NFL Draft intel: Top QBs set to clash in ranked showdown in Death Valley

Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. 

As Week 1 of the college football season kicks off Thursday, here are five players we're tracking: 

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson QB Cade Klubnik

No. 4 Clemson hosts No. 9 LSU on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The matchup features teams whose home stadiums are nicknamed "Death Valley" and two potential first-round QBs. 

In Tankathon's latest mock draft, the New York Jets take Nussmeier (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) with pick No. 5, while the Pittsburgh Steelers select Klubnik (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) with pick No. 16. 

On his updated big board, The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote Klubnik's tape is "promising," but he believes Nussmeier is the better QB. He tabbed the LSU star as his QB3 and the Clemson star as his QB6.

"If you blended the skill sets of Tony Romo and Baker Mayfield, the result would look something like Nussmeier," wrote Brugler. "Aside from the physical talent and mannerisms, his toughness, energy and command of how to play the position are reasons to be optimistic about his projection."

However, Klubnik threw more touchdown passes (36 in 14 games) than Nussmeier (29 in 13 games) did last season. If he outplays him at home Saturday, that could change some scouts' minds. 

Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods

Woods (6-foot-3, 315 pounds) is another prospect to watch in Saturday's game against LSU. He should dominate the Tigers' offensive line, which lost four starters to the NFL this offseason. That includes offensive tackle Will Campbell (now with the New England Patriots). 

"Peter Woods, to me, when you think about that LSU game, will define a lot about where he's going to be," ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. told Field Yates Wednesday on "First Draft." "Because if he can go dominate and get off to that great start and maintain that, you're right, he goes in the top five, Peter Woods does."  

Woods could certainly be a difference-maker on Saturday. In 11 games last season, he logged a career-high nine tackles for loss. 

On Aug. 4, Woods was named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list. The award is similar to the Heisman, but it is voted on by coaches and sports information directors, rather than media members and past winners. 

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs

The No. 3 Buckeyes host the No. 1 Longhorns on Saturday at noon ET on Fox. Talent evaluators will certainly eye Texas QB Arch Manning (6-foot-4, 219 pounds), but they'll also scout the defensive back who's aiming to stop him.

On his updated big board, CBS Sports' Mike Renner rated Downs as the No. 9 prospect in the class.

"The best safety prospect since [Baltimore Ravens star] Kyle Hamilton, Downs has dominated college football since the day he stepped on campus," wrote Renner. "He's got versatility to line up pretty much anywhere on the back end and still be a playmaker. There's not just many holes to poke in his game."

Downs has drawn comparisons to Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed for his ball skills. Surprisingly, he had just four interceptions in his first two seasons with Alabama and Ohio State. If he gets more this season, his stock will only skyrocket. 

Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa

Protecting QB Carson Beck will be crucial for the Hurricanes in 2025. The Georgia transfer underwent surgery in December 2024 to repair the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow.   

Mauigoa (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) seems poised to do that. In a scouting report published Monday, The Draft Network gave him a Pro Bowl-caliber grade. 

"I love watching him in pass protection because he already understands full well how to use his hands independently to get the job done," Renner wrote of Mauigoa in a story published Aug. 12. "Now if he could only play with a more consistent base and better posture in those sets, Mauigoa would have a chance to be a top-10 pick."

The O-lineman will face an early test when No. 10 Miami hosts No. 6 Notre Dame on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Fighting Irish tied for the FBS' 14th-most sacks (40) last season.