College football quarterback tiers 2026: Ranking every projected starter from 1 to 138
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- The Athletic has released its second annual College QB Tiers ranking, evaluating all 138 projected starting quarterbacks for the 2026 major college football season based on expert panel insights.
- The rankings are informed by feedback from around three dozen anonymous coaches, general managers, scouts, and personnel directors across all conferences, focusing on college performance rather than NFL draft potential.
- Quarterbacks are categorized into tiers reflecting natural separations in talent and ability, with no fixed number per tier, and include data from Pro Football Focus and TruMedia to support evaluations.
- The list distinguishes quarterbacks by status—returning starters, transfers, and new starters—and accounts for ongoing quarterback battles by projecting likely starters.
- Although not an NFL draft ranking, the report includes draft analysis for select 2027-eligible prospects, providing a comprehensive view of the upcoming college quarterback landscape.
