The 2027 Quarterback Class: Unveiling the Next Generation of NFL Stars
As the 2026 NFL Draft fades into memory, the football world is already buzzing with anticipation for the 2027 class. Among the most intriguing positions is quarterback, where a crop of talented signal-callers is poised to make waves in the coming years. While the landscape of college football is ever-changing, and many factors can influence a player's draft trajectory, here's a deep dive into the top 10 quarterback prospects for 2027, along with my personal insights and analysis.
Arch Manning: The Legacy Continues
Arch Manning, the fourth-year junior at Texas, is the undisputed top prospect in this class. His last name may have initially fueled the hype, but his on-field performance has only served to reinforce his status as a potential first-overall pick. Manning's physical attributes are nearly ideal for the NFL, standing at 6'4" and 220 pounds. His arm is a whip, capable of generating effortless velocity, even when his lower half falters. What truly sets Manning apart is his athleticism; he's no classic Manning, with legitimate straight-line speed that routinely catches second-level defenders off guard.
However, Manning's journey to the top has not been without its bumps. His first season as a full-time starter was rocky, but he rallied to finish the year strongly, reminding everyone why the hype was justified. The key to his success lies in his decision to return to school and address the mechanical issues that plagued him last season. He must trust his pre-snap reads and consistently get the ball out on time, rather than relying on his athleticism to bail him out. If he can do that, Manning could solidify his status as the top quarterback prospect.
Dante Moore: The Natural Passer
Dante Moore, a fourth-year junior at Oregon, is one of the most naturally gifted passers in college football. His delivery is effortless, allowing him to generate instant velocity without a windup. This quickness of his release makes him lethal in the RPO game, which has become the norm in both college football and the NFL. Moore's accuracy is impressive when he's operating in rhythm, and he can attack all three levels of the field with ease. However, his frame, listed at under 210 pounds, is a concern. While he hasn't faced durability issues yet, his decision-making and mechanics regress under pressure.
If Moore can clean up his decision-making, particularly under pressure, he could push for the top spot in the rankings. His aesthetic appeal as a passer is undeniable, and with the right adjustments, he could become a top-tier prospect.
Julian Sayin: The Process Master
Julian Sayin, a third-year sophomore at Ohio State, is the successor to Will Howard. He broke out last season and quickly became one of the most productive passers in college football. Sayin's defining traits are his processing speed and pre-snap acumen. He isn't a remarkable athlete who consistently creates out of structure, but with his anticipation and understanding of situational football, he doesn't need to be. His ability to diagnose coverages and manipulate safeties with his eyes is impressive for a young quarterback in his first year as a starter.
However, Sayin's profile is somewhat limited by the environment around him. He's surrounded by an embarrassment of riches at Ohio State, which makes it difficult to fully isolate his evaluation. His frame, at 6'1" and 203 pounds, is also a concern in a modern NFL that favors passers who can create out of structure. It's entirely plausible that he returns to school for another season, but his anticipation and distribution traits will be highly coveted by NFL teams.
LaNorris Sellers: The Physical Anomaly
LaNorris Sellers, a fourth-year junior at South Carolina, is the physical anomaly of next year's class. He's another player who many expected to enter this year's draft but ultimately decided to return to school. Playing on a roster largely devoid of offensive talent, Sellers failed to take the leap many anticipated after his first season as a starter. However, his unquestioned athleticism is his greatest asset. He boasts the best combination of size, speed, and arm strength in next year's class, with outstanding out-of-structure play and the ability to shrug off defenders in the pocket.
As a passer, Sellers has a legitimate cannon, capable of driving the ball deep from unstable platforms with ease. However, there's still a noticeable rawness to his game, with decision-making and field vision being areas for improvement. If he can show real growth in his post-snap processing, his blend of athleticism and arm strength will make him an intriguing contender for the top spot in the quarterback rankings.
CJ Carr: The Poised Leader
CJ Carr, a third-year sophomore at Notre Dame, piloted one of the program's best offenses of the decade. Despite his limited experience as a starter, he displayed impressive poise and intelligence. Carr plays with an advanced sense of timing and anticipation, resembling a much more seasoned quarterback. He's also an exceptional deep-ball thrower who consistently layers the ball between the second and third levels. While he primarily operates from the pocket, he has enough mobility to navigate pressure, extend plays, and keep his eyes downfield to exploit broken coverages.
However, Carr's modest arm strength is a concern. While he shows outstanding touch on his deep ball, he relies more on finesse than pure velocity to win on deeper-developing routes. When he struggles to process complex post-snap rotations against top defenses, he doesn't have elite arm talent to bail him out. Even with this concern, Carr is a strong contender for the early part of the draft if he chooses to declare after this season.
Drew Mestemaker: The Rising Star
Drew Mestemaker, a third-year sophomore at Oklahoma State, put his name on the draft radar after putting up astronomical numbers at North Texas. Following his head coach, Eric Morris, to Oklahoma State will give him the chance to replicate that production on a bigger stage. Mestemaker's traits are eye-popping and worthy of first-round buzz, even coming from the Group of Five ranks. His spatial awareness and composure under pressure are standout strengths, with a subtle, efficient pocket navigation style and consistent play preservation.
However, Mestemaker must show that his production wasn't simply a byproduct of a system overwhelming lesser competition. Mechanically, he'll need to more consistently sync his lower body with his throws. He can be overly reliant on his arm talent to bail him out of bad situations, which leads to some ugly interceptions. Mestemaker is a player I believe is likely to return to school unless he delivers another historically productive season.
Darian Mensah: The Cognitive Resilience
Darian Mensah, a fourth-year junior at Miami, has already proven he can master multiple offensive systems. During his transition to Miami, he posted strong numbers at both Tulane and Duke, and now steps onto the biggest stage of his career. Mensah has a real chance to catapult his draft stock in a fashion similar to Cam Ward from a few seasons ago. His greatest asset is his cognitive resilience; he's shown the ability to quickly absorb new terminology and establish command in multiple locker rooms. Mensah operates with the poise and mental acuity of a multi-year NFL veteran despite his age.
However, Mensah's ceiling is naturally capped by his physical tools. His arm strength leaves something to be desired, even though he has solid size for the position. He wins with touch and anticipation more than pure velocity, and his best work comes when he's operating on schedule within the confines of timing and rhythm. At Miami, every throw he makes will be under the microscope. If he shines in his new environment, he has a clear path to climbing into the upper tier of the quarterback rankings.
DJ Lagway: The Explosive Arm
DJ Lagway, a third-year junior at Baylor, was once touted as the next breakout star after a promising freshman season. However, he regressed significantly in his second year. His time at Florida featured flashes of brilliance but also maddening inconsistency. After transferring to Baylor, he'll look to get his draft stock trending upward again. From a talent standpoint, he may possess the highest ceiling of any prospect in next year's class.
Lagway's arm talent is among the most explosive in the country. Like Sellers and Mestemaker, he can drive any route with velocity, forcing safeties to play deeper. He's not just a strong-armed passer—he's tough in the pocket and absorbs pressure well. However, his vertical passing is his strength, but he lacks consistency in short and intermediate throws due to erratic footwork. In a pass-heavy offense, Lagway aims to rebuild his confidence and mechanics while restoring his draft stock.
Sam Leavitt: The Chaos Thriver
Sam Leavitt, a fourth-year junior at LSU, is another quarterback who was once more highly regarded but saw his stock dip in his second season at Arizona State, largely due to medical concerns. After leading Arizona State to the College Football Playoff, he looked poised for first-round draft status. His transfer to a Lane Kiffin-led LSU offense should give him every opportunity to maximize his aggressive, improvisational style. Leavitt thrives in chaos, with his best tape coming when the structure of the play breaks down.
However, his medical history, including a Lisfranc injury that ended his season, will be a key storyline for LSU. Because his game relies on platform manipulation, he must prove the foot injury hasn't reduced his effectiveness. Beyond the medical questions, his gunslinger mentality is the chief on-field concern. Leavitt’s aggressiveness is a double-edged sword. He’ll frequently put the ball in harm’s way trying to play hero ball rather than taking the check-down.
Trinidad Chambliss: The Unconventional Artist
Trinidad Chambliss, a sixth-year senior at Ole Miss, fought tooth and nail to return to Ole Miss after a red-hot finish to last season. As it stands, he’ll be the most pronounced mechanical outlier in the class. Early at Ferris State, he was a raw runner before developing into a dynamic passing threat. When rolling out of the pocket, Chambliss is arguably the most dangerous quarterback in the nation, with elite creation on the move and precise ball placement.
However, the concerns start with his physical profile. Under six feet tall, he throws from a low arm slot that produced numerous batted passes last season. His lower-body mechanics are unorthodox, often stepping into throws with his trail leg rather than establishing a firm base. Most concerning is his inability to consistently add touch, as he fires at maximum velocity on nearly every snap, too often leading receivers into heavy contact at the catch point.
Chambliss made a questionable decision returning to school when his draft stock peaked. If he doesn’t build on his late-season surge, NFL teams may share those concerns. Despite these concerns, Chambliss has the potential to be a unique and intriguing prospect in the 2027 quarterback class.
Honorable Mentions
- CJ Bailey, NC State
- Jayden Maiava, USC
- Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
The 2027 quarterback class is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and diverse in recent memory. From the legacy of Arch Manning to the chaos-thriving Sam Leavitt, each prospect brings something unique to the table. As we approach the 2027 season, the football world will be watching closely, eager to see which of these young quarterbacks will rise to the top and make their mark in the NFL.
