ESPN Ranks The Top Quarterbacks Headed To The NFL, Along With Draft Day Projections

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid recently ranked "the 12 best QBs in the 2026 class as of now" and put LSU's Garrett Nussmeier at No. 4.

Ahead of Nussmeier were Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Alabama's Ty Simpson, and Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss, who might be staying out of the draft for another season with the Rebels.

Reid predicts that Nussmeier will be a "Late Day 2-Early Day 3" selection in the draft and explains where he excels and what he needs to work on:

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4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Late Day 2-Early Day 3

Where he excels: Nussmeier entered the season with heightened expectations after a promising first year as starter. He showed flashes in 2024, throwing for 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. That had many evaluators believing that he had the potential to rise to the top of the 2026 QB class. But things didn't work out that way, as Nussmeier took a clear step back, with 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions in nine games. He battled multiple injuries in 2025, including patellar tendinitis in his knee.

Nussmeier primarily operates from the pocket and plays with fearless anticipation. He throws accurately to spots in the intermediate game while showing an excellent gauge on route depth and where his receivers will finish on passing concepts. Nussmeier has a flexible arm, allowing him to easily alter his arm slots and ball trajectories to fit passes into spots. He navigates the pocket well, is aware of outlets and gets the ball out of his hand quickly.

Where he needs work: Nussmeier was reduced to attacking primarily the short area of the field this season due to LSU's scheme of quick-hitters and frequent screen passes. While he does get to unleash the occasional go ball, he averaged only 6.4 air yards per target (130th in the FBS). LSU's running game being ranked 126th in the FBS didn't help matters, either.

He also has a propensity to be a daredevil with the ball, which can be a gift and a curse. Nussmeier has sporadic moments of carelessness because of his confidence in being able to anticipate. Many evaluators feel that Nussmeier has the profile of a middle-to-late round prospect who has the talent, awareness and mentality to stay in the league for more than a decade as a backup and eventually develop into a spot starter.

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Here's Reid's complete Top 12:
1. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
3. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
5. Carson Beck, Miami
6. Drew Allar, Penn State
7. Taylen Green, Arkansas
8. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
9. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
10. Cole Payton, North Dakota State
11. Luke Altmyer, Illinois
12. Joe Fagnano, UConn