2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper makes big changes to Top 10 QB rankings ahead of CFP Semifinals

The College Football Playoff semifinals are set, meaning only four teams remain in the 12-team bracket. That means prospects around the country are ramping up their preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft, and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. made some big changes to his Top 10 QB rankings.

Kiper’s top two quarterbacks stayed the same from last week’s update. Colorado star Shedeur Sanders and Miami standout Cam Ward remain No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, after their respective bowl games. But there was plenty of movement the rest of the way, including one player who jumped up four spots to No. 3.

The evaluation process for the 2025 NFL Draft is going to pick up soon ahead of next month’s NFL Scouting Combine. Here’s where Kiper’s Top 10 QB rankings stand ahead of the CFP semifinals.

1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Throughout the year, the debate has been whether Shedeur Sanders would be the top quarterback on the board. Mel Kiper Jr. continues to project him in the top spot following Colorado’s Alamo Bowl loss to BYU.

Sanders completed an impressive 2024 season to close out his college career. He completed 74% of his passes – the best rate in the country – for 4,171 yards and 37 touchdowns, along with just seven interceptions, to help spark Colorado’s turnaround under his father, Deion Sanders.

2. Cam Ward, Miami

The other quarterback consistently discussed atop draft boards, Cam Ward increased his stock in a big way this season. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting as he led Miami’s high-powered offense.

The former Washington State quarterback put up monster numbers, throwing for 4,313 yards and an FBS-leading 39 touchdowns. He comes in as Mel Kiper Jr.’s No. 2-ranked quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, but is sure to be in the conversation for the top pick thanks to his ability to improvise.

3. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

The biggest mover in Mel Kiper Jr.’s rankings, Jaxson Dart is now the No. 3-ranked quarterback after coming in at No. 7 just a week ago. The Ole Miss standout completed his historic career in Oxford during Thursday’s Gator Bowl, and his stock is on the rise.

Dart finished his third year under Lane Kiffin on a high note. He set the program record for passing yards, and threw for 4,279 this season to boost his draft stock and create an interesting conversation for evaluators.

4. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

In his first year under Kalen DeBoer, Jalen Milroe had an up-and-down go at Alabama. His evaluation process will surely be one to watch considering his dual-threat ability, and Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him as his No. 4 quarterback in the draft.

Milroe threw for 2,844 yards and 16 touchdowns, along with 11 interceptions, but set a new career-high with 726 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. That adds to the intrigue about how teams will assess his stock through the pre-draft process.

5. Carson Beck, Georgia

Perhaps the most interesting evaluation in the draft, Carson Beck started the year as the virtual consensus top quarterback prospect. A rollercoaster season and late injury meant he fell down draft boards, though, and added to the uncertainty around where he’d go after declaring.

Beck threw for 3,485 yards and a career-high 28 touchdowns, but his 12 interceptions led the SEC thanks to a tough stretch mid-season. To make his prospects even more interesting, he suffered a torn UCL in the SEC Championship that required surgery, although Georgia said he should be able to start throwing come spring.

6. Quinn Ewers, Texas

Quinn Ewers presents another intriguing case for evaluators. The Texas quarterback set a career-high with 29 touchdown passes in 13 games, but he also has 11 interceptions to his name amid an up-and-down year.

Ewers delivered when it mattered, though, in the Longhorns’ College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Arizona State. On 4th-and-13 in overtime, he threw the game-tying touchdown pass to Matthew Golden and proceeded to find Gunnar Helm for the game-winner in the second OT period to send Texas to the Cotton Bowl.

7. Will Howard, Ohio State

Ohio State found a new gear through the College Football Playoff, and Will Howard is a big reason why. He has been red-hot during the postseason and he appears at No. 7 in Mel Kiper Jr.’s Top 10 QB rankings after not making the cut last week.

Howard is in the midst of the best year of his college career after transferring from Kansas State, throwing for 3,498 yards and 32 touchdowns. His connection with true freshman Jeremiah Smith kickstarted the offense through the Buckeyes’ first two CFP games, setting up an exciting matchup against Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

8. Tyler Shough, Louisville

In his seventh year of college football – and only one at Louisville – Tyler Shough delivered the best numbers of his career. He also moved up to No. 8 in Mel Kiper’s Top 10 QB rankings this week amid the shakeup.

Shough threw for 3,149 yards and 23 yards, setting new career-highs in both categories. He previously spent three years at both Oregon and Texas Tech, but could see what lies ahead at the NFL level now that his college days are over.

9. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana

After a decorated career at Ohio, Kurtis Rourke opted to join Curt Cignetti at Indiana in 2024. That led him to a spot in the Top 10 in the Heisman Trophy voting and a College Football Playoff appearance amid the Hoosiers’ historic season.

Rourke threw for 3,042 yards and a career-high 29 touchdowns to help lead the IU offense into the CFP. He also quietly played with a partially torn ACL, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported, which shows his toughness that could make an impression on scouts ahead of the pre-draft process.

10. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

Another true dual-threat, Riley Leonard has shown his ability to beat teams with both his arm and his legs. That especially proved true in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia when he had 170 total yards – 90 passing and 80 rushing.

Leonard’s legs are a big reason why he’s so dangerous as he totaled 831 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. But he also showed growth as a passer, completing 66.1% of his passes for 2,383 yards and 18 touchdowns – and he appeared in Mel Kiper Jr.’s Top 10 QB rankings as Notre Dame gets ready for the Orange Bowl.

Of course, there’s still plenty left to figure out ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. That includes the order, which will be finalized this weekend as Week 18 concludes the 2024 season.