Brian Kelly Tabs Fernando Mendoza as Top NFL QB Prospect in 2026 Draft

As the 2026 NFL Draft unfolds, one of the more interesting voices weighing in on this year's quarterback class is Brian Kelly, who has tabbed Fernando Mendoza as his top NFL QB prospect heading into the professional ranks.

Kelly, a veteran coach with decades of experience evaluating talent at the college level, released his position-by-position breakdown of the 2026 draft class, and Mendoza landed at the top of the quarterback rankings. Mendoza, who put together a standout college season, is projected to bring a combination of arm talent and field leadership that Kelly believes will translate well to the next level.

Beyond Mendoza, Kelly's draft board features several other notable names. Running back Jeremiyah Love draws high marks for his explosiveness and versatility. Wide receiver Carnell Tate is highlighted for his route-running precision and ability to create separation. On the defensive side, Mansoor Delane stands out in the secondary, and Caleb Downs — already one of the most talked-about defensive prospects in recent memory — reinforces what looks like a strong class on that side of the ball.

The 2026 draft class has been described by evaluators as deep at several positions, though opinions vary on whether it features a true franchise-changing quarterback. Kelly's endorsement of Mendoza adds a data point to that debate, particularly given Kelly's track record of developing college quarterbacks into NFL-ready passers.

What This Means For You: If you're an NFL fan or a fantasy football player, keep Fernando Mendoza's name on your radar — he could be starting sooner rather than later depending on where he lands. Kelly's full list also gives you a roadmap for which prospects might make the biggest rookie impact, from Love out of the backfield to Downs anchoring a defense.