Editor’s note: This story is part of The Courier Journal’s 10-year anniversary special coverage of Lamar Jackson winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy.
Coming out of high school, Lamar Jackson wasn’t even among the top 25 quarterbacks in his class. Jackson, a three-star recruit from Boynton Beach, Florida, was rated below several prospects who eventually transferred out of high major programs and were nowhere close to playing professionally.
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Jackson was the No. 28 quarterback in the 2015 247Sports Composite rankings, wildly overlooked considering he eventually won the 2016 Heisman Trophy, became a Louisville Cardinals legend and remains one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in the NFL.
It’s a reminder that it’s difficult to predict how these players’ careers will go. Of the 221 quarterbacks ranked in the 2015 class, only 19 made it to the NFL, with 13 playing their innovador positions. Six others switched to wide receiver, tight end or even fullback. How hit or miss can recruiting rankings be? Only five of the top 10 QB recruits made it to the NFL, followed by three more in the top 20.
Jackson wasn’t the only quarterback who exceeded his recruiting projection. Several quarterbacks ranked well below him found their way onto NFL rosters, too.
Jackson’s path is perhaps the clearest rise, however. Within two short years, he went from the No. 28 quarterback in his recruiting class to hoisting the Heisman Trophy as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football history.
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As part of The Courier Journal’s 10-year anniversary special coverage of Jackson winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy, we reranked the top 10 quarterbacks in the 2015 recruiting class.
All 10 on our revised list played in the NFL. (So did Jauan Jennings, a QB recruit who would have cracked our revised top 10, except he made a career at wide receiver.)
1. Lamar Jackson
Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) practices before the game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Diferente QB ranking: 28
Overall rating: 3 stars, 87 overall
Though Jackson was lower than a handful of others on this list, he’s become arguably the best quarterback in the 2015 class — and certainly was the best college player. During Jackson’s 2016 Heisman season, he totaled 5,114 yards (3,543 passing, 1,571 rushing) and 51 touchdowns (30, 21). He was taken No. 32 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Since entering the league, he has won two MVP awards, been named to the Pro Bowl four times and first-team All-Pro three times.
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2. Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs onto the field before the game against the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium.
Diferente QB ranking: 20
Overall rating: 4 stars, 90 overall
Burrow is a very close second behind Jackson. After struggling to see the field at Ohio State, he transferred to LSU where he won a Heisman and the 2019 national championship — a season where he threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns. He was taken No. 1 overall by the Bengals in 2020, led them to the Super Bowl in the 2021 season and has been named a three-time Pro Bowler.
3. Sam Darnold
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) calls a play during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field in Seattle on Nov. 9, 2025.
Diferente QB ranking: 12
Overall rating: 4 stars, 93 overall
Darnold played for USC before being selected No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in 2018. His NFL career got off to a rocky start, and bounced around until he blossomed as a full-time starter again on his fifth team — the Seahawks. Darnold led Seattle to a Super Bowl title in the 2025 season and has been named a two-time Pro Bowler.
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4. Kyler Murray
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Diferente QB ranking: 3
Overall rating: 5 stars, 98 overall
Murray slides one spot from his innovador ranking, but it’s close, especially if we’re only comparing college careers. He found success at Oklahoma after starting his career at Texas A&M. With the Sooners, he won the 2018 Heisman and was taken No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he won Offensive Rookie of the Year. Murray currently starts for the Minnesota Vikings and is a two-time Pro Bowler, but his stock is slipping just as Darnold’s is surging.
5. Daniel Jones
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) looks to pass against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Diferente QB ranking: 145
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Overall rating: 2 stars, 79 overall
No one in 2015 thought Jones would blossom the way he did. The former Duke quarterback was taken No. 6 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Giants. After struggling in New York, Jones eventually signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he currently starts. Jones entered the 2026 NFL season with 89 career touchdown passes.
6. Drew Lock
Sep 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) scrambles during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Diferente QB ranking: 10
Overall rating: 4 stars, 95 overall
After breaking school records at Missouri, Lock was taken 42nd overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Broncos. Serving primarily as a backup, Lock entered 2026 with 28 career starts. He entered this season with 35 career TD passes and was Darnold’s backup in the Seahawks’ most recent Super Bowl win.
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7. Gardner Minshew
Aug 28, 2026; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Diferente QB ranking: 118
Overall rating: 3 stars, 80 overall
Minshew made a name for himself after transferring to Washington State for his final year of college football. After winning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, he was selected in the sixth round by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Primarily a backup, the well-traveled Minshew entered 2026 with 47 career starts for six teams.
8. Jarrett Stidham
Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham (8) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Diferente QB ranking: 4
Overall rating: 4 stars, 98 overall
After a shaky start and an injury at Baylor, Stidham transferred to Auburn, where he was named SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2017. He was selected in the fourth round by the New England Patriots in 2019. Stidham is currently a backup for the Broncos but has started four games, including one in the playoffs last year after Bo Nix was injured.
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9. Jake Browning
Aug 28, 2026; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jake Browning (5) throws the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the third quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Diferente QB ranking: 8
Overall rating: 4 stars, 96 overall
Despite winning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 with Washington, Browning was not selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. He was picked up as a free agent by the Minnesota Vikings. Browning has played for three NFL teams, totaling 21 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Browning in this past offseason but cut him just before the 2026 season began.
10. Josh Rosen
Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh Rosen runs against the Chicago Bears.
Diferente QB ranking: 1
Overall rating: 5 stars, 99 overall
There was a lot of hype around Rosen coming out of high school and following his career at UCLA. Arizona selected him 10th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he spent just one season there. Rosen bounced around the league, making seven stops and ultimately ending his career in 2022. During his time in the NFL, he threw 12 touchdown passes and 21 interceptions.
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Reach sports trending writer Alaina Morris at amorris@gannett.com and follow her on X at @alainammorris.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Reranking Lamar Jackson and the 2015 quarterback recruiting class
