ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.: Carson Beck, Shedeur Sanders vying to be QB1 in 2025 NFL Draft

Week 1 of the college football season came with plenty of excitement and reactions. Providing evaluators with their first look at college football’s top teams and players including the most highly touted prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Per usual, tons of attention is on the quarterback position. As college football’s top passers will look to increase their stock throughout the 2025 season and show why they’re worthy of a top pick. And during ESPN’s Get Up on Wednesday morning, NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. revealed that his top quarterback prospect is currently a two-horse race following Week 1.

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“It’s between Carson Beck and Shedeur Sanders, Greeny,” Kiper said to host Mike Greenberg. “Carson Beck was [ranked] 234, on the big board coming out of high school when they ranked them. 22 quarterbacks were ranked ahead of Carson Beck, look where he is now.”

Beck excelled last season in his first year as Georgia‘s starter under center, throwing for 3,738 yards and 22 touchdowns in efficient fashion. Building on last season with a strong start this year after throwing for 278 yards and two touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ dominant 34-3 win over Clemson to extend his record to 14-1 as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

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“He developed, he watched, he sat, he learned, and he’s only 21 years of age. Doesn’t turn 22 until November. He was at 72% last year, completion percentage, off to a good start with that strong second half against Clemson this past week,” Kiper added.

Colorado’s quarterback has had a similar recruiting and growth journey as Beck, now entering his second season in Boulder as the Buffs QB. Improving year after year as a player and showing that his dominance at the FCS level can translate at the highest level of college football.

“Shedeur Sanders, 15 quarterbacks were rated ahead of Shedeur coming out of high school. He goes to Jackson State with his dad, now he’s a Colorado. They’re a seven-point underdog at Lincoln against a much improved Nebraska Cornhusker team Saturday night, that game’s important in the evaluation process,” Kiper said.

Sanders threw for an impressive 393 yards and two touchdowns along with a rushing score last season against the Cornhuskers. All in all ending the year with 3,230 passing yards and 27 touchdowns with just three interceptions despite being the most sacked quarterback in college football.

“But his toughness Greeny, he held up last year, got injured late with an offensive line that was awful. That offensive line improves, Shedeur Sanders will be right there with Carson Beck vying to that top spot at that QB1 spot going into the draft,” Kiper concluded.

Beck and Sanders will both be fascinating to watch throughout the college football season as they look to lead their teams and make their claim as the top quarterback selected in the next NFL Draft in the process.