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2026 NFL Draft QB Stock Report Week 12: Klubnik Late Season Turnaround? Maiava Rising Again
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- 2026 NFL Draft QB Stock Report Week 12: Klubnik Late Season Turnaround? Maiava Rising Again
With the Pittsburgh Steelers in the market for a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft , Steelers Now will be taking stock of the draft class every week of the 2025 college football season.
STOCK UP: Cade Klubnik , Clemson
Klubnik was scouted for the fourth time this season on Friday night by the Steelers. While Friday wasn't a flashy game, he has continued to bring his trajectory upward. It also resulted in a road game upset.
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After an awful start, Klubnik has bounced back in a major way. He is on track to record a career best in completion percentage, passer rating, and is taking care of the football in his bounce back.
After throwing an interception in each of his first four games, he has only thrown one in his last five. The bottom line Klubnik is an athletic passer who is unpolished–but he is truly battle tested now. He is back on the rise.
MDDB Rank: Week 12, No. 63, QB8Season Stats: 202-of-299 (67.6% comp. rate), 2323 (7.8% yards/attempt), 14 TD, 5 INT
STOCK DOWN: Brendan Sorbsy, Cincinnati
Sorsby has quietly had a strong season. He has shown to be an electric player who can get the job done through the air and ground games. Saturday, however, was yet another tough game.
The season stat sheet indicates he takes care of the ball overall. The past two weeks, though, he has thrown three picks after only one the first eight games. The Bearcats are 0-3 when he throws an interception.
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His eight rushing touchdowns brings his total to 30 on the year. However, his completion percentage is dancing on the 60% threshold which isn't ideal. Can Sorsby respond these last two games to put himself in the first-round conversation?
MDDB Rank: Week 12, No. 90, QB12Season Stats: 159-of-265 (60% comp. rate), 2218 yards (8.4 yards/attempt), 22 TD, 3 INT
STOCK DOWN: Ty Simpson , Alabama
Let's be clear: this isn't a disastrous stock drop. However, in a weekend where other top prospects performed strongly, Simpson wasn't as strong.
Simpson had an opportunity to lead the Crimson Tide to a win at the end of the game, but came up short. While he has taken care of the ball all season, his lone interception resulted in a game changing pick-six.
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Simpson's highs have been much higher than the lows. The lows are few, in fact. However, you can't help but wonder in a moment where Alabama could have effectively sealed their postseason ticket… was the moment too big?
MDDB Rank: Week 12, No. 3, QB2Season Stats: 226-of-338 (66.9% comp. rate), 2787 yards (8.3 yards/attempt), 22 TD, 2 INT
WORTH NOTING: LaNorris Sellers vs Marcel Reed
While both of these signal callers look to be coming back to college football in 2026, they are still on NFL teams' radars. Sellers' talent is sky high and Reed has been an integral part of Texas A&M's season.
On Saturday, Sellers and his Gamecocks took a 30-3 halftime lead. It appeared the Aggies were dead on arrival. Until… Reed and offense came to life. TAMU scored 28 unanswered points en route to a historic victory. The game showed both quarterbacks are filled with brilliance–but also filled with room to grow.
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STOCK DOWN: John Mateer, Oklahoma
Despite the win, Mateer's stock takes a hit. There were things to like in his performance, but for a preseason favorite it hasn't been enough.
Could it be the offense Mateer is playing in? Maybe so. He just hasn't been the transfer hopeful Oklahoma has banked on. The Sooner defense, though, has kept things close for the team all season.
John Mateer, Oklahoma Athletics
Mateer has the tools teams like. He has great mobility, a good arm, and you get the sense he has good leadership qualities. Could a fifth-season be on the horizon in 2026?
MDDB Rank: Week 12, No. 56, QB7Season Stats: 184-of-288 (63.9% comp. rate), 2087 yards (7.3 yards/attempt), 8 TD, 7 INT
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STOCK UP: Jayden Maiava, USC
Maiava has the attention of the national media. He looks the part, plays for a school that produces the part, and he most importantly plays the part. He is second in college football with a 90.7 QBR.
On Saturday, he was very efficient. He led the Trojans to their second victory over a ranked team. Both of those have been at home. For a second consecutive week, he completed over 70% of his passes.
Maiava is another one of those quarterbacks where it is unknown whether or not he will declare for the draft. NIL has changed this approach and he likely will receive a deal to stay. If he decides to declare, though? He is only 21 and one the rise as a passer.
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MDDB Rank: Week 12, No. 43, QB6Season Stats: 201-of-301 (66.8% comp. rate), 2868 yards (9.5 yards/attempt), 18 TD, 6 INT
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : 2026 NFL Draft QB Stock Report Week 12: Klubnik Late Season Turnaround? Maiava Rising Again
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