Turf Show Times
The 2026 quarterback class has not turned out the way that many had hoped heading into the season. Nobody has separated themselves as the top quarterback in the class and those that were thought to be among the best have dropped off significantly. We’ve officially completed the first half of the college football season, which means it’s a good time to take a look at where things stand.
Every week throughout the college football season, I will be watching some of the top quarterback prospects for 2026 and rating their performances. Let’s take a look at who will be worth watching over the second half of the year.
Halfway through the college football season, Dante Moore has been rising to the top. It’s very possible that he returns to school for another year, but in what has been a weaker quarterback class, he could be one of the first drafted. Moore didn’t have his best game at home against Indiana and the Penn State win looks less impressive after they just lost to Northwestern. Still, the arm talent and athleticism are evident. Despite throwing two interceptions on Saturday, Moore showed some of the things he’s capable of and why he might be an exciting prospect. Again, his arm talent and athleticism are evident, but he’s also shown the ability to remain poised under pressure and deliver an accurate ball.
It’s very possible that Fernando Mendoza ends up being QB1. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked his top-3 quarterbacks and had Mendoza as QB1. According to Brugler, “His physical traits aren’t remarkable, but his accuracy and football IQ are evident every time I study his game.”
It doesn’t get much more impressive than leading Indiana to a win over Oregon on the road. He was 20-for-31 for 215 yards with a touchdown and an interception. While the arm talent is evident, the modern NFL quarterback needs to be able to create out of structure. A lot of what Mendoza does is within the framework of Frank Cignetti’s offense. That’s not a bad thing, but it is fair to wonder how much Mendoza could carry an offense.
The talent with LaNorris Sellers is clearly evident every time you watch him. His supporting cast hasn’t been great and the South Carolina interior offensive line has struggled immensely at times. Still, Sellers’ ability to process and play on time within an offense remains a question mark. The range of outcomes is simply too vast right now. It’s very possible that Sellers becomes a bigger and stronger version of Lamar Jackson. However, if he doesn’t improve his processing, he may also be the next Anthony Richardson or Justin Fields. In the NFL, you have to be able to win from the pocket. The talent is clearly there, but any team that takes him will be buying a lottery ticket hoping that it cashes out.
Carson Beck made the correct...
