Some of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in the country were off the field in Week 5, from Arch Manning and Dante Moore to Trinidad Chambliss and Drew Mestemaker.
Those who were on the field largely impressed, starting with Notre Dame’s CJ Carr in a rainy win over North Carolina. Carr is positioning himself as a Heisman Trophy contender, though quarterbacks may be shut out of the race if Jeremiah Smith continues his otherworldly pace.
Carr’s stock is on the rise, but he isn’t the only quarterback making a move after a busy weekend.
Here’s an updated look at the top quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
MORE: Updated College Football Playoff bracket projections
NFL Draft QB rankings 2027
1. Dante Moore, Oregon
Moore would’ve missed Week 5 with a concussion if not for Oregon’s bye week, but the positive news is he has returned to practice for the Ducks. Whether Moore can suit up against UCLA isn’t clear, but he is on track for a return in the near future.
Moore hasn’t had the season he was hoping to have, but it’s hard to say Arch Manning has separated himself as the No. 1 quarterback in the class. Even while not looking his best, Moore still didn’t throw an interception in 99 pass attempts before the injury and should have a chance to make his case to be the top quarterback once he returns.
2. Arch Manning, Texas
Manning is a popular pick for the No. 1 slot, but has he earned it? It’s been a fairly pedestrian season for the Texas quarterback as the Longhorns rely heavily on their defense. Manning, who was on a bye in Week 5, didn’t account for a touchdown against Tennessee and has thrown an interception in three of four starts this season. As he prepares to face a reeling Oklahoma team, NFL front offices have to be hoping to see a bit more from the redshirt junior.
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3. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
Carr and Notre Dame haven’t faced the toughest schedule by any means this season, but the redshirt sophomore quarterback has passed every test so far and impressed with a 21-of-29 performance for 234 yards and four touchdowns in tough conditions on the road at North Carolina in Week 5. Carr has 13 touchdowns to one interception this season and has shown impressive accuracy, putting him in position to be a high first-round pick until he proves otherwise.
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4. Darian Mensah, Miami
Mensah finally looked slightly human on the road against Clemson, but he was still very good with 227 yards and a touchdown through the air. The production is impossible to argue this season: Mensah is completing better than 84 percent of his passes for 1,438 yards, 15 touchdowns and no interceptions. NFL teams will just want to see him do it against tougher competition, whether that’s Notre Dame or playoff opponents, before crowning him as the potential top quarterback in this class.
5. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Sayin isn’t getting the attention teammate Jeremiah Smith is getting, which is understandable, but he was excellent in back-to-back starts against Illinois and Iowa, throwing for more than 300 yards in each game for a combined seven touchdowns. An up-and-down performance against Texas opens the door for questions, but Sayin is climbing his way back up the ranks with the way he’s been playing of late.
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6. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
There will continue to be questions about Mestemaker’s likelihood of entering the 2027 draft compared to waiting for 2028. The Oklahoma State gunslinger was on a bye in Week 5, but his confidence was high before the break, and he should have a soft landing spot at home against UFC in Week 6.
7. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Chambliss also spent Week 5 on a bye, but he had a sour taste in his mouth after a loss to Florida that aged poorly when the Gators were walloped by Missouri. The defense, not the offense, is Ole Miss’ biggest issue, and Chambliss should be in position to keep elevating his stock against Vanderbilt in Week 6 with the Commodores struggling to gain traction.
While Chambliss could position himself as a candidate to go to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist, his size and age will continue to keep him below the highest tier of draft-eligible quarterbacks in 2027.
8. Jayden Maiava, USC
NFL front offices have to still be waiting for that brilliant performance by Maiava against a tough opponent. While he hasn’t necessarily been underwhelming, Maiava was fairly pedestrian in a narrow win over Washington, completing 21-of-34 passes for 245 yards, a touchdown and an interception. A strong showing on the road against Penn State would help elevate Maiava’s stock.
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9. Sam Leavitt, LSU
Week 5 wasn’t a bye for Leavitt and LSU, but it was pretty close to it with the Tigers overpowering McNeese. The game didn’t help us learn much about Leavitt, who has struggled with turnovers early this season but can make plays with his arm and legs when healthy. Down the stretch, Leavitt will have to get healthier and prove he can limit mistakes to make himself a first-round draft prospect.
10. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
South Carolina is in a world of hurt right now, but LaNorris Sellers wasn’t exactly the problem in the Gamecocks’ most recent meltdown. While some improved accuracy would’ve been helpful, Sellers threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns while running for 147 yards. There is a place for Sellers in the NFL due to his athleticism, but he’s not tracking toward being the premier prospect many once thought he could be.
11. Drake Lindsey, Minnesota
Minnesota is one of the best stories in college football after upset wins over Washington and Michigan, but Drake Lindsey had some low points against the Wolverines. While it isn’t easy to take on Michigan’s defense, Lindsey was limited to 136 yards and tossed two interceptions after a better performance on the road at Washington. Lindsey’s raw traits have NFL front offices intrigued, but they’ll want him to deliver in some of the Golden Gophers’ upcoming Big Ten games.
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12. Josh Hoover, Indiana
Hoover and Indiana have flown under the radar this season because of their weak schedule, but it’s getting tougher to ignore Hoover’s body of work so far. The TCU transfer was terrific in a rout of Rutgers, throwing for another four touchdowns with only seven incompletions, and he’s now up to 15 touchdowns to zero interceptions on the season.
An older player, Hoover’s ceiling might be limited compared to his predecessor — but he has a chance to really rise in the weeks ahead as Indiana prepares to face Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan and Minnesota.
