NFL Draft intel: Big Ten QB’s elite arm turning heads among scouts

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

From an Indiana quarterback to a Louisville wide receiver, here are five players we’re tracking: 

Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates listed Mendoza (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) as their No. 5 QB on “First Draft” on Wednesday. Yates gushed over his arm.

“This kid is legit,” Yates said. “He makes a lot of cool throws. He makes a lot of very confident throws that I’m not sure other quarterbacks would even see.”

That’s one reason the California Golden Bears transfer produced in 2024 without stellar weapons. The program had no offensive players selected in the 2025 draft, but he completed 68.7 percent of his passes for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games.

Imagine what he could do at Indiana, which made the College Football Playoff last season. Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti has said Mendoza’s arm is stronger than former starting QB Kurtis Rourke’s (now with the San Francisco 49ers). He tied for the FBS’s 10th-most passing TDs (29 in 12 games) last season. 

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier

On Aug. 8, LSU HC Brian Kelly confirmed Nussmeier has chronic patellar tendinitis in his left knee. The coach downplayed the injury. While not season-ending, Yates believes it will concern teams. 

“Get ready for a long medical conversation surrounding Garrett Nussmeier from late February into March prior to the predraft process,” he said on “First Draft.”

The injury hasn’t affected Nussmeier’s odds of being the top pick in the draft. As of Thursday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists him as the favorite (+340) to go No. 1 overall in 2026.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder may dispel the medical questions if he excels again in 2025. Last season, he ranked fifth in the FBS in passing yards (4,052 in 13 games).

Clemson QB Cade Klubnik

In his latest mock draft, The Ringer’s Todd McShay has the Cleveland Browns taking Klubnik (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) with pick No. 1. 

“If the Browns are picking No. 1 in 2026, it means none of their quarterbacks did enough to claim the job long term, including Shedeur Sanders, despite his impressive preseason debut,” wrote McShay. “Enter Klubnik, who’s calm in chaos and has enough mobility and arm strength to succeed at the next level.”

Jacksonville Jaguars fifth-year QB Trevor Lawrence is the only Clemson player to be taken No. 1 overall in the draft. Klubnik could lead the No. 4 Tigers to a national championship, like Lawrence did during the 2018 season.

The senior finished with the nation’s third-most passing TDs (36 in 14 games) in 2024. With star wide receivers Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr. returning, Klubnik could have another big year. The wideouts combined for 16 TD catches last season.   

Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq

Sadiq (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) should assume a bigger role after the Los Angeles Rams took former Ducks TE Terrance Ferguson (pick No. 46) in the 2025 draft. 

CBS Sports’ Mike Renner ranked Sadiq as his No. 1 TE  and believes he could go higher in the draft than Ferguson.

“Even if he’s on the smallish side by NFL standards, it did not show up much as a run-blocker,” wrote Renner in a story published Wednesday. “Sadiq’s play strength was unique for a true sophomore and should only improve as his career progresses. A potential top-20 talent with development.”

Sadiq — who had just two touchdown catches in 14 games last season — isn’t considered a first-rounder yet. Tankathon’s latest mock draft has the Carolina Panthers selecting him with pick No. 70 in the third round. His stock could skyrocket if he produces better numbers. 

Louisville WR Chris Bell 

Bell (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) may check the boxes for NFL teams when evaluating WRs before the draft. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler rates him as his No. 2 WR. 

“With his strong, muscular frame, Bell passes the eye test walking off the bus,” wrote Brugler in a story published Thursday. “He uses his physicality to be a possession target who can make tough grabs over defenders. And with his 4.4 speed, Bell can separate vertically or create explosive plays after the catch.”

Per Brugler, Bell must expand his route tree to improve his draft stock. He must also prove that he can succeed without QB Tyler Shough (now with the New Orleans Saints).

Bell could still be productive after recording a career-high 737 receiving yards in 13 games last season. He has been named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. The award recognizes college football’s top WR.