Field Yates ranks top five NFL Draft QB prospects

The 2025 college football season is kicking into full gear with Week 5 rapidly approaching. However, it’s never to early to look at some of the most intriguing NFL Draft prospects in the upcoming cycle.

Recently, Field Yates and Mel Kiper Jr. revealed their top five quarterbacks for the 2026 NFL Draft. Most of their lists contained the same names, but in different orders. Yates explained his reasoning behind his selections on a recent episode of First Draft. The only difference, aside from the order, was that Yates omitted LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.

With a ton of season to go, here’s how Yates’ list shakes up. Him and Kiper Jr. agreed on the same QB1.

1. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Sellers began to creep up draft boards during the offseason following a strong finish to his redshirt freshman season. He’s still regarded as the top QB, as both Yates and Kiper Jr. agreed that Sellers is the top prospect at the position.

Despite dealing with injuries through the early portion of the season, Sellers has still impressed. He’s thrown for 733 yards, four touchdowns and an interception to this point. He’s added another touchdown on the ground, but taking 12 sacks have adjusted his rushing totals to just 17 yards on the season.

‘When we’re projecting, I think part of the exercise is establishing who may have the highest ceiling out of the players in this class,” Yates said. “LaNorris Sellers, who’s been playing through pain and South Carolina, has now lost back to back games. … There is still so so much potential in this player, and he’s young, so he’s my No. 1 quarterback as well, but the field is starting to narrow behind him.”

2. John Mateer, Oklahoma

Bad news hit Norman on Tuesday when it was revealed that Sooners QB John Mateer injured his hand against Auburn during Week 4. He led OU to a 4-0 start and is ranked the No. 7 team in the country at the time of his absence.

Despite suffering the injury during the game, Mateer stayed in the game. He even completed 24 of his 36 passing attempts for 271 yards and a touchdown. He scored another on the ground in the 24-17 win. Many considered Mateer an early Heisman favorite before his injury. Now, he’ll focus toward recovery qw the 2026 NFL Draft cycle approaches.

“Did I think about John Mateer at No. 1? Just for a second,” Yates admitted. “… He, at least, is on the honorable mention for the best quarterback in the class right now.

3. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

Fernando Mendoza has played himself into a top NFL quarterback prospect so far during his first year at Indiana. Mendoza has nearly 1,000 passing yards to go with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions through four games.

Transferring in from Cal, Mendoza has the opportunity to lead the Hoosiers to its second consecutive College Football Playoff appearance. There’s a lot of season to be played, including games against Oregon and Penn State down the stretch, for him to prove himself to any doubters still remaining.

“There’s some of Fernando Mendoza’s game that reminds me of Sam Darnold,” Yates said. “He throws absolute darts. I mean, the accuracy, the ball placement, the velocity, even the trajectory of the football was brilliant. This past Saturday night, he was carving up Illinois. Couldn’t be more impressed. Just standing in the pocket and throwing, if that were the only criteria we were evaluating, the best pure thrower to me is Fernando Mendoza.”

4. Dante Moore, Oregon

Oregon has yet to be challenged so far during its early season slate. Dante Moore has been a big reason for that success.

Through four games, the Ducks QB has completed 74.7% (71-95) of his throws for 962 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception. He’s added 87 yards on the ground and has only taken one sack this season.

“He has been remarkable against teams that are nobody’s on the Oregon schedule so far — Oklahoma State and Oregon State — who they bludgeoned, are programs that are just like they’re a shadow of what they were in recent years,” Yates said. “… That being said, Dante Moore (has) excellent downfield accuracy. Very, very smooth throw of the football. We saw some with his legs this past weekend as well.”

5. Drew Allar, Penn State

Allar had the option to turn pro at the end of last season after leading Penn State to a national semifinal appearance. Instead, he returned and is looking to lead the Nittany Lions to its first national championship since the 1980s.

Penn State didn’t play a Power Four conference opponent during its non-conference schedule. Their schedule will pick up in a big way, however, against Dante Moore and the Oregon Ducks on Saturday.

“If you looked at Drew Allar, it’s like how every once in a while you’ll see a graphic where it’s like, build the ideal quarterback. … A lot of the physical traits you love, right? 6-foot-5, 225 pounds. Ball really just floats off his hand,” Yates said. “There’s a lot to like about Drew Allar. I want to see it in action. … I do think he has a massive opportunity to kind of stamp his case the strongest he ever has stamped it that he deserves to be in that conversation for the first five picks in the draft.”