Nico Iamaleava vs. Jayden Maiava. Plus, Our Rough Draft 2027 QB Rankings.

Summary

The McShay Show – “Nico Iamaleava vs. Jayden Maiava. Plus, Our Rough Draft 2027 QB Rankings.”

Podcast: The McShay Show (The Ringer)
Date: July 13, 2026
Host: Todd McShay, with Steve Muench
Summary by Podcast Summarizer AI

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Episode Overview

This summer installment of “Building the Board” focuses on an in-depth comparison between two top 2027 NFL Draft quarterback prospects: UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava and USC’s Jayden Maiava. McShay and Muench analyze their game tape, break down their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss how each fits into the broader context of a powerhouse upcoming QB class. The episode culminates in a comprehensive rough draft of preseason 2027 quarterback rankings, widely considered by the hosts to be one of the deepest and most challenging classes in years.

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Key Discussion Points & Analysis

1. Setting the Scene — The 2027 QB Class: Historic Depth and Talent

• Unprecedented Depth: This is regarded as one of the most gifted QB groups in memory, with “12 quarterbacks that are all at least day-one or day-two conversation” ([12:46-13:23]).
• Advisory Board’s Biggest Challenge: Only four of the dozen must enter the draft, while the rest could return to college due to NIL opportunities, complicating forecasting ([13:20-14:43]).
  • Quote: “I think this might be their biggest challenge yet.” – Muench [12:46]
  • The board only gives three answers: first-round grade, second-round grade, or “go back to school.”
• Evolving College-NFL Pipeline: Many QBs could boost their stock by staying, but all are likely to inquire about their draft standing.

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2. Nico Iamaleava (UCLA): Rocket Arm and Gazelle-like Mobility, But Needs Refinement

Natural Tools & Upside

• Elite Natural Ability: “He is a gazelle with a rocket launcher … a skill set that is so special and so dynamic.” – McShay [15:21]
• Unique Running Threat: Long-strider speed and creative, game-wrecking mobility.
  • “Pursuit angle murderer … chews up turf.” – Muench [20:17]
• Arm Strength: One of the strongest in the class, but prone to overthrows—“quarterbacking, then overthrowing everyone” at Tennessee [19:31].

Competitive Toughness

• Mental/Physical Toughness: Despite a dramatic college journey, demonstrated resilience:
  • “That Indiana tape, the house was burning down … and he kept grinding.” – McShay [21:45-23:25]

Areas For Growth / Risks

• Inconsistency: “Just lacing the ball … and then every once in a while you see a throw and you’re like, what are we doing?” – Muench [39:09-39:45]
• Decision-Making: Sometimes “sprays the ball around” and has trust issues in terms of precision and consistency under pressure.
• Frame: Tall and long but needs to add muscle to sustain his dynamic play style (“gazelle … but, yeah, it worries me” – McShay [43:29-44:03]).
• Summary Analogy: Watching his tape is compared to exhilarating, inherently risky cliff jumping. Huge upside, but also crash potential ([40:33-42:57]).

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3. Jayden Maiava (USC): Pure Passing Craft, Thick Build, And a Grinder’s Journey

Passing Craft & Placement

• Remarkable Feel as a Passer: “Layers trajectory really well … if Maiava's not winning [the bucket drill], he's top three, right?” – McShay [28:35]
• Touch and Accuracy: Consistently places the ball for receivers, throws a “great 50-50 ball,” and demonstrates anticipation ([28:35-30:15]).
• Throws Well On Run: Mobility used for rollouts, accurate thrower when moving.
• Comparison: Invokes comparisons to Baker Mayfield, Jackson Dart, and notably, Joe Burrow's timing and ball placement ([27:15-27:19]).

Physical Strength & Resilience

• Sturdy, Physical: “I’m watching Maiava and I’m like, sturdy, like Teflon. This guy’s built for it.” – McShay [43:53]
• Can absorb hits, shed defenders—a la early-career Roethlisberger, Prescott, with “some magic” extending plays ([31:10-32:55])
• Path Less Traveled: Started at UNLV, transferred to USC. Not a blue-chip recruit, but a “grinder” who’s earned his stripes ([30:15-31:34]).

Areas For Growth / Risks

• Good, Not Great Tools: Arm isn’t elite (some “wounded ducks” but often accurate), mobility is “more like when he gets going … but he’s strong.” [33:12-34:48]
• Risk Management: Accurate and smart, but prone to pressing and forcing throws, sometimes resulting in unnecessary interceptions—“too good to throw 10 picks” ([45:35-46:23]).
• Development: Signs point to a big offseason leap in development and commitment ([36:12-38:05]).

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4. Head-to-Head: Contrasts and Context

• Iamaleava is dynamic but volatile, with tantalizing tools that offer elite upside if he can “stabilize” and trust his reads.
• Maiava offers a steadier baseline—big, accurate, and resilient—but may not have same raw ceiling.

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5. 2027 QB Rough Rankings – Building the Preseason Board ([46:23-68:24])

A collaborative rundown of the consensus top 12—grades are approximate and focus on first- and second-day draft value.

Top Tier

• 1. Dante Moore, Oregon: The “NFL prototype” [49:21-49:55]
• 2. Lenore Sellers, South Carolina: Dual-threat dynamo
• 3. Sam Levitt, LSU: McShay bullish; Muench more skeptical, but consensus Top 10
• 4/5. CJ Carr (Notre Dame) & Arch Manning (Texas): “The NFL polished version” (Carr) and “huge next step” (Manning) [51:04-52:14]

Strong Day-Two Clump (Approx. 90+ grades)

• 6. Darian Mensa, Duke/Miami
• 7. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
• 8. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
• (Order: Chambliss typically ahead for now, but Iamaleava’s upside is “right there”) [54:09-55:48]

Depth, Uncertainty & Developmental Prospects

• 9. Julian Sayin, Ohio State: “Outstanding college QB, maybe average NFL guy” – Muench [57:25-58:51]
• 10. Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech: Sensational tools but “hard to predict” development/timing
• 11. Jayden Maiava, USC: Just below Sorsby/Sayin; strong second-day value [60:14-61:14]
• 12. John Matier, Oklahoma: “Even as the 12th player, Matier’s thumb looks good… ripping it out more consistently.” – McShay [66:40]

Key Ranking Debate

• Levitt placement is the only major host disagreement: McShay at 3, Muench slides him just below Iamaleava and ahead of Sayin ([66:59-67:24]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iamaleava’s upside:
  “He may turn out to be the guy that’s like the best memory of your entire summer … but I also could crack my skull and wind up in the hospital.” – McShay [42:59]
• On Maiava’s passing:
  “If Maiava’s not winning [the trash can drill], he’s top three … that’s what he does.” – Muench [28:35]
• On the class’s challenges:
  “Good luck Advisory Board … if this goes the way I think it can go, good luck.” – Muench [68:24]
• On development and risk elimination:
  “Half this job … is eliminating risk. Maybe more. And there’s just a level of risk [with Sorsby] I’m not comfortable with right now.” – McShay [63:07]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|--------------| | 12:46–15:21 | Advisory Board challenged by 2027’s historic QB depth | | 15:21–21:09 | Iamaleava’s tools, upside, and context | | 21:45–24:25 | Iamaleava’s resilience and “football character” | | 28:35–31:34 | Maiava’s passing ability, background, and toughness | | 36:12–39:45 | Both QBs: areas for growth, development buzz, and risk | | 45:35–46:23 | Maiava’s interception/decision-making questions | | 46:23–68:24 | Comprehensive rough draft of Top 12 QB rankings |

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Tone and Impression

The discussion is lively, loaded with insider scouting language, self-deprecating humor, and authentic debate. McShay often leans into vivid metaphors to describe risk/reward, while Muench brings technical detail and skepticism, especially about projectable traits. The duo's dynamic acknowledges both hype and hazard within this draft cycle’s QB bonanza.

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Summary Takeaway

This episode is a must-listen (or read) for serious draft followers and college football fans seeking detailed scouting breakdowns. The podcast serves up an illustrative look at the deeply competitive and talent-rich 2027 NFL QB class, with special attention to Iamaleava’s sizzle and Maiava’s substance. Expect future ranking shakeups as new tape emerges—but for now, both hosts agree: the class is uniquely deep, and projecting its stars will test even the best talent evaluators.

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For full player reports and more rankings, visit The McShay NFL Draft Room.

Transcript

[A]

Part six of our summer series, building the board 2027 quarterback class continues today. It's the battle of La Nico I am Alba for UCLA versus USC's Jaden Mava. I'm pumped for this, man. Their tape was better than I expected. I'm just going to be honest, right off the top, there's 290 days until the NFL draft met. You good? I'm good, man. Roll the thing, Tuck. This episode is presented by EA Sports College Football 27, where you can engineer your team the way you want. And if you want the full football experience, try the MVP bundle. I'm already getting pressured from the boys in this house. We gotta get it. We gotta get it, right? Well, I'm gonna cave. You Get College Football 27 Madden NFL 27 Deluxe Edition rewards in both games to help you go from campus legend to NFL superstar, make your rise with the MVP bundle available now, conditions and restrictions apply. CEA.com games EA Sports College Football College Football 27 game disclaimers for details. How was your weekend, brother?

[B]

It was great. Had a great dinner last night with Tyler and his fiance Gabby. Went to like a wedding vendor event. What about you? I know you. I know you had a good one, huh?

[A]

I did. Went to Noah Khan. That was the weekend. It was a Wednesday night. Oh, was it? And then, yeah, it was Wednesday night. I was originally supposed to go Friday night.

[B]

No concept of time right now.

[A]

Yeah. And then we wound up swapping nights because some family friends were coming into town. And so we went Wednesday night. It was me, Marissa and our two daughters and two of their friends. So it was me and five females going to Noah Khan a little bit like, okay, here we go. What an awesome show.

[B]

I was. You weren't like stoked until the day of. I feel like the day of, you're like, you know, like, what am I doing? This is going to be great.

[A]

I was just a little like, I've always liked Noah Khan. He's brilliant, right? And I love going to see music live. Like, doesn't matter. The venue, doesn't matter. Who. Like, I just love it. Everyone in this family does. Like, we're just music loving people in adventure. Even more so. So I know you understand. I didn't love his most recent album, you know, great Divide. And it started to feel a little like teeny bop. And I'm like, all right, we're gonna five girls. Like, not, not the music. The music felt a little bit like stuff that you love. You know, I was making fun of you. Like, yeah, a Little bit more of that and then, and then like it's become it like it's kind of like this year's Taylor Swift, if you will. You know, like is it just more about like saying I was at Noah Khan's concert? Because it's what everyone, every other teenager is doing. Especially teenagers.

[B]

Girls don't pick a fight.

[A]

But I got there and it was just awesome, man. It's Fenway park. Sun's going down. Like literally I'm staring at the sun. It's going behind Fenway Park. The sky is lit up. It's beautiful. I'm looking at these four girls who are like it's the greatest night of their life, you know. And I'm like watching it through their eyes in the beginning. They can't believe they're there and have this opportunity and they're screaming and like almost in tears. One of my Mia's friend was said she cried half the night. I didn't even notice. So that was awesome.

[B]

I'm stunned you didn't notice.

[A]

She was five seats down. But yeah, like just watching his intensity and certain like doors, right? Yeah. Like he looked like an absolute madman. Like have you ever stared at the sun and like ah. You know. And then you know there. Yeah there were a few songs where it was like all right time. I'm gonna go run and grab like you know, snacks. I'm gonna get the girls merch because I'm not standing in that two hour line. Those lines.

[B]

Oh my God. I heard that. I heard it was insane, bro.

[A]

I was a girls I promise you I was like go take a picture of the shirts you want each everyone gets a T shirt. Figure it out. Yeah and I did. So I picked a few was a lighthouse or something like that anyway but like like dial drunk was awesome and

[B]

you like great song.

[A]

A cop throw him into a new. I think we can all probably relate a little bit.

[B]

The set looks great, man.

[A]

Stick season at the end, you know, coming back out as there's a part

[B]

of the show he calls someone right. Like there's a part like it's a different person. I've been watching the clips. Like one night he called Gronk. One night he called his mom. You know who it was?

[A]

Big Pop.

[B]

No Nice.

[A]

Yeah and then they went back and forth. It was pretty funny. In the very end he's like, he's like. And. And don't forget Yank Yankees suck, you know. And so the whole place gets in there and I'm trying to explain to. To Marissa and Mia who who grew up in South Carolina. Like, I literally, as a child, could be on, like, the. The. The T From. From. Like, from, you know, from Revere into Boston, and a Yankees suck chant would. Would roll out and, like, it's a

[B]

little bit dirty on a Wednesday when they were in. In, like, March, when you could be.

[A]

You could be at a Patriots game in the third quarter, and all of a sudden they're playing the Seahawks, and a Yankees suck chant breaks out, and it's like the most pass. That's just what we grew up with.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So that. That was fun. Like, all my love was awesome, you know, and. Yeah, but my. My favorite, like, the moment, like, it's dark and everyone's got the wristbands, the lights. It's like the new lighter thing, you know?

[B]

I know everyone's doing it.

[A]

It's, like, pitch black now and. And singing Northern Attitude.

[B]

Oh, so good. That might be his best one.

[A]

It's one of his best songs. But to be inside Fenway with a bunch of. In New England, you know, and so relatable. You could tell that was. That was kind of a special moment for him, and it was for the crowd.

[B]

So, anyway, do you know Maine's another New England. Yeah, that's another one. Yeah.

[A]

Yep, he did. Yeah. So he had Vermont covered. Maine north, like, all of it. It was cool.

[B]

He does have, like, a lot of New Englanders just gonna say Connecticut is the. The stepsister. Like, no, he had to make an

[A]

apology because apparently he mentioned Connecticut in New England. He's like, of course.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, you're.

[B]

I was born in Connecticut. I think I can say this. They are the. They are the. They're not the most beloved state. In New England, we see them as New Yorkers.

[A]

They're affectionately called blue platers. So anyway, so that was that. And then, obviously, I mean, I don't think we have to address it, but, like, I took on a lot of heat, and obviously there's some stuff. There's some stuff. Are you trying to fire me up? There's some stuff going on in this particular space of sports media that is alarming and disturbing and everything else. And I was. You know, we had a situation with a certain ticket broker place because we swapped from Friday night to Wednesday night because some family friends were coming into town, and at one moment, I was like, you know, I'll just try to. Like, people are dying to go to this show. I'm. I just want to kind of get some money back. Not even the money that I put in, just to. Let's. Let's unload these six tickets. So it all kind of happened fast. I was like, we'll just see if someone wants them and what's. We'll give, like, kind of a discounted number and. And they'll be thrilled to go. And I didn't even notice the backlash at first, right. By some people, like the lunatic fringe, like the 10, 20%, whatever it is, while the other 80% were just pounding me with DMs. And I'd love to. And then another person in sports media ironically reached out to me personally. Text me like, yo, you still get two of those? I'm trying to send a mother and a daughter who. I don't know if they can't afford it or, like, I'm just trying to do something nice. And so I was like, yeah, here's the deal. And he's like, all right. But he's like, send them the tickets, but I'm gonna pay for them. And I was like, that's nice. I was like, nah. I was like, that's awesome of you to do that. I'm not. I'm not charging you. And then I had some other people be like, this one guy, Tyler, I think it was. I retweeted his wife. He wound up sending.

[B]

That was cool.

[A]

They get two young kids. She's. She's working, working and grinding. She absolutely loves Noah Khan. And he's sending me messages like, been a fan of you since 10 years old. Like, I live right down the street in Boston. My wife's about to be home in a half hour. I would love to take her. It would make her like, you know, we're in the weeds right now. We got two young kids, and she' just, like, grinding every day. I'd love to do something nice for her. And I was like, here you go. I wanted to do it quietly, but I'm also kind of responding to all the, like, people are horrible, man. I literally just, like. I didn't want any attention. Like, I don't. I just. That's awesome. And. And I told the kids about it and then showed them the picture that he sent. He sent me the video personally, you know, of his wife there crying. She couldn't believe this opportunity. You gotta remember, she's coming home to two kids. She's gotta, like, make dinner. And like, after a day of work, and now all of a sudden, the Hus is an awesome dude, right? For doing this, sends his wife. And I take a friend. I'd love to go, but take a friend. Go get a night away. And this is my gift to you. And so. And somehow that turns into, like, I'm a bad guy. And. But that's fine, too. I. I really don't care because at the end of the day, if you're doing things for the right reasons, that lunatic fringe can have as much fun as they want. It doesn't. It doesn't affect me, but I know it. It got you fired up, and I was fired up. I also feel like, like, let's just address it. So, like, so it's funny ones, because there's been enough, like, Weir and certain organization. Organizations being quiet about certain things going on in sports media right now. And like, I'm. I'm. I don't know what you're talking about.

[B]

What are you talking about?

[A]

I don't either. I just have heard no ideas. So it's like, let's just get this on the table and move on. But I'm thrilled that a mother, daughter, and then a wife and mother of two got to go to this concert and last minute had no, no, no concept that they would even get this chance to go. And they got to have an awesome night. And so that, like, that makes all, all of it worth it. And I. I'll gladly take on the heat from 10 or 20% of people who just love to be miserable. You know, I like the guy there.

[B]

Someone was like, oh, is this just clickbait bait? I'm like, what. What world are you living in?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then a lot of people know your salary, McShay. I don't know. Did you publicly disclose your salary? A lot of them know the number that you're now making a lot of tweets about.

[A]

You're making X somewhere in the, in the 80 to 100 million a year range. Yeah, yeah, that's.

[B]

Bezos. It's insane to me.

[A]

And then. Let's move. Go ahead. Sorry.

[B]

Yeah, you know what? You're right. Let's move on. Forget it. I was fired up. It's not worth our time.

[A]

Jaden Mava, USC is worth our time.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Nico Emaliava. UCLA is worth our time. Let's just start how we always start in the series. And I do want to say ea. EA Sports. Coming in at the perfect time. You know, sponsoring our show for this month. It, like, couldn't be a better fit. And I'm. We got a big segment at the end. We're. We're dedicating EA Sports. We're going to rerack all of these quarterbacks now that we're 12 QBs through and kind of go through our grades and, and, and EA has, has taken a lot of interest in this and we're thrilled to have them partner with us on this. So at the end of Mayava in Em Alava, we're going to dive in and kind of get everyone caught up. If you've been busy with your summer and haven't had time to, to kind of get involved and watch every show so far, we encourage you to do so. They're all on Netflix right now. They're all on Spotify. If you want to listen to your podcast, it's Apple and everywhere else that you, that you choose to listen. But you can watch our shows on Netflix and Spotify so you can go back and watch this entire series. And I think for people who love the game and maybe are just in, in July, August, want to get caught up on the quarterbacks. Great opportunity to go back 45, 55 minutes, get caught up on these guys because we've, we've been kind of grinding through all of them. So with all that said, if I said to you, which I'm about to say to you, biggest takeaway after you got done with both my Ava and Emaliava, their tape, I'm going to go

[B]

a little bit big picture here. The NFL Draft Advisory Board was created in 1994. They have got their work cut out for them this year. I think this might be their biggest challenge yet. We have 12 quarterbacks that we've watched and you got to figure out if these guys are going to be, you know, could go first round, could go second round or are going to go later. That's their three, three buckets that they can give these kids. We watched 12 quarterbacks. Only four of them have to come out. Eight of them can go back to college. I don't know how after I keep waiting, I keep waiting to find guys that just don't belong.

[A]

Yeah. And he's not ready. Right.

[B]

And every time we throw in the tape, I find more reasons to include a kid in that, in that group of a day one or day two quarterback than I find for guys that I just don't see it yet. There's just. Hasn't been many guys, if any. I just don't understand how they're in this conversation. We're looking at 12 quarterbacks right now. I know some of them are going to go back. I just, it. The depth is just, it's too deep in the nil is the way that it is. Some of these guys are going to go back, make more money and, and try to improve their draft position and improve as a player, get more time playing college ball. I think that's smart. But that being said, good luck because I think they're all going to throw their hat in the ring. I think all of them are going to send their names in and say, hey, if I were going to come out this year, where would I go? And that board, they're not. They don't do rankings. They do. That's. That's how it's set up. We see you as a first round

[A]

grade or a prospect sends in a note. A school sends in a note for a prospect. I think they get five. No, five. Five. Each person.

[B]

It's five.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Max of. And then the advisory committee, which has, you know, experience in scouting and also, you know, well, pretty good at the NFL team, they send back a letter after they've evaluated the case on tape. And talking to people in the league of your first round grade, your second round grade or go back to school, those you're going to get one of three answers.

[B]

So.

[A]

So to your point, there's going to be a lot of first round grades or second round grades. And I don't think many go back to schools with these guys. No, we're 12. We're 12 deep. And quite honestly, of the eight that can go back to school, we'll see how they play this season. But they're all tracking towards not getting a go back to school grade, which is wild.

[B]

But the board can't come out and say if Arch Lenoris and. And more come out, this is where we think you'll go. They don't have that information. They just have to give you a grade. Good luck, man. I think this is going to be a real challenge for that board this year or this site.

[A]

My. My biggest takeaway and I want to get to myava as. As a passer and how I underestimated even his skill set. But if I'm being honest, my biggest takeaway, when I was done going through these, these two tapes in the last, you know, chunks in each, the last 72 hours each day, the last three days. I am al. I got a lot of digging on the whole situation. Leaving one place to the next. I got a lot of areas where I'm looking at them and we'll get to get to all of them. Where I'm saying there needs to be improvement Here I am. Ala is a gazelle with a rocket launcher and he is in. He is in the situation With a skill set that is so special and so dynamic, but needs so desperately this stability that Chesney's bringing in with him at UCLA for a year. And if he soaks that in and takes the next step as a third year starter, it could be the same path that we were envisioning for Brendan Sbe. We're playing at Texas Tech or Sam

[B]

Levitt going to lsu. These are the three guys, these are the three quarterbacks that could go from. And, and you'll see, I'm interested to see what your grade on his, on him is right now and where it ends up, because my grade isn't going to reflect how strongly I feel about where this player is. But if you're looking for the Cam or jump, the J.D. daniels jump, these are the three candidates. Sorsby's kind of, kind of removed himself that conversation. That's who we thought the three cans were going to be though. Sam Levitt at LSU is the other guy in. Nico Iamaliava at UCLA is definitely in that mix of a guy who maybe doesn't have a great grade going into the season, but can make that meteoric jump and really kind of stand out this year.

[A]

I want to remind you one scouting service that NFL teams, a lot of NFL teams subscribe to had Manning, Moore, Sellers, Levitt, Sorsby, Emaliava. And Emaliava then is the head of Damon Williams, Chambliss, Matier, Mayava. And that's also that that scouting service did not as red shirt sophomores as we, as we explained in great detail. CJ Carr from Notre Dame and Julian say in Ohio State were not on that list. So it goes to show you that, that there are some people that are really, really high on Nico. I'm Alava and after watching the tape, I, I get it and I've watched him and we studied him at Tennessee and it was the deep ball over. It was a lot of stuff. But when you really dive in and you're just watching him from a pro perspective, there's some stuff. So let's dive. Let's. Let's get into it. Strengths. Where do you want to go?

[B]

Is it too vague? I mean, this is what you're saying. Like, is it too vague to say just natural ability for Yamaliava, it's. He's in that group that we've talked about of Arch, Lenora Sellers, Brendan Sorsby, Sam Levitt of just natural ability.

[A]

That's exactly what I put in my notes. I said I wrote it to my add one more to that list like dynamic explosive legitimate threats who. The running ability. Like where the running ability and the mobility and the extending in the creativity is. Is a flat out problem.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

For opposing defenses and. And will continue to be in the NFL even though like you know, it takes rare ability to. To transition from a. I'm a mobile college quarterback to like truly effective running the football and extending plays and having some design runs. Like we now are talking about like five guys.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

That. That are going to be threats and problems even in the NFL with the speed defenders.

[B]

I think people know from Tennessee what kind of army has. Mostly this is kind of a negative for him because he's. I mean he only quarterback and then overthrow everyone. I mean he. His. He had a lot of overthrows at Tennessee. That was like the thing he especially first.

[A]

His first quarter overthrows of the deep balls were. It got to the point where like I'm not making light. It was almost comical because you could kind of. You could count on it. And there were some throws where like the receivers crossing the end zone and the ball is like thrown through the upright, you know.

[B]

Right. But I'm not sure people. The arm strength is obvious I think to people. I'm not sure people understand the runner this kid is. I mean he is. He is fast. Fast and Longstrider where he's just. He chews up turf, man.

[A]

I mean he's a pursuit angle murderer. He's a pursuit angle murderer and then

[B]

he can make guys miss. And the other thing that's really impressive, I mean you saw this in the Indiana game. They're down 49 to 3. They're getting smacked. I thought you saw this in the Ohio State playoff game when he was at Tennessee. He's tough, man. He is.

[A]

Oh my God.

[B]

Never gives up, man.

[A]

And I'll be honest, I was looking for it Mensch because of the way he left Tennessee.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Because the way he left Tennessee and we're dialed into all these guys and. And maybe it's mom, maybe it's dad, maybe it's a girlfriend, maybe it's an agent. There's. There's some stuff to sort through where there's. There's going to have to be a. Hey, I'm a grown ass man. I need to kind of and handle my business. And this is my career. My brand is like whatever it is and some growing up.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So I was looking for entitled front runner. I was looking for it not like I know it's there, but more like does because to me it's really Important when we separate personal character and included in that, like, their situations, the people around them are like. Or past. Past scenarios that have played out from football character.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And I'm.

[B]

I'm.

[A]

I'm cool with this football character now. Like, yeah, I'm more than cool with it.

[B]

Yes, I agree.

[A]

That Indiana tape, the house was burning down. Children were on the third floor screaming like there was a gas leak and it was about to blow. And the first. The first key play in that game is mesh. Too slow. Coming off the mesh. Aiden Fisher, zone blitz drops. Indiana just. They beat the hell out of you mentally before they even get to you physically. And that offensive line was. But that first throw, he kind of comes out of the mesh sidearms. It tries to get it out. There was nothing to see because Aiden Fisher hadn't even flashed or necessarily even stepped back, but he was there and somehow caught this ball that was like, whipped into his chest and picks it off. And so not an awesome way to start against one of the top teams in the country, but he. And then there was another couple throws where I'm like, this is going to be the game. This is going to be the tape where I'm like, yeah, he's. He's like, the pressure got to him. The moment was too big. And there were a couple other throws early in that tape that. Where it was like, just. They were inconsistent with. With what we had seen in other games. Right. Where it's like an inch. He is. He's unbelievably accurate on intermediate in breaking reps, and he drives it so hard that the receiver doesn't have a choice but to catch it because it's here. And it's like, you know, but he missed a couple of those early in that game. And then he kept grinding. And then there were, like, I think three long runs. And then there were some nice throws. And there was a throw where he's hanging in the pocket, and it's like. Like watching a train come down the tracks. And he's like, I'm going to. I'm going to stand here. I'm going to take the blow.

[B]

The rib shot, you know, you're going to hit right in the ribs, I mean.

[A]

Yep. And drills a strike into a tight window. So it's like, those are the things beyond, like, yeah, he's six, four and a half. He's £210 listed. They list him at four, seven. Ain't no way he's a four seven. He's a four. No chance at slowest. And and he, and he's got a big arm and he's mobile. Like, I, like, yeah, we're looking for all those things, but I'm also looking for like the, the nuanced stuff. And I was, I was, I was really pleased with some of that nuanced stuff. The, the mental, physical toughness, hanging in there, delivering. Yeah. So I, I think we kind of agree his talent level. I'll get to his grade later. It's up there.

[B]

It's up there.

[A]

Remember I talked.

[B]

He was a five star guy. There's a reason Tennessee wanted him. There's a reason. There was so much news and so much. I mean, his numbers at Tennessee weren't that great, but the, the controversy was such a big deal because everyone knew, knew how good that kid was or

[A]

how good that kid is given the season they had at UCLA and his late start there. And some of the reports early on were not awesome. I remember being really surprised talking to an NFL scout who was on the road in the West Coast. It was around October, I want to say. And, and he, out of nowhere, we all knew Nico wasn't going to be in this last year's class. He remember I was getting information on like the Oregon stuff and, and there were specific players and situations that we talked ad nauseam about. Kenyon Sadiq was one of them that kind of took on a life of its own. But he just out of nowhere was like, hey, by the way, don't, don't give up on, on, on Nico. Like, yeah, like, like I know you're diving in this year's tape and you get shows to do and all that, but like put a, put a, put a bookmark in Nico's tape. Because what I'm seeing is some special stuff. Even though the season's not going great and the off season was, was, was a, you know, a black eye, if you will. But, but, but this. He's doing some stuff. And now I get why. Like now I get why. I feel like this has been a Nico show.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Jaden. Jaden Mava. Let me start with this. I did. I underestimated how good of a pure passer he is.

[B]

I hate we're on the same page so much, but.

[A]

We are.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He's a really, like, layering trajectory.

[B]

Shorter too.

[A]

He's a bigger kid. He's a bigger kid than I thought. He's 637. He's basically 64603 and 78 inches. 218 is what he was listed at. Like, we talk em Alia we'll get to the weakness. I would clump in with like Sellers. And there was another quarterback that we talked about, Art Storesby. Well, they're taking out. Taking the fastball like Chambliss a little bit at times. Chambliss. But with Myava, he has this natural feel. He doesn't need to show you his fastball. He's got one. It's like 96 on the jugs. You know, it's not 104. He's got. He's got a good arm, but he doesn't need to show it to you. And I love like I remember Baker Mayfield was really good at this. Jackson Dart was really good at this coming out of college. I'm talking about still is to this day. Defender back to.

[B]

I don't have Joe Burrow made.

[A]

Oh my gosh. Joe Burrow is the best example. Thank you.

[B]

He was outstanding. Yeah.

[A]

Oh, the best. You get your back to me, kiddo. You're over.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm not trying to pinpoint. I'm getting this ball out now because I don't want your back.

[B]

You.

[A]

You're going to have to. You're going to have to be. You're going to be forced with making a decision. Turn around the last second and my receiver is going to. Going to burn you. Or don't turn around. Try to play that perfect technique that I've learned from going to college campuses and talking to DB coaches. It's belt through face mask. Right where you see the eyes light up, the hands go up and you. You as a defender, you try to time when the ball is coming in and you work up without touching. You go from belt all the way through face mask to try to. If your hand gets there in perfect timing, great. If not, you're trying to pop that ball out at the end. But those odds are not very good for the DB when you're out of phase like that. And. And so he.

[B]

Or a linebacker. Safety.

[A]

Yeah, right. Over and over and over again on tape. And yeah, he. He had a 6 foot 4 receiver on one side and he had. He had a first round draft picking Lemon on the other side. But, but, but he knew exactly the moments and how to. How to exploit them. And I was really encouraged by his. His pure passing ability. That's the first thing that jumped out with him.

[B]

Yeah. No, I agree. This is the thing that I thought about is that drill. We were in the red zone and you put the trash can in the back corner of the end zone. Of the 12 guys we've evaluated and you're just trying to drop it in the bucket. Literally drop it in the bucket. If he's. If my is not winning, he's top three, right? He's with More and he's with Mensa, I think. And it's those three. I would love to see those three in that drill because that's what he does. I mean, he's. We talk about layered throws, your ability to take something off of it, drop balls into certain areas of the field. And by the way, he does it in all areas of the field. He can do it on seam routes down the middle. He can do it outside the hashes. He can. He can pretty much drop the ball in wherever he wants to do it. It's incredible. And it, it sounds kind of funny, but in my notes, I was throws a great 50, 50 ball because he puts it where the receiver has the best chance to go get it. The placement where he's accurate, the touch. The placement of where he puts these passes is great for his receivers. Gives him a chance to make a play on the ball, gives him a chance to pick up yards after the catch. It. I, like you didn't know that this kid was that much of a pure passer. Also, they will get into mobility in a second, but they like to move the pocket with this kid. And he's really well on the run. I mean, say what you want. He throws really well on the run. He had some. I will say this. If you want to put a 10 throw highlight package for each of these guys, I think you would probably have my ever ranked higher than we ultimately will because he. Some of the tapes, some of the throws he has on tape are. I mean, I mean, I don't want to be hyperbolic, but like, it's. I mean, it's. It's gorgeous. Like some of his throws.

[A]

Yeah, it's gorgeous. Yeah, it's beautiful. It's worth mentioning. Mentioning. This is a young man who started his career at UNLV in 2022, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Emerged as a starter 2023. This is a big, strong, relatively mobile guy. Played in 14 games, 11 starts in 2023. Completed 63 and a half percent of his throws. Over 300 yards, 17 touchdowns, but 10 interceptions. Okay. This is @UNLV and then transfers to USC after that year. Started four games in 2024 and then all 13 games this last year. So it's been a, A journey for him.

[B]

Right.

[A]

It's. It hasn't come easy. And I like that he wasn't a. He wasn't like this five star big time program three years onto the NFL. Right. And you can kind of see it in his play.

[B]

He's.

[A]

He's like, he's a grinder then I think he's strong. Like I see there's almost. Remember Roethlisberger at Miami of Ohio? That was going back early in our scouting days. Right? Yeah. Really dating way more mobile than the. The mental image than people have of Roethlisberger like in year eight and beyond in Pittsburgh.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But. But the element to his mobility like Emaliava and especially Sellers and. And Sorsby and some of these other guys we're talking about are, you know, like they've got this suddenness. Himalayava is almost very similar height and frame. Mayava's thicker email. Yava's a little taller, but email. Yava does this like pump fake cut go. Like he's got some. To him. This is more of like a, you know, free flowing. But he's got some magic to him like that Notre Dame. He made the wrong read late in that game. 34, 24. He's trying and he winds up going deep. I think might have been like the last throw he made in that game. Throws the interception, but the ability to get out of the trouble that came early on and. And then could have. I think it was a different situation in the game. They weren't trailing with under two minutes remaining. He hits the guy in the intermediate and they pick up 25 and carry on the drive. He does some of those things. But what I was really encouraged by was defenders hanging off of him, like breaking tackles, that kind of stuff that translates pretty well to the NFL game. I'm not saying he's Josh Allen by any stretch, but some of those same things that you saw with Roethlisberger and you see with Josh Allen, just that physicality. Dak Prescott at times. Right?

[B]

Yeah. I'm not as high on his mobility as you are. It sounds like I maybe not quite as high, but he makes. I wrote in my I. He makes plays under duress. He makes plays where he has to move off the spot. I don't think he's nearly as effective when he has to reset his feet. That's a kind of an issue.

[A]

I totally agree. I totally agree.

[B]

But he does make. He makes plays under duress. They are a play where he's not one of those.

[A]

There's some magic in his game though. He. And it's laughable that I'm looking at a list that has emaliava with a 4, 7, 40. And mayava with a 4, 7, 5. Like, pick. Like, pick might be a 4, 8. Or if he's a 7, 5, then I am Ali. Ava is a 4, 4, or 5. Like, right? There was a clear difference, especially because I watched Nico first and Jaden second. Like, they're. They're in different stratospheres in terms of that, like, and the stuff. But there's some extending of play. I don't want to. If you've never really watched him, I don't want to paint a picture that he's this, like, statue, big pocket passer, can't move. It's not that he's just not nearly as. As mobile as. As these. These other guys. Who'd you watch first, Nico?

[B]

See, I wonder if that. I did, too, and I wonder if that plays a role in it, because I'm not seeing the same kind of mobility, but that. That just, you know, got my ears to pick up a little bit. The antenna up a little bit when you're, like, when you're watching him against other guys, because he's just not an ego. So maybe that's part of my problem.

[A]

Well, Nico, I gave a one in mobility and a one in arm strength, and I was kind of at, like, a 2.5 on accuracy. I could be talked kind of either way as a preseason evaluation, and I'm kind of like a 2.5 mental makeup, but kind of leaning towards a 2. I just. I want to see the development this year. Right.

[B]

I'm giving him a one in mobility and one in arm strength.

[A]

No question.

[B]

That's what I'm giving them right now.

[A]

And for. For mobility with my Ava, it was like, it's two and a half only because he does extend, and he is. He does have some mobility, and I don't want. But. But I could. I could go three. You know, like, I'm Feel great about two, and I don't want to, like, undersell his ability to extend plays the. The arm strength. I'm good with the two. It's not special, but it's not like, just average. Like, he can.

[B]

I struggle with the arm strength. There are some wounded ducks, which was crazy to me was they were still accurate, but there were some wobblers, man. There's some wobblers early on the tape, but then I'm watching later in the year, and I'm not seeing it, and I'm seeing a little more velocity. I think he's a three. I'm giving him a three for arm strength, but I get It. There were times that one's still very much undecided for me because I couldn't understand what was going on earlier in the year when I'm seeing these floaters. And then he's. He's got better energy on his passes later on in the year.

[A]

I think his mental makeups are two. I still think there's some. Some growth there in terms of some of the decisions. Some. But like. But I'm really encouraged and it won't shock me if he's a one by the end of the year and I think his accuracy is a one. I don't. He's not like C.J. carr. He's close to see what a car.

[B]

Do you want to transition to weaknesses here or you want to. Want to get into what you think their biggest weaknesses are?

[A]

Yeah, I'll just say this on myava. No one from my office camp can. And I kind of prepped this the other day. No one from his camp and no one. No one from QB country. The mobile version, which I think is the OG with David Morris, who's. Who's just an awesome dude and does a really good job and said like Drake May and a bunch of cats, you know, they do is they're up there with the quarterback development training groups that are out there. Right. With the elite. Elite and. But I had a couple people randomly not connected and with no horse in the race come to me like, yo, just so you know, like, all these guys are working hard. They're all doing different things. They're all working with their, their quarterback guys. They're all working like you don't get to that level and you're. And you're just kind of like hanging out crushing beers in the off season. Right? It's just. It's not what that position is so regimented now and you see it with like middle school on up. It's just a different animal than when I was growing up and you were growing up. But what I will say is some people are really excited about the level of commitment that he's put in this off season and are really encouraged that we might see a. A noticeably more advanced quarterback this year. I'm talking like flying cross country, like making sure like really grinding. So I just wanted to share that because again, it was no one from my. My office camp. It was no one from. From David Morris's camp. No one was trying to get any. But they're like, I've heard about what he's doing this off season and like we should all be prepared it could be an even better version than the one we saw last year. So yeah, yeah, I think that's cool. So, yeah, get into week. I feel like we covered a decent amount of them, but go ahead.

[B]

Well, let's start with I am. I am Aliyava. Let's start there.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Em Maliava. I just practiced so much that name. I was doing so well killing it. I do watch him and I do think you're gonna break my heart. You are going to break my heart. Because the ability we've gone on and on about and some of these in breakers. He's just lacing the ball and guys are going after the catch and it's all there and then every once in a while you see a throw and you're what are we doing? Where are we going? We're throwing high over the middle. All of a sudden he just, he's, he can spray the ball around a little bit. He gets inconsistent and all of a sudden it comes back down to that, that all important question. How much can I trust you to get, you know, when you're in the NFL, how much can I trust you? And I think that's a question he still has to answer. And I'm really optimistic about him doing it because look, Dean Kennedy, the offense coordinator, the new offense coordinator, UCLA has had a lot of dual threat quarterbacks. He's done a really good job, by the way. Pride to situate Todd. I don't know if you know that. Really fascinating. Yeah. Fascinated to see what he does.

[A]

I love that.

[B]

Yeah. What he does with him. I think he's in a really good spot. It's definitely, I mean they're doing what Indiana did. They've completely rebuilt their roster. It's going to be interesting to see how those players all work out and see if it's the same kind of, you know, I don't think UCLA is going to be Indiana. I don't want to say that, but I think there'd be a far more competitive team. I mean, let's be honest, ucla lost by 25 to New Mexico last year. This should be a far calmer, far better situation for him. So I'm excited about it. But there are the inconsistencies. Have to get better for you to consider him an elite guy.

[A]

I thought about doing like the, the dating, a stripper comparison, same kind of concept.

[B]

Break your heart.

[A]

But I, but I, I feel like I do a lot of like the dating stuff and I don't know, it's, it's a, it's A Monday morning in the summer. I'm not trying to get you to blush. So I was thinking about, like, what is my feeling? I always like to share, like, what is my feeling? And how can I explain it to people? My feeling watching him is. And we grew up on the coast, right. And so I'm sure there's. There's something comparable in any town. And whether it's the Midwest, the south, inland coast, wherever it is, like the mountains, sure, there are plenty of comparable things. But like every ev. Most coastal towns have a bridge that you jump. Right?

[B]

Right.

[A]

And then maybe there's another rock, like 40 steps in. The hunt for us was like, yeah, the core. Yeah. Like, I can. I'll jump off a fisherman's beach pier. And there's kind of more elements of. There's. There's different levels of danger. You can jump from here, you can jump from. From up top in the stair, but you go to 40 steps. Those are like the juniors and seniors in high school. And I'm afraid to go there. And Even if I'm 18 now, I'm still kind of worried that, like, I'm gonna be the one, right? I'm gonna be the one.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Or the. The tide rolls out and I'm gonna hit that rock. Right. So. But. But it's so exciting. And my options. You jump off those things. Did you do it eventually?

[B]

No way.

[A]

No surprise you. I'm surprised you even got. But here, like, all the kids. Like all the kids go to one bridge and then there's another bridge where, like, there were deaths. Right. And. But even the one that, that has been safe and everyone. Kids jumping all the time, and the cops kind of drive by and say, can't jump on the bridge. But then they drive away and. But like, there's certain times a day where the tide's low, right. And it's not as safe and there's. So I. I equate watching his tape to like, bridge or cliff jumping. It's exhilarating. And you know, when you look back on your summer, two or three of the best moments are going to be when you and your group of friends went and jumped that bridge or jumped 40 steps, whatever it is, Right. But just before you go to jump, you're like, I kind of know I could be making a mistake or maybe mom told me not to jump it. And I just. This, this doesn't. That's where I am with Nico, because it's going to be exhilarating. And guess what? It may. He may turn out to be the guy that's like the best memory of your entire summer. And remember that time I'm talking about five years later. Right. He may turn out to be that because he's got all the elements of just unique traits that you are seeking when you start watching his tape compared to some of these other guys who are so good and so talented and they process and they go from progression to progress and the ball's out on time and they do all those things, but they ain't got Nico's skill.

[B]

No.

[A]

So it's like, do I want to. I can go in the boat and I can get on the, in the back and we'll get throw some like jet skis on or get in tubing. And that's fun. But as a gm, I'm weighing like, this could be awesome, but I also could crack my skull and wind up in the hospital and something really bad could happen. And mom told me I shouldn't be doing it, you know, So I don't know. That's where I am with Nico.

[B]

Are you worried about the frame at all, by the way? He's got a little more of a linear frame than some of these other guys that are running the way he runs. Do you, does that concern you a little bit?

[A]

I definitely, I wrote in my notes, like there's room to grow on like tall, long linear linear frame. Room to add good, good bulk and, and rights to do so.

[B]

Yeah, I'd like to see that happen too.

[A]

I would too because I, because I'm watching my Ava and I'm like sturdy like Teflon. Like this guy. Yeah, he's, he's built for it, you know.

[B]

Right.

[A]

I'm watching Nico and I'm like gazelle, like, but like, yeah, it worries me, but, but, but at least it's not a 6 foot 1 frame with that, that linear, you know, where, I don't know how, like where, where are we trying to take this? You know, it's not like Jaden Daniels where it's like I'm always going to be concerned about him and he's like, right Gumby. And there's all the cartoons of him like getting all those hits and the body parts going everywhere. It's not like that with Nico. But I do want to see him add some like, stronger.

[B]

I will say this for people who over blow, who think this is overblown about the lower body stuff. One of the biggest concerns about Teddy Bridgewater coming out was that as good as he was, as talented as he was, and as by the way, he was so tough in college. That guy took hits that I've never seen. And I, And I always. I don't understand why people are worried about the durability. You kept hearing about the lower body and whether or not it was gonna be a concern. And of course, unfortunately, it did show up. And it's, it's things that, you know, there's. There's enough track record there for the lower body stuff to matter.

[A]

All right. Instead of, Instead of just doing our grades segment on, On. On Nico and Jaden here.

[B]

Did you do negatives on Jaden?

[A]

I think we touched on them. Arm is an elite. The mobility isn't elite. The mobility is like. It's more like when he gets going, but he's strong and he compensates in certain ways. I don't think they're. But hit me if you got one more.

[B]

I. Just one line. You're too good to throw 10 picks. You're too accurate. You're too smart to throw 10 picks. There's.

[A]

That's why I can't go one. Because he makes some really smart decisions. He can see the whole field. He goes.

[B]

He anticipates on some throws where I'm like, man, that is so good. And then.

[A]

And I know, I think there are moments where he's. He's start. He's trying, he's pressing. And I can remember as a quarterback, like, there's certain moments you go back, you're like, I did what. I just got caught up in the moment. I think there's some of that stuff,

[B]

feels it a little bit too. He knows he can drop it into a bucket, so he's like, I can make that throw into triple coverage. And there are times that he does it. There are times that he throws into double coverage and he's successful. It's just. You don't have to do it. Don't. Don't keep tempting fate with some of those throws. Too good, too smart, too accurate to throw 10 picks.

[A]

And now for our official preseason QB rankings, brought to you by EA Sports College Football 27. Step into the modern era of college football, where personal ambition meets program pride. And you can now make your rise from campus legend to NFL superstar Thanks to the MVP bundle. It comes with both College Football 27 and Madden NFL 27 Plus Deluxe Edition rewards in both games available now. All right, EA Sports, as I mentioned, like, the bundle is coming out right? This is, this is the time of year where everyone's just clamoring, I want NCAA 27. I want Madden 27. I want to get the pre release, all of it. Like this is the time and we're all starting to get the juices flowing for the football season. So for EA Sports to come in and be like, we're sponsoring the show for a month. Let's talk quarterbacks. Let's get. Let's get it going. I just love it. So instead of us just doing our grades on Nico and Jaden here, I want. I want to kind of pay it back now that we've got six. This is. We're wrapping up our sixth episode of Building the Board 2027 Quarterback Class and what is shaping up to be one of the most unique gifted QB classes in the history of the NFL draft. Okay. And we've put in work that I think very few and nobody else in media has put in the work. And I hate saying media, it drives both of us crazy. But nobody else in our. In our role in all this is put in this kind of work at this point.

[B]

Point.

[A]

Certainly NFL scouts have done their job in their regions and all that stuff, but with all of this work that's been put in and with the sponsorship with ea, I want to kind of pay it off. Right now we've got 12 quarterbacks and presumably the 12 that will be saying these are the top 12 going into the year. But I do want to mention when we come back on Wednesday, we're going to do a segment on Drew Messamaker and Damon Williams and there are some intriguing parts about Mess to maker. And I get news for people. Damon Williams, I think I kind of gave away a couple scouts. Couple scouts specifically a couple scouting services a lot higher on him than. Than maybe mention I watching. What we've watched so far are. So we may come back and say, you know what, we're putting Demon in our top eight or whatever it is. But these are the building the board. We're building the board. Okay. And I want to go through now and just pay it off with ea Sports with 12. Our top 12. We're supposed to do top 10, but we're here. We might as well just go through the top 12 that we've done already. I know you and I have differences and as we go through it, I'm going to be interested to see where you're going to plug them in and I'll do the same. Okay. So let's start. I think you and I and Tucker can. Can, I'm sure, build the graphic as we go. I think you and I are both on the same page with the top two correct me if I'm wrong. Dante Moore right around a 95, 94 grade.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Oregon quarterback head to head. It was gonna be interesting to see if the Raiders went with with like the sure thing, the more experience and all of that in the direction they went or would they go with the the Oregon quarterback who kind of needed another year. But my gosh, he's so talented. So Mendoza Moore was a real discussion, let's put it that way for Raiders before Moore went back to school. So we're not disagreeing with anything that I think even an NFL team that was in potentially was going to be in the position to have to choose done. And then. And Lenore Sellers after Dante Moore. I think we're in agreement on that. Right?

[B]

Correct.

[A]

Kind of a nice 394 grade. We'll see. We'll see when we plot it all in when we Release on Hey theringer.com McShay get ready for it. In just a few short weeks, we're going to be unloading our top 50 prospects. So we've kind of given everyone. Everyone now is going back and looking at the scouting reports from last year's class. How does it apply to this year? We're going to get ready for training camps and we'll keep that portion of the site up. But as we transition to 20, 27, we're at the top 50 and a lot of these quarterbacks with their full evaluations are going to be in there. Okay, so that's where we are in the top two. Two. I've got Sam Levitt at three. I'm pre. I'm giving you the Pre bundle EA Sports style on Levitt because I know where this is headed and I ain't going to be trailing and the caboose like Mensch and scrambling to be like, yeah, well, I'm glad to have I'm going. I'm putting a lot of not all my chips. I'm putting a lot of chips right in the middle of the table and I'm going to sit back and I'm going to laugh when we're in October.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Mensch is more conservative on it and right and understandably so. I'm not saying he's right or he's wrong. I understand his stance on it. So you're not as high. I think where we do agree I think where we do agree is that next up is Car Arch, CJ Car, Notre Dame, Arch Manning, Texas and and Carr to me is the more NFL polished version. I'm expecting a huge year out of him but he doesn't have the size or the mobility that Arch has.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

And I'm expecting also a big. With Cam Coleman coming in at Texas, I'm expecting a big kind of next step from Arch, given how poorly the season started last year, kind of the bumps and bruises he went through, but then the way he finished last year. So I think, I think it's appropriate, although very different styles and very different like career paths, I think it's. It's also appropriate to put them kind of in that and in their own little cluster. Fair?

[B]

Fair. I'm with you.

[A]

Next up then, if so, for me it's Dante, Sellers, Levitt at three, then Car and Arch at four, like a four or five combo. Right.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And then next up for me, and I'm interested to see what you would say would be Mensa at like around a 91 grade, let's call it. Do you have any issue with that?

[B]

I am good so far.

[A]

So Sellers is the one that we've got. We've got to kind of sort through or we're going to meet in the middle. What are we going to do? Sellers is kind of off to the side, but we've got Dante. I mean, not. Sorry. Sam Levitt, LSU quarterback transfer from Arizona State. So Dante and sellers are 1, 2. I've got Levitt at 3, you've got him around 7. We both have car arch in that 4 or 5 range or 3, 4 range. And we've got Mensa next.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

I'm struggling with this. Yeah, I'm struggling. I've got not.

[B]

I'm going to blow this up in a second, but keep going. This is. This is a real struggle.

[A]

Every time I get done with a tape, I'm like, I know.

[B]

Is it recency bias? Did you put too high because you did them early? There's all of these things are now coming into play.

[A]

Chambliss played Trinidad Chambers, Ole Miss, Ferris State transfer store one of the stories of College Football in 2025 Leading Ole Miss to the College Football Playoff. The win over Georgia in the playoff without his coach, by the way. $10 fine if I say the the new LSU coach's name, I've been put on notice that I've been mentioning his name so far. So I'm going to give everyone a few week break on whoever that person is coaching LSU who happens to do a pretty good job developing quarterbacks.

[B]

Love it.

[A]

I. And then you got Nico Chambers just made a better brand of football. Chambers is awesome. Chambers isn't six four and a Half. No, and. And. And has the in. Chambers has a big. A strong arm. Chambers doesn't have his arm. So I'm putting Nico and Chambliss. Let's call it a 90.

[B]

Yes, I'm with you.

[A]

I'm giving them their own cluster again, like Arch and Carr. Different, different brands of football. These guys, like, not totally dissimilar brands. Both, like got to take heat off the fastball sometimes. Both have mobility elements that are really impactful in their game. Nico has this upside that is tantalizing. Makes me want to jump off the bridge and just take a chance that the tide's not too low. And I'm not going to hit that rock because if I do this, if I don't, if I'm safely execute this, it could be one of the best moments of my summer. Chambliss, I just. The dog in him and the. And some of the throws and some of the big plays and all that. So you're good with that?

[B]

Yes. But what's the ranking? You have the same grade. Who. Who's ahead of the. Which one's ahead of the other?

[A]

I'm gonna put Chambliss ahead of Nico because Chambliss is. We're good. Advanced, we're good. But I wanna, I want our rankings and grades to reflect the fact that, that like, I see you, Nico, I see you. And you're. You're in this mix, right?

[B]

Yeah. That's why I think he's one of the guys. If you're looking for a candidate to make that jump, you could do worse than nico.

[A]

So for us, 90 is kind of that Mendoza Line cutoff of, you can call it first round grades. We don't view it that way of guys that, like, this guy's going to be a starter, this guy's going to be drafted to be put. Put in a situation to start very early in his career. It may or may not work out. They're in different levels of where their development is.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But these guys are dudes that will get a shot early in their career. Not saying the rest of this list won't, but maybe not physically to the level. Maybe in Soursby's case, circumstances are like, hard to predict what's going to happen, but they're not quite there yet or maybe just always are going to have to overcome some limitations that these other guys just don't have.

[B]

Right. Right.

[A]

So then the next up for me would be again, two totally different players. Couldn't actually. Of all the ones where I'm like, they're in different. They're so contrasting that it's wild. Julian Saying and Brendan Sorsby, there couldn't be any different.

[B]

They couldn't be any different.

[A]

But I view them in that same like 88,89 range. Given Sorsby's circumstances, how raw he is and he just isn't able to play because of the, because of his situation that he created for himself. I don't know how that all plays out because it's such a unique scenario. So I'm hesitant to give him a 90 grade, even though, like, his tools are sensational. But what happens between now and the first time he takes a snap in a preseason game in the NFL? I just don't know.

[B]

I, good got to get into this now. I would have Levitt in this range. I think this is where he enters the conversation for me, just so you know. So he's not as far back. After some thinking about it, he's not quite down the list, as far down the list as I thought. Julian Saying is the most fascinating, one of the most fascinating players on this list for me right now because I, and I think Ohio State fans have a low opinion of me because I tend to be critical of their offensive line. And I, you know, there's been a couple times where I just, I doubted their ability on their championship run two years ago. All of these things. I just, it, I just think we're going to look back at Julian sand and be, say he was an outstanding college quarterback and maybe an average NFL guy that is, you know, that on that starter, backup fringe. I just, I worry about the natural ability with Julian saying, I'm not sure he's on the level of some of these other guys watching him. And he's the guy that, I wonder if we did him so early that maybe he's a little higher than he should be. I would, I just want to get your thoughts on that.

[A]

I don't totally disagree. I, I also think he's more mobile than you think he is. I also think he's an outrageously good

[B]

college quarterback, especially for his age. Don't get this twisted. I'm looking at, like, how you project him to the NFL.

[A]

I, I, I hear you. I hear you. And that's why, like, I just want

[B]

to make sure everyone else does.

[A]

I love watching him at Ohio State, but I, I also don't want to, it's not that he's not, he's not talented. He's just not as tall or fast or shifty or arm strength. He's Just not what these other guys are. And this, this year's class is like a unicorn. Yeah, it's a unicorn floating on a cloud, like handing out candy. Like, like I've never seen anything like it, you know? So. Yeah, I, I'm, I'm. That's why we've got him down here. He's. He doesn't wow you physically, but he does wow me with decisions as a first year starter, red shirt, sophomore. Moments that he showed up like that, I'm, I'm encouraged. And like the Drew Brees thing is, is like that's the highest bar. Obviously. Yeah. Look back on Drew Brees career. But Drew Brees fell to. Was it the first pick of the second round?

[B]

I think so.

[A]

So kind of, yeah. Coming out of college, it was. Can this guy overcome. Doesn't. Not the biggest, not the strongest arm, not this, not that. But just plays the game at a high level. So I'm holding true.

[B]

Saying.

[A]

Yeah, I'm holding that's true. For saying I'm a little higher on saying than you are. But. But I'm not discounting what you're saying.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

About saying. Then I would put my Ava just below that pair. But I'm Talking like an 86, 87 grade. Maybe 85. Like 85 to 87 grade. Talking about mid second. And I'm also talking about a range where I had Jackson Dart going into his final year. I had higher than. Higher than where I had Jaden Daniels going into his final year at lsu. Higher than I had. I don't. Cam Ward was around that same thing going into his final year. About the same range I, I had definitely. No, I had like a 90 on. On Mendoza. Yeah. Thank you. And then matier would be 12.

[B]

Yes. Let me ask you this.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You have a higher grade on Sorsby than my other. I think that one's closer than maybe for me than for you. But you, you have the higher grade. But if you have those two guys on the board. You're taking my other though, right? Because I am.

[A]

I get it.

[B]

I get what you. I get what you're saying and I get why you might give him a higher grade. But you have to take into account that Sorsby has all of this stuff going on and you just told me that my other is flying cross country to work on his game and working like if it's close, you're drafting the guy who's, you know, got a better, like a clearer picture off the field, right?

[A]

Yeah, man. Like I was willing to pull a trigger Like, I was like, I.

[B]

So was I.

[A]

It would. It wouldn't be the dumbest thing for Pittsburgh in a supplemental draft to take him or.

[B]

I know.

[A]

And if I. And if Sorsby.

[B]

Yeah, I get it.

[A]

Soresby. And my grade would. Would be. I'm admitting. But how could you not factor it in? Scoresby would probably be around a 90 with, like, Nico and Chambliss coming into the year. Like, needs. Needs development. Need to see another year. Need to see, like. But my gosh, so talented. And he's about to go play for Texas Tech, and he's about to, you know. Yeah.

[B]

It's tough, man.

[A]

It is. It is. So to answer your question. Yeah. Right now, like, I, I trust that my Ava playing 12 to 15, 16 games with Lincoln Riley, getting more experience under his belt. I trust that path that we're about to see over the next four months. Five months.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Versus I'm getting a text from somebody, hey, Sorsby's working out with this guy. He's really committed. He's doing great. Like, I'm sure I'm going to be getting some of those messages, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I, I, as scouts, you. Half this job, it feels like, is eliminating risk.

[B]

Yeah. I would even. Yeah.

[A]

At least maybe more. Maybe more. And there's just a level of risk, an element of risk I'm not comfortable with right now. I desperately want Soursby to prove me and not me. Prove the doubts and the risk wrong. I really do. I'm all for it, but I'm not sure how he does that for. But, yeah, we'll see.

[B]

Yeah. There's no silver bullet for that. It's going to be. It's going to be interesting.

[A]

All right, so let's run through this list again.

[B]

Go ahead. Go through the list. I was just going to say 12. And we only have one legitimate, like, one, like, significant beef with one another of the 12. I mean, I might think that sayings a little lower or, you know, this guy's a little higher, but Sam Levitt is the only one that we're kind of have a. A disagreement of where he should be going in.

[A]

Yeah, Sam Levitt is our. Is our Brady Quinn.

[B]

Yeah, this is the one. Yeah.

[A]

But you're, you're, you're the McShay in it, and I'm. I'm the, I'm the Kuiper on that one.

[B]

What does that mean? That I like. I love when you compare him to these guys. It didn't work out.

[A]

I didn't like Quinn. I didn't Like Clawson.

[B]

That's what I'm.

[A]

Okay. And Mel was like pounding the table in a similar manner. Manner he was for Shador Sanders, for those of you who weren't maybe watching back in the day. Okay. That's what I'm saying. So, okay. It's kind of roles reversed where now I've got, I've got this young pup screaming at me in Mensch telling me I'm over, I'm overdoing it. And people are already starting to think it's because, because of Lane. And I said his name for half his name. I owe five bucks. So anyway, yeah, let's re rack it. I'm gonna go through mine and then you give me yours. Okay. Okay. Dante 1. Dante Moore, Oregon 1, Lenora Sellers, South Carolina 2, Sam Levitt, LSU 3. At 4. At 4 is CJ Car, Notre Dame and Arch Manning, Texas, in either order. Same grade. At six, Darian Mensah, Duke at seven. Sorry, Duke transferred to Miami. Part of the excitement and intrigue of what, what can be this year. At 7, Nico I. Amaliava and Trinidad Chambliss. Identical grades. Put Chambliss at seven, Nico at eight. Okay. At nine is Julian Saying from Ohio State. At ten is Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech, technically, previously Cincinnati. Previously Indiana. At 11 is Jaden Mayava from USC. At 12 is John Mattier, Oklahoma. And I got news for you. Even as the 12th player, John Matiere's thumb looks good. This new compact stroke. I know he comes out and starts ripping it like he was at Washington State. But more consistently because he's worked on like the, the repetition of his, of his stroke. Like he, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If I'm Oklahoma fans, there's normally I could look it up right now I think like we do like three five year tallies. I want to say it's, it's like 12.7 over like the last five years that are drafted through the seven round mountains. Yeah, I'm talking about 12 guys that are the first two days grades right now. So what about you give me your top 12?

[B]

I'm not going to go through the whole. I'm not going to start reading all those names again. Just, just take Sam Levitt and drop him behind Nico Iamaliava. That's where I'd put him between Emaliava. Insane. So I think He's a top 10 quarterback in this class. That's the only one I have a serious beef with. And let's roll with that. I could, I could go, I can name the 10 names again, but I think people got it it.

[A]

So you're putting him below saying. Or ahead of saying.

[B]

Sam Lovett ahead of saying.

[A]

Okay, so below like Nico Chambliss ahead of saying. Source. Yes.

[B]

Thanks for playing that. Yeah.

[A]

All right. Our official preseason QB rankings today was brought to you By College Football 27 make your rise with the MVP bundle available now. Visit go EA.com/MVP Bundle-27 Conditions and restrictions apply. CEA.com games EA sports-college-football/college-football-27 Game disclaimers for details. It's pretty. It's not like us. It's pretty weird. But it also shows, like, A, the depth of this class and B, like, while they're all lumped in similar grades, like, where they are at this point and, and what we. What we think that they can be, but also that there are some clear differentiators right now.

[B]

It's gonna be Good luck Advisory Board. Good luck Advisory board. I. If this goes the way I think it, it can go. Good luck.

[A]

Yeah. We're gonna have a fun year, aren't we?

[B]

It's gonna be. I am so excited. Listen, I hate talking about quarterbacks most of the time with you because I'm

[A]

like, well, you have to.

[B]

You almost force it some years. We have to talk about this guy because you got quarterbacks. I'm having like the time of my life because every good tape is good tape, man. And when you throw it on, this is just a good player. It doesn't matter what the position is at that point. It's just exciting to watch what these guys can do.

[A]

An awesome left guard is an awesome tape to watch. It doesn't matter. So maybe not great for the pod numbers, but yes, right back on Thursday with, with Mesta Maker and Demon Williams and. And then we're going to follow that up with another EA special. We're talking about Indiana. We're talking about Josh Hoover. And that's be a really fascinating element both in college football and in his draft prospects. That'll be a week from now, on Monday.

[B]

They already want to throw out that, that, that word, the dynasty word for Indiana. Can this be. Could this be a dynasty?

[A]

It's going to be fun. It's going to be a fun conversation.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Yes men, five stars.

[B]

Thanks, man.

[A]

Must be 21 plus and present in select states for Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18 plus and present in DC, Kentucky or Wyoming. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY RESET call 1-888-7-897777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut or visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call 1-800-327-5050. For 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-87-7-8, HOPE NY or text Hopeny in New York. For Louisiana, call 1-877-770-7867.