{"id":301007,"date":"2025-08-19T16:20:21","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T16:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/301007\/"},"modified":"2025-08-19T16:20:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T16:20:21","slug":"2026-nfl-draft-the-steelers-qb-dating-game-the-final-round-of-five","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/301007\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NFL Draft: The Steelers QB Dating Game, The Final Round of Five"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Steelers<\/a> are in desperate need of a new franchise quarterback. Now, just a couple of weeks out from the 2025 college football season, the BTSC readership has selected five quarterbacks to battle it out in one final round. Now, we\u2019ll hold one final vote to determine which quarterback Steelers Nation most wants Pittsburgh to select in the 2026 Draft. Reminder: all responses from the \u201cplayers\u201d in this article are fictitious and stem from my analysis. As such, some of the answers will offer answers you would never hear a media-trained quarterback say. If you complain about this feature in the comments, know that you\u2019re a lint-licker<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for further explanation\/context for this series, read our additional entries, including:<\/p>\n

The series primer<\/a>Vol. 1 Mr. Fantastic, the Natural, and the Lonestar Kid<\/a>Vol. 2 Superman, Mr. Cool, and the Untamed<\/a>Vol. 3 Prince Charming, Casey Jones, and Slim<\/a>Vol. 4 The Gunslinger, Mr. Duval, and the Flatliner<\/a>Vol. 5 The Local, the Marksman, and the Replacement<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to the Steelers QB Dating Game! Anddddd here\u2019s your host, Steely McBeam!\u201d<\/p>\n

Steely McBeam: How are Yinz doing tonight? Welcome back to the final round!<\/p>\n

Steely McBeam: I\u2019ve already interviewed each of these quarterbacks on previous episodes, so for today\u2019s vote, we\u2019ll be doing things a little differently. For starters, we won\u2019t have the back and forth of our earlier episodes. Today, we will make the case for each quarterback, then move on to the next contestant.<\/p>\n

Additionally, we will break down each passer\u2019s profile into rankings of different traits: arm talent, frame, mobility, moxy, and pressure. These rankings will be scored 1-5, and are a product of my analysis. The rankings represent where I think they stand among their peers in this exercise, with a \u201c1\u201d meaning they are the best at any given trait, and so on.<\/p>\n

A bit more about each trait:<\/p>\n

Arm talent \u2014 This will look at not only how far the quarterback can throw it, but it will also consider if they\u2019re able to layer their passes against different coverage looks in different areas of the field, adjust their velocities appropriately, make throws off-platform, and generally, if they are able to make both the easy and difficult throwsFrame \u2014 The NFL is a league where players of all shapes and sizes can find success. While there isn\u2019t necessarily a right and wrong in this regard, we have enough data to know which body types are most likely to survive the grind of an NFL season. For our money, quarterbacks that stand 6\u20192-6\u20195 are the ideal height, while QBs weighing 220-plus pounds make us feel more secure about their ability to take a hit.Mobility \u2014 The days of the stiff pocket passing quarterback are numbered as the NFL waits for Joe Flacco\u2019s eventual retirement. The NFL has never embraced the idea of the quarterback as a weapon in the run game as much as it does presently. Mobility, however, doesn\u2019t only consider the quarterback as a downfield runner. While we\u2019ll give more weight to creating as a runner, it\u2019s important to consider a quarterback\u2019s ability to move inside the pocket, as well as his ability to execute downfield throws when outside of the pocket, whether that\u2019s improvised or on a designed rollout.Moxy \u2014 This is our most subjective and catch-all category. This is for traits that are difficult to represent by any one specific statistic or metric. Things like, how is his performance in big games? How does he respond to taking a big hit? Does he respond well after he turns the ball over, or does it take him a while to get back on track? How do his teammates respond to him? How in charge of the offense is he? How\u2019s he late in close games? Have we seen him improve over time?Pressure \u2014 How is he with the pocket collapsing around him? To what degree does his accuracy suffer?<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s enough preamble. The stage is set. Let\u2019s reintroduce ourselves to the five quarterbacks selected by the BTSC readership.<\/p>\n

\"CLEMSON,<\/a><\/p>\n

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – APRIL 05: Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers looks on during the spring game at Memorial Stadium on April 05, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman\/Getty Images for ONIT) Getty Images for ONIT<\/p>\n

Total Votes: 155
Career starts: 28 (19-9)<\/p>\n

Trying to contextualize arm talent is always a complicated endeavor, mostly because it means different things to different people. Some people favor a rocket arm, others a passer who can throw from crazy arm angles. Klubik doesn\u2019t overwhelm you with arm strength, but he throws a nice deep ball, and he\u2019s able to access each area on the field with touch and precision.<\/p>\n

Look at this absolute dime against Georgia.<\/p>\n

Or this shot he unleashed during his freshman year.<\/p>\n

Klubnik has looked more comfortable and in command each season, showing improvement and consistency with his mechanics. He enters 2025 with just under 1,200 career dropbacks and has amassed 57 touchdowns against 18 interceptions, including just six in 2024.<\/p>\n

Whether he\u2019s throwing outside the numbers, attacking the middle of the field, or throwing on the move, Klubnik is a cool customer. That gets him high marks in arm talent from me.<\/p>\n

Clemson lists Klubnik at 6\u20192 and 210 pounds. Personally, 6\u20192 is my cutoff for QB height, as any shorter gives me the scouting \u201cick.\u201d We\u2019ve seen shorter quarterbacks find success in the NFL \u2014 Drew Brees and Russell Wilson come to mind \u2014 but it isn\u2019t exactly common either, and a short quarterback will have their own set of limitations.<\/p>\n

Likewise, a quarterback who is too slender brings concerns about their durability. Can they withstand the violent hits the NFL will throw at them again, and again, and again?<\/p>\n

Klubnik clocks in near my own minimum thresholds. This will be an element to watch at the combine. Colleges often play cute with the listed measurements of their players, and if Klubnik skips measurements, it would give reason for pause. After all, you\u2019d have to assume he was hiding something. However, if his listed height is legitimate and if he can put on a few more pounds leading up to the draft, my confidence in him would be cemented further.<\/p>\n

Klubnik isn\u2019t going to be mistaken for Lamar Jackson, but he has more than enough juice in the running game to be a useful weapon at the NFL level. I would expect him to test in the 4.5s-4.6s just based on the eyeball test. Klubnik\u2019s mobility is perhaps best used on play-action bootlegs or plays that are designed to move the pocket, but he has demonstrated the ability to create big plays when used in the designed run game.<\/p>\n

Klubnik had his skeptics after his first year as a starter. Clemson went 9-4, and his numbers were decent if unspectacular. In 2024, his increased comfort with the offense was apparent, and the production followed. Klubnik threw for 3,642 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, while adding 588 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.<\/p>\n

He led Clemson to a college football playoff appearance, where they had the misfortune of a first-round matchup with Texas, one of the better programs in 2024. Klubnik played well in the game, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns, but the Tigers fell 38-24.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d like to see Klubnik continue to play well in big games. It seems unlikely Clemson will face many ranked opponents this year with their ACC schedule, but that doesn\u2019t mean there won\u2019t be some big game opportunities, including games against two of our other finalists. Clemson opens up their season on August 30 against LSU and Garrett Nussmeier, and then will wrap up the regular season with the Palmetto Bowl, a rivalry game against South Carolina and LaNorris Sellers.<\/p>\n

Another playoff appearance, especially with a deeper run, would put Klubnik in the running to be the first quarterback of the board.<\/p>\n

Klubnik has come a long way in his processing and reaction to pressure, another positive from the amount of reps he\u2019s gotten in his college career.<\/p>\n

In 2023, his first year as the full-time starter, Klubnik struggled when the defense got to him. He faced pressure on 171 dropbacks, completing just 37.8% of his passes under pressure, totaling 574 yards and just four touchdowns against six interceptions, while averaging 4.5 yards per attempt.<\/p>\n

Klubnik faced a similar amount of pressure (167 dropbacks) in 2024, but showed great strides in his development. His accuracy took a big jump (46.0%) while he showed increased playmaking ability (six touchdowns against three interceptions) and the ability to push the ball further downfield, totaling 894 yards and 7.2 yards per attempt.<\/p>\n

Where the younger Klubnik often looked uncomfortable navigating a messy pocket and sometimes didn\u2019t trust what he was seeing downfield, the 2024 version of Klubnik looked like a player who had leveled up.<\/p>\n

Klubnik has a knack for avoiding sacks, which also boosts his ranking in this category. Clemson allowed 167 pressures on Klubnik dropbacks in 2024, but defenses only managed to sack Klubnik 25 times. That\u2019s good for a 15% pressure-to-sack rate, which is among the best marks in our series.<\/p>\n

\"GAINESVILLE,<\/a><\/p>\n

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 16: Garrett Nussmeier #13 of the LSU Tigers looks on before the start of a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

Total Votes: 147
Career Starts: 14 (10-4) <\/p>\n

If you like quarterbacks who throw on time, can lead their receivers to a spot with anticipation, and do so with an array of arm angles, then Nussmeier is the quarterback for you.<\/p>\n

Nussmeier is one of the more exciting passers in college football, but his frame is one of the areas where I expect him to be most scrutinized come draft season. Listed at 6\u20191 and 205 pounds, that\u2019s two red flags for my evaluation, especially if we come to find out those measurements are inflated.<\/p>\n

However, perhaps the most concerning element of Nussmeier\u2019s profile is the health of his knee. ESPN reported<\/a> the LSU quarterback is already managing patellar tendinitis in one of his knees. He\u2019s not expected to miss any time, but that is concerning, considering Nussmeier was visibly worn down by the end of last season. Will that continue to be a lingering injury? Can it hold up against NFL defenders, who, on average, will be bigger, run faster, and hit harder than NCAA defenders?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a valid concern, and one NFL front offices are certain to ponder during the upcoming draft cycle.<\/p>\n

Simply put, Nussmeier is not a runner. In his only season as a starter, he attempted just 25 rushes \u2014 of which 12 were scrambles \u2014 for 93 yards and three touchdowns. Whether it\u2019s the health of his knee or just his downfield attacking mindset, Nussmeier just isn\u2019t a dual-threat type of quarterback.<\/p>\n

That isn\u2019t to say he\u2019s a statue, but Nussmeier falls into the Baker Mayfield or Matt Hasselbeck school of mobility: great at navigating the pocket and only scrambling when absolutely necessary.<\/p>\n

Watching Nussmeier play, it\u2019s clear he\u2019s a student of the game. That makes even more sense when you discover he\u2019s the son of an NFL coach: Saints\u2019 offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.<\/p>\n

Nussmeier\u2019s first start came in bowl game action after Jayden Daniels opted out ot prepare for the draft. Nussmeier only had a short time to prepare with the starting offense for that game, but he balled out, leading the Tigers to a comeback victory, all while completing 68.9% of his passes for 395 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.<\/p>\n

And if we want a glimpse into the young man\u2019s character, look no further than his first big interview in the spotlight.<\/p>\n

LSU went 2-1 in games against ranked opponents last season. As members of the SEC, Nussmeier should get more opportunities to shine in big games this year, and a college football playoff run would go a long way towards cementing him as a high draft pick.<\/p>\n

Another element to love about Nussmeier\u2019s game is that he is typically nails against pressure. His completion percentage (50.4%) and 852 yards passing both finished as the second-best marks against pressure in our pool of 15 quarterbacks examined this series.<\/p>\n

However, part of Nussmeier\u2019s magic and appeal is that, to his core, he\u2019s a gunslinger. It\u2019s an exciting brand of football to watch, but any quarterback who makes his living that way is going to have his fair share of turnovers. That just goes with the territory. Last season, Nussmeier threw five touchdowns against four interceptions while under pressure.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll live with that, though, if the highs consistently outnumber the lows.<\/p>\n

But what really drives home why Nussmeier gets my top marks against pressure is his ability to avoid sacks. Despite facing 153 pressures a year ago, defenders only brought Nussmeier down for a sack 15 times. Only Arch Manning (7) and Jayden Maiava (5) in our series were sacked less, but neither of them played a full season of starts. And only Maiava (8.2%) had a lower pressure-to-sack rate than Nussmeier (9.8%).<\/p>\n

LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina<\/p>\n

\"NASHVILLE,<\/a><\/p>\n

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 09: LaNorris Sellers #16 of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up prior to the game between Vanderbilt and South Carolina at FirstBank Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

Total Votes: 100
Career Starts: 12 (8-4)<\/p>\n

Of all the rankings I\u2019m handing out in this exercise, this one is the one I most expect I could regret in a year\u2019s time. Sellers has a lot of fans in the draft community \u2014 and I\u2019m one of them! \u2014 but Sellers finishing fourth in this category is more a reflection of where Sellers is at NOW, rather than where he could end up in the future. As things stand, I\u2019m more frequently impressed by Sellers for his physicality, especially as a runner, than I am by his abilities as a passer.<\/p>\n

Sellers has a strong arm, undoubtedly, but I want to see more from him on tape before I elevate him in these rankings. There will be instances where you see Sellers throw with touch that are encouraging; we\u2019ll just be looking for more of it in 2025.<\/p>\n

Sellers is our clear winner in this category. At 6\u20193 and 240 pounds, the physical comparisons to Cam Newton (6\u20195, 245 pounds) and Josh Allen (6\u20195 and 237 pounds) are striking. Still just 20 years old, it\u2019s unlikely but not impossible that Sellers might still have an inch or two more he can grow to match those esteemed passers.<\/p>\n

Regardless, he already has a frame that should play in the NFL.<\/p>\n

This is where Sellers shines and leaves your jaw hanging open.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s on a designed run\u2026<\/p>\n

Or breaking out of tackles that don\u2019t seem humanly possible\u2026<\/p>\n

Sellers\u2019 mobility is apparent and his most marketable trait. I gave him top marks in this stat for a reason.<\/p>\n

But I would caution my fellow La-Z-Boy scouts that this trait can be a double-edged sword. Because Sellers\u2019 rushing ability and tackle-breaking strength are so exceptional, I have concerns about him developing an overreliance on those traits. While those types of plays are certainly entertaining and a great trick to have up your sleeve, it\u2019s a hard way to make a living.<\/p>\n

I want to see more designed runs and opportunistic scrambles in 2025 as much as the next guy \u2014 but I\u2019d also like to see some highlights where he is running the offense more efficiently, without the need to improvise.<\/p>\n

Despite my desire to see Sellers develop more elements of his game, I\u2019m still incredibly impressed by how he presents himself as a leader.<\/p>\n

Sellers reportedly could have made millions of dollars in the transfer portal this winter<\/a>, but instead opted to stick with the South Carolina coaching staff that invested in him when others wouldn\u2019t. I don\u2019t typically get up in arms about the state of college football and the transfer portal \u2014 I generally am for player freedom and flexibility in a sport where coaches are often among the highest-paid state employees and frequently ditch their commitments early for greener ($) pastures \u2014 but I\u2019m still impressed by someone who values their relationships over a quick buck.<\/p>\n

I also am impressed by the resiliency Sellers showed early in the season when it wasn\u2019t certain he\u2019d hold onto the starting job. Sellers didn\u2019t play particularly well against Old Dominion in the season opener, needing to lead a late-game comeback against a team South Carolina should have defeated easily.<\/p>\n

The offense continued to struggle as the Gamecocks started the year 3-3. However, Sellers continued to improve, and while there are no moral victories in football or any competitive endeavor, they played tough against quality opponents. South Carolina only lost to LSU and Alabama \u2014 two college football blue bloods \u2014 by a combined 5 points.<\/p>\n

The grittiest game of Sellers\u2019 2024 season came against Clemson. The South Carolina offense struggled to get much going, despite Sellers\u2019 best efforts. Still, he wasn\u2019t going to be denied.<\/p>\n

The playmaking ability we\u2019ve detailed is a big reason why I\u2019ve got Sellers third in our rankings against pressure. While many of his highlights in these situations come on the ground, don\u2019t get it twisted. Sellers has it in him to stand tall and deliver while taking a hit.<\/p>\n

To top it all off, Sellers finished with the best completion percentage (50.5%) under pressure out of all 15 of our quarterbacks examined.<\/p>\n

Sellers still has room for growth, though, even if he often looks like a superhero on the field. Only three players in our series were sacked more often than Sellers (31), and he turned the ball over more often (five interceptions) than he threw for touchdowns (four).<\/p>\n

\"GLENDALE,<\/a><\/p>\n

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Drew Allar #15 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws the ball on the sideline during the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at State Farm Stadium on December 31, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Broncos 31-14. (Photo by Chris Coduto\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

Total Votes: 80
Career Starts: 29 (23-6)<\/p>\n

That Allar finishes last in this category for us should only go to demonstrate just how thin the margins are and how talented this quarterback class could be. If you were to ask around the NFL Draft community, arm talent would be among the traits Allar would be most praised for.<\/p>\n

Among our group of finalists, Allar has the most starting experience, meaning we have a lot of tape on him. And while I\u2019m often critical of his play, it would be dishonest to suggest Allar doesn\u2019t have some amazing plays on his resume.<\/p>\n

But where Allar frustrates as a prospect is with his inconsistency. You may have heard the saying, \u201che makes the hard throws look easy, but the easy throws look hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

To my eye, he has trouble maintaining a steady rhythm on offense. He often feels just a beat late on throws, preferring to see his receiver break open before he throws. Of our finalists, only Sellers (3.30 seconds) averages a longer time to throw than Allar (2.89 seconds).<\/p>\n

If you were to only look at the box score, Allar would seem like one of the most accurate passers in this series. Only two passers have a higher completion percentage than Allar (66.5%) and his turnover-worthy play rate (2.1%) is bested by Sam Leavitt among our field of quarterbacks.<\/p>\n

But when you compare his completion percentage to different areas of the field against the rest of our finalists, you start to get a clearer picture.<\/p>\n

Throws behind the line of scrimmage: 88.7% (5th)Throws 0-9 yards: 77.6 (3rd)Throws 10-19 yards: 52.2% (4th)Throws 20+ yards: 48.9% (1st)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a strange combination of results. Allar would at least seem to be the most accurate deep ball thrower, but even that stat needs more context. Allar posted that mark on 45 attempts in 2024, but it seems noteworthy that both Nussmeier (86 attempts, 36.0%) and Klubnik (78 attempts, 44.9%) nearly doubled him up on those types of throws. Would Allar\u2019s percentage have fallen with more attempts? Is it even fair to judge him on that when Penn State was so lacking in outside weapons that they engineered their passing attack around a tight end in 2024?<\/p>\n

If we look at PFF\u2019s Big Time Throws stat, Allar (21) finishes behind Klubnik (28) and Nussmeier (26) as well. In two starts, Arch Manning averaged two Big Time Throws a game, which would extrapolate out to 32 if he had maintained that pace and started in 16 games like Allar did in 2024.<\/p>\n

And to Allar\u2019s credit, his accuracy numbers increased across the board in 2024, despite having less talent around, at least in terms of receivers.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s another crux of the Allar mystery. If Allar was truly one of the elite arms in college football, you\u2019d expect his passing totals to be more productive, even with questionable playmakers around him. While he threw 25 touchdowns against two interceptions during his first year as a full-time starter, he barely cracked 2,600 yards passing. In 2024, he managed 3,327 yards in 16 games (207.9 per game). His touchdown total decreased (24) despite playing three more games, and his interception total increased (8). The receiving room question is fair, but don\u2019t you want to see your franchise quarterback elevate the talent around him?<\/p>\n

Long story short, Allar has arm talent, but he doesn\u2019t always maximize it, and is frequently a frustrating watch. If he can take another significant leap in 2025, that would go a long way towards quieting my concerns.<\/p>\n

Allar looks the part getting off the bus. At 6\u20195 and 236 pounds, Allar has a frame reminiscent of a younger Ben Roethlisberger. And with Penn State\u2019s extended playoff run last season, we got to see Allar\u2019s body hold up across 16 games, albeit nonconsecutive weeks.<\/p>\n

Allar is an effective runner, but he\u2019s not in the same class as Sellers, Klubnik, or Manning. Allar posted a respectable 419 yards on 81 carries (5.2 ypc) in 2024. Though he has frames similar to Josh Allen and Sellers, he doesn\u2019t possess nearly the same amount of speed or wiggle. I\u2019m just guessing, but from my years of following prospects in the draft, I would expect Allar to test somewhere in the 4.7-4.8s range in the 40-yard dash.<\/p>\n

Where I do think Allar might be an effective rushing weapon is in the red zone, where he can use his size to his advantage while not needing to run as far. In two seasons, Allar has 10 rushing touchdowns, including six in 2024.<\/p>\n

I did a lot of litgating of Allar already, so I\u2019ll keep this section shorter. Allar is essentially a human Rorschach test as a prospect. Some have him as the outright favorite to be the first quarterback selected in the 2026 draft, while others think he shrinks in big games and has failed to live up to the lofty expectations that go with being one of the top recruits coming out of high school.<\/p>\n

If we\u2019re being fair to Allar, the truth probably lies somewhere between those two extremes. Allar has not played particularly well against Ohio State, failing to crack 200 yards passing in either of his two starts against the Buckeyes. Last year was especially putrid as he only managed 146 yards passing, no touchdowns, and an interception.<\/p>\n

His best performance came in a gritty 45-37 loss to Oregon in the Big Ten title game. Allar threw three touchdowns in the game, and yet, even in that performance, he barely completed half of his passes (51.3%) and had two interceptions.<\/p>\n

Penn State\u2019s two playoff wins also lack luster when you consider the spending and recruiting power of the Nittany Lions compared to Boise State and Southern Methodist University. Allar failed to throw for more than 171 yards in Penn State\u2019s three playoff games.<\/p>\n

Again, Allar has an impressive resume at first glance, but it starts to dim when you examine it further.<\/p>\n

Again, I don\u2019t want to pile on Allar. He\u2019s shown flashes. If he can unlock some consistency, I could totally see a world where he is the first quarterback selected.<\/p>\n

Take that game against Oregon we mentioned earlier. This is an impressive rep against pressure.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the type of hard-nosed play that can translate to Sundays. He just needs to do it more consistently. Allar does a decent job avoiding sacks, taking just 21 in 2024 against 143 pressures (14.7% pressure-to-sack rate). His 46.9% completion percentage was also fourth-best in our field of 15. He threw five touchdowns in these conditions, but also threw four interceptions, half of his season total.<\/p>\n

As is, I\u2019m only comfortable ranking him ahead of our final contestant in this category.<\/p>\n

\"COLLEGE<\/a><\/p>\n

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 30: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on November 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

Total Votes: 76
Career Starts: 2 (2-0)<\/p>\n

Most of Manning\u2019s rankings in this list are heavily tilted towards projection. The young man simply hasn\u2019t put enough out on tape, having less than 100 career pass attempts thus far in his college career.<\/p>\n

That said, what little he has done is enough for me to rank him third.<\/p>\n

Manning has already shown he can layer his throws as needed against different coverage looks, and he\u2019s able to throw his receivers open. I look forward to seeing him against a full SEC slate this year.<\/p>\n

The next Manning to enter the NFL certainly has his family\u2019s genes in him. Listed as 6\u20194 and 220 pounds, Arch is closer to his uncle Eli (6\u20195 220 pounds) than his uncle Peyton (6\u20195, 230 pounds) at this stage, but his frame falls in line with the averages we expect in modern quarterbacks.<\/p>\n

That Arch is ranked this high with such little tape is a tribute to how quickly he was able to demonstrate he is not going to be the same type of lead-footed quarterback as his Super Bowl-winning yet velocity-challenged uncles.<\/p>\n

Manning doesn\u2019t have quite the same combination of speed and power as Sellers, but he\u2019s not an easy tackle, and he\u2019s already shown enough to prove he can be a weapon on designed quarterback runs or scrambling if a play breaks down.<\/p>\n

Simply put, we haven\u2019t seen enough to properly rate Manning in this category, nor the next one, so Manning will round out his pre-2025 profile with the lowest rankings in both.<\/p>\n

Working in Manning\u2019s favor is his last name. The Mannings are not just football royalty, but they are highly respected for their work with young quarterbacks, including the Manning Passing Academy, a camp where the most talented quarterback recruits and prospects \u2014 and running backs, receivers, and tight ends for that matter \u2014 gather to work on their skills and gain exposure.<\/p>\n

All that\u2019s to say, Arch, as a Manning, has grown up around the sport and is also uniquely positioned to have a better understanding of all the different aspects of life that go into being a professional quarterback. After waiting behind Quinn Ewers, Manning wasted no time in showcasing all the potential that has the football world already so eager to see him on Sundays.<\/p>\n

And for what it\u2019s worth, his teammates seem to enjoy playing with him.<\/p>\n

With limited play time, we haven\u2019t gotten to see Manning face any rivals or ranked opponents yet to judge how he plays in big games. But we have seen how he responded to throwing an interception.<\/p>\n

If there is one area for early concern, it\u2019s how Manning will play against pressure. With the obvious caveat of it being an incredibly small sample size, Manning\u2019s seven sacks against 26 total pressures gives him a pressure-to-sack rate of 26.9%, the worst rate among our 15 quarterbacks.<\/p>\n

For now, I believe that is easily explained away by Manning\u2019s relative greenness. If it persists across a full season of starts, we can reexamine. But for what it\u2019s worth, Manning\u2019s put on tape the toughness it takes to take a lick and deliver a dime.<\/p>\n

*DISCLAIMER*
I pointed out during Arch\u2019s initially QB Dating Game episode that I didn\u2019t think it was likely the Mannings wanted him to come out in 2026. Sure enough, Archie Manning officially put that on the record a short time ago. The situation is fluid of course \u2014 a statement in August could see its tune change by February \u2014 but the odds are currently in favor of Arch returning to school next year. Factor that into your votes, however you will.<\/p>\n

Steely McBeam: Alright, we\u2019ve heard the case for each quarterback. All that\u2019s left is for YOU to decide. We\u2019ll be conducting the vote a little differently from our previous polls. We\u2019re trying to get the best read we can on the BTSC readership\u2019s quarterback preferences, so we\u2019ll be going with ranked voting in this final round.<\/p>\n

The idea is simple: rank the quarterbacks from one to five according to your preference. First-place votes will award a player five points, second-place four, and so on. We\u2019ll total all the numbers and announce a winner on Friday, August 22, with a series wrap article.<\/p>\n

Voting will close Monday, August 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.<\/p>\n

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