The 2027 NFL draft quarterback class has undergone a rapid midseason realignment. In an ESPN poll of 25 scouts and executives, Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker received 17 votes as the projected first quarterback taken.
That is the highest total for any player in the three years of the survey and a complete reversal from August, when he received none.
Here’s our @CollegeGameDay report on who’ll be QB1 in the upcoming NFL Draft. We polled 25 NFL scouts/executives. pic.twitter.com/xwehIEEMDf
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 31, 2026
Notre Dame's CJ Carr finished second with four votes, Miami's Darian Mensah received three and Oregon's Dante Moore, the preseason favorite with 14 votes in August, collected one. Texas' Arch Manning, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers and LSU's Sam Leavitt, all of whom received votes before the season, were shut out.
Drew Mestemaker's rapid rise
Mestemaker, a 6-foot-4, 211-pound redshirt sophomore, transferred from North Texas with coach Eric Morris after leading the FBS in passing yards in 2025.
His Sept. 12 performance against Oregon (317 passing yards, two touchdowns and a 75-yard rushing touchdown in a 39-31 upset of the then-No. 6 Ducks) accelerated his ascent.
Mestemaker has thrown for 2,326 yards and 20 touchdowns with six interceptions through seven games this season. He is still relatively inexperienced as a starter and is projected to finish the season with roughly 27 career starts.
Darian Mensah's efficiency has boosted his stock
Miami's Darian Mensah has completed 81.4% of his passes (166 of 204) for 2,151 yards, 22 touchdowns and one interception while leading the No. 1 Hurricanes to a 7-0 start. The completion rate leads the FBS and is on pace to challenge the single-season record. He also averages 307.3 yards per game and has posted a 204.55 passer rating.
His accuracy and low turnover rate have drawn notice, particularly if Miami advances deep into the playoff. The combination of efficiency and team success can be major factors for him as the NFL draft gets closer.
CJ Carr's production
Notre Dame's CJ Carr received four votes after completing 66.8% of his passes for 1,639 yards, 16 touchdowns and one interception through seven games. The junior has operated with an average depth of target of 10.3 yards and has limited turnovers.
His performance against ranked opponents and the remaining schedule, including a home game against Miami, will provide additional evaluation points for scouts.
Dante Moore's injury and Arch Manning's decline
Oregon's Dante Moore, who held a clear lead in the August poll, suffered a season-ending concussion on an illegal hit at USC on Sept. 26. The injury removes one of the class's most experienced and highly regarded prospects from further on-field evaluation this season and has altered the timeline for teams that viewed him as a potential top-10 selection.
Texas' Arch Manning received seven votes in August but none in the midseason poll after dealing with accuracy issues, turnovers and inconsistent protection. While his physical tools and pedigree remain intact, his decision-making and production against pressure have not met preseason expectations.
Other prospects still in the mix
South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers and LSU's Sam Leavitt, both of whom received August support, have not separated themselves through the first half of the season. Former Cincinnati and Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby, who has acknowledged past sports betting activity, remains a prospect some scouts believe could still land in the first round.
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