Sam Leavitt vs. Darian Mensah: Which QB Transfer Is the Better NFL Prospect?

Summary

The McShay Show — Sam Levitt vs. Darian Mensah: Which QB Transfer Is the Better NFL Prospect?

Episode Date: July 6, 2026
Hosts: Todd McShay, Steve Muench
Podcast: The McShay Show (The Ringer)
Main Theme: Deep evaluation and debate over two prominent transfer quarterbacks — Sam Levitt (Arizona State to LSU) and Darian Mensah (Duke to Miami) — and their outlook as NFL prospects.

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Overview

Todd and Steve dive into one of the most intriguing storylines of the 2026-27 college football and NFL draft cycle: the high-profile transfers of QBs Sam Levitt and Darian Mensah. Both have landed in major programs (LSU under Lane Kiffin, Miami under Mario Cristobal) with a shot to dramatically elevate their draft stock. The conversation details each prospect’s strengths, weaknesses, developmental environments, and NFL projections, culminating in a fiery back-and-forth on where they rank in a loaded 2027 QB class.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Table: Transfer Portal Era & Quarterback Development

• The hosts preview how the transfer portal has enabled QB career renaissances (references: Cam Ward, Carson Beck, Jackson Dart).

• Lane Kiffin and his history as a "quarterback whisperer" is highlighted as a major variable in Levitt’s trajectory.

  • Quote: “Not many better at developing quarterbacks, especially proven in a short period of time, than Lane Kiffin.” — Todd [17:54]

• Miami’s supporting cast and the model of recent QB upgrades (e.g., Cam Ward) frame Mensah’s opportunity.

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2. First Impressions: Tape Study Takeaways

Sam Levitt (LSU)

• Todd: Sees a rare, explosive athlete with exceptional arm talent, quickness, and improvisational skill but questions about consistency and on-schedule play.

• Steve: Acknowledges tools and competitiveness, but doubts current readiness and notes lack of steady development, especially after last year’s foot injury and missing spring practice.

  • Quote: “Sam Levitt has a chance to be a top five pick.” — Todd [08:38]

Darian Mensah (Miami)

• Todd: Ranks Mensah as the “QB I trust most inside the pocket after Dante Moore,” lauds his timing, accuracy, toughness, and decision-making.
• Steve: Biggest surprise was Mensah’s mobility; most impressed by his accuracy and reliability on intermediate throws.

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3. Scouting Profiles

Sam Levitt

Strengths:

• Exceptionally live arm, quick release, can make “comical” velocity throws.
  • Quote: “There are certain throws that Levitt made that the ball gets from A to B so fast that it's almost comical.” — Steve [20:23]
• High-end mobility; legit 4.4–4.5 forty speed, can create off-script.
• Aggressiveness and confidence (compared to Brett Favre and Josh Allen in playmaking mentality).
• Lane Kiffin’s system is seen as ideal for harnessing and refining his raw traits.

Developmental Priorities / Weaknesses:

• Scheduling/Mechanics: Needs to operate “on schedule” in pocket passing, often succeeds more in chaos than structure.
  • Quote: “A lot of his brilliance comes off platform, off schedule, in chaos… what you can coach is the scheduling aspect.” — Todd [13:28]
• Missed easy throws; inconsistent mechanics and ball placement, especially on routine plays.
• Sometimes tries to do too much — forcing plays, pressing when things break down.
• Needs to grow as a disciplined pocket passer.
• Injury history: Significant foot injury, missed spring, but reportedly fully cleared for camp.

Darian Mensah

Strengths:

• Elite accuracy, especially on in-breaking routes and deep middle throws.
  • Quote: “Everything is in stride… If you're a yak receiver, you are dying to play with this guy.” — Steve [30:44]
• Trustworthy decision-maker, advanced for his age.
• Good (not elite) arm strength, but excels at touch, trajectory, and layering throws.
• Sneaky mobility — not a burner but extends plays well, especially rolling right.
• Toughness and leadership: “Never flinched,” “tough as nails,” consistently elevated his team at Duke and Tulane.

Developmental Priorities / Weaknesses:

• Ball security: Fumbling in the pocket, sometimes holds ball too long.
• Struggles at times with post-snap coverage rotations — needs to process coverages more quickly.
• Arm strength is closer to average among NFL prospects.
• Mobility is a plus but not dynamic compared to other top prospects.
• Physical profile: Lean 6'3, 205 frame, but proved durable and tough.

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4. Head-to-Head: Prospects Compared and Contrasted

Natural Talent vs. Floor

• Levitt is “toolsier”: Higher ceiling, more volatile, less steady; a “roller coaster” prospect.
• Mensah: More ready to play, higher floor, but less likely to “wow” with elite plays.
• Quote: “He could be a better quarterback than Mensa in year four, but I think Mensah will be a better quarterback in those first three seasons because he's more ready.” — Steve [46:57]

Franchise/Development Contexts

• Both are seen as entering ideal circumstances with highly respected offensive minds, strong supporting casts, and the possibility of immediate game-changing impact.

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5. NFL Transition & Pro Comparisons

Levitt:

• Could require a year to “sit and learn”; flashes likened to Mahomes, Josh Allen; comparison to Jackson Dart's early years under Kiffin.
• Potential for a turbulent rookie season but enormous long-term upside.
• Quote: “If Lane can work his magic… I think he can be a top five pick.” — Todd [15:34]

Mensah:

• Could start as a rookie; trusted to deliver from Day One (compares favorably to Brock Purdy, Geno Smith at their best).
• Ceiling not as high as Levitt, but could develop into a highly effective NFL starter.
  • Quote: “I think he can be a franchise quarterback as a rookie.” — Steve [50:04]

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6. Class Rankings, Grades, and Heated Debate

[See 53:51–70:22 for the main fireworks.]

Current Grade (Host Consensus)

• QB Board Structure:
  • Dante Moore: 94
  • Sellers: 93
  • Carr & Arch Manning: 91
  • Saying, Sorsby: just below
  • Mensa: 90 (“in the same bucket” as Arch and Carr)
  • Levitt: Massive debate
• Todd’s Take: Levitt is the 3rd-best QB in the class (92–93), above Arch and Carr. “I can’t ignore unique, unique traits. This cat’s got them.”
• Steve’s Take: Levitt is at best the 7th-best QB in the class right now; stock is too volatile, hasn’t shown enough consistent production: “McShay, get the fuck out of here with that grade. I cannot understand how you can have him that high. I just can’t.” [62:28]

Notable Quotes:

• Todd: "If all these guys play anywhere close to what we think... this could be the best quarterback class in the history of the NFL draft. And I’ve been tiptoeing around that for a while." [59:25]
• Steve (challenging Todd): “In a normal year…I would have called you and said, I don't think we should have Levitt on our board because the stock is too volatile.” [63:23]
• Steve: “I want to apologize…McShay, get the fuck out of here with that grade. I cannot understand how you can have him that high. Not yet.” [62:28]

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Memorable Moments & Competitive Banter

• Banter over grades turns heated: Steve calls out Todd’s high grade for Levitt, repeatedly referencing the disastrous Mississippi State game and doubts about consistency. Todd argues for projecting rare traits and betting on upside, referencing past lessons with Mahomes and Allen.
• Botany Metaphor: “You gotta trim the dead leaves off the tree and rip out the weeds around it to let the beautiful part grow...” — Todd [44:43]
• “Texting Lane”: Todd jokes he’s become Sam Levitt’s agent and will text Lane Kiffin to check on Levitt after the episode, demonstrating both intensity and humor. [68:30]
• Plans to revisit their debate in November after more tape and games are available. [65:33]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Introduction, Transfer Context: 00:00 – 03:30
• Setting Expectations for Levitt at LSU: 03:30 – 06:45
• Both Hosts’ First Takeaways on Levitt: 06:45 – 09:30
• Levitt’s Physical Traits, Injury, and Opportunity: 09:30 – 15:30
• On-Schedule vs. Off-Script Play (QBs in Modern CFB/NFL): 15:30 – 24:00
• Levitt’s Arm, Mobility, and Competitive Mentality: 20:00 – 26:00
• Mensah’s Strengths—Accuracy, Composure, System Fit: 27:32 – 33:00
• Mensa’s Background, Career Resilience, & Grit: 33:00 – 36:00
• Analytical Comparison: Arm Talent, Trustworthiness, NFL Translation: 36:00 – 41:00
• Weaknesses, Developmental Gaps: 41:00 – 47:00
• NFL Transition, Comps, and Timeline for Success: 47:00 – 53:00
• Grades & Rankings, Clash over Levitt’s Placement: 53:51 – 70:10
• Looking Ahead, Expectations for 2026 Season: 70:10 – End

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Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for draft nerds and college football fans invested in the quarterback factory of the transfer portal era. Todd and Steve pull no punches, bringing both granular film study and long-range projection to their argument, leaving listeners not just with new insights on Levitt and Mensah, but excited to watch their 2026 seasons unfold — and ready to revisit this passionate debate as fall turns to winter.

Transcript

[Todd McShay]

Foreign. Of building the board the 2027 quarterback class and today we're focusing on two high profile transfers. The day and age of nil transfer portal. These are big time names going to big time programs. We're talking about Sam Levitt from Arizona State to LSU and Darien Mensa to from Duke to Miami. Just 297 days until the NFL draft. Mitch, you good? I'm good man. Tucker, roll the damn thing. Bench. I'm fired up for today. I didn't think I was going to be as fire up as I am really. Mensa and Levit, I got some.

[Steve Muench]

I get caught up.

[Todd McShay]

I get caught up. You know me, I get, I just get worked up when I watch some of these quarterbacks and I see what, what it can be. 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 pressure from the boys in this house. We got to get it. We got to get it right. Well, I'm going to 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. Pre order now. Conditions and restrictions apply. CEA.com games/EA-sports-college-football/college-football-27/game disclaimers for details we need people to like and subscribe and I'm not going to go through the whole thing. I love the partnership with Netflix. I love the Spotify getting it up right away like the shows are starting to crank the way we want it to. But we do need some support here and Apple and everywhere else you get your podcast. If you're listening or watching, we appreciate it. But please, please do do the thing that everyone tells you to do on every podcast because it does help. Mensah going to Miami. We've seen Cam Ward and what it did for him. Going from Incarnate Word to Washington State to Miami and all of a sudden from a third to fifth round prospect to the number one overall pick, right? We saw last year, Carson Beck, a reclamation project from everything that happened at Georgia. He couldn't even throw months earlier before the season because of the elbow injury and all of a sudden, you know, he winds up being what, a third, third round draft pick and, and quite frankly, like reverse the field in terms of the public perception on him. And then you've got Lane Kiffin and all the hype and all the the circumstances surrounding him exiting Ole Miss for lsu. But we also have Lane Kiffin specific to this conversation. The development of many quarterbacks over his years, starting at usc, right? And then Jackson Dart at Ole Miss. What he was early in his career to what he became as a first round draft pick. The Giants trading up for him and what he did with Trinidad. Chambers is like the 246 ranked quarterback in the transfer portal and wasn't even supposed to be the starter. And now we'll get to Chambliss, I believe in our next episode on Thursday of Building. Building the board, right? And some scouts I've talked to are like, yep, could be a first rounder, could be a top 50 pick. This guy's got a chance to play in the NFL. And we said that during the season last year. So Lane Kiffin with this kind of talent. So I want to get into all of it.

[Steve Muench]

Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever. Is there any other player who has achieved that? No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with power boost ingredients inside? No, just Duracell. Remember, goats only trust goats because they're built different. And Messi only trusts Duracell.

[Todd McShay]

And as we start all of these shows, men, I throw to you and say, you just grinded all the tape, as did I on both of these quarterbacks, Sam Levitt and Darian Mensah. What's your biggest takeaway?

[Steve Muench]

Well, you just lay the groundwork. I mean, we have right now, Arch Manning is fourth on our quarterback rankings and Brendan Sourceby is not playing college. He's not playing football at all this year. And I still think that Sam Levitt is one of the more fascinating storylines going into the college football season and into the draft cycle. Because, look, it's like you said, expectations are sky high in Baton Rouge. Lane Kiffin is a talented quarterback developer and Sam Levitt is a talented quarterback. But here's the thing. Watching the tape, Levitt didn't progress as I had hoped he would. After watching him two years ago when he had Cam Scatter running crazy for him, just didn't see the development that I didn't want that I wanted to see. He's coming off a foot injury that prevented him from participating in spring practice, which really, you know, hinders his ability to progress. And then on top of that, by the way, you got Clemson, you got a highly motivated, pissed off Ole Miss team and you got Texas A and M September it is. I think this is. It could break either way for Levitt in lsu. And it's really based on what I saw from the tape from Levitt.

[Todd McShay]

This excites me because the first three parts of this series, I let you go first with your biggest takeaway and I wound up saying like, yeah, what he said. And it was anticlimactic.

[Steve Muench]

Right.

[Todd McShay]

I went to bed last night after finishing up the Levitt tape and I had done Mensa the. The day earlier and I thought maybe I'll just go first tomorrow because it feels like we're just copying each other and. Right. Stealing my thunder. How dare you. Kidding. Obviously I saw it a little different. I do want to go two parts on my biggest takeaway.

[Steve Muench]

Okay. Because I don't.

[Todd McShay]

I. We. We're trying to lump all these quarterbacks together when we're doing the head to head and building this board over the course of this.

[Steve Muench]

Right, right.

[Todd McShay]

And. And there's a reason for it, I think a lot of coming into the year, it was Arch versus Dante. Right. And it turns out after we graded them, like Arch absolutely can be the number one overall pick, but maybe he isn't where. He isn't where Dante is now. So that creates excitement for what Arch can become this year because we know all the talent is there, but Dante is at a different level right now. We both saw that and then we. And I think SBY versus Sellers, super talented, still kind of raw Sellers, more advanced, but. But they're similar types of quarterbacks. Then we did these two blue blood program guys who are both red shirt sophomores who both. We're expecting big growth, lot of talent. And we saw a clear difference between CJ Car, Notre Dame and Julian say in Ohio State. And with these two today, it's talented guys who are transferring to bigger programs, bigger opportunities. What do we see with Mensa? I want to start with this and we'll get into all the. The nuts and bolts of it. Outside of Dante Moore, Darien Mensah is the quarterback in the entire country that I trust the most. And I don't think there's a big gap, if I'm going to be totally honest. After finishing up his tape that I trust the most inside the pocket, got to make an accurate throw, ball's going to be delivered. I walked. I walked away from men's tape a lot higher on Darian Mensah than I expected. And I really liked him. So I don't want this to get lost. Okay. And we'll get to Mensah in All the details in a minute. However, I think Sam Levitt has a chance to be a top five pick.

[Steve Muench]

Whoa,

[Todd McShay]

whoa.

[Steve Muench]

This is going to be the one. This is. I think you're out of your.

[Todd McShay]

I.

[Steve Muench]

Let me say this. I think. I think you're right. I think he has a chance. I see that, that universe. I see that world, that path. I think it's more likely than not he goes back to school for another year. How about that?

[Todd McShay]

I'm not. I. I wouldn't rule that out. I didn't say top five pick in 2027. Okay. All right.

[Steve Muench]

You played it safe.

[Todd McShay]

Not really. I don't think anyone's ever said Sam Levitt's gonna be. Could be a top five pick.

[Steve Muench]

Okay.

[Todd McShay]

It's not that safe. And now for a special part of today's episode, and I'm fired up about it. Draft stock decision tree brought to you by EA Sports College Football 27. With all new features in College Ultimate Team, you can build your dream team and help your players develop the way you want, make them the ultimate prospects. Talk about, like, right up our alley. I like building a team, developing prospects, and right now you can make your rise from college to the big leagues with the EA Sports MVP bundle. Get both College Football 27 and Madden NFL 27 plus Deluxe Edition rewards in both games. Pre order it by July 8th. Plain and simple. Let me boil this down. I think Sam Levitt can do things on the football field that most can't. I think is. Is an explosive, dynamic athlete with the. With similar level quickness and speed. I think Sam Levitt's arm is live and loose. I think Sam Levitt, as we talk about with all these prospects and in life in General, as Todd McShay. At age 49 now and seemingly like working through my degree in psychology, because of everything life throws at you as a father and husband and everything else I've gone through, I believe strongly in what is our greatest strength can often be our fatal flaw. And it's absolutely the case with, with Sam Levitt. I love his aggressiveness. What buried Brett Favre in many, many a moment is what made him absolutely fucking great.

[Steve Muench]

True.

[Todd McShay]

He has KU yawns and onions that most don't have. Okay. I think Sam Lep. Here's the thing. I'm. I'm envisioning this and I'm not saying it's going to happen. And it certainly creates a reason for pause. Let's just give the background.

[Steve Muench]

Right.

[Todd McShay]

Levitt injured his right foot against Baylor last September. Okay. Played through it until the pain worsened if you will. Ultimately required season ending Liz Frank surgery after some like conservative treatment to keep him on the field. Missed most of LSU spring practice while rehabbing later had the hardware removed. It was a planned procedure but kind of I wouldn't call it wasn't a setback but it it slowed the the process but it was it was expected. Then he missed most of LSU spring practices did some 7 on 7 certain things. Then he later got you know after the hardware is removed he winds up clocking at 21 mile per hour GPS at LSU. Then in June just a few weeks ago Lane Kiffin comes out and says quote unquote pretty much full strength finally cleared for camp. It's the most positive report that we've gotten on him. So that's where he is in injury wise. Sam Levitt is six one and a half 213 pounds. The national list has him at four six five. I'm I think those speeds have been conservative on these quarterbacks. I think he I agree 4 a 448 guy or some somewhere in the 4 fours. Worst case he's a 45 guy regardless. Sam Levitt the I envision this right? That's what I started this conversation this, this this thought Remember Mahomes that first year and he got to sit out behind Alex Smith and work with Andy Reed and that staff. I envision a young man who has everything skills wise but what he's missing is scheduling because I'm watching his mechanics and like he has good mechanics when, when his eyes are right he's on schedule and does those things. But I'm but I'm also watching some like quick slants or like easy incoming routes and missing high or behind a receiver those sorts of things and you're like mechanically it's not necessarily the issue. It's a lot of his brilliance comes off platform off schedule in chaos.

[Steve Muench]

That's his where he's at his best.

[Todd McShay]

It's where he's at his best however so not however so those things are awesome and you can't coach those things in into other guys. What you can coach is the scheduling aspect and what you can coach as we saw with Mahomes is all right let's get him on schedule and when I say on schedule I want to stop down for 10 seconds. An offense is like a ballet or like a synchronized swimming when it comes to the passing game. 3 Step 5 Step 7 Step is the old school under center we're seeing teams offenses get back to that more It's Been a lot of shotgun where you're still everything is done where you're tying the drop for the quarterback with the routes being run and the. And the progressions. Right. He and Arizona State wasn't the scheduling part of it is staying coordinated with the timing of the routes matching up with he's the top of his drop foot plant ball out. Right. That's where he's not great right now but he's going to spend a year, maybe two with Lane Kiffin and Chambliss wasn't great at it when he got there and look at Chambliss when he got to the end of the season. Plus Chambliss's ability against Georgia. If you have any question to create extend into all those things look at Jackson Dart where he was early in his career. He was a runner. He was a sandlot guy a lot. You know and then you saw. And you saw that in the 161 pressure drops that I talked ad nauseam about and his the Josh Allen traits. Right. How but like he also learned to play on time schedule. Right. So the scheduling part is the most important thing for Sam Levitt to take away some of those crazy moments bad decisions off target throws. If Lane can work his magic and Lane did it in a very short time with Chambliss.

[Steve Muench]

Mm

[Todd McShay]

coming from Ferris State. If Lane can work his magic. Now that we have a healthy Sam Levitt in Baton Rouge for the next couple months getting ready for the season, I think he can be a top five pick. That part of today's episode was brought to you by College Football 27. From Campus Legend to NFL superstar. Make your rise with the MVP bundle. Pre order it by July 8th. To earn those rewards and begin playing, 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.

[Steve Muench]

You can coach those things and Lane has done that. And that's the world. That's the world. And I'm with you as we stand here July 6th, right. This summer. I can't. I can't get there with you yet. And I would push back.

[Todd McShay]

Isn't our job, Steve. Isn't our job.

[Steve Muench]

It's part of our job.

[Todd McShay]

I think you're going to let me finish the sentence because I. Because I know you can finish all of my sentences and I can do pretty much the same for you.

[Steve Muench]

Fair enough. For.

[Todd McShay]

For people watching, especially people who maybe haven't watched from the very first episode and don't know us as intimately as others. Let's. Let me. Let me flesh this out a little bit. Isn't our job to project what it can look like and. And do that with an. An education based off of history? The supporting cast, the surroundings, who they're working with. If Sam Levitt was. Was going to a program with a defense. If Sam Levitt was going. And this is gonna. If Sam Levitt was going to. Maybe I don't want to say George, but a defensive minded system, you know, head coach and system where like he's got to play within these things and I wouldn't have as much confidence. He's going to Lane man. I hear going to. He's going to Lane. Lane land.

[Steve Muench]

Yep.

[Todd McShay]

He's going to Lane U. Everyone else.

[Steve Muench]

I get it.

[Todd McShay]

He's going to Lane University.

[Steve Muench]

I agree with you how much and

[Todd McShay]

I believe in that university and I know that university has a lot of. It's like a university in Vegas. There's a lot of distractions. There's a lot of hot yoga. There's a lot of speculation. There's a lot of head coach with his shirt off and. And pictures. There's a lot of trolling. There's all that stuff. But at its core there's not many better at developing quarterbacks especially proven in a short period of time than Lane Kiffin. So who am I to believe that that can't happen and why wouldn't I have more confidence in this situation than maybe I do if Sam Levitt was going elsewhere?

[Steve Muench]

You should. I agree. I have that. I think what you're looking at is the weight you put into that when you're looking at the overall evaluation. And when I'm looking at the overall evaluation, I'm going to push back hard on one of your points. I'm looking at a tape and Mississippi State.

[Todd McShay]

Woof. It was sloppy.

[Steve Muench]

Woof. It was 45 of his passes against a bad. A bet what ended up being a bad Mississippi State.

[Todd McShay]

I know when it was wild. Did you. Did you also study how. How covered up those receivers were and how many times protection breakdowns and he. There was a lot that went on.

[Steve Muench]

On one of his drop backs. He almost fell down. I mean he was. His feet were all over in that place in that game. And I felt like maybe this was no more Cam Scatter boo. This is early in the season. Second game of the season. No more Cam Scatter boo. This is my team now. I felt like maybe he was pressing. Maybe he was Just a little getting ahead of himself, trying to make too many plays. And that's why. But at the end of the day,

[Todd McShay]

man, did he show improvement after that? Did he show improvement against. I guess.

[Steve Muench]

I guess when he throws, when he completes 51% of his passes against Houston in his last game of the year. And I guess we can blame that on the injury. I, I don't know, man. I'm not seeing what you're seeing with the tape. I don't think. Take me.

[Todd McShay]

Let's. Let's do what we do on, on in this building, the building, the board, 20, 27 quarterback series. And I appreciate, like, I think we carry this dialogue in, into it. What do you see in the strengths of. Of Levitt and then we should transition to, to Mensa as well.

[Steve Muench]

The arm, man. And it's, it's. The mobility is right up there. So don't get me wrong, his arm is different. There were a couple times where I was. You know, I love when you're watching that and you're just kind of like. Or you, like, laugh. You, like, catch yourself laughing out loud.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah.

[Steve Muench]

There are certain throws that Levitt made that the ball gets from A to B so fast that it's almost comical. And I almost. I really try to stay away from arm strength. Unless you're able to see a guy throw live and. But this is. You could just watch him on tape and you get the feeling that you hear when the ball hits the receiver's hands, you hear it. And I don't think he's one of those guys. I think he's probably a little bit. I think Sellers probably has a slightly stronger arm, but he's also a little bit better in Sellers in the sense that he doesn't seem to have to put it. Not everything has to be a fastball for him, which is good. That said, I think it's his arm slightly above his mobility because I'm with you on that one. My man, he can extend, he could make plays. And he is. He's just like the guy that that Lane had at Ole Miss and Jackson Dart in the sense that he does not care about what kind of shot he's going to take when he runs. He is an ultra competitive dude, both as a runner and a passer, and I love that about his game. I get, I get the path, man. I'm not with you there yet. I just. I just don't see where he is. Where he is in his journey right now is not enough for me to be saying some of the things that

[Todd McShay]

you're saying here's the thing that, that over the years I've developed my, my spidey senses go up sometimes. I, I've learned to try to. And I'm not perfect at it but I've learned to try to separate like okay, the result in terms of missed targets or off target throws. What is it? What's the reason? Right. And when I see it's eyes, scheduling, all that stuff which in. In in part.

[Steve Muench]

You have no problem with this footwork. You have no problem with this.

[Todd McShay]

That's a fair question. I'm not saying I have no problem with it. I see, I see the why behind it. With arch. With arch. I truly believe a lot of it is his eyes weren't in the right place. He's making throw and he's a long levered dude where it's hard to bring your feet with you from read one read to read three when you're six foot four and change where Levitt is six, one and a half. He can do those things. But I think his game, his. His mental clock is like you know. But Mahomes stuff was a mess too. And I'm not saying he's Mahomes. I just, I think it's, it's, it's, it's finding someone to channel. Here's where you need to be with this. I'm gonna, I'm gonna create less chaos in your head, man. I'm gonna alleviate you alleviate some of that chaos in your mind and get you to where we're going here. And if it's not there, we're going here. And if not that you're a brilliant runner. So far. This is. These are. We now are up to eight quarterbacks and all of them have some level of mobility. Even Dante Moore has some level of extend creativity even though he's not fast. Right. The three that are different.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

Sorsby as well. So four, four of them are different.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

But this cat's quicker than Sorsby and maybe. Oh yeah, just as fast if not faster. The fastest on a straight line is Seller Sellers is the quickest and the fastest Arch. Arch has this initial acceleration but he's not as. Right.

[Steve Muench]

Right.

[Todd McShay]

This cat Levitt has got both.

[Steve Muench]

He can make you miss. Yeah, yeah. He's got all those things.

[Todd McShay]

Those four guys are as we skip. Like we always talk about our grading scale when it comes to the position specific traits. One is exceptional. Five is marginal. Three is. Is in the middle average.

[Steve Muench]

Yep.

[Todd McShay]

All four of those guys are ones in terms of the Mobility aspect of it.

[Steve Muench]

Right.

[Todd McShay]

So going back to the throwing, I, I, yeah I see his, the footwork can be drilled in and more repetitive. That's what I wrote in my, what I'm writing in my report. What like it's ongoing report throughout this process. But right now where I'm at with it is when he actually is like lined up and scheduled and all that. His mechanic, he, he has a baseline of mechanics. It's just not necessarily drilled home. But I'm much more concerned with. Let's get him where it's. He's working within the timing of everything. I think that's going to alleviate some of the off target throws. Right. But my first point in all this, where I started this conversation is some guys don't have the ability to that natural touch. It's like watching Shaq with free throws or some, you know, like some guys just like yank gonna coach it in. And I'm not saying you can't coach some of it in and like work on it but like Sellers is concerning to me in a regard and again I went back and watched more of it after our conversation and he does make a lot of tough accurate throws and anticipation those sorts of things. But I do worry about guys where it's like a hundred mile an hour fastball and like five yards.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

Out and so and, and that does it begs the question in those situation is there a natural touch there? And I want to see that with Levitt. I like he can throw, he can throw a fastball 104 miles an hour. But, but he also can layer the ball and that's.

[Steve Muench]

I agree he can take something off of it. I, I think Laird is a step too far for me because I don't think he's accurate. I just don't think he's nearly as accurate as you are does you do.

[Todd McShay]

We're seeing it different. I recognize that the result is where it is, not where it needs to be. I'm saying I will be shocked if by late October, early November we're not looking at a guy who's in mid 60, like 62, let's say 62% completion percentage or better. I think Elaine's going to make that much of a difference because I think the things that are off with his ball placement. Not every, every single time but a lot of it is he needs to be structured in, in the timing and scheduling of an offense. And if I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But how many guys that we've watched have his ability, man,

[Steve Muench]

I think we Watched. I mean, and. And we can get into nitpicking. But the four. There's four of them. I mean, it's those four that you've already mentioned. I think those guys have that ability. Sourcebee doesn't have his arm strength and. And Arch doesn't have his arm strength, and you can get into, like, the nitpicking of it all. But there's some elite natural ability guys in this class. But speaking of structure, let me get back to. I feel like I blow up the structure of these shows every single time. We're supposed to do strengths, then weaknesses, and I'm like. And I get all over the place. So where do you want to go? Let me.

[Todd McShay]

I'll try to get back to Mensa because. Because I. I think it's. This is Mensa versus versus Levitt.

[Steve Muench]

And.

[Todd McShay]

And I knew this was going to happen. So let me start on the strengths real quickly in Mensa. And I. And I touched on. On. In the beginning. This guy is cash. He is money. Like, he is your checking account that is consistently like, you trust it. Right. You. He's got. He's the income. You know exactly what you're getting. And he is mobile, and he does extend. And like, he's got this, like, quickness and suddenness as a scrambler. I don't think he's super fast. He's not super dangerous, but he rolling out, especially to his right is brilliant.

[Steve Muench]

Biggest surprise of the tape for me was how well he moved. I did not expect to see that kind of mobility. That was the biggest surprise.

[Todd McShay]

I agree. And. But I also. My second biggest surprise or. Or up there with it is, my gosh, I trust this guy. If you put him in and we've talked about this, I think it was maybe C.J. carr or Julian saying or something.

[Steve Muench]

Here we go. I had the same thought, you know,

[Todd McShay]

in that TUA offense in Miami.

[Steve Muench]

Yep.

[Todd McShay]

You put him in. In the right system. He's got a good arm, but it's not great. I. I would give him a three.

[Steve Muench]

I am a two.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah, I'm fine with that. I'm fine with that.

[Steve Muench]

He.

[Todd McShay]

He doesn't drive it with any kind of. You know, but he can. No, I put in there like, it's 55 yards, but. But we'll get to his weaknesses. I want to make it perfectly clear. I want to make it perfectly clear with Mensa. He's a special, special passer. You tell me. We got a third and seven, and we get the right play dialed up and it's going to require our quarterback to make the right read, get the ball out on time and place it perfectly. I. It's messed up, man. I might take him over in certain throws. I might take him over Dante, but he and Dante are in a different class, in my opinion, in terms of pure passing. Of the football. Of the eight quarterbacks we've done, Dante and Mensah are in a class of their own. They're just different.

[Steve Muench]

So if you were setting up a skills competition and you had the bucket in the back of the end zone or you were making these accuracy throws. I actually like Mensa. This is how I would put it. I actually like Mensa slightly ahead of Dante there. I really do.

[Todd McShay]

I do, too.

[Steve Muench]

If you're putting them in a situation where they have to read a coverage and they have to make a decision quick. And I think both of them are really good in these areas. I like Dante a little bit more and that's why I think Dante's at the top of this class is I think his brain is a little bit more advanced. It's a little more. The way he's able to read and dissect is a little more advanced than anyone else. But Benson is up there. It's impressive what he can do.

[Todd McShay]

So those are the strengths.

[Steve Muench]

Look, Duke had PFF numbers, all right? Duke had 20 drop passes. His adjusted completion percentage was 74.1%. And speaking to what you're talking about with that, to that to offense, this dude on. In breaking routes, on crossers, it is. Everything is in stride. It's. If you're a yak receiver, you are dying to play with this guy. If you're a guy who wants to do his. If you're one of those receivers that turns into a running back after the catch, this is your quarterback. You're going to love him. And also I think when he attacks them the deep middle of the field, he is really effective too. Outside the hashes, maybe not as much. I think he's a little more inconsistent there, but when he's attacking the deep middle, it's. It's also impressive.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah, I wrote you just touched on it. Like love is touch. Trajectory layers it beautifully. Incredibly catchable ball leads receivers unlike most college quarterbacks. Important to note, receivers drop a lot of passes that hit them either in the numbers or. I said in the numbers and. Or in stride. Excited to see him with an upgraded receiver core at Miami in 2026. It could be pretty special.

[Steve Muench]

Could be. I agree.

[Todd McShay]

You know what I mean? You put him behind an offensive line Mario Cristobal, their coaching staff. You put him with a run game with, with Mark Fletcher behind him and you create that balance for him. And then you talk about Malachi, Tony and some of the other receivers that Miami is going to roll out there with class and the money that they've spent and a defense, defense that's, that's not going to force him into situations that he, you know what I mean? And Duke was good for the ACC. They won the ACC. But they were like 9 and 5. But they were, they were a nice little football team, man. They like, they, they overachieved and Mensa was a massive part of that. But this is Miami now, you know.

[Steve Muench]

Well, there's a reason that Duke sued to keep him there. You know, they try to keep him there.

[Todd McShay]

I mean I would have, yeah, no brainer. I would have brought in Kessler and, and, and some of the other big.

[Steve Muench]

Not so fast.

[Todd McShay]

I need Mensa on that wall.

[Steve Muench]

Did you get this vibe? And I, and it's funny like I, I'm always. Well, am I making excuses for one quarterback and not the other? But did you get a vibe from watching his tape that it was almost like he and Duke were getting to know each other early in the season? Like I'm watching the Illinois tape and they're running Illinois.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah, yeah.

[Steve Muench]

High pro, high like difficulty throws against

[Todd McShay]

an Illinois 20 yards. That's, that's five. They're, they're 401 in terms of like they, they are always smart. They're moving the pocket of time.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah, it was just, it was like this is. Let him do his thing like get to know each other, know each other a little bit. And then it, then it started to

[Todd McShay]

roll and we should mention as we have 63205 is the estimated, he's estimated height weight for Mensa. Right. He is a. Average to like really solid height. Lean framed, right.

[Steve Muench]

Didn't look as lean as I thought he would on tape, but yeah, he is lean.

[Todd McShay]

Three star recruit out of Santa Maria, California. St. Joseph High School. Red shirted at two lane in 2023 just to give a little background.

[Steve Muench]

Right.

[Todd McShay]

Took over as a star full time starter. Started all 13 games for Tulane in 2024, led the Green Wave to a 9 and 4 record and a birth in the AA AAC championship game. He doesn't win every game. The guy finds a way to get his team there at the end of the season. Right. Transfers to Duke after that season. Starts all 14 games completed, 67% of his throws, 34 touchdowns. Just six picks led the Blue Devils to the ACC championship game. Improbable. Duke doesn't win the ACC, right. Finds ways to win. Okay, what I love from the tape, and that's why I want to go in the background on them a little bit before I said this. What I love from that Illinois tape. He grabbed his onions like it was kind of a nightmare early on and they were asking him to do things that were not effective. His receivers were not capable against that coverage. And, and they, and then they started in the pocket a little bit and he got his ass handed to him multiple times and he never flinched. And he started all 27 games that were available to him to play. So while he's got that linear frame and all that stuff, he's tough as nails and he's the kind of guy. And I kept writing like I just trust him. I just. It was soothing to watch men's tape because if it was there, he was going to get it. And then he was leading receivers and I trusted he was going to pop up from every hit and I trusted the. A big hit wasn't going to affect his next throw or his next series and a mistake wasn't going to affect the next decision. There's something about this dude and I, and I'm the first to recognize he doesn't have Levitt's natural God given ability. Doesn't have Arches. Doesn't have Soresby's.

[Steve Muench]

Nope.

[Todd McShay]

Doesn't. Doesn't have Sellers.

[Steve Muench]

Nope.

[Todd McShay]

But there's a lot of guys in the league that are, that are this level of passer with the toughness and the instincts and moments and the ability to bounce back from mistakes and. Or beatings that go on to have great NFL careers. They do.

[Steve Muench]

No, it's so true. I just, you know, beatings, it's a little dramatic, but I gotcha. I'm with you. I hear you.

[Todd McShay]

It kind of felt like he was getting jumped in an dark alley after like, oh, here we go. No.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

Times against Illinois early in that game. But yeah, they wound up. But at one point they climbed back in. It's like 30 something to 19. You know, like there was a lot of fight in this guy. So.

[Steve Muench]

And he said, I thought he's a player that was better at the end of the year than he was. I agree. He's on a upward trajectory. Pros trust the Home Depot for heavy duty storage solutions for any job site or garage. Right now get up to 4, 15% off select storage and organization impact and water resistant totes and shelving built to hold up to £2,500. Storage systems have space for all your tools and protect them in the garage, on the job site and everywhere in between. Save time and maximize efficiency with adjustable shelving customized to your business's needs. Shop and save on pro grade storage

[Todd McShay]

at the Home Depot.

[Steve Muench]

How Pros get more done hey, it's Bill from the Bill Simmons podcast. FIFA World Cup 26 fans, listen up. Is the official beer sponsor of The FIFA World Cup 26 Michelob Ultra is giving away $1,000,000 worth of FIFA World Cup 26 tickets and prizes. Enter now at michelobaltra.com superioraccess/fifaworldcup 26 McLobeltra FIFA World Cup 26 Superior Access no purchase necessary. Open US Residence 21 begins on December 1, 2025 ends on July 31, 2026 multiple entry periods visit www.mcglobaltra.com superioraccess /fifaworldcup26 for free entry, entry deadlines, prizes and details this episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50 page restoration block. Or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it, ready to make anything online make sense. There's no place like Chrome. Check Responses Setup Required compatibility and availability Various 18

[Todd McShay]

all right, I feel like we've touched on some of the weaknesses, but let's go. We're on Mensa. Where are the limitations weaknesses?

[Steve Muench]

For the love of God, can you hold on to the ball in the pocket? Can you? I love the way he navigates the pocket at times, but there was too many times where the ball's on the ground. He's got, he's got to do a better job of taking care of the football and it doesn't really make sense because there's times where he climbs and slides and you're like this is everything that I'm looking for. And then there's other times where he holds onto the ball too long and he just gets, he takes a hit. I also think that we talked about this with Dante and I think these are two guys that are I think we're going to compare a lot going forward. He is a like we we hit on a little bit earlier. He has a good feel for how to attack coverage and all those things. But some of the post snap rotations that got Dante, I think he is there are are an issue for mensa as well of watching where he has a really good feel pre snap but sometimes he's missing what's happening after and who's dropping where and making sure that he, he understands that a cover change after the, after the snap. So there's some things there that I think he needs to clean up. I, my, my guess is he does. I mean the way that he's progressed, as we said, I'm pretty optimistic about him being able to do that.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah. And I think there's some, some limitations, as we said, that he's, he's not, he's not, he is more mobile but he's not dynamic. I think the biggest thing is he's his arm strength, whether it's two or three, it's not at the level. So he's going to have to be in a system that plays to his strengths and he absolutely will be. But he can't do with the football or with his legs what those other four guys were talking about. But that's okay because a lot of guys in the league that go on to have really successful starting careers in the league don't have some of those traits, but they're able to overcome it. I'm fired up to watch him at Miami. Oh my God, like what a treat we have on our hands with Arch coming back for another year with Sark and, and Dante with a new coordinator. Can he, can he make that next step even though it's not the same exact thing. And C.J.

[Steve Muench]

maybe more talent, healthier receiver. Yeah. I mean that's going to be interesting.

[Todd McShay]

And Carr is a second year player saying as a second year player the rinse, refine, repeat Sellers, new coordinator Kendall Briles like every time we get done with them, like the biggest takeaway in this whole series is it's going to be hard to watch all these games at the same time and I, and it's going to be hard to like who am I going to choose? Am I going to watch Levitt with his first game under Kiffin against Clemson? Am I going to. But I'm dying to see Sellers and now I get to see CJ Carr and now like Julian saying with those wet, like I'm just excited. I'm just excited and I've tried to temper all of it but we're set up for a wild year and even if there's failure or disappointment or it doesn't look there's, that's still a storyline.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah. Plus there's just, still we have so many darts to throw this year. There was so many of them that if one or two fail and hopefully that's not the case obviously, but 1, 2, 3, fail, there's still five, six guys you're looking at. You know, there's just, you have, there's more opportunity this year.

[Todd McShay]

What about Levitt with his weaknesses? And I think again, he's just, he's,

[Steve Muench]

he's, he misses too many throws, man. I mean he just misses too many throws. It's just, it's frustrating to watch. I mean, I guess, you know, like, I guess he got, he got better over the, I mean it wasn't, it's tough to get, you know, not get better if they're over 45% of your passes being completed. I guess he got better, I just didn't. I think the lower body mechanic, I said it already. I think his feet are a mess at times, like a mess. I think there are times that he wants, he doesn't take the, the easy way out and go underneath. He wants to press things downfield. I think he has a long ways to go as a pocket passer.

[Todd McShay]

Let me put it this way. His stock is at a price that I would empty my bank account on and it's at a, it's at a

[Steve Muench]

price that, that statement.

[Todd McShay]

I get that because the inconsistency, because the, the completion percentage because he didn't have that follow up year and stay healthy and show progression because he's had an off season where he's now had a second kind of procedure that was planned and he hasn't been in the system with Lane and going through all the things. But more so than any one of these quarterbacks as far as where the stock is now and where I think it's going to be come October, November and into the draft if he, if he winds up coming, winds up coming out for 20, 27. I think the most money to be made in a stock if we're, if we're putting all eight of these quarterbacks so far is in Sam Levitt. I really do. But I'm also not ignorant as we talked about weaknesses that, yes, that is an issue. And the biggest I have for Sam Levitt this year is can Lane Kiffin, in a short period of time that just got shortened due to that injury that we talked about, can Lane Kiffin get him on schedule? Understanding the offense both from a ball placement, the result being better and from. It's that, that tightrope you walk as a quarterback. And I started this thing talking about Brett Favre and, and some ways Josh Allen and It was Mahomes coming out of Texas Tech. You can't go and. And. And muzzle or. Or suppress all the greatness, so you gotta let that part flourish. Right.

[Steve Muench]

It's Caleb Williams with Chicago, but you gotta go.

[Todd McShay]

You gotta go cut out. Caleb Williams is an awesome example. Thank you.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah. Like, how do you get him to. Did. Not to not lose that ability, but, you know, raining it a little bit,

[Todd McShay]

but you gotta trim the dead. The dead leaves off the tree and. And rip out the weeds around it. So to let the beautiful part grow, but you got to get rid of the ugly parts and the. And the parts that are infecting the rest of the. The plant or the tree. Right.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

I don't know when I became a botanist.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah, this is. Yeah, I do. You know, montage of all your metaphors. That's what I want.

[Todd McShay]

But you know what I mean, like, it's a beautiful flower or tree or plant or whatever, but there's some weeds that got to get pulled, and there's some. Some dead leaves on there. Like, I'm looking at a plant in the back of my office here, and that's not why it came to mind, but I'm staring at him like, yeah, you got.

[Steve Muench]

It's like usual suspects. Your entire pod is about what you're seeing behind the camera.

[Todd McShay]

And then I might. My limp will turn into a full Kevin Spacey walk. Yeah.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

So that's where I am with Levitt, and I think it's. I knew it was going to be fun, and I've watched a lot of Sam Levitt, but drilling down. After drilling down all these. The seven other quarterbacks. He's the eighth quarterback I've watched now. I'm most excited about what that's going to look like in Baton Rouge this fall. I really.

[Steve Muench]

I get that. I get that.

[Todd McShay]

I really am.

[Steve Muench]

I think that's a fair story.

[Todd McShay]

I think it's got a chance to be the. I think it's got a chance to be the story of College football in 2026. Sam Levitt, Lane. Lane Kiffin in LSU, first year together, first year for. For both of them in Baton Rouge. All the expectations, all the hype, and they just kind of put the blinders on. And if. If Kiffin can do for Levitt what he has done historically with quarterbacks in a short period of time, it's got a chance to be the story in college football. All right, this is the part that I love.

[Steve Muench]

Mm.

[Todd McShay]

How does it transition to the NFL? Do you have concerns. Is there a clear Vision. Let's talk about Sam Levitt first. When you talk about transitioning his game to the NFL, what do you see?

[Steve Muench]

I don't. I see a guy that needs to maybe sit behind someone for a little bit and get a better feel for coverages and some of his. His. His footwork and cleaning that all up. He's not. I am excited about what he can do when he gets on the field and he can make plays. Maybe not play behind someone. You know what that's like. That's bullshit. No one does that anymore. I see a guy who's going to go through some growing pains early on, let's put it that way. I think it's going to take him a minute that he could be a better quarterback than Mensa in year four, but let's put it this way. He could be a better quarterback than Mensa in year four, but I think Mensah will be a better quarterback in those first three seasons because he's better. He's more ready to make the jump.

[Todd McShay]

I. I'm like you. I. I tried it as best I can to guard against the. If he sits for the first year and he has a Mahomes like situation because it doesn't really. That was kind of a unicorn situation, especially in today's game and especially if he's the first round pick. But lump that in with Josh Allen. Some of the early like run utilizing running ability. Jalen Hurts, who had some time to. To get to before he became the guy.

[Steve Muench]

I see some Baker Mayfield here by the way.

[Todd McShay]

Is that crazy Baker didn't. Baker's weirdly mobile because he's kind of slow.

[Steve Muench]

He's not that. Yeah, right. He's not that kind of an. It's just I see some like this almost the swagger, the, the competitiveness, the arm talent. Like it. It's not. It's not perfect but I just see a little bit of it there.

[Todd McShay]

You know who I see and I'm interested to see what year two looks like as I'm watching social media and jumping out of boats and throwing the boats and all that stuff. And, and in his model girlfriend and, and all the in scatter boo and all. Yeah. But I'm very interested to see my guy Jackson Dart.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

From year one to year two. But I could see a year one that looks a little bit like for Sam Levitt, a little bit like Jackson Dart where Don't hate it. Moments of brilliance. You see all the ability. The fan base is pumped.

[Steve Muench]

This is sky we got to buy into. Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

But keen observers of the quarterback position are like, yeah, the running stuff, some of the off schedule stuff was brilliant. But we, we all know those of us who like, really study this. There's got to be a serious progression as a pocket passer. Understanding defense is getting the ball out. And he needs, and he needs a healthy, like neighbors, he needs better protection, all those sorts of things. I could see that kind of. All right, he comes in five, six games in the rookie season. Five, six games into it or whatever it is. Four games, 10 games, whatever it is. And he has flashes of brilliance. But we're all like cautiously optimistic about year two.

[Steve Muench]

Right? Right.

[Todd McShay]

And I guess I didn't even think about the parallel with, with Lane Kiffin, with Jackson dart, but that even makes it more.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah, it's there.

[Todd McShay]

What about, what about Mensa? What, what do you see for him?

[Steve Muench]

He again, ceiling, not as high. I think he could be a starter from day one and everyone's going to go through the growing pains. I should say that too. But I think he can be a franchise quarterback as a rookie. I think he's got that kind of skill set. When you look at enough arm talent, enough mobility, and then you add the brain and the accuracy. I mean, he's a guy that I think is going to hit the ground running in the NFL, especially if the momentum continues to go the way that it's gone. I think momentum is important for these quarterbacks. That's why we talk about their supporting cast and how it might go. If the momentum continues to go the way it's been going over the last two seasons, watch out. I think he's going to be an early, early pick and I think he's going to make, he's going to make some waves early on.

[Todd McShay]

Do you think C.J. stroud's rookie year is completely out of the question?

[Steve Muench]

No, I don't. I don't.

[Todd McShay]

I don't either. I'm not saying it will be, but I don't think they're totally dissimilar. I think, I think it's a better comp for, for Dante Moore if we had to go the comp route. Yeah, I think, I think there's more mobility in his game as we both kind of. It was. Some light was shed on it, you know, but I think there's this confidence about him where I don't think anything's going to be too big for him. I think he's so mature and so skilled as a passer. But I, but we need to see it now at Miami, right We need to see a. That next step. And I'm expecting it. I'm going to be honest. I'm kind of expecting it. I really am.

[Steve Muench]

I am too. I mean, why wouldn't we? Based on what's happened there in the last two seasons? I mean, what you. You already said it. I mean, they resurrected Carson Beck's career and they turned Cam or into a first overall pick. I have very high expectations and I, again, I expect him to meet them.

[Todd McShay]

I'm just going through some starters in the league where. What are the other comps with Mensa, you know, like, I'm literally going through every single start. Michael Penix. Yeah. Side. Yeah. Bryce Young.

[Steve Muench]

No. No, I don't love that one. Put me on the spot. And as you well know, I'm really effective when you do this. Brock.

[Todd McShay]

Brock Purdy I like more.

[Steve Muench]

I think he's more talented than Purdy. I excel under pressure.

[Todd McShay]

I'm actually now.

[Steve Muench]

Now that I got. You just want to keep playing. Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

The best of Geno Smith. Not a horrible one, man.

[Steve Muench]

I don't hate the Gino one, actually.

[Todd McShay]

I don't either.

[Steve Muench]

That one kind of pops out a little bit.

[Todd McShay]

Think about Gino. Good years, Seattle.

[Steve Muench]

Like the. The best of, though. I think the best of. Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

Of what? What are Hopeful, not hopeful. I hate the word hopeful. What our projection is if things continue to develop on this. The way he's tracking. I can see that. Yeah. I think that gives a clear path of what. What it could be if things go the way we think it's going to go in Miami. Build confidence. Like enter the league. Got it. Two years at Tulane, a year at Duke, a year at Miami. Mature. Figured out a lot of different things. Gone through different coordinators, systems, all that. He's kind of ready, you know, from a college to the NFL standpoint. All right, let's do it. This one could be fun.

[Steve Muench]

This is gonna be interesting.

[Todd McShay]

Grades. We're stacking these dudes. Let me give you. I'm gonna give you an overview. If you're. If you're listening and watching and scumbags, get your pens and paper out. We got Dante at around a 94ish, the highest grade.

[Steve Muench]

Yep.

[Todd McShay]

We've got sellers at a 93ish. Some projection there. And I say. Sorry, I say ish because A, it's. It's July. B, B, mention I. For the purposes of this drill, as we. As we do. As we get closer to the draft in April, try to find a middle ground. Right. And then. And then we come on the show and we talk about, well, I'm higher on this guy and you're a little lower. We've kind of met in the middle. Or like, I won that battle. Men's won that battle. I like, right. I give up.

[Steve Muench]

Fine.

[Todd McShay]

If I take your. Take your offensive tackle and give them a 92, I got an 89. But I'm just. I can't fight.

[Steve Muench]

It's called building the board for a reason. It's not the board has been built. It's building the board.

[Todd McShay]

We are in the process of building the board. Right. And EA Sports is no different, man. Like, I've, I've seen every, every game I've gone to, I see EA Sports like scouts out there. They're like digging in. I love that. I love this partnership with EA Sports, man. I get kids up upstairs at AJ and, and, and Tate who are literally like, hey, can we get the bundle? Can we get the bundle? Let's go. Let's go.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah. Get a week early, right? Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

So what I'm dying to know the. I'm not dying to know the arm strength on. On sellers. Like they're like, they're dialed in and I'm kind of bumped to get up there and beat their ass too. The, the old man. You can nitpick.

[Steve Muench]

You can nitpick the ratings too. Of. I love that where I'm like, oh, they got this one right. When they agree with me on a guy that no one else agree with me on. And then when it's a guy. Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

What are you talking about? That's the best part. It's. It's conversation starters.

[Steve Muench]

But.

[Todd McShay]

But even like Talking to Eric DaCosta, the GM of the. Of the Baltimore Ravens, they use them, man. By the way, an organization that has as good a track. Track record as anyone in the NFL at drafted. They. They pumped that into that 123 ingredient cocktail to create mix into their mix. So I think it's a perfect part. You talk about all the partnerships and FanDuel is like, they're the best that we've loved every minute. But like EA Sports, as we're building our board and talking about all these traits, like, it couldn't be a better partnership for this summer. And we're thrilled to have them on. So Dante at around a 94. Sellers at the number two quarterback spot around in 93. Then we've got Carr and Arch. We'll call it a 91. I kind of lumped them together. Very different quarterbacks. But C.J. carr, Notre Dame and Arch Manning from Texas are kind of right in that next spot. Call it number three, tied, whatever you want. Then we've got Saying and Sorsby a notch below. Recognizing Sorsby. If he was playing this year at Texas Tech and had an opportunity to build off of those incredible traits, not saying the grade would be higher this year. We'd feel a lot better that the grade would be higher going into 20, the 2027 draft next April. But we ain't going to see him probably until like, highly likely until the Senior Bowl. Maybe it's the east, west shrine the week before if he decides he's going to play in multiple. But I told you they've already invited him. Drew Fabian told me we invited him. And the. The response from. From SourceBees camp is we fully expect him to be in Mobile next year. And it's kind of what everyone's got their eyesight set on in terms of when we're going to see swords be next. So Dante Sellers, Car, Arch saying Swordsby.

[Steve Muench]

Yep.

[Todd McShay]

Let's go. Mensa first. Where are you plugging him in for you?

[Steve Muench]

Yeah, I gave him a 90. I think he's in the same bucket as Arch and C.J. carr, but I gave him a 90. I think those guys are slightly ahead of him. I struggled with that, but I think they're in the same bucket. If you want to go 90 or 91, that's fine by me. But that's what. That's where I. That's what I'm giving him. I got to get better about this, man. We're in the present. It's not done and dusted. Like, the hay is not in the barn. I keep saying, like, it's a done deal. I am giving him a 90 right now.

[Todd McShay]

I'm the same. I almost think we could have Dante at 95. So we can. We can argue the actual grades.

[Steve Muench]

We'll get it sorted.

[Todd McShay]

We're gonna do. If it's Dante and then. And then Sellers and then Arch and Carr, I'm putting Mensa just behind those two. But, like, they're like, it's pretty cool this early in the process to feel really strongly like this. We're supposed to be just sending flights up in the air. Air traffic control, you're. You're headed to Boston, you're headed to la. We'll sort it all out later. I feel like we're way further. Like, I'm already talking about, like, when we're gonna ETA on landing altitude, all that stuff, so. But I've got Mensa as exactly as you do on, just on like the tail of those two. But I'm going to put him right now just a notch below arching car. Where do you got Levitt?

[Steve Muench]

You go first. I want to hear this. I want to re. I want to have an honest reaction to what you, what you've done here.

[Todd McShay]

I've got Levitt as the third best quarterback in this class and I've got him as a 99, between a 93 and a 92 grade. I've got him ahead of CJ Carr who I just told you I'm absolutely in love with and I've got him slightly ahead of Arch Manning who you know, I'm absolutely in love with. And I want everyone to understand this. I honestly think there's a path that Arch could be the first quarterback drafted in April. So don't get any of this twisted. We just happen to have the best quarterback class potentially. If all these guys have the year we expect them to have and they all come out for the 2027 class, this could be the best quarterback class in the history of the NFL draft. And I've been, I've been tiptoeing around that for a while because we built up, we overhyped what last year could be and so I'm cautious about it. But it like I've never been in July this excited about a group, a group of guys. And Even the year 2024, we knew about Caleb, we knew about Drake, we were hopeful Jaden would take another step. Didn't know he was going to have the year that he had. And my, like if you were scouting off of one year, Jaden was the best quarterback in that class and his rookie year was the best quarterback of that class. But you can now see why all three of those guys were 1, 2, 3 off the board. And we didn't know Penix was going to wind up being Michael Penix getting drafted where he didn't. Let's see if that winds up being the right call. Bo Nix. We didn't know that he was going to, you know, have take another step under Will Stein at Oregon in his final year and be the 12th pick and JJ McCarthy like, yeah, it's kind of a mess right now in Minnesota, we get it but win a national championship and play, you know, the things that he did. So we didn't know going into that year about the other three is the point I'm trying to make that they would be. And we didn't even know Jaden would be in the mix in the Top three. I'm going into this year being like, if all these guys play the way anywhere close to the way we think, and all these guys for the 20, 27 class, I. I don't. There isn't a comp 83, I guess, if you want.

[Steve Muench]

But.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah, but I'm saying all that to say. Or you look and you say, well, you've got. You got Arch and Car tied for fourth behind Dante and Sellers. But I'm also saying, like, they're all within, like two, like, striking distance. Yeah. Like 95 to 92 or 94 to 91. Like, they're all right there. They're all legit first round grades. And I also want to say this. We've done eight quarterbacks. You've done eight quarterbacks. And Sorsby is the biggest wild card because there's a lot of shit to get through the gambling, the addiction. Is the league going to suspend him? Is there more stuff in his pass? How's he going to look in January? All those things. But from a talent perspective, I would lump him in here, too. All eight of these guys to me in a given draft year are top 50 prospects. So here's.

[Steve Muench]

Here's what I'll say to you. And I feel like you're stalling because you know what's coming down the pipe right now. I want to be careful about how I say this because I agree with a lot of what you're saying, and I am very excited to watch Sam Levitt this year. And again, I see the world, I see the path, I see the universe where what you're saying comes true. But I want to apologize to my mother right now, and I want to apologize to your aunt, and I want to apologize to any of the young listeners out there. And I mean, with all due respect, McShay, get the fuck out of here with that grade. I cannot understand how you can have him that high. I just can't. Not yet. If you want to talk to me in three or four months when he's doing these things and we're starting to see this happen, I get it. He is at best, I think, the seventh best quarterback that we've watched on tape. I really believe that.

[Todd McShay]

Can he do different things? Yes.

[Steve Muench]

I watched that Mississippi State, to let people behind the curtain a little bit here in a normal year before, I say, thankfully dragged me on this podcast and put me in front of a camera and made me put things out there. Now, I would have called you and said, I don't think we should have Levitt on our board because the stock is too volatile. It could be here, it could be there. It's going to be up and down.

[Todd McShay]

It's going to be a roller coaster.

[Steve Muench]

He's got more eligibility. Let's not keep him on the board right now because it's a no win. It's a no win for the player if we put him too high or too low. And it's a no win for us if we put him too high or too low. I do not see a guy who would be the third best quarterback in the. In a historic quarterback class right now. And because I don't see it right now, how can you put them ahead of guys who have played better, who have talent? I just, I don't get it. I am, I understand it. I don't want to seem like I don't like Sam Levitt or I don't have a high opinion of what Lane Kiffin can do, but man, are we getting ahead of ourselves that we put in that high.

[Todd McShay]

I haven't laid my eyes on you this summer. You've been up in New Hampshire. I know you're getting ready to go to Montana. I want a welfare check on you.

[Steve Muench]

What do you mean?

[Todd McShay]

It's got Sam Levitz. Like Sam Levitt is a special, special talent. Isn't it our job to get ahead of this art?

[Steve Muench]

So Arch Manning a special talent?

[Todd McShay]

Yeah, but not near like. Yeah, but has really. I see he's. He's a big 6 foot 4, 230 pound athlete who has unbelievable acceleration. I, I trust Sam Levitt to make more special plays. Flicking the wrist, extending like he does things that Arch can't do. He's got this loose arm about him where he.

[Steve Muench]

I don't again, I don't. I got a lot of the things.

[Todd McShay]

I got burnt on Mahomes. I was too low on Mahomes, I feel like. And I'm not over correcting. This is more like a decade or so later. I'm. I can't ignore unique, unique traits. This cat. This cat's got him. I can't wait for November. Hey, Tucker. I'm speaking to you directly, my friend. Please clip this shit. It, Please clip it. Because in November, it's going to be a miserable month for Steve Mensch.

[Steve Muench]

No, it's not.

[Todd McShay]

You just wait. You just wait.

[Steve Muench]

Why?

[Todd McShay]

I'm gonna make it. I'm going to be insufferable.

[Steve Muench]

How? Because it's like.

[Todd McShay]

How do you not see this?

[Steve Muench]

I do see it. I do. This is what you. This is. You're you're trying to change the argument here. I do see it, but he hasn't done it.

[Todd McShay]

If you can put that kind of

[Steve Muench]

weight on

[Todd McShay]

how it feels like, you're

[Steve Muench]

a walking seller's tape is, I don't know, five times better.

[Todd McShay]

Oh, you're kidding me.

[Steve Muench]

He completed 45% of his passes against Mississippi State.

[Todd McShay]

I got kids. 45. I, I finally have a couple hours free in the McShay house.

[Steve Muench]

40.

[Todd McShay]

Beautiful. I'm a new, I'm a newlywed. I would much rather go hang out with Marissa right now in a quiet home with the air conditioning is working because the heat waves over. I would much rather go hang out with her than do this shit with you.

[Steve Muench]

Like, honestly,

[Todd McShay]

how do you think, how do you not, how do you not see this?

[Steve Muench]

How do I, how do his did. His did. His tape isn't better than Sellers.

[Todd McShay]

I'm not saying it's better. I didn't give him a better grade. I'm saying that he's in the neighborhood of that everything that Sellers can do, he can do.

[Steve Muench]

Okay, so do you want me to start looking at.

[Todd McShay]

It's hard, it's hard to do this game. You want, you want me to start picking out some, some of the Sellers games?

[Steve Muench]

Just go for it, Go for it. Give me a performance that was that bad.

[Todd McShay]

Virginia Tech wasn't the prettiest thing I've ever seen.

[Steve Muench]

It wasn't. He still made more plays in that game than, than, than maybe Levitt made in, in two or three games this year.

[Todd McShay]

How about the second half of Texas A M when he bit it?

[Steve Muench]

How about I get it 45 against a shitty Mississippi State defense? Is that, Is Mississippi State in that defense better than Texas A and M defense?

[Todd McShay]

How about that wide open slant that he, that he air mails it?

[Steve Muench]

Go for it.

[Todd McShay]

Third and seven. The team needs them. They're on their 48. The game falling apart.

[Steve Muench]

I will just throw on the Mississippi State team if I'm in the same room as you. I'm just throwing on that tape and letting it roll. It's not good. It's not good. Okay.

[Todd McShay]

I can't. I'm telling you, I'm texting Lane the second we get off of this. And I'm like, we good? Because I now, now, now I'm. Now I'm in this. Now I'm a, like I'm Sam Levitt's agent basically because, yeah, I know.

[Steve Muench]

I kind of like this. I kind of like you're that guy. And listen, I, I, I, again, I cannot Say this over again and maybe you can't have your cake and eat it. I screw that. I get the path. I just cannot put enough weight on that. On Lane. Kiffin's just going to do what he does and same. Levitt's going to stay healthy and he's just going to unlock all the talented.

[Todd McShay]

I'm just like, oh, Lane's so good. He's going to fix all. No, I'm saying I. I actually see what the issues are with him, and I know. And he couldn't be going to a better. A better person, teacher, coach, developer than Lane for those specific things that he needs to work on. If Jackson Dart can become Jackson Dart. Sam Levitt's more gifted than Jackson Dart. Jackson Dart doesn't throw the deep ball very well and doesn't have this. The energy that he has. Jackson Dart's a really mobile quarterback and has a, you know, all the. We spent a whole year me glazing Jackson Dart. Right.

[Steve Muench]

Yes.

[Todd McShay]

Sam Levitt's more gifted. Sam Lovett's more gifted than Chambless.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

So get out of here with that.

[Steve Muench]

All right.

[Todd McShay]

We'll see. Time will tell.

[Steve Muench]

We'll see. Yep. This is a good one. This was fun one.

[Todd McShay]

Yeah. I'm pissed now, though.

[Steve Muench]

I know you will. You love to draw these, like, sharp contrast now. It's gonna be like that. I hated Sam Levitt the whole time. I love that.

[Todd McShay]

Oh, yeah.

[Steve Muench]

You're gonna try and do that for

[Todd McShay]

the rest of this. Say something positive about Sam Le. I'm going to have it clipped. Of Utopia because I think he should be.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah.

[Todd McShay]

Mississippi State. Yep, Mississippi State. Does LSU play Mississippi State this year? I hope they do.

[Steve Muench]

No, but they do play Ole Miss early. Listen, man, it's. It's not an easy start for them.

[Todd McShay]

I want that game.

[Steve Muench]

Yeah, that would be a good one to go to.

[Todd McShay]

I want to Clemson.

[Steve Muench]

They open with.

[Todd McShay]

They open with Clemson, though, at lsu, right?

[Steve Muench]

Yes.

[Todd McShay]

I'd like to be there, too.

[Steve Muench]

All right. You'd like to be at all of them?

[Todd McShay]

I would. I would. Two stars.

[Steve Muench]

Thanks, man. I appreciate it. You know what? I'm fine with that.

[Todd McShay]

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