How Drew Allar's decision to return to Penn State affects the 2025 NFL Draft QB class

State of the QB class for the 2025 NFL Draft with Drew Allar returning to school

Multiple teams will enter the 2025 NFL Draft with a glaring need at QB. Sadly, though, more and more evidence is pointing towards this class not having much top-tier talent after Sanders and Ward, which warrants using a first-round pick to select. The notable players behind the top two have their fair share of questions, which leads people to wonder how high they can end up being drafted. The only two getting significant first-round consideration were Alabama's Jalen Milroe and Penn State's Drew Allar. Both of which stem from their skill set and projected upside more so than their college production. Now the class loses Allar as he is set to return to school, and multiple scouts I've spoken to have expressed that the NFL is much higher on Allar than many in the NFL Draft space realize. So, him returning to school is truly looked at as a major loss for the 2025 NFL Draft class.

Last year's class saw two QBs enter the first round that shocked most of the NFL in Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix. So never say never when it comes to QB-needy teams pushing day two level QB prospects up their board out of desperation at the end of the day. But as things currently stand, it seems like the first round will only have 2-3 QBs selected, and the group behind them won't inspire much excitement out of the team's fan base that lands them. The leash given to non-first-round QBs tends to be significantly less by NFL teams.

There are still some intriguing options in this class that will get day two love, and with a strong cycle, who knows, maybe they can sneak into round one and give a better outlook for a QB class that many are calling weak. Some of those players that come to mind are Texas' Quinn Ewers, Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, Ole Miss's Jaxson Dart, and Georgia's Carson Beck. And while Allar returning to school is a big hit to the 2025 QB class, it's a big name joining the 2026 draft class that has some intriguing options eligible if they choose to declare. 

Notable QBs eligible for 2026 QB Class: 

• Arch Manning, Texas University
• Drew Allar, Penn State
• Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee University 
• LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina 
• Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
• Cade Klubnik, Clemson