2025 NFL Draft - Early Quarterback Prospect Rankings

May 8, 2024

Who is the top quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft? RotoBaller's Brant Henson ranks the top thirteen prospects in these way-too-early quarterback rankings.

With the 2024 NFL Draft behind us, it is now time to take a look into what the 2025 class has to offer. While looking nowhere near as deep at the quarterback position as this past draft that saw six signal callers come off the board in Round 1, there is still some intriguing talent.

Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix all played themselves into becoming Round 1 caliber quarterbacks in the 2023 season. It is more than likely that we see a dark horse quarterback emerge from the pack throughout the course of the college season. 

With no frontrunner like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye a season ago, the QB1 slot in the 2025 class is wide open for grabs. Thirteen prospects are currently on the radar, but there is no guarantee that next year’s first quarterback selected will come from this list.

Tier 1 - QB1 Potential

1,) Quinn Ewers, Texas

Quinn Ewers drastically improved his play from 2022 to 2023, leading the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff for the first time ever. His completion percentage jumped from 58.1% to 69.0%, he threw for 1,302 more yards, and tossed seven more touchdowns than in 2022.

Ewers has the prototypical size and arm talent to succeed in the NFL, but made the wise decision to return to school to refine his game some more before heading to the next level. If he can become more consistent, he can easily propel himself to becoming the top overall selection in 2025.

Joel Klatt: “I think Quinn Ewers is the Odds on Favorite to Win the Heisman.” 👀👀👀pic.twitter.com/CEmcMS1q7y

— Orangebloods.com (@orangebloods_) May 8, 2024

2.) Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

While Colorado did not do a lot of winning in Sanders’ first season under center, he did showcase elite talent. Standing 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Deion’s son will more than likely be a first round selection in 2025. Behind an atrocious offensive line with a below-average supporting cast surrounding him, Sanders completed 69.3% of his passes for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just three interceptions.

Sanders’ mix of arm strength and accuracy already has NFL scouts enamored. Will a team be willing to bring on the circus that comes with him? Absolutely, given his natural talent. With a strong season, Shedeur can climb as far as the number one overall pick.

3.) Carson Beck, Georgia

The Georgia quarterback is on the top of a lot of boards right now. He broke onto the college football scene in 2023 with a 3,941 yard season in which he completed 72.4% of his passes. With his elite size at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Beck has the potential to be a franchise quarterback unlike Stetson Bennett and Jake Fromm before him.

While he has shown that he can be a very good pocket passer, Beck’s lack of athleticism may turn off some teams. He also leaned tremendously on dumping the ball off to Brock Bowers at times, and with a downgrade in weapons around him he should be put to the test to see if he is a legit Round 1 pick.

4.) Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

Jaxson Dart is one of my top quarterbacks to keep an eye on during the 2024 season. His mobility coupled with his arm talent and size (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) will undoubtedly entice scouts. With Ole Miss returning Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins along with bringing Juice Wells over from South Carolina, Dart has the arsenal to string together a phenomenal season and to experience a Jayden Daniels-esque rise up draft boards.

Watching a little Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart before heading off to bed, and this is a SEED. pic.twitter.com/tF11ppLHFF

— Jon Helmkamp (@JonHelmkamp) May 1, 2024

The former USC Trojan improved from 2022 to 2023, and another jump in 2024 would further solidify him as a top end pick. Circle the November 9th matchup between Ole Miss and Georgia - with a strong showing here, Dart could entrinch himself as a Round 1 selection.

5.) Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

At this time last year, Riley Leonard was talked about as a potential Round 1 selection. One injury-riddled season later, and Leonard now finds himself as the quarterback of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Standing 6-foot-4, 212 pounds, Leonard’s mix of size and athleticism will keep NFL scouts watching all season. If he can revert back to the 2022 version of himself behind Notre Dame’s offensive line, Leonard will hear his name called earlier rather than later in the 2025 NFL Draft. Keep an eye on him to lead the Irish to the 12-team CFP.

Tier 2 - High Ceiling, Low Floor

6.) Cam Ward, Miami

7.) Jalon Daniels, Kansas

8.) Will Howard, Ohio State

9.) Conner Weigman, Texas A&M

These next four quarterbacks have all shown flashes, but have had inconsistencies or injuries that have kept them from their ceiling.

Cam Ward will be one of the top quarterbacks to follow this season as he heads to the third school of his college career. Ward exploded last season at Washington State for 3,735 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions but was not the most consistent.

I have a hard time believing Cam Ward doesn’t end up QB1 next April.

He’s currently my QB3, but barring a catastrophe in Miami, I think he could go as high as #1 overall with his ridiculous instincts and arm talent. pic.twitter.com/N8SDihhPNQ

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) May 5, 2024

Jalon Daniels has flashed immensely and offers elite athleticism, but injuries have ravaged him. Will Howard has the size and arm to play at the NFL level, but needs to fix up his consistency before he can be considered a Round 1 prospect. A season at Ohio State can help with that. Conner Weigman, a former five-star prospect, has played very well in limited action but has also dealt with injuries.

Tier 3 - Maybe There's a Chance?

10.) Jalen Milroe, Alabama

11.) Miller Moss, USC

12.) Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

13.) Drew Allar, Penn State

This final tier has a ways to go this season if they want to climb into Round 1 territory but never say never. Jalen Milroe has elite athleticism but struggled as a passer in 2023. Dillon Gabriel has been a solid college quarterback but is entering his sixth season at 23 years old. Drew Allar is high on people’s boards for some reason, but I think it’s more likely that he’s benched by Week 4 in favor of Beau Pribula than drafted in Round 1. Miller Moss is the most likely of this group to make the jump given that he has not played much college football, but the adjustment for USC overall to the Big Ten may present challenges.

2 full minutes of Drew Allar “highlights” from the Penn State spring game on Saturday.

Warning. This is tough to watch. pic.twitter.com/BdSjE9E0yn

— Travis May (@FF_TravisM) April 15, 2024

Who is your QB1 for the 2025 class? Feel free to chat with me on Twitter, @BrantasyFB, and discuss.

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