Entering Week 4 of the 2025 college football season, quarterbacks have separated themselves in NFL scouts’ eyes ahead of the 2026 Draft. There are still three months-plus remaining in the college season, and things can change. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the battle to be the draft’s QB1 is turning into a two-man race early in the season.
According to Thamel, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers edged LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier as the first quarterback who would be selected first in the draft next April. Thamel polled 25 NFL scouts and executives.
LaNorris Sellers & Garrett Nussmeier Neck-And-Neck in Scouts’ Eyes Through Three Weeks
In Thamel’s poll, Sellers got eight of the 25 votes, and Nussmeier got seven and it separated them from the rest of the list. While it’s not surprising to see both players as the top vote-getters, Sellers impressed one scout with his ability to change the game with his arm and legs.
“He’s got most physical talent,” one veteran scout told ESPN. “His ability to scramble and make plays with his feet as a runner. He’s instinctive, and the ball comes out quick. He’s got a unique talent level. The kid, his story, and how he got there. He’s got a toughness to him. It intrigues people.
“He’s got the makeup, intangibles, and ability to run. He’s got the most potential to be an impact player.”
As for the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Nussmeier, he is not as big of a threat as Sellers when it comes to tucking the ball and running to make things happen, but scouts like his arm. That was on display in the season-opener at Clemson. He went 28-for-38 for 232 yards and a touchdown to rally the Tigers in the second half for a 17-10 win. Last week in a 20-10 win over Florida, he was 15-for-27 for 220 yards and a touchdown.
“Instinctive and finds a way,” another scout said. “He’s got a great feel for the position and a good arm.”
Sellers is expected to play this week, according to Thamel, at 23rd-ranked Missouri after suffering a concussion last week at home against Vanderbilt. Missouri is going to be an under-the-radar road test for the Gamecocks and Selers, while Nussmeier gets Southeastern Louisiana at home.
Carson Beck Leads the Rest of the Best
Carson Beck of Miami and John Mateer from Oklahoma each had three votes to lead the next group of quarterbacks. Drew Allar of Penn State got two votes, while Arch Manning of Texas and Sam Leavitt of Arizona State each got a vote. Manning has seen his stock drop through the first three games. It should be noted that not all quarterbacks listed have to come out and still have eligibility remaining after this season.
Beck is in his first season with the Hurricanes after transferring from Georgia. Through three games, he has had a good start in Miami after a frustrating end to his career with the Bulldogs. He had his time in Athens end with an injury in the SEC Championship game last December. He threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening win over Notre Dame and then threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns and two interceptions in a 49-12 win over 18th-ranked South Florida last weekend.
So far, so good for Beck in Miami, and he has raised his draft stock through the first three weeks. Against two ranked opponents early on and with more to come, it would not be surprising to see him make a move up the draft boards. It would be interesting to see where this list is in another month.
NFL Scouts Split on Top College Quarterbacks Through First 3 Weeks