The Miami Dolphins’ 2025 campaign is slowly circling the drain, and another inevitable rebuild is right around the corner. In years past, we’ve learned that it’s never too early to get a closer look at some of the nation’s top players, and this year is no exception.
As of today, Tankathon has the Dolphins currently sitting at No.4 overall. This will certainly change in the coming weeks, but one thing is for certain, barring any miracle, Miami should be picking among the top-10, if not even higher, this upcoming April in Pittsburgh, PA.
In the coming weeks, I’ll try not to focus so much on the quarterback position. But with so much uncertainty surrounding the future of the Dolphins and the unlikelihood that Tua Tagovailoa is on the roster in 2027, it’s time for us all to start looking towards the future. And this week’s slate is loaded with quarterback battles that could shape the future landscape of the NFL game.
Here are three games to watch if you’re a Miami Dolphins fan (Quarterback Edition).
Indiana vs. Oregon – 3:30 PM ET
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore will clash in what could be the unofficial battle for QB1, at least in the early stage of the process. Moore looked fantastic last week vs. Penn State, completing 74.4% of his passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns in a convincing 30-24 double overtime win over the Nittany Lions.
Mendoza, on the other hand, is coming off a gritty 20-15 win over Iowa, where he completed a season-low 56.5 % of his passes and threw his first interception of 2015. The 6’5, 225-pound Miami native has been lights out over the last several seasons and could be the first quarterback to hear his name called in April. A huge win over No. 3-ranked Oregon would be quite the statement.
Mendoza vs. Moore. Oregon vs. Indiana: who do you have?
Texas vs. Oklahoma – 3:30 PM ET
Heading into the year, all the talk was about Arch Manning and the Texas offense. Unfortunately, Manning isn’t ready to be the franchise savior many have already anointed him — at least not yet. There was also a never guarantee that he would come out to begin with. The quarterback he will be facing off against on the other sideline, however, may be ready to rise to the moment.
Oklahoma QB John Matter has been fantastic this season, showcasing legit dual-threat capabilities for much of the year. His six touchdowns to five interceptions through the air could be a bit misleading, but he’s played fantastic this year and has proven to be the lifeline that keeps the Sooners’ offense ticking. Also, like so many Oklahoma quarterbacks that came before, Mateer seems to possess ‘it’ — something that can not really be defined but surely can be witnessed.
Mateer battled back from a broken bone in his throwing hand, an injury that many thought could have kept him out longer, but no one wants to miss the Red River Rivalry. Arch Manning vs. John Mateer could be a battle we witness for years to come, but on this day, I think it’s Mateer’s turn to show the world why he is HIM.
LSU vs. South Carolina – 7:45 PM ET
It’s extremely early, but if someone asked me who my QB1 of this draft class was, I’d say LaNorris Sellers. Every time I watch him play, I come away more impressed than the last time by his rare size and intangibles. He can sling the rock and, most importantly, in today’s game, he has the ability to escape pressure in the pocket. Cam Newton-esque in a way.
All that said, I’d like to see what Sellers can do in the coming weeks against tougher competition. A win over LSU would go a long way in proving he is not only capable of being the guy but also lifting his teammates against teams with superior talent.
On the other side of the coin, if someone asked me at the beginning of the year — or even last season — which quarterback I really did not want to see in Miami, or the QB at the bottom of my list of ‘wants and desires’, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, would’ve been that guy.
I may have been a bit hard on Nuss, and actually came away impressed with some of his early-season play. But with so many other top-tier quarterback prospects on the way to the NFL over the next few years, I would rather the Dolphins select one of the other guys.
Do you think it’s time for the Miami Dolphins to move on from Tua Tagovailoa? Which of these quarterback prospects do you like the most? What are your thoughts on this weekend’s slate of college football games? Let us know in the comments section below!
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