Penn State’s Drew Allar Grabs National Spotlight as Garrett Nussmeier’s Draft Fate Leaves Tyler Shough in Limbo

Mock draft season never really ends—it just reloads. And after a wild 2025 NFL Draft that saw surprise picks like Michigan’s Mason Graham to the Browns at No. 2, the chaos has barely cooled. But already, eyes are shifting to 2026. However, the early buzz? It’s all about Penn State’s Drew Allar. Safe to say, the next big name is already making noise.

Simply put, Drew Allar is back—and he’s turning heads. The Penn State quarterback’s decision to return for another season is already paying off in hype. Here, ESPN’s Greg McElroy, a national champ himself, ranks Allar as the No. 4 QB in college football. But it doesn’t stop there. Because in Sports Illustrated’s latest mock draft, Allar takes an even bigger leap, grabbing the national spotlight with top-tier buzz.

On May 3, SI dropped its way-too-early 2026 NFL mock draft—and Penn State’s Drew Allar landed at No. 3 overall for the New York Jets. And why not? The big-armed QB led the Nittany Lions to the CFP title game and posted career highs in yards (3,327), touchdowns (24), and completion percentage. So, his stock is soaring. But surprisingly, in SI’s top 10 college football player rankings, one name sat even higher—massive Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor.

However, in the 2025 draft cycle, pro scouts scrutinized the tape closely. They watched every throw, every read. And let’s be real—Drew Allar had first-round buzz. But instead of chasing the NFL spotlight, he hit pause. Allar chose unfinished business over early glory, determined to lead PSU back to the title stage. Now, with Sports Illustrated projecting him as the No. 3 pick, Allar is in position to be the first QB off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft.

But not everyone sees it the same way. Dane Brugler has Drew Allar landing at No. 5 to his hometown team—the Cleveland Browns. We all know the PSU star could’ve been a top-2 pick in 2025, but chose development over a fast-track to the league. And Brugler believes if Allar keeps trending upward, he’ll be right back in the top-five mix come next April.

It’s not just Allar grabbing headlines. SI’s way-too-early 2026 mock draft also featured LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier among the top 10 quarterbacks. With Nussmeier rising and Allar projected as a first-round lock, the spotlight is shifting fast. That could spell trouble for Louisville’s Tyler Shough, whose NFL future suddenly feels uncertain in a crowded QB class.

Drew Allar’s rise could cast doubt on Tyler Shough’s NFL outlook

The Saints might not be done hunting for a QB. Even after grabbing one in Round 2, New Orleans is still in the mix for a future franchise guy. In PFF’s way-too-early 2026 mock draft, six QBs crack the first round. However, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier? He’s pegged to the Saints at No. 5 overall, just like in Sports Illustrated’s mock draft.

Here comes Garrett Nussmeier’s NFL fate, and Drew Allar’s rise is only adding more heat to the kitchen. Nussmeier’s dad, a QB coach for the Saints, could play a big role if they land Garrett in next year’s draft. This puts Tyler Shough’s NFL future on the line. Drafted by the Saints in 2025, Shough was expected to get his shot, especially with Derek Carr sidelined. But if New Orleans targets Nussmeier, Shough’s path to a starting role could quickly disappear. So, his future in the NFL? Suddenly uncertain.

Although PFF recognizes New Orleans’ 2nd-round pick, but still hints the team might be eyeing a future franchise QB in next year’s draft. That’s where LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier enters the conversation—coming off a monster 2024, with 4,052 yards and 29 TDs. Though he could’ve declared early, Nussmeier opted to run it back for one more season. A classic gunslinger with a rocket arm, he’s not a dual-threat, but his pocket game turns heads.

Right now, with both Nussmeier and Drew Allar projected as 2026 first-rounders, the pressure is on—Tyler Shough’s grip on the Saints’ future may already be slipping.