The landscape of college football’s top quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft has seen significant shifts in recent weeks. Arch Manning, initially ranked as the leading quarterback prospect, has experienced a dip in his standings. Manning, now playing as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, has shown inconsistent performances, completing 55.3% of his passes for 579 yards, along with six touchdowns and three interceptions across his first three games of the 2025 season. His struggles were particularly apparent in a recent game against UTEP, where he appeared uncomfortable on the field.
According to a survey presented on ESPN’s “College GameDay” by Pete Thamel, a panel of 25 NFL executives and scouts identified South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers as the top quarterback prospect. Sellers, despite a sluggish start to the current season, impressed many with his previous season’s performance. In 2024, he achieved 2,534 passing yards, 674 rushing yards, and 25 total touchdowns, demonstrating his dual-threat capabilities. Sellers leads the poll with eight votes, surpassing LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, who closely follows with seven votes.
Other quarterbacks in the poll include Carson Beck, John Mateer, Drew Allar, and Sam Leavitt. Notably, Arch Manning received just one vote in this ranking. The general sentiment suggests that Manning will now likely enter the NFL Draft in 2027, rather than 2026 as previously anticipated.
Draft analysts had earlier placed Manning high on their boards, with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranking him at the top before the season began. Kiper cited Manning’s athletic heritage and glimpses of potential shown in the previous year as reasons for his initial top ranking. By contrast, former ESPN analyst Todd McShay had placed Clemson’s Cade Klubnik at the forefront, praising his size, mobility, and arm strength. However, McShay’s prediction has not matched the current rankings as observed by scouts.
The competition for the No. 1 quarterback spot in the forthcoming NFL Draft remains intense and unpredictable. Though Manning’s initial positioning at the top has altered, both Sellers and Nussmeier have emerged as prominent figures in their draft class.