday’s game (and all three games of Miami’s games so far) is the obvious confidence that Beck is playing with right now. As the mistakes piled up for him at Georgia last season, things started to snowball. But he is playing with improved anticipation and decisiveness as a passer this season, ripping throws to arrive as receivers get out of their breaks…It’s still early, but there is no question Beck has helped himself. Scouts wanted to see him get back on track after a tumultuous end at Georgia, and that is exactly what Beck has done while executing at a high level.”
Beck is showing why he was considered a top prospect at the beginning of last season and he made the right decision going back to school and not declaring. The Miami quarterback would seemingly be a great fit for the Rams and Sean McVay. He has a quick release and has shown quick processing. Beck is right behind Nussmeier right now as the top quarterback in the class.
Player Performance Rating: 7.5/10
Get ready to jump ship
Cade Klubnik, Clemson
The Cade Klubnik experience is a rollercoaster to say the least. Klubnik had a difficult first half before looking to turn things around in the third quarter. The first half performance had me out on the Clemson quarterback and then with a nice touch throw in the face of pressure while fading away, he began to reel me back in. He then proceeded to throw an interception in the red zone.
It’s as if Klubnik has lost some confidence and is trying to do too much. The best way to describe Klubnik right now is that the easy things look hard and at times he makes the hard things look easy. It was commendable that Klubnik brought Clemson back in a tough environment on the road, but this is how the Clemson quarterback has been playing for much of the season. There is no doubt that the talent is there, but right now, it’s hard to see a first-round quarterback. Klubnik can still turn it around. He needs to find his rhythm and regain some confidence before the November 8 game against Florida State in Death Valley.
Player Performance Rating: 6/10
Arch Manning, Texas
I want to make this very clear and that is that I am out on Arch Manning in 2026. At this point, it’s looking more and more likely that Manning will return to school anyway which would probably be the right decision. There was a point against UTEP in which Manning had thrown nine straight incompletions, including an interception, and he was 5-for-16.
It never made sense why so many in the Rams fanbase were so hellbent on Arch Manning or bust. The sample size from last season was always extremely small. This is the second time in three weeks that Manning has struggled, but the first time was at least understandable against Ohio State. This was UTEP. Manning’s mechanics look off and he seems to be trying to do too much. He’s going to need another year of experience and that’s if he isn’t replaced at Texas.
Player Performance Rating: 4/10
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Much like Manning, I may be out on LaNorris Sellers for 2026. Right now, he gives off Anthony Richardson vibes and that didn’t help as he suffered a concussion Vanderbilt on Saturday and left the game. Sellers finished 6-for-7 for 94 yards and an interception. Sellers is raw and the mental processing isn’t there just yet. A full year of experience and returning to school would be the best thing for him.
Player Performance Rating: 5/10
It’s time to prove it
Drew Allar, Penn State
Much like Klubnik, the Drew Allar experience has been quite the rollercoaster. He can have some of the worst passes you’ve ever seen and then throw an absolute dart that shows off his arm talent. Allar was 16-for-29 against FCS Villanova with a touchdown and interception. The Nittany Lions will play Oregon in two weeks after a bye. It’s time for Drew Allar to prove what he can do and show up on a big stage.
Player Performance Rating: 7/10
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza has had as easy of a first three games as you can get in college football. The Hoosiers have played Old Dominion, Kennesaw State and Indiana State. On Saturday, they finally get a ranked opponent in Illinois. It’s always important to take competition into account, and Indiana has had a light schedule. It will be exciting to see what Mendoza can do against a Big Ten opponent.
Player Performance Rating: 7/10
Others to Watch
I’m not sure what sort of future Haynes King will have in the NFL, but watching Georgia Tech on Saturday, he was a fun player. He’s the modern day, less famous Tim Tebow. King doesn’t have the best arm or ideal throwing motion, but he can make some plays with his legs.
Conner Weigman is having a very good season with Houston. He had 17 carries for 83 yards and two rushing touchdowns to go with 15-of-24 passing and 222 yards. The Big 12 isn’t a great conference, but Weigman should have an opportunity to prove himself over the next few weeks.
Who to Watch this week
* All times Eastern
- Syracuse @ Clemson: 9/20, 12 p.m. – Cade Klubnik
- Auburn @ Oklahoma: 9/20, 3:30 p.m. – John Mateer
- South Carolina @ Missouri: 9/20, 7 p.m. – LaNorris Sellers
- Florida @ Miami: 9/20, 7:30 p.m. – Carson Beck
- Illinois @ Indiana: 9/20, 7:30 p.m. – Fernando Mendoza
- Arizona State @ Baylor: 9/20, 7:30 p.m. – Sam Leavitt, Sawyer Robertson
The big games here that I’ll be watching are Auburn at Oklahoma. John Mateer will be taking on a ranked SEC opponent at home which will be a good test. While Sellers hasn’t been as good as expected, Missouri is ranked and that is a road game. How does he handle that if he plays? How does Carson Beck manage against Florida compared to Garrett Nussmeier last week? Again, I’ll be interested to see how Mendoza does against a ranked opponent rather than a team like Indiana State. Sawyer Robertson is someone that I haven’t watched too closely, but he’ll have a good test at home against Arizona State.
