2026 NFL Draft: Miami's Carson Beck Surges to Top of QB Prospects List

Halloween may be just around the corner, but when it comes to college football, there is no point in sugarcoating things: This celebrated class of quarterbacks has struggled to live up to expectations thus far.

Penn State QB Drew Allar's season-ending leg injury is the latest bruise to an already battered positional group. And Oklahoma’s John Mateer, after undergoing surgery on his right hand on Sept. 24, looked far from ready in his quick return to action against rival Texas, throwing three interceptions. Those injuries — and the inconsistencies of other highly-touted signal-callers — have become the dominant storyline for this year’s quarterback class.

Scouts can’t rely on narratives, however. There is always talent to be found, and other talented QBs are emerging from the shadows.

Miami’s Carson Beck has surged to the top of the class, joining LSU's Garrett Nussmeier as the only two quarterbacks worthy of first-round consideration, at this point.

In a season of struggling college quarterbacks, Miami's Carson Beck is emerging as the cream of the crop at midseason. (Photo by Jason Clark/Getty Images)

But just behind them in the early-round mix are a handful of gifted underclassmen, including Alabama’s Ty Simpson, Oregon’s Dante Moore and yes, Texas’ Arch Manning, each of whom has flashed the traits that could entice NFL teams to gamble early should these QBs opt to give up their remaining eligibility.

If the draft were held this weekend, this is how I envision the quarterbacks would come off the board.

RELATED: Rob Rang's previous quarterback prospect ranking

In a year filled with quarterbacks struggling to meet expectations, Beck is proving the polar opposite, resurrecting his NFL Draft stock for a surging