The 2025 NFL Draft quarterback class wasn’t anything to write home about as far as talent entering the league. But the 2026 NFL Draft class will be loaded with quarterback talent which will include a Manning. Arch Manning in particular. But he along isn’t the reason his uncle Peyton Manning is gushing about what’s to come as far as talented arms potentially entering the draft.
The Hall of Fame and Super Bowl winning QB came away from his recent Manning Passing Academy impressed by the type of arm talent he saw, which included Arch and LSU star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
In praising both quarterbacks who are projected as the top 10 picks, Manning said during an appearance on the Pat McAfee show that the elite level of throws both quarterbacks made had even him shellshocked.
“I’m excited to watch Arch play,” Manning said. “He threw the ball really well at the camp. He and Garrett Nussmeier at our three throwing expeditions really threw the ball well – all the quarterbacks throw the ball well. It’s impressive. They make throws that I can’t even think about making. Arch made a throw the other day that I’d have to hit the cutoff man to get the ball to the actual receiver.”
Peyton Manning knows talent when he see it
Sounds like a proud uncle but also sounds like a former NFL quarterback who is impressed about the talent that could load the 2026 NFL Draft. It will start with Arch Manning if he declares and of course Nussmeier, but there is a plethora of talent which could be the reason teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants looking at the draft to solve their long-term needs at the position.
Peyton Manning had a few names on his list that includes South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Penn State’s Drew Allar, but there are some other gunslingers to keep your eye on. That list includes Caron Beck who could follow Cam Ward as a Miami Hurricanes transfer who could re-establish himself as a top 5 quarterback in 2025. Also, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and NFL Mocks’ favorite Fernando Mendoza are quarterbacks’ whose stocks may rise once the college football season starts rolling.