Full Breakdown
NYTimes Releases 2026 College Quarterback Tier Rankings
7/23/2026, 2:18:37 PM
Overview of the Rankings
The New York Times published its annual assessment of the projected 138 starting quarterbacks in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for the 2026 season. Reporters Sam Khan Jr. and Antonio Morales explained that the exercise combined conversations with college coaches, personnel staff, and a handful of general managers to create a consensus tier list.
Methodology and Key Findings
- Scope: All 138 projected FBS starters were considered.
- Process: The reporters reconciled divergent viewpoints to produce a final ranking.
- Top Contenders:
- CJ Carr (Notre Dame) emerged as the most universally praised quarterback, with strong optimism about his NFL draft prospects.
- Julian Sayin (Ohio State), a Heisman finalist, was placed at No. 5. Coaches praised his accuracy but questioned his ability outside Ohio State’s elite receiving corps.
- Drew Mestemaker (Oklahoma State) secured the No. 3 spot.
- Arch Manning and Sam Leavitt (LSU) were also highlighted as top-tier prospects.
Other notable mentions included Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele (California) and Conner Weigman (Houston).
Data & Statistics
- 138 projected starting quarterbacks evaluated.
- Top-6 rankings featured Carr, Sayin, Mestemaker, Manning and Leavitt.
- Mestemaker led the nation in passing yards the previous season while playing for North Texas, described as the fourth-most talented program in the American Athletic Conference.
Why the Rankings Matter
The tier list serves multiple audiences:
- College programs can gauge quarterback talent relative to recruiting needs.
- NFL scouts gain early insight into future high draft picks, especially Carr.
- Fans receive a snapshot of potential season-long storylines, such as Notre Dame’s title quest with Carr.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sam Khan Jr. noted that Sayin generated “polarizing opinions,” describing him as a “game manager” whose performance against top defenses raised questions.
- Antonio Morales highlighted the lack of negative feedback for quarterbacks Chambliss and Moore, and praised Carr’s talent while noting his need for greater consistency after subpar outings.
- Regarding Mestemaker, Khan observed that coaches’ enthusiasm pushed him from Tier 2 to Tier 1, surpassing Manning and Leavitt. Morales called himself a “skeptic turned believer,” confident Mestemaker would succeed despite criticisms about the quality of opposing defenses.
Broader Implications for the 2026 Season
The rankings suggest quarterback performance will remain pivotal in conference races and bowl eligibility. Programs with highly ranked quarterbacks—Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma State—are positioned to contend for conference championships, while emerging talents like Keawe-Sagapolutele and Weigman could reshape power dynamics if they meet staff optimism.
What’s Next
The NYTimes team indicated the tier list will be revisited throughout the 2026 season as additional game tape becomes available, allowing for adjustments based on player development, injuries, and coaching changes.
