The 2026 NFL Draft’s best quarterback that you haven’t heard of

· Yahoo Sports

The 2026 NFL Draft is less than two months away. Multiple teams are working on their draft boards, even with free agency set to start next week.

A hot topic of the NFL Draft every year is who is in the quarterback pool of prospects. Fernando Mendoza appears to be the first overall pick lock.

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After that, it’s Ty Simpson and then anyone’s guess who falls in the pecking order. However, there’s a name out there that not many are familiar with–myself included.

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The QB3 of the NFL draft could be from a small school in Minnesota. Minnesota State–Moorhead Dragons’ quarterback Jack Stand is draft eligible. He might be the best passer no one has heard of.

Jack Who?

Strand didn’t get a Shrine Bowl or Senior Bowl invite. He didn’t receive an NFL Scouting Combine invite either. He did receive an invite to the American Bowl, where he saw some action.

When you dig deeper into his history, despite being a DII QB in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, he could be the draft’s diamond in the rough. He has it all.

Strand has the prototypical size at six-feet-five-inches and 240 pounds. He can make throws on the move. He has a very strong arm.

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In his senior season, he threw 42 touchdowns, averaged over 300 yards a game, and added five more rushing scores. The best game of his senior-season included a 21-0 comeback victory where he threw six touchdowns.

Strand’s highlight reel is filled with incredible throws. Tight windows, deep shots downfield, throwing receivers open, and the qualities NFL teams seek in their field general.

Strand may not get drafted at all. However, if there’s an NFL team needing a quarterback, he could be their guy.

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The NFL-hopeful was a First-Team All-NISC selection, an All-American Academic selection, and a William V. Campbell finalist in 2025. Don’t be fooled by Strand’s level of competition.

Janurary 7, 2026; The NFL Draft Clock sits across the street from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Acrisure Stadium.


His awards, film, and stats all point to a quarterback who can make a case to play in the pros. After all, he might be the NFL Draft’s best quarterback that you haven’t heard of.

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