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Following the 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class has been a rollercoaster of rampant hype, crushing blows, and brief flashes of greatness. Arch Manning was a prodigy. Then he was fool's gold. Now, he's clawing his way back toward the first round.
He isn't alone in his unsteady 2025 campaign.
However, each passing week has chipped away at the opportunities left for these prospects to end the season on the right foot. Nobody wants to enter the pre-draft circuit with a lot to prove. That puts extra importance on these late-season conference games and the College Football Playoff looming on the other side of them.
For LSU Tigers captain Garrett Nussmeier and Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton have taken different paths to November. But in Week 11, both are staring down one of the most pivotal games of their respective seasons.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU (at Alabama)
Nussmeier entered the year with legitimate Round 1 hype. He topped plenty of boards and generated Heisman-level hype on an LSU team that was supposed to have championship aspirations.
That hasn't come to fruition.
Nussmeier's supporting cast hasn't lived up to expectations, but a nagging injury to his midsection has played the bigger role in hurting his draft stock. We knew that Nussmeier lacked elite physical tools. Struggling to generate torque has mitigated his suboptimal arm strength, and it's possible it's leaking into other areas of his game.
Furthermore, his post-snap processing hasn't lived up to the expectations of his pre-snap command of the offense. He's putting the ball in harm's way too often and taking too many sacks, a notable step back after offensive tackle Will Campbell's graduation to the NFL.
LSU isn't going anywhere fast, but showing out against No. 4 Alabama would be a meaningful win for the program. As for his stock, Nussmeier is running out of opportunities to show that he's an early-round passer. This is the best defense left on his schedule and a hostile environment. Continuing to make more plays than his tools would suggest is a key piece of his profile, and playing well against Alabama could help prove that he's at least a game manager, rather than a project with a bunch of starts to his name.
Behren Morton, QB, Texas Tech (vs. BYU)
Morton had a brief rise up boards, threatening to be taken in the middle of the 2026 NFL Draft after an excellent start to the season.
Injuries and a bout of inconsistencies have dampened his stock. His cameo against Kansas wasn't particularly impressive, and Kansas State didn't provide much solace, even in a 43-20 win. Morton has starter-level tools and the aggressiveness to capitalize on them, creating an explosive passer with rushing viability. Yet, inconsistencies in the pocket have plagued him, and he brings too much pressure upon himself, making life difficult and potentially spoiling hopes of winning from NFL pockets.
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Subsequently, he's fallen down to earth a bit in recent weeks, and it's a much safer bet that he lands in the middle of Day 3 than the top 100. If he's going to change the narrative during the home stretch, a Big 12 clash with playoff implications is a hell of a time to do so.
BYU is the best team on Texas Tech's schedule, boasting a defense that has already done away with NFL hopefuls under center. A strong performance on Saturday would help solidify his standing as a viable developmental passer rounding out this crop of quarterbacks.
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