The McShay Show – Episode Summary

Podcast: The McShay Show
Host: Todd McShay (w/ co-host)
Producer: The Ringer
Episode: Todd’s 2026 Draft QB Tiers: The Names You Need to Know This College Football Season
Date: August 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is an in-depth preseason breakdown of the top quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. Todd McShay unveils his three-tier ranking system for QBs, blending his NFL talent evaluation experience with the latest preseason insights. The discussion aims to help fans and draft enthusiasts know which QBs to watch as the college season heats up, and provides a transparent look at McShay’s evaluative process before the games begin.

Episode Breakdown & Key Insights

1. Podcast Updates and Structure

[02:03-05:13]

• The show is switching to three times a week during college football season (Monday, Wednesday, Friday).
• Announcement of their first live show in Chicago on September 10 at Lincoln Hall.
• Encouragement for fans to subscribe, comment, and support via YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and The McShay Report newsletter.

2. The 2026 QB Draft Class: Overview & Tier Philosophy

[05:54-11:28]

• McShay explains his pre-season QB tier process:
  • Transparency about not being overly granular or definitive in August; NFL teams "aren’t tiering guys at this stage either."
  • Tiers are meant to clump prospects for preseason consumption, not final grades.
  • Three tiers:
    • Tier 1: QBs McShay feels confident are round-one talents, barring major regression.
    • Tier 2: Guys with legitimate first-round potential, but still require improvement or more tape.
    • Tier 3: Top-100/tier-two-day prospects who could vault way up with great years.

Notable Quote

"I always said I want to be transparent and I want our content to mirror what we're doing, right in terms of the process... I just kind of wanted to get this information out there because it's what I'm going back and forth with a lot of people on."
— Todd McShay [05:56]

3. Quarterback Class Depth & Comparison to Historic Years

[11:28-14:03]

• McShay notes unusual depth: “This is an exciting year in college football and it's just exciting for the future and depth of talent in the NFL at that position, the most important position in sports.”
• Discussion of recent standout classes (2023 with Daniels, Williams, Maye, etc.), and how these projections often change "even weeks before the draft."
• Rattles off a slew of QBs outside the top nine who could have breakout years, underlining the unpredictable nature of QB rises (e.g., Cam Ward, Jaden Daniels).

4. Tier 1 QBs: Klubnik, Nussmeier, Sellers

[14:03-40:15]

A. Cade Klubnik, Clemson

• Why #1: Best blend of traits, arm talent, poise, pocket instincts, and upward trajectory.
• Key Attributes: Arm strength, mobility, improved refinement, leadership.
• Development Point: Needs to improve deep-ball accuracy, anticipation/timing—especially as younger receivers improve alongside him.
• Notable Analysis:

  "Momentum and confidence are more important to the quarterback position than any other position maybe in sports. And I think [Klubnik] is poised to... have a monster 2025."
  — Co-host [19:06]

B. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

• Why Tier 1: Polished, confident, quick on timing and anticipation, but questions about physical upside, size, and decision-making (INTs).
• Health: Knee tendinitis a preseason concern.
• Play Style: "Baker Mayfield, man, when he's rolling... urgency, confidence, a knack."
• Locker Room Presence: "You want to be around Nuss. The gamer... he brings everybody together." [27:49]

C. Lenore Sellers, South Carolina

• Why Tier 1: Elite special trait—mobility and playmaking—rare in this class; flashes improvement as a passer.
• Developmental Need: Still raw in the pocket, but similar arc to Hurts/Allen/Jackson types, who didn’t enter NFL fully polished.
• Debate: Both hosts believe a second college season might best serve him, but he’s still a clear candidate if he declares.
• Co-host’s Hot Take: "I take Sellers ceiling over where Nussmeier's ceiling... I have Sellers right next to Klubnik." [38:40]

5. Tier 2 QBs: Mendoza, Levitt, Aller

[40:15-52:21]

A. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (ex-Cal)

• Impressive arm talent, mobility, accuracy on the move.
• Key knock: "Too many turnover-worthy plays last season. Patience, decision-making, and ball security need to improve." [49:13]

B. Sam Levitt, Arizona State

• "Jared Goff/JJ McCarthy" type: "He’s the sneaky guy in this group... I think scouts fall in love with him as process continues."
• Pro-style play-action game, competitive, could surge up boards late.

C. Drew Aller, Penn State

• Massive bodied (6'5", 238 or so), competitive, processes field quickly, but complex evaluation.
• Flashes: "Sees the entire field... an easy stroke and a ton of energy on the ball." [44:17]
• Concerns: Footwork inconsistency, heavy feet, erratic accuracy, and questionable play vs. NFL-speed pass rushers or in big games.
• Supporting cast limitations possibly confounding his traits.
• Notable quote (on his odd pattern of missing toward sidelines):

  "I don't remember a single quarterback I've ever evaluated at this level where I'm like, there's some kind of visualization problem." — Todd McShay [45:57]

6. Tier 3 QBs: Mattier, Beck, Robertson

[52:21-67:17]

A. John Mattier, Oklahoma (ex-Washington State)

• Mayhem style, "Mahomes/Baker/Kyler/Manziel mold."
• Chose a one-year "prove it" SEC run with Oklahoma's brutal schedule: "If he performs... no way this guy gets out of the second round, probably plays into the first." [53:22]
• Notable quote:

  "It takes that kind of crazed lunatic to sign up for this, right? ... He's going straight into the lion's den." [54:42]

B. Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

• Under-the-radar, natural playmaker. Impressed at the Manning Camp for both mobility and on-the-move accuracy.
• Compared to past late-rising, toolsy QBs like Carson Wentz & Jordan Love.

C. Carson Beck, Miami (from Georgia)

• Strategic transfer out of SEC “madness” to Miami for a fresh narrative and improved offensive fit.
• Notable take: "It’s amazing what one year can do to force people to look at you very differently... If Beck puts up big numbers, the storyline shifts to ‘Can Miami unlock QBs the way Georgia can’t?’" [64:42]
• Miami schedule (Notre Dame, Florida, SMU stand out) is "much more manageable," but enough big games for draft stock.
• Understated by the move: "Every report is, man, this guy's... a leader, shining at Miami." [63:49]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the reality of preseason QB grading:

  "No NFL team... None of the 32 teams are tier-ranking anybody at this point." — Todd McShay [05:56]

• Comparing Class Depth:

  "This is an exciting year in college football and it's just exciting for the continued future and depth of talent in the NFL at that position, the most important position in sports." — Todd McShay [14:03]

• On Mattier betting on himself at Oklahoma:

  "By signing up for this [SEC schedule] ... It's like a free agent, one-year, bet-on-myself deal ... straight into the lion's den." — Todd McShay [54:42]

• On how fast perceptions can change (re: Beck):

  "It’s amazing what one year can do to rehabilitate a reputation and to force people to look at you very differently." — Todd McShay [64:42]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Episode/Show Structure, Announcements, and Support: 02:03–05:13
• QB Tiering Philosophy & Explanation: 05:54–11:28
• Tier 1 Deep Dive (Klubnik, Nussmeier, Sellers): 14:03–40:15
• Tier 2 Deep Dive (Mendoza, Levitt, Aller): 40:15–52:21
• Tier 3 Deep Dive (Mattier, Beck, Robertson): 52:21–67:17

Summary & Takeaways

• Watchlist: Klubnik, Nussmeier, Sellers are preseason favorites with clear, distinct strengths. Sellers offers the highest upside; Klubnik is most complete right now.
• Tier 2: Mendoza, Levitt, and Aller could break into the first round with improvement—Aller is a lightning rod for debate.
• Tier 3: Mattier has the highest volatility ("lion’s den" schedule at Oklahoma), but a monster year could make him the draft’s story. Carson Beck’s strategic Miami move is one to track.

McShay and co-host deliver both immediate takes and thematic reminders: The preseason tiering is just a snapshot, not a verdict. There is always fluidity—first-rounders can come from unexpected places, and perceived stars can fall.

For continued analysis, game day reactions, and deep dives into all developing NFL draft stories, subscribe and follow The McShay Show on all platforms.