2025 NFL Draft QB Rankings: College Football’s Take on Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders & the Top 12
The 2025 NFL Draft quarterback class isn’t getting much love, especially after last year’s strong group that included Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye. But let’s not act like it’s a total dud. It’s definitely a step up from the 2022 class (remember Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis?) and might end up being better than the 2023 group too depending on how guys like Anthony Richardson pan out. It could even outshine the early outlook for 2026, where it’s basically Arch Manning and not much else.
Sure, you’ll see some Day 3 lottery tickets and mid-tier names, but some of these guys could turn out to be sneaky good. So, here’s how college football sees the top 12 QB prospects for this draft:
12. Seth Henigan (Memphis)
Steady and productive, Henigan put up over 14,000 yards and 104 TDs during his college career. He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done. The arm’s decent, and he moves well enough. Likely a priority free agent unless someone grabs him late.
11. Will Howard (Ohio State)
Big dude with a big arm and sneaky mobility. Problem is, he had top-tier weapons and protection at OSU, so he didn’t have to do much improvising. He could develop into a solid backup in the right system.
10. Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
Six-year college vet with a record-setting 155 TD passes. Great accuracy, and he can move but he’s undersized and already 25. He’s got Bo Nix-lite vibes, which isn’t a bad thing if you need a dependable backup.
9. Riley Leonard (Notre Dame)
Big, athletic, and tough, Leonard can move and throw but he was never asked to be “the guy.” Injuries and inconsistency dropped his stock, but he’s got enough tools to be worth a Day 3 flier.
8. Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)
Big, experienced, and productive what’s not to like? Well, there’s that torn ACL. Still, he looked great at Indiana and was dominant at Ohio before that. If you’re willing to gamble, he could be a sneaky steal.
7. Kyle McCord (Syracuse)
He lit it up after transferring from Ohio State to Syracuse, showing off a big arm and poise in a pass-heavy offense. No real mobility, and not super quick with his reads, but he can throw with confidence.
6. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
Tough, mobile, and accurate in the short-to-mid range, Dart flourished in Lane Kiffin’s system. There are questions about how he fits in a slower-paced NFL offense, but the talent’s there. He may go earlier than he should, but he’s a great value pick.
5. Tyler Shough (Louisville)
Shough has NFL tools size, mobility, and experience but he’s had a tough time staying healthy. At 26, he’s older than most prospects, but when healthy, he’s shown flashes of real potential.
4. Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
Arguably the most exciting athlete in the bunch. He can run, he’s got a big arm, and the upside is massive. But he disappeared a bit late in the season, and consistency is a concern. Still, he’s got “future star” written all over him if he develops.
3. Quinn Ewers (Texas)
Pure passer with a live arm and solid accuracy. He’s not going to run much, and he needs to improve on reading defenses. But when Texas let him throw, he delivered. Might be underrated at this point.
2. Cam Ward (Miami)
Ward has been a baller at three different schools and has all the tools: arm strength, mobility, and confidence. He’s aggressive, which leads to both big plays and big mistakes. But if you give him the keys, he’ll make things happen.
1. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
The most polished passer in the class. He broke the FBS completion percentage record (71.8%) and showed real toughness, taking hit after hit behind a bad O-line. Critics say he was in a pass-heavy system, but he still made magic. If his last name were Manning, he might be the No. 1 pick.
College Football’s Best QBs: Who’s Rising Before the 2025 NFL Draft?
