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Top prospects in 2025 NFL Draft: Ranking top college QBs by QBR ahead of Week 3

ayrton ostly, usa today
·7-min read

We're two weeks into the 2024 college football season and some quarterbacks are already making a case to be selected early in the 2025 NFL Draft. The last NFL draft saw a record six quarterbacks drafted in the first 12 selections. The 2025 draft likely won't see that record equaled but there will likely be passers who hear their names called in Round 1.

First and 10: Texas is roaring into SEC, while Oklahoma is limping. What's up with Oregon?

2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Expert predictions for NFL draft as Week 1 wraps up

ESPN's QBR (Total Quarterback Rating) adds context for each play and uses factors like down and distance to determine the efficiency and value on a play-by-play basis. Here's the top 10 college passers by QBR so far this season who are projected to go in the 2025 NFL Draft, where they rank in QBR nationally, and where experts have them ranked for the draft.

Top 10 college QB prospects ranked by QBR

10. Connor Weigman, Texas A&M (38.8, 92nd)

2024 stats: 23 of 44 passing, 225 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions | 11 carries, 65 rushing yards

Weigman has a lot riding on the 2024 season. He entered the year as an intriguing prospect with the size and arm talent scouts look for but just 251 career pass attempts for the Aggies. He's not producing well so far and started the year with 126 total yards and two interceptions in Texas A&M's loss to Notre Dame.

9. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon (53.5, 66th)

2024 stats: 59 of 70 passing, 623 yards, four touchdowns | one rushing touchdown

Gabriel is a dual-threat quarterback who has size limitations at 5 feet, 11 inches tall and 204 pounds but he makes up for that with high football IQ, anticipation, and timing. Oregon is off to a slow start in 2024 despite going 2-0 but he'll have the chance to have standout performances against Big Ten teams and build his case for the 2025 draft.

  • Pro Football Focus: No. 150 overall

  • NFL Draft Buzz: No. 51 overall

  • NFL Mock Draft Database: Undrafted (no. 442 overall)

8. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado (61.2, 57th)

2024 stats: 49 of 72 passing, 689 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions

Sanders is considered a first-round talent thanks to his arm talent and dual-threat potential paired with NFL size. In 2024, he needs to improve his decision-making and efficiency. Colorado's 1-1 after a 28-10 loss to Nebraska in which Sanders went 23 of 38 for 244 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The Buffaloes have rival Colorado State up next in Week 3 and Sanders could use a stronger performance before Big 12 play begins.

  • Pro Football Focus: No. 20 overall

  • NFL Draft Buzz: No. 13 overall

  • NFL Mock Draft Database: No. 8 overall

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7. Jalen Milroe, Alabama (70.6, 40th)

2024 stats: 23 of 35 passing, 394 yards, five touchdowns | 22 carries, 81 rushing yards, four touchdowns

Milroe's an elite athlete with the arm strength and size needed at the NFL level. This year, he needs to improve on mechanics and accuracy to show potential given his impressive raw talent. No. 4 Alabama pulled away in Week 2 to win 42-16 over South Florida. Milroe gets one more tuneup in Week 3 against Wisconsin before facing Georgia at home in Week 5.

  • Pro Football Focus: No. 58 overall

  • NFL Draft Buzz: No. 57 overall

  • NFL Mock Draft Database: No. 50 overall

6. Quinn Ewers, Texas (84.2, 17th)

2024 stats: 44 of 63 passing, 506 yards, six touchdowns, one interception

Ewers likely could've gone in the first two rounds in the 2024 NFL Draft had he opted for that route. But he's back for another year in Austin and showcasing his quick release, arm strength, and anticipation. Texas is off to a great start behind Ewers and a stout defense once again. They have two more non-conference games on the schedule, including this week against UTSA. Ewers could shine and build up his draft stock and QBR even more.

  • Pro Football Focus: No. 53 overall

  • NFL Draft Buzz: No. 9 overall

  • NFL Mock Draft Database: No. 24 overall

5. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU (86.7, 10th)

2024 stats: 57 of 76 passing, 610 yards, eight touchdowns, one interception

Nussmeier entered the 2024 season as a starter for the first time with the reputation as a strong-armed gunslinger. So far, he's lived up to that by tying for the FBS lead in touchdown passes. He played well in Week 1 save for an interception in the final seconds of regulation in the 27-20 loss to USC. Nussmeier got back on track in Week 2 against Nicholls and should have another chance to impress in Week 3 against South Carolina.

  • Pro Football Focus: No. 101 overall

  • NFL Draft Buzz: No. 65 overall

  • NFL Mock Draft Database: No. 101 overall

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4. Drew Allar, Penn State (89.0, seventh)

2024 stats: 24 of 37 passing, 420 yards, five touchdowns, one interception | 13 carries, 51 rushing yards, one touchdown

Allar is one of the biggest quarterback prospects in the class at 6 feet, 5 inches tall and 238 pounds. He needs to show continued improvement in accuracy and mechanics this season. He and the No. 7 Nittany Lions are already benefiting from a change in offensive coordinator in 2024 with good performances on offense. Penn State is on a bye this week ahead of a game with Kent State on Sept. 21.

  • Pro Football Focus: No. 127 overall

  • NFL Draft Buzz: No. 65 overall

  • NFL Mock Draft Database: No. 66 overall

3. Carson Beck, Georgia (89.7, sixth)

2024 stats: 41 of 58 passing, 520 yards, seven touchdowns

Beck was considered a first-round NFL draft pick before the season thanks to his prototypical size, arm strength, quick release, and accuracy from the pocket. He'll likely be the first Georgia quarterback taken in Round 1 of the NFL Draft since Matthew Stafford in 2009.

Beck posted a career-high quarterback rating (219.3) last week in a 48-3 win over Tennessee Tech. No. 1 Georgia begins SEC play this week against Kentucky before a bye and a big test on the road against No. 4 Alabama in Week 5 on Sept. 28.

  • Pro Football Focus: No. 17 overall

  • NFL Draft Buzz: No. 14 overall

  • NFL Mock Draft Database: No. 3 overall

2. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (93.5, fourth)

2024 stats: 47 of 54 passing, 795 yards, six touchdowns | 12 carries, 19 rushing yards, two touchdowns

Dart entered the season as a top-75 prospect thanks to his athleticism, good arm strength, mechanics, and accuracy. He's improved already in the first two weeks of the college football season and leads the country in passing yards and quarterback rating (247.4). No. 6 Ole Miss won't face a currently ranked team until Oct. 12 against No. 17 LSU. Dart can continue building his case for going in the first two rounds in the meantime.

  • Pro Football Focus: No. 85 overall

  • NFL Draft Buzz: No. 50 overall

  • NFL Mock Draft Database: No. 69 overall

1. Cam Ward, Miami (94.9, second)

2024 stats: 46 of 61 passing, 689 yards, six touchdowns, one interception | seven carries, 46 rushing yards, one touchdown

Ward transferred to Miami after two prolific seasons in a shotgun, spread offense system at Washington State. His impressive arm talent, pre-snap football IQ, good athleticism, and sound mechanics made him a potential top-50 prospect before the season. He needs to improve his decision-making but he's played well so far this season by leading the No. 12 Hurricanes to their highest ranking in three years.

  • Pro Football Focus: No. 61 overall

  • NFL Draft Buzz: No. 25 overall

  • NFL Mock Draft Database: No. 40 overall

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL Draft: Top QB prospects ranked by QBR ahead of Week 3