Caulfield-bound Closer To Free faces no penalty from trainer Danny O’Brien for his novice status ahead of Victoria’s elite two-year-old showdown.
His qualification for Saturday’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield stemmed from a debut romp in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) held on February 7.
Prior to that, O’Brien snapped up the colt post a Caulfield Heath barrier trial conquest nine days earlier under Adrian Corboy’s watch.
Post-debut, Closer To Free has shown further maturation, leaving O’Brien relaxed about the colt’s sophomore appearance on Saturday.
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Devil Night mirrored this path last year, capturing the Blue Diamond on his second start following a Prelude second two weeks prior.
“The narrative around his trial was that he was wound up, but Adrian told me he was three or four weeks behind with him because he got cast in his box over Christmas and he missed a couple of weeks work,” O’Brien said.
“When he came to the trials here, he said there was a lot of improvement in the horse and when I saw him in the yard before the Prelude I thought ‘he’s right, you might need another gallop’, but he came out of it really well and will be finding a couple of lengths on Saturday on top of what he’s already shown.”
Saturday’s race poses no issue for O’Brien due to Closer To Free’s light resume.
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“The profile of these two-year-old races has changed over the last 15 or 20 years,” O’Brien said.
“The two-year-olds are not having as many starts as they used to before Christmas and ultimately, they get one or two post-Christmas before running in the Blue Diamond and even the Golden Slipper.
“I don’t think that is a disadvantage. I know when Star Witness won it, it was only his third race start, one start in December, one start in January, and then into to the Diamond.”
Discussing Australia’s breeding evolution, O’Brien notes a departure from rushing juveniles to the track.
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“When I first started in racing, there probably wasn’t the number of shuttle stallions standing,” O’Brien said.
“It was more the colonials, they were a bit hardier, a bit more get up get going early, whereas nearly every stallion in Australia now has some form of shuttle blood.
“There has been a gradual shift, so I don’t think there is any disadvantage and he has been very well educated and we can thank Adrian for that.
“He’s got a very natural brain and there will be no horse that will handle the parade better than him.
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“He’s so relaxed.”
Discover leading betting sites offering racing odds for the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho made his return for Celtic in a tough night for the Scottish side, who suffered a 4-1 home defeat to VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League.
Iheanacho came on as a substitute in the 71st minute, marking his first appearance since early February. He had missed several league matches due to fitness issues, but his return was highly anticipated by fans.
Celtic started well when Benjamin Nygren equalised shortly after Stuttgart’s opening goal from Bilal El Khannouss. However, Stuttgart soon regained control, with El Khannouss heading in a second goal and Jamie Leweling adding a third after the break. Tiago Tomas completed the scoring, giving Stuttgart a comfortable first-leg lead.
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Iheanacho joined Celtic last summer on a free transfer, bringing experience from his time at Manchester City. Injuries have limited his impact so far, with just a handful of league appearances this season.
Despite the loss, Iheanacho’s return offers hope that he can regain full fitness and help Celtic in the coming weeks as they aim to recover in the Europa League and domestic competitions.
Man Utd’s decision-makers have considered arranging a mid-season friendly abroad.
Michael Carrick has confirmed Manchester United are still considering arranging a mid-season friendly abroad. United crashed out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup at the first hurdle this season.
Failure to secure European football this season has contributed to United playing the fewest games in a campaign since 1914/15. United will play just 40 matches, which has led club chiefs to consider organising a mid-season friendly abroad to bank millions in revenue.
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United have an 11-day gap between games from playing Newcastle on March 4 and Aston Villa on March 15. The Reds then have a 22-day gap between playing Bournemouth on March 20 and facing Leeds on April 11, although the first weekend of that is an international break.
When asked if United could still organise a mid-season friendly, Carrick said: “It just depends on a lot of things really. I don’t think there is a black and white answer with that one. We will make a call.
“And there is an area in between where it would depend on where the game is, what it is like, what time it is, when the fixtures fall. It is not straightforward, but it is something if we need to look at we can do if it is best for the players.”
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Speaking at the start of the month, Carrick said about the prospect of a mid-season friendly abroad: “It might happen or it might not, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
United are next in action against Everton at the Hill Dickson Stadium on Monday night.
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Stephen A. Smith recently claimed late-night comedy hosts had rattled Trump and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), further adding that the hosts brought the FCC controversy on themselves. This came after late night television host Stephen Colbert claimed that CBS pulled his interview with Texas state Representative James Talarico for fear of FCC’s retaliation.
Talarico was scheuled to appear on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show on February 16, 2026. However, the interview did not air on the network and was instead uploaded on the show’s YouTube page. During the Monday episode, Colbert also explained why the interview, where he and Talarico spoke about the politician’s Democratic nomination for Senate and the recent FCC crackdown, didn’t air on CBS.
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Radio host Stephen A. Smith addressed the controvesy during the February 19 episode of Straight Shooter. He questioned why late night comedy hosts targeted only Trump and didn’t go after everybody, saying:
“This is my issue: These are brilliant late-night hosts who are comedic geniuses. Why not go after everybody? See, the problem is, everybody talked about Trump so much that it was so one-sided cause it’s clear, you know, the disgust and the vitriol he evokes and they felt for him. You’ve got to hit everybody when you’re a comedian. Nobody is supposed to be safe. No one is supposed to be spared.”
He added:
“Hell, when I go into a place, I expect them to be teasing me about my hairline… So what? That’s what comedians do. Late night stopped doing that when it came to practically everybody else but Trump… Had they spared no one, Trump and his influence over the FCC clearly exist, none of that would have been enough for them to invoke their wishes the way that they’ve tried.”
Trump previously hinted at FCC revoking the license of televison broadcasters
During the February 16 episode of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert explained why his interview with Texas state Representative James Talarico did not air in CBS. Durign his statement, the television host suggested that CBS lawyers told him they could not have the policitian on the broadcast and also supposedly prohibited Colbert from talking about the incident on the broadcast.
“He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast. Then, then I was told in some uncertain terms that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. And because my network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about this, let’s talk about this,” Colbert said.
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According to NBC News, CBS denied this claim in an emailed statement, saying that the network did not prohibit Colbert or The Late Show from airing the episode. The statement further added that the talk show was provided “legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates.”
For those uninformed, the FCC‘s equal time rule prohibits networks and radios from hosting political candidates durign the election season without giving equal airtime to the opponents. However, Colbert claimed that the rule did not apply to talk show interviews with political candidate.
Meanwhile, Brendan Carr, the chairman of Trump’s FCC, addressed the controversy during an FCC meeting meeting on February 18, saying that the media should “feel a bit ashamed for having been lied to and then run with those lies.”
This is not the first time the FCC has clashed with late night shows in recent times. In September 2025, Brendan Carr strongly condemned Jimmy Kimmel‘s comments regarding Charlie Kirk’s supposed assassin during an episode of his late-night talk show, resulting in ABC temporarily suspending the program.
At the time, Trump praised the decision and suggested that the FCC could revoke the license of broadcasters that gave him “bad publicity” saying:
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“I mean, they’re getting a license. I would think maybe their license should be taken away. It will be up to Brendan Carr. I think Brendan Carr is outstanding. He’s a patriot. He loves our country, and he’s a tough guy, so we’ll have to see.”
In July 2025, Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show was canceled by CBS due to financial pressure and the talk show’s final episode will be aired in May 2026.
For the first time, there won’t be a Canadian woman on the ski-cross podium.
Marielle Thompson, Brittany Phelan and Hannah Schmidt were all eliminated in the quarterfinals of the event on Friday in Livigno at the Milano-Cortina Olympics.
Thompson, 33, entered these Games as a strong favourite to add a third medal to her gold from 2014 and silver from 2022. She was Canada’s opening ceremony flag-bearer, alongside Mikael Kingsbury.
But lining up in the first quarterfinal, she was knocked out by top seed Daniela Maier of Germany and France’s Marielle Berger Sabbatel.
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Phelan and Schmidt then lined up next to each other in the third quarterfinal, but were taken out by Switzerland’s Franny Smith and France’s Jade Grillet Aubert.
Maier went on to capture gold while Smith took silver and Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund earned bronze.
Ski cross was introduced to the Olympic program at Vancouver 2010. The men’s ski-cross event in Italy is set for Saturday.
Meanwhile, Canada will also head home empty-handed in men’s aerials.
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Both Lewis Irving and Emile Nadeau barely missed out on the second final, finishing seventh and ninth, respectively.
Irving, 30, helped Canada win bronze in the mixed-team event four years ago in Beijing, breaking a 20-year drought in the sport. Nadeau, 22, was also competing at his second Games.
Canada’s final shot for an aerials medal will come as it attempts to return to the podium Saturday in the mixed-team event.
Palace beat rivals Brighton earlier this in February but they have failed to win a home game since November.
Speaking before Sunday’s game against Wolves, Glasner said: “I’m always realistic, and we’re not in the best moment right now. I understand, and I take responsibility for everything because I’m responsible for the whole team.
“Right now, I’m just not good enough to replace the players we sold. I’m just not good enough to integrate the new players in a way to play the same way like we did, and I’m not good enough that we can cope with the schedule we had.
“On the other side, I was good enough to play the best season ever [and] win two trophies.
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“We are playing a better Premier League season than [in] eight of the last 10 seasons. We play European football, and that is the reality.”
Glasner is the most successful manager in the club’s history having won the FA Cup last season and the Community Shield.
Palace host bottom of the table Wolves on Sunday before the second leg of their Conference League tie with Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday.
One of the MAC’s top teams will be on display Friday when the Akron Zips travel to take on the Ball State Cardinals. Akron is 21-5 (12-1 MAC), trailing only undefeated Miami (OH) in the conference standings. Ball State, meanwhile, has struggled this season and enters this matchup 8-18 overall with a 3-10 mark in the MAC. Akron is 13-11 against the spread this season, while Ball State is 9-15 ATS.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every college basketball game 10,000 times and it enters Week 15 on a sizzling 11-1 run on its top-rated over/under college basketball picks dating back to last season, and is on an 11-5 run on top-rated CBB side picks. Anyone following its college basketball betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns.
After 10,000 simulations of Ball State vs. Akron, SportsLine’s model is going Over on the total (145.5 points). Akron has hit the Over in two straight games and is 13-11 to the Over this season.
These teams met on Jan. 13, a game Akron won 87-77. That game cleared the total (152.5) as the teams combined for 164 points. This time around, the model is projecting the Over to hit again as the teams combine for 153 points.
Brian Foss displays his custom Minnesota Vikings logo prosthetic eye at the Super Fan Summit Tailgate Party, with the moment captured on Apr 25, 2025 during a gathering in Ashwaubenon that drew devoted supporters from around the league. The longtime fan stands among event attendees while sharing the distinctive accessory, offering a clear snapshot of fan creativity and team pride on a lively spring afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Kloepping-USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings are expected to explore the quarterback market after inconsistent play at the position derailed their 2025 season. While most rumors have centered around veterans and reclamation projects, a much more surprising name has quietly entered speculative league chatter.
There is no indication the Texans are actively looking to move C.J. Stroud, but his name being mentioned in broader QB speculation has naturally caught the attention of quarterback-needy teams.
NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay said on his podcast, “I’m told, don’t be surprised if in the next couple of weeks there are some big-name QBs that are going to be targeted. CJ Stroud is one of them… does he need a change of scenery? Be prepared for that.”
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It’s important to note that this is not a report that Houston is actively shopping Stroud, but rather that his name has surfaced in league speculation as teams monitor quarterback movement across the offseason.
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) greets Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers following their AFC Wild Card Round game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Stroud is coming off a disappointing season, with disastrous playoff play in which he piled up interceptions and fumbles.
But McShay isn’t the only credible name that has moved Stroud into trade talks. A couple of weeks ago, SI.com’s Albert Breer wrote, “If Stroud’s contract negotiations get sticky, or the Texans prefer to punt them to next year—while rewarding Anderson—will there be friction? Could that impact the Texans’ offseason? Might someone swoop in to see if they could pry the wildly talented 24-year-old away?”
Stroud is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, but with the fifth-year option and another year on his rookie deal, the Texans could just wait. Until he signs on the dotted line, he will remain in trade speculations.
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Breer added, “These are questions other teams have certainly asked, as Stroud’s gone through his ups and downs. Along those lines, Houston’s September signing of Davis Mills to a one-year, $7 million extension got the attention of some of those same teams. Mills, who was in Caserio’s first draft class, has started 28 games in Houston, and went 3–0 this year, while Stroud was dealing with a midseason concussion. Stay tuned on this one.”
Stroud is a fascinating player, as he looked like the real deal in his rookie season but hasn’t been nearly as sharp since.
A trade could go two ways. Either his rookie season was accurate and he’ll quickly establish himself as a franchise quarterback, or his early success was overrated and he’s not as good as everyone thought a couple of years ago. It’s a high-risk, high-reward bet,
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates running back Aaron Jones’ (33) touchdown run with head coach Kevin O’Connell during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
In the playoffs, he appeared to struggle to see the field and seemed to lack confidence. If Kevin O’Connell has shown one thing, it’s that he can infuse confidence into his passers. Sam Darnold is the prototype, but Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs, and Nick Mullens also displayed that under his tutelage. As Stroud could be the franchise quarterback the Vikings have been looking for, it would almost be malpractice not to call the Texans and check in with GM Nick Caserio to gauge Houston’s position.
Texans writer Jared Koch of SI commented on the situation, “In reality, the Texans would have to get a notably good package in return for trading Stroud to make the most sense. Stroud is still just 24 years old, on his rookie contract, and even despite his playoff woes, has more than enough time to rebound back into the franchise quarterback he was drafted to be.”
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In three seasons and 46 games in the regular season, Stroud has recorded 10,876 yards, 62 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. Also on his scorecard are more than 600 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) exits the tunnel during player introductions before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
“Of course, everything has a price, and if another team hungry for a quarterback were to offer a haul for Stroud, there might be a discussion to be had. But the more likely outcome remains that the Texans roll with their guy for at least one more season, let him play out the fourth year of his rookie deal, and re-evaluate after he has a chance to bounce back from a rough end to his third year,” Koch concluded.
Because of his rookie season and the youth he brings to the table, a realistic trade package despite the recent struggles, would like start with a couple of 1st-round picks. At this point, it’s unclear whether the Texans would even entertain trade talks, given that they need a starting quarterback, too. If they move Stroud, they have the same options the Vikings have now, including players like Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Aaron Rodgers, and Malik Willis.
Sure, he’s a long shot, but Stroud, 24, is one of the more intriguing QB options for the Minnesota Vikings.
Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has returned to first-team training at Besiktas after travelling to Nigeria to bury his father.
Ndidi’s father, Sunday Ndidi, died in a car accident in Agbor, Delta State, about three weeks ago. It was a painful period for the Nigerian international and his family.
Besiktas showed strong support for the midfielder during his time of mourning. The club paid tribute to his late father and allowed Ndidi to travel home for the funeral.
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Ndidi was seen in Delta State with his family as they laid his father to rest. After the burial, he returned to Turkey and rejoined his teammates in training.
The midfielder is now expected to focus on helping Besiktas in their upcoming matches.
World number two Jannik Sinner has dismissed concerns about his early-season form, despite suffering a surprising defeat to Jakub Mensik at the Qatar Open in Doha.
The Italian, who had been aiming to emulate rival Carlos Alcaraz by reaching the semi-finals, was ultimately ousted 7-6 (3) 2-6 6-3 by the 20-year-old Czech talent.
While Mensik delivered a stellar performance, showcasing why he is considered one of the sport’s brightest young prospects, Sinner was plagued by uncharacteristic errors, particularly from his forehand.
This unexpected loss follows his semi-final exit against Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
Thursday’s defeat marks the first time Sinner has lost a completed hard-court match to a player ranked outside the top 10 since October 2023.
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Furthermore, he had not failed to reach the final at consecutive events since the summer of 2024, underscoring the exceptionally high standard he has maintained.
Jakub Mensik stunned Sinner in Doha (REUTERS)
The 24-year-old remained philosophical post-match, acknowledging Mensik’s strong play.
“He served really well, so it was difficult to return,” Sinner stated. “It’s been a tough break in the third, a couple of mistakes. It can happen, obviously, but, at the same time, I’m a bit disappointed in how I handled these moments.”
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He added: “Every player goes through ups and downs. I’ve had two incredible years. Having a small down, it’s nothing that’s going to worry me. I know that I can play a little bit better tennis.
“In every tournament, I would like to go as far as possible, but it’s normal to go through some tough moments. I’ve had tougher ones in the past, so I know how to come back.”
Sinner will now turn his attention to the upcoming ‘Sunshine Double’ events in Indian Wells and Miami next month, where he will aim to narrow the significant ranking gap to Alcaraz, which could exceed 3,000 points by the week’s end.
Nov 28, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) looks on during the third quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
The 2026 NFL Draft is just a couple months away, and fanbases across the NFL are in heated debate over which prospects their team should add this spring.
However, one of the positions that has not been discussed as much this year is the quarterback position, particularly now that names like Dante Moore and Trinidad Chambliss are no longer in this draft class. It looks like one of the weaker draft classes we’ve seen in the past decade, but could there be a few diamonds in the rough? Let’s break down my top eight quarterbacks in this class.
It’s no surprise at this point. Fernando Mendoza is a Heisman Trophy winner and national champion for a reason. He’s the best quarterback in this draft class, and after Moore decided to return to Oregon, it’s not particularly close.
Mendoza is accurate, and he is a lights out quarterback in the red zone. He showed he can layer his throws on intermediate and deep passes throughout the 2025 campaign, and he didn’t have a single turnover worthy play on throws of fewer than 10 yards. The big area that needs to improve is his improvisation outside of the pocket. Once he is pressured, his completion percentage dropped to 51.2% this year.
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That may limit his star potential in the NFL, but it won’t be enough to take away his QB1 status at this point.
2. Ty Simpson, Alabama
Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Alabama had a pretty difficult schedule in 2025, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at Ty Simpson’s numbers. He proved that he can well against some of the toughest competition in college football. He has decent arm strength to push the ball downfield, and he can maneuver outside the pocket to make off-schedule throws.
In terms of negatives though, Simpson enters the danger zone a little too often for a player who is immediately ready to be an NFL quarterback. He has a lot of Will Levis in him, meaning he tries to make plays when he really should just get rid of the football and live to play another down. It likely will be the reason he doesn’t start during his rookie season.
3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Oct 12, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) reaches to knock the ball loose from LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
After a decent 2024 campaign, many were waiting for Garrett Nussmeier to take the next step and become a top-tier prospect heading into the draft. That never happened though. His average depth of target dropped by 2.5 yards this season, and he had just 14 big time throws compared to 26 in 2024.
Granted, Nussmeier played just nine games as he battled through injuries, so perhaps at full health he’ll feel more comfortable letting it rip like we saw in 2024. Or perhaps he is destined to be a backup like what the 2025 version of his game indicated. He did have a very solid Senior Bowl showing, so that should help his stock among NFL franchises.
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4. Drew Allar, Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) takes a snap during the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
The 2025 season was a year from hell for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and it was no different for their quarterback, Drew Allar. He was a shell of the quarterback that we had seen in 2024, and his season ended early due to a broken ankle.
That being said, if I’m being entirely honest, I can’t give up on Allar. The dude just looks like an NFL quarterback. He’s 6’5″ and 235 pounds, has a cannon for an arm, and he is a gifted athlete. If he can sure up his mechanics and take the open throws when they arrive, he can be an NFL quarterback. That is a big if though after what we saw in a limited showing this past season.
5. Luke Altmyer, Illinois
Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American Team quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) of Illinois throws during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Luke Altmyer transferred to Illinois after two seasons at Ole Miss and almost instantly helped turn around a program that had just one winning season from 2012-2022. Altmyer led the Fighting Illini to a pair of bowl wins in 2024 and 2025, and he did it by being a gunslinger with a quick trigger. He gets the ball out quick, and he isn’t afraid of trying to make a big play.
Ultimately, Altmyer plays like a Nick Mullens type who will hunt the big play at the risk of making disastrous turnovers. His NFL career could be a roller coaster ride, but don’t be surprised if there are a few fun moments.
6. Carson Beck, Miami
Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) reacts after the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
No matter where he’s been, you’ve kind of always known what you’re going to get with Carson Beck. That can be a blessing and a curse for the QB heading into the NFL draft.
Throughout college, Beck was essentially a game manager. When given time in the pocket, he makes solid decisions with the football, which allowed Miami to make the national title game this season. However, when he’s under pressure, things start to break down. He throws passes up for grabs and isn’t consistent in the middle portion of the field. That will need to be cleaned up if he ever has a chance to start in the NFL.
7. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Dec 27, 2025; Bronx, NY, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) throws the ball during the first half of the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Cade Klubnik arguably had one of the best supporting cast in college football this season with a veteran offensive line and some great receiving talent, but his numbers ended up falling flat this year. He didn’t have as many big time throws this year as he did in 2024, and he just never seemed to fully click with his receivers in terms of timing.
Like Altmyer, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Klubnik carve out a role for himself as a backup quarterback, but he doesn’t really have a “wow” trait that would propel him into starter territory.
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8. Taylen Green, Arkansas
Nov 29, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) rushes during the second quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Taylen Green is an athletic freak at 6’6″ and 235 pounds while also being extremely mobile. His 994 rushing yards ranked 8th among FBS quarterbacks this season, and he also had eight rushing touchdowns. Green makes big plays with his arm and his legs.
The problem is he holds on to the ball long enough to cause trouble for himself, and he hasn’t quite figured out a way to consistently get out of trouble when it arrives. He completed just 32 of 87 attempts when under pressure this year, and he had 12 turnover plays in 142 such drop backs. There is a lot of Anthony Richardson here without as freakish of a frame.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey
