College Football QB Prospects Shake Up 2027 NFL Draft Projections

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The college football season kicked off with anticipation surrounding seven quarterbacks who could potentially be first-round picks in the 2027 NFL draft. Players such as Arch Manning from Texas, Dante Moore from Oregon, Julian Sayin from Ohio State, Trinidad Chambliss from Ole Miss, Darian Mensah from Miami, CJ Carr from Notre Dame, and LaNorris Sellers from South Carolina were on everyone’s watch list.

However, as the season progresses, doubts have emerged about the prospects of several of these talented players. After five games, the projections for these quarterbacks have shifted, affecting the draft landscape significantly.

Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker has risen to prominence and is now ranked as the top quarterback prospect by ESPN’s Mel Kiper. Previously seen as a borderline first-rounder, Mestemaker is now ranked as the No. 2 overall player for the 2027 draft class.

Kiper highlights Mestemaker’s unique journey from being a high school punter to becoming a standout quarterback. Originally a walk-on at North Texas in 2024, he became the starting QB in 2025. After achieving over 4,000 passing yards, Mestemaker transferred to Oklahoma State with coach Eric Morris.

“Mestemaker didn’t even start at quarterback for his high school team; he was the punter, played some safety and was the backup QB,” wrote Kiper.

Mestemaker’s skill set is impressive. He is known for his ability to scan the field and make precise throws. With 30 completions of over 20 yards this season, he ranks third in the FBS for big plays. His mobility also allows him to gain significant yardage on the ground.

Kiper describes Mestemaker as having toughness comparable to a linebacker and possessing a competitive edge. Despite being young, with only 20 career starts and not turning 21 until January, his potential remains largely untapped.

The current top five quarterback prospects for the 2027 draft according to Kiper include: