2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper ranks Top 10 QB in draft class
The 2024 college football season is still young, but there’s been enough of a sample size for the draft experts of the world to take a first pass at position rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft. And count ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. among them.
Kiper recently dropped his updated Big Board, along with a number of other rankings, including position rankings. And that means Kiper offered up his Top 10 quarterbacks after four weeks of the college football season.
From SEC stalwarts to some Big Ten risers, see the full list from Kiper below.
1. Carson Beck, Georgia
The returning SEC passing leader entered the 2024 season atop many quarterback rankings, and despite a slower start to the season, he’s still there for plenty, including Kiper. And Beck has at worst kept his stock stable as the Bulldogs rolled out to 3-0.
He’s completed 68.3% of his passes for 680 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions so far this season, and has continued to be adept spreading the ball to all areas of the field and managing the pocket. He’ll face the biggest test of the year this Saturday against Alabama.
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2. Quinn Ewers, Texas
Ewers was sidelined from Texas’ Week 3 win and sat out a Week 4 victory with an abdominal injury. While he could make his return this weekend, Ewers’ draft stock has been bolstered even in the small sample he’s put on tape this year.
He’s completed 73.4% of his passes and thrown eight touchdowns to two interceptions. And while Texas has been crisp with Ewers out and Arch Manning in at quarterback, getting the starter back with some big games quickly approaching will be a main priority in Austin.
3. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Sanders and Co. are fresh off authoring a miracle comeback victory at home against Baylor, a win that included some last-second heroics from the Buffaloes quarterback. Despite whatever shortcomings Colorado might still have, Sanders has continued to look the part of a top-level draftable quarterback.
His ability to work off platform and make plays out of structure continues to entice, especially as he works to survive behind a still-suspect offensive line. And if Sanders can start to show more on-time playmaking ability, he could start to push ahead the two quarterbacks above him.
4. Cam Ward, Miami
Ward originally considered going pro for the 2024 NFL Draft, but opted to go to Miami and it’s been a good decision for both parties so far. Undefeated and with Ward looking like a Heisman contender, the quarterback has also climbed Kiper’s draft board.
He leads the ACC with 1439 passing yards in four games and is the national leader in touchdown passes with 14. All this while completing 72.4% of his passes and looking fully in control of all the moving pieces on the Miami offense.
5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
After bursting on to the scene as a raw, high-upside runner and downfield thrower last season, Milroe has started 2024 by devastating defenses. And, apparently, showing Kiper enough for the senior to be his fifth-ranked quarterback as September winds down.
With dual-threat quarterbacks of various stripes becoming en vogue in the NFL, Milroe’s ability to throw and run could play to his favor. He’s completed 67.3% of his passes for 590 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions in three games, while also rushing for 156 yards and six touchdowns.
6. Drew Allar, Penn State
While Allar struggled as the starter at times in 2023, there was optimism that an offensive overhaul could have the supremely physical talented quarterback looking more like a top prospect. So far, that’s what Kiper has seen.
Allar has completed 70.7% of his passes for 729 yards and eight touchdowns and one interception as Penn State has rolled out to 3-0. And Allar and Penn State have shown some real downfield passing, as he leads the nation with 17.8 yards per completion through four weeks.
7. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Dart has been dominant to start the 2024 season, as have the Rebels. With his squad 4-0, Dart leads the country in completion percentage (79.8%) and passing yards (1554).
He’s also thrown for 12 touchdowns and rushed for three more while throwing three interceptions. If he continues to produce at such a high level, the senior will surely get some NFL attention.
8. Donovan Smith, Houston
Smith has been a productive college quarterback and has the physical profile to succeed in the NFL, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing around 230 pounds. But it’s been a bit of a slow start to 2024.
Right now, Smith has thrown for 610 yards and two touchdowns with four interceptions in four games. He has also rushed for two touchdowns, and some strong play down the final two thirds of the season could boost Smith’s stock back up.
9. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Nussmeier currently leads the SEC in passing touchdowns, totaling 13 in four games while completing 70.6% of his passes for 1247 yards as LSU is 3-1. And his knack for throwing with touch to various levels of the field is something the Tigers have so far exploited.
He’s a bit on the slight side, in terms of his build and bulk while standing at 6-foot-2, but Nussmeier’s ability to deliver the ball accurately and with precision to all areas of the field make him an enticing next-level prospect. And he’ll have plenty of chances to prove his ability in the SEC.
10. Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard arrived at Ohio State for 2024 ahead of his fifth year of college football and has so far parlayed his opportunity in the offensive ecosystem to thrive in Columbus. How hard completed a career-high 68.9% of his passes so far, going for 795 yards and six touchdowns with one interception in three games.
He’s also rushed for a pair of touchdowns, as the 6-foot-4, 230-pound signal-caller is an adept runner, too. So far, the biggest knock is one Ohio State will quickly overcome: The Buckeyes first three opponents were cupcakes.
And with most of the season left to play, there’s a very good chance this list of 10 quarterbacks will not be the same one Kiper trots out weeks and months from now.