​Brock Purdy is getting a vote of confidence from someone who knew him before the San Francisco 49ers did. Xavier Hutchinson, who played receiver alongside Purdy at Iowa State, says his former college teammate belongs in the top-10 quarterback conversation.Asked directly whether he believes Purdy is a top-10 quarterback in the league, Hutchinson didn’t hesitate.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”Yeah, I don’t see why not,” Hutchinson said on Good Morning Football. “You have to prove it every single season, and every single game. And I think that’s exactly what he’s done. I’m super excited for him because I don’t even think this is the best that we’ve seen of him. And I know that he believes that himself, too. There’s so many areas that he has to work on. And I’m excited to see him put it all together. I just wish him the best, man. That’s my guy.”Purdy’s ranking in the NFL quarterback pantheon has been a question this offseason. ESPN’s survey of coaches, executives and scouts had him on the outside of the top-10, while Pro Football Focus ranked him 10th.The 26-year-old has thrown 84 career touchdown passes and 11,685 passing yards since taking over as the 49ers’ starter as a rookie in 2022. His 2025 season was limited to nine starts because of toe and shoulder injuries, but he still threw for 2,167 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in that span, along with three rushing touchdowns.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHutchinson’s comments come as Purdy heads into a pivotal fourth full season as San Francisco’s starter, one that carries heavy expectations after last year’s injury-shortened campaign. The 49ers spent the offseason retooling around him, and for the first time in years, Purdy could open a season with a healthy offensive line in front of him.Running back Christian McCaffrey returns as the offense’s centerpiece, and San Francisco added veteran receiver Mike Evans in free agency to give Purdy a true No. 1 target on the outside. Tight end George Kittle, who is working back from a torn Achilles suffered in the postseason, remains a question mark for the start of the year, but his eventual return would give Purdy a full complement of weapons for the first time since 2023.With the pieces in place, 2026 shapes up as a defining season for Purdy, one where health and continuity, not talent, may determine whether he validates the top-10 billing from those who know him best.This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Brock Purdy’s ex-teammate believes he’s a top-10 QB in the NFL