Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft cycle, the quarterback position has dominated the discourse, most notably with the speculation surrounding Texas wunderkind Arch Manning.
Manning is expected to stay in school, perhaps for another two seasons. But this quarterback class is deep enough to sustain his absence, with a handful of other first-round profiles contending for top-10 selections come April.
The differentiating factor in the upcoming class could be its depth. As experienced passers jostle for positioning, two young prospects have the ingredients to catch up to the rest of the pack.
Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
Chiles was a top recruit for Oregon State and then a top transfer for Michigan State. In due time, he might be a top prospect, too.
For now, his stock resides on Day 3. He led the Big Ten with 11 interceptions, completed fewer than 60% of his passes, and found only 16 total touchdowns in 12 games. It was a down year in every sense of the phrase, although he'll have an improved supporting cast and continuity with offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren working in his favor this time around.
MORE: Sporting News 2025 college football Preseason All-America team
Further, Chiles will turn 20 at the start of the season and has real physical tools. He has more than enough velocity for tight-window throws to all levels of the field, and he can already operate the offense within structure, including under-center play-action, which bodes well for his NFL future.
Things get messy when he's asked to make decisions under duress. Chiles committed multiple turnovers with irresponsible passes in 2024, allowing oncoming defenders to impact his processing and accuracy. To his credit, he's explosive enough to make defenders miss within the pocket, but he'll have to tap into his athleticism more to avoid the out-of-structure mishaps that plagued his sophomore season.
Chiles will enter the year with a fourth-round grade on my board, but his tools are too strong to write off entirely.
Eli Holstein, Pitt
Holstein enters the year with a little less hype than Chiles. A transfer from Alabama, he found success in his redshirt freshman season and subsequently has some Day 2 whispers to his name.
I won't be quite as high as the consensus or the mock draft simulators built off it, but the ingredients are there for him to take a step forward in 2025. Holstein's arm talent limits him, and he struggles to the boundary, but his best flashes come on truly impressive throws over the middle of the field. When he's using his eyes to move defenders in concert with timing routes between the numbers, he looks the part of a steady NFL quarterback.
Holstein is athletic, too, adding upside to a profile that isn't dripping with it.
Within structure (and with a solid base), Holstein is reliable. He sets his receivers up for success after the catch and reads leverage well against man coverage.
The path for Holstein to earn Day 2 draft capital is by excelling as a point guard -- making good on the game manager moniker and making plays with his legs when necessary. He puts the ball in harm's way too often to currently earn that trust, but in his age-21 season, there's plenty of time for him to develop into a viable prospect.
MORE NCAA NEWS
- Meet Pitt's Kyle Louis – the best LB in college football heading into 2025
- FSU's defense under heavy criticism from defensive coach
- Fresno State names starting quarterback with ties to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Former Alabama Crimson Tide signal caller gets starting nod at Boston College