XFL Potential Tier 1 Quarterback Rankings

The XFL Draft starts tomorrow, and we have a lot of exciting names to look at from first, second, third, fourth and fifth groups. (all of which we covered here, along with a full draft pool)

As we all know, football has become a passing game, and so much of the XFL’s success depends on the level of play

With all this focus on quarterbacks, we’ve compiled a list of the top passers in the XFL Draft, and there are some pretty exciting names and future stars waiting in the wings here. Several of these are confirmed yet not in the Official Pool, so the XFL might be holding out more Tier-1 QB’s.

Here’s who we have so far.

1. Landry Jones – Oklahoma

College Stats: 16,646 Pass Yards, 123/53 TD/INT, 63.6% Completion

NFL Stats: 1310 Pass Yards, 8/7 TD/INT, 63.9% Completion

The 6’4″ QB had an outstanding run with the Sooners, and still holds school records for Career Pass Yards and TD’s above #1 overall picks Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.

He was drafted by Pittsburgh and got in the action early due to injuries. He threw 2 TD’s and no interceptions in his first game, and despite some ups and downs put together a solid and consistent run with the Steelers.

Though Jones improved his accuracy each year, Pittsburgh Drafted Mason Rudolph in 2018, and Jones spent time with the Jaguars and Raiders before finding the XFL. Former Coach Bob Stoops is likely praying that he

2. Matt McGloin – Penn State

College Stats 6390 Pass Yards, 46-19 TD/INT, 57.4% Completion

NFL Stats: 1868 Pass Yards, 11-11 TD/INT, 58.1% Completion

Matt McGloin has been an underdog his whole career. He walked on at Penn State, won a quarterback competition and started for three years. He walked away with the school record in passing touchdowns, then went undrafted in 2013.

He got a shot in Oakland as a UDFA, and after injuries to Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor, he found himself starting 6 games. In that time, he put on consistent performances for a woeful Raiders team and is 2nd all-time in passing yards/game for an undrafted rookie.

He then put in work as a backup to Derek Carr for a couple of years and had stints with the Eagles and Texans. With a great college career and NFL starting experience behind him, he’s likely to be a Tier-1 player in the XFL.

3. Connor Cook – Michigan State

College Stats: 9194 Pass Yards, 71-22 TD/INT, 57.5% Completion

NFL Stats: 150 Pass Yards, 1-1 TD/INT, 66.7 % Completion

Cook had a great winning run with the Spartans that earned him two Big-10 Championships and a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. His success in a pro-style offense and winning streak got him picked in the 4th round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

His run in Oakland however, left fans wanting more. He only saw the field twice and was thrown into bad situations each time. His first action came halfway through a loss to the Broncos, and his only start came in the playoffs against the Texans, whose then-loaded defense gave him trouble.

After Jon Gruden inexplicably cycled through QB’s EJ Manuel, AJ McCarron and Nathan Peterman, Cook ended up in Carolina, Cincinnati, and Detroit before seeking a chance to prove himself in the XFL.

Fans have still not gotten to see what he can do, so Cook has a chip on his shoulder and plenty to prove.

4. Zach Mettenberger – LSU

NFL Stats: 2,247 Pass Yards, 12-14 TD/INT, 60.3% Completion

College Stats: 5,783 Pass Yards, 35-15 TD/INT, 61.8 % Completion

Mettenberger is a prototypical quarterback prospect at 6’5″ with a cannon for an arm. He did well in a pro-style offense at LSU and started in his rookie year in Tennessee.

The Titans were in a down year between the Jake Locker and Marcus Mariota eras, but Mettenberger performed well in a bad situation, throwing more TD’s than INT’s while the Titans tanked to 2nd overall.

Mariota took over in 2015, and Mettenberger had stints in San Diego and Pittsburgh before playing in the AAF, where he posted a 105.1 rating.

He’s got all the tools, and experience to boot but teams need to be aware of his character issues that led to a sexual battery conviction in 2010.

5. Joe Callahan – Wesley

College Stats: 12878 Pass Yards, 130-38 TD/INT, 64.2% Completion

NFL Stats: 11 Pass Yards, 71.4% Completion

With the marginal talent around him at Wesley, Joe Callahan put up insane numbers nonetheless.

Callahan is an intriguing prospect, and he’s been stirring up interest in the NFL for years after a Legendary D-III Career. He’s been with the Packers, Saints, Browns, Eagles, Buccaneers, and Ravens, but hasn’t yet been able to break out on the field.

Clearly teams see something in him, and the talent that won him the 2015 Garigaldi Trophy for most valuable D-III player has not gone unnoticed.

6. CJ Collins – SAGU

College Stats: 10723 Pass Yards, 95-34 TD/INT, 56.8% Completion

CJ Collins is a prototypical QB prospect, possessing a 6’5″ 225 frame with 4.77 (low) speed. He’s got a rocket arm and did big things in his 4 years starting at SAGU. Astoundingly, he maintained consistent play at a small school with 4 different offensive coordinators in 5 years.

That alone shows that he’s adaptable to different schemes, but there’s more. In Coach Ryan Smith’s Air Raid/RPO offense, he was responsible for making play-calling decisions at the line. This could be a huge asset in the up-tempo brand of football that the XFL hopes to field.

With the right production, measurables and football IQ, he’s primed to catch on this year. He got a long look from the Packers this offseason, but the XFL is lucky to have landed him.

7. Tyree Jackson – Buffalo

College Stats: 6999 Pass Yards, 49-24 TD/INT, 55.8% Completion 757 Rush Yards, 16 TD.

Jackson was a polarizing prospect coming out of Buffalo this offseason and was projected all over the board. Scouts drooled at his 6’7″ 249-pound frame and 4.59 speed. With all the tools anyone could ask for, he made an impact with the Bills as a UDFA this preseason, but ultimately didn’t make the cut.

He may need some development, and his time spent with QB Guru Jordan Palmer this year could prove invaluable. Nevertheless, there’s a lot to work with here, and he can make a serious impact.

8. Luis Perez – Texas A&M Commerce

College Stats: 10,561 Pass Yards, 101-20 TD/INT, 62.8% Completion

At A&M Commerce, he was incredibly efficient and earned his way onto the Rams as a UDFA.

Perez made a name for himself this offseason with the AAF as Birmingham’s starting QB. He’s had stints with the Eagles and Lions in the NFL but could really use more playing time to prove himself.

9. BJ Daniels – South Florida

College Stats: 8433 Pass Yards, 52-39 TD/INT, 57.3% Completion, 2068 Rush Yards, 25 TD

BJ Daniels was a serious dual threat at South Florida and was en route to taking the Big East yardage record when an injury derailed his plans. He was still taken in the 7th by the 49ers and displayed enough potential to earn his way onto the Seahawks, Texans, Giants, Bears, and Falcons.

10. Darron Thomas – Oregon

College Stats: 5910 Pass Yards, 66-17 TD/INT, 61.3 % Completion

Darron Thomas took the Ducks to 3 straight Pac-12 Championship wins from 2009-2011. He was dominant in his run at Oregon, but never got the chance to prove himself in the NFL after going undrafted in 2012.

Not discouraged about his football dream, he signed with the Calgary Stampeders and eventually tried his hand at Arena Football, where he’s played in the AFL, IFL, and NAL, putting up 38 TD’s.

With a 6’4″ frame and plus athleticism, he’s got a lot of tools to put to use. Jim Zorn, who’s been heavily involved in football culture in the Pacific Northwest could take an interest.