The Browns are as rudderless as ever at the game’s most important position, and the long-term starter likely plays his games on Saturdays this season. Arguably, the most important thing the Browns can do this season isn’t even on the field, but instead identifying and positioning themselves to select their future QB1 in the 2027 draft.
Therefore, the CleBrowns Blog will be watching and charting every power five (we respect the PAC-12 here) game each of the top quarterback prospects plays this season. The list will undoubtedly grow and shrink as draft-eligible QBs ball out or struggle to the point that it’s unlikely they declare. As of week one of the college football season, the following quarterbacks are on “The List” in no particular order:
- Arch Manning
- Dante Moore
- CJ Carr
- Lanorris Sellers
- Drew Mestemaker
- Jayden Maiava
- Darian Mensah
- Sam Leavitt
- Nico Iamaleava
- Julian Sayin
- Trinidad Chambliss
- John Mateer
- Drake Lindsey
The System
In every week that each of the above quarterbacks faces off against a power five opponent, we’ll be watching every snap and assigning a grade to each play that is not a handoff or pop pass (i.e., all plays requiring some level of post-snap decision making from the quarterback). Plays will be assigned a grade between zero and five according to the following system.
| Score | Adjective | Description |
| 0 | Poor | The throw was not only off-target or poorly executed but also failed to handle basic defensive pressure or simple throws. It resulted in a significant negative outcome, like an interception or a substantial loss of yardage. |
| 1 | Below Average | The throw was inaccurate or poorly timed, even on relatively straightforward attempts. It may have been off-target or lacked the necessary velocity or precision, leading to a failed attempt or incomplete pass. |
| 2 | Average | The throw was on-target and accurate for a standard difficulty level but did not demonstrate any exceptional skill or decision-making. It was a basic completion that did not face significant defensive pressure or complex situations. |
| 3 | Good | The throw was well-executed under moderate difficulty. It was accurate and well-timed, demonstrating good decision-making and skill. This could include throws with some defensive pressure or requiring good placement. |
| 4 | Impressive | The throw was executed with notable skill under higher difficulty, such as facing strong defensive pressure or requiring exceptional placement. It was a key completion that showcased advanced quarterback skills and had a significant positive impact on the game. |
| 5 | Exceptional | The throw was outstanding under the highest difficulty, such as making a perfect pass under intense pressure or executing a high-precision throw across the field. It demonstrated elite quarterback ability, with perfect accuracy, timing, and poise, making a substantial positive impact on the game. |
We then take the average score (add up all of the individual scores and divide by the number of plays), run it through our algorithm, and record the final score for the week. An average score hovers around 50, with anything above 70 being noteworthy. We’ll also be counting zeros and fives to provide a clearer picture of who puts the ball in harms way the most frequently and who is making magic happen on the field.
We’ll be grading all the games and releasing our summary chart each week, so be sure to check in on The List all season long as the Browns never-ending search for a quarterback hopefully comes to a close.
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