Overview
- USA TODAY's post-spring list slots Ohio State's Julian Sayin as the top college quarterback for 2026, with Texas' Arch Manning and Oregon's Dante Moore highlighted as premier NFL prospects.
- Media and betting outlets view Manning as the early favorite for the 2027 No. 1 pick, while scouts still flag streaky accuracy tied to his front-arm mechanics and overall consistency.
- Moore chose another year at Oregon instead of entering the 2026 draft, a move expected to refine his game and keep him near the top of 2027 evaluations.
- Miami's Darian Mensah has surged after transferring from Duke, and Bleacher Report expects him to open its 2027 board as a leading QB1 candidate.
- Early mocks are already pairing prospects with teams, including a Jets trade-up scenario for Manning, while non-quarterbacks Jeremiah Smith and Dylan Stewart are cited as top challengers for the first pick.