It’s never too early to start scouting future college football players, and the class of 2026 looks like it could be a talented quarterback class. Despite losing several top passers who re-classified to get to the college ranks earlier, it’s a strong field.
Here are the top quarterbacks in our 2026 QB rankings.
2026 Top Quarterback Recruits
The 2026 quarterback class is a bit top-heavy. There are five passers who rank among the country’s elite players, regardless of position, but after that, there’s a lot of unproven talent. These 2026 QB rankings will likely move often before most of the class signs next December.
In our 2026 QB rankings below, we utilize a combination of rankings for the big four recruiting websites: On3, 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals. However, our final rankings are based on film study and conversations with scouts and coaches nationwide.
1) Faizon Brandon, Grimsley
College Commitment: Tennessee Volunteers
Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 195
On3 Position Rank: 4
247 Position Rank: 1
ESPN Position Rank: 3
Rivals Position Rank: 1
If I had written this piece a few months ago, I would probably have had a hot take about Faizon Brandon being a fringe top-10 quarterback. His film is great, but it doesn’t scream five-star like it does for some prospects. Then I saw him play in person and completely changed my tune.
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Brandon is one of the most accurate quarterbacks you’ll see, not just in terms of completion percentage but also with his ball placement. He completed 79% of his passes in the North Carolina 4A Playoffs during a junior season in which he threw only two interceptions against 35 touchdown passes.
While he doesn’t have the long speed to outrun entire defenses, he’s a long strider who eats up yards and always falls forward. He used his legs as a weapon this season, adding a wrinkle to his game that wasn’t there earlier. He reminds me a lot of Nico Iamaleava, and not just because he’s a Tennessee Volunteers commit.
2) Jared Curtis, Nashville Christian
College Commitment: Uncommitted
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 225
On3 Position Rank: 1
247 Position Rank: 3
ESPN Position Rank: 1
Rivals Position Rank: 2
A former Georgia Bulldogs commit, Jared Curtis backed off his pledge because he didn’t want to visit other schools while committed. That’s an indication of the maturity and leadership Curtis brings to his team.
I watched quite a bit of him in a strong, six-total touchdown performance in the TSSAA Championship Game. He’s not a burner in the running game, but he’s shown the ability to pick up tough yards.
He ran for over 600 yards as a junior, over 160 of which came in his final two games of the season, adding four touchdowns run in the championship game, showing physicality at the goal line.
His bread and butter is his movement in the pocket and touch. He’s as willing as any quarterback you’ll find to push the ball down the field, and he’s constantly going high to low in his progressions. He’s accurate to all fields, but he’s best at layering throws between levels of the defense.
His internal clock will need to speed up a bit after moving up to the SEC level. Still, we’ve seen recent TSSAA quarterbacks (like Marcel Reed) have early success at Power Four schools, so as long as he continues to develop, he could start early for a high-level program.
3) Dia Bell, American Heritage
College Commitment: Texas
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 190
On3 Position Rank: 2
247 Position Rank: 4
ESPN Position Rank: 2
Rivals Position Rank: 2
In a class lacking top dual threats, Dia Bell is probably the best.
That being said, he’s a pass-first dual-threat with good, but not elite athleticism. He’s fearless as a passer, and he has an effortless philosophy. While his footwork can occasionally get messy, he’s one of the best passers in the class when off-platform and maintains his accuracy even when he’s unable to step into throws.
He’s decisive, which is one of his best traits, along with his pure arm talent. The Texas Longhorns are getting a talented, moldable passer with good pocket awareness and above-average rushing ability.
4) Ryder Lyons, Folsom
College Commitment: Uncommitted
Hometown: Folsom, California
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 205
On3 Position Rank: 3
247 Position Rank: 2
ESPN Position Rank: 5
Rivals Position Rank: 1
Ryder Lyons might have the highest upside in the class. One of the more dynamic runners on the list, he’s used more on designed keepers than any of the other guys in the top five. He rarely scrambles, and runs an RPO-heavy scheme that could help or hurt him, depending on where he ends up going in college.
He’s raw, but the tools are there. As a senior, I’d like to see him do more damage within the confines of the play call, as most of his biggest plays come when he breaks the pocket and throws down the field. In the right system, he’s a package guy as a freshman who could grow into an elite dual-threat prospect.
5) Landon Duckworth, Jackson
College Commitment: Uncommitted
Hometown: Jackson, Alabama
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 190
On3 Position Rank: 25
247 Position Rank: 5
ESPN Position Rank: 1
Rivals Position Rank: 3
I really like Landon Duckworth, who burst onto the scene early in his high school career. He reminds me a lot of Cam Ward, who can make some incredible throws and boneheaded mistakes, often in quick succession. Like the Miami Hurricanes QB, he’s also unphased by pressure and has calm footwork in the pocket.
His touch is elite, and he’s much more adept at layering throws than you’d expect from a guy more known for his running ability. I’d like to see him continue to develop, but I’m a fan.
6) Jake Fette, Del Valle
College: Arizona State
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190
On3 Position Rank: 5
247 Position Rank: 7
ESPN Position Rank: 3
Rivals Position Rank: 11
Jake Fette fits the Arizona State Sun Devil model. He’s tough, physical, and has great straight-line speed as a runner. He’s not as polished as some of the quarterbacks on the list, but he routinely makes highlight reel plays both as a runner and passer.
He’s at his best when he’s scrambling around after broken plays (and plays behind an offensive line that has allowed its fair share of broken plays). He’s a gamer who will probably become a better college quarterback than his good — but not great — arm talent and throwing ability would suggest.
7) Jonas Williams, Lincoln-Way East
College Commitment: Oregon
Hometown: Frankfort Heights, Illinois
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 200
On3 Position Rank: 6
247 Position Rank: 14
ESPN Position Rank: 2
Rivals Position Rank: 4
Jonas Williams is a patient pocket passer who throws with anticipation and accuracy. He has a great arm and plays well within his offense. He’s not as flashy as some of the passers on this list, but he can go through his progressions and deliver to his receivers in a way that allows them to maximize their run after the catch.
He has good footwork and a repeatable throwing motion. Though he’s not elite at any one thing, he has no clear weaknesses and has the ability to grow into a multi-year college starter.
8) Brady Smigiel, Newbury Park
College Commitment: Florida State
Hometown: Newbury Park, California
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 215
On3 Position Rank: 15
247 Position Rank: 6
ESPN Position Rank: 4
Rivals Position Rank: 3
One of the most productive pocket passers in the country, Brady Smigiel already has over 11,000 passing yards in three years as a starter. He’s not a statue in the pocket and ran for nearly 500 yards as a junior.
His compact, over-the-top throwing motion is unorthodox but generates quick velocity and allows him to push the ball down the field, which he loves to do. He’s not quite accurate enough to put him in the elite tier of prospects, but if he can become a bit more consistent, he’ll be one of the best passers at the college level.
9) Jaden O’Neal, Narbonne
College Commitment: Oklahoma
Hometown: Long Beach, California
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 200
On3 Position Rank: 16
247 Position Rank: 13
ESPN Position Rank: 7
Rivals Position Rank: 4
I’m conflicted about Jaden O’Neal and need another year of film to help hone my evaluation. He has the arm talent, accuracy, and athleticism to be great at the college level, but he can play a bit tight. When he’s playing fast and loose, the ball explodes out of his hand, and he’s able to make some elite throws.
He can grow in his ability to read a defense, and with some more experience, he can become a top quarterback at the college level.
10) Helaman Casuga, Corner Canyon
College Commitment: Texas A&M
Hometown: Provo, Utah
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 200
On3 Position Rank: 12
247 Position Rank: 17
ESPN Position Rank: 11
Rivals Position Rank: 5
Helaman Casuga struggled a bit in 2024 after moving up to a bigger school, but he has the tools to be a college starter. He’s grown with his ball security, which was an issue early in his career, and he throws a strong, catchable ball.
Casuga has the ability to pick up tough yards with his legs, but he’s most comfortable in the pocket going through his progressions. In that regard, he’s ahead of many of the guys on this list. He can pick apart defenses when he has time and can get into a rhythm.
11) Noah Grubbs, Lake Mary
College: Notre Dame
Hometown: Lake Mary, Florida
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 195
On3 Position Rank: 23
247 Position Rank: 9
ESPN Position Rank: 9
Rivals Position Rank: 6
12) Tayden Kaawa, Orem
College: Uncommitted
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawai’i
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 225
On3 Position Rank: 7
247 Position Rank: 50
ESPN Position Rank: NR
Rivals Position Rank: 14
13) Will Griffin, Jesuit
College: Florida
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 225
On3 Position Rank: 17
247 Position Rank: 10
ESPN Position Rank: 6
Rivals Position Rank: 12
14) Oscar Rios, Downey
College: Uncommitted
Hometown: Downey, California
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 170
On3 Position Rank: 11
247 Position Rank: 8
ESPN Position Rank: NR
Rivals Position Rank: 18
15) Tony Huhn, Mission Hills
College: Penn State
Hometown: San Marcos, California
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 205
On3 Position Rank: 18
247 Position Rank: 15
ESPFloridaion Rank: 10
Rivals Position Rank: 9
16) Tait Reynolds, Queen Clark
College: Clemson Tigers
Hometown: Queen Clark, Arizona
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 195
On3 Position Rank: 13
247 Position Rank: 30
ESPN Position Rank: 4
Rivals Position Rank: 9
17) Peyton Falzone, Nazareth
College: Uncommitted
Hometown: Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 200
On3 Position Rank: 19
247 Position Rank: 16
ESPN Position Rank: 4
Rivals Position Rank: 6
18) Matt Ponatoski, Archbishop Moeller
College: Uncommitted
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 190
On3 Position Rank: 8
247 Position Rank: 37
ESPN Position Rank: NR
Rivals Position Rank: 13
19) Gavin Sidwar, LaSalle College
College: Uncommitted
Hometown: Warrington, Pennsylvania
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 175
On3 Position Rank: 14
247 Position Rank: 23
ESPN Position Rank: NR
Rivals Position Rank: 16
20) Brodie McWhorter, Cass
College: Uncommitted
Hometown: Kingston, Georgia
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190
On3 Position Rank: 56
247 Position Rank: 28
ESPN Position Rank: NR
Rivals Position Rank: 8
21) Dereon Coleman, Jones
College: Miami Hurricanes
Hometown: Lakeland, Florida
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 160
On3 Position Rank: 22
247 Position Rank: 25
ESPN Position Rank: NR
Rivals Position Rank: 5
22) Deagan Rose, Clovis
College: Oregon State
Hometown: Clovis, California
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 190
On3 Position Rank: 27
247 Position Rank: 21
ESPN Position Rank: NR
Rivals Position Rank: 17
23) Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo
College: Uncommitted
Hometown: Mission Viejo, California
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190
On3 Position Rank: 30
247 Position Rank: 26
ESPN Position Rank: NR
Rivals Position Rank: 7
24) Kane Archer, Greenwood
College: Uncommitted
Hometown: Greenwood, Arkansas
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 200
On3 Position Rank: 9
247 Position Rank: 58
ESPN Position Rank: NR
Rivals Position Rank: 7
25) Michael Clayton, Seminole
College: Illinois
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 200
On3 Position Rank: 55
247 Position Rank: 42
ESPN Position Rank: 54
Rivals Position Rank: 10
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