2027 NFL Draft: The biggest QB names who might actually stay in college

The 2027 NFL Draft quarterback class was looking like an absolute lock a year ago. Now? The vibes are off. After some inconsistent play across the board, analysts are whispering that some of the biggest names in the game might skip the draft entirely to return to school.

CBS Sports’ Mike Renner recently dropped a mock draft that was a total plot twist—he left out studs like Dante Moore, Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, and LaNorris Sellers. He’s betting they’ll choose to keep grinding in college instead of turning pro.

The QB Watchlist

• Dante Moore (Oregon): The shock level here is a 10/10. He’s a projected first-rounder, and with teammate Dylan Raiola waiting in the wings, staying would be awkward for the Ducks. It’s highkey in his best interest to declare.
• Arch Manning (Texas): Rated at 8/10 on the shock meter. The highs are elite, but he’s still looking for consistency. If the Manning family decides he needs more growth, he might hold off, but he’d likely lose some key weapons like Cam Coleman.
• CJ Carr (Notre Dame): A 7/10 shock level. He’s efficient and NFL-ready, but he’s clearly living his best life in South Bend. If he stays, it’s probably because he just loves the program.
• Julian Sayin (Ohio State): Coming in at a 5/10. He’s been super efficient, but critics wonder if he’s just a product of receiver Jeremiah Smith. He might want one more year to prove he’s the main character on his own merit.
• Mestemaker (Oklahoma State): A 3/10 move. He’s a fast riser, and since he never played high school varsity, he might want the extra reps to get comfortable before the league.
• LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) & Leavitt (LSU): Both are at a 2/10. Sellers has had a rough go with a failing program and needs a new system, while Leavitt is struggling with injuries and consistency.
• Mensah (Miami): An 8/10 shock level. He’s the most efficient QB in the sport right now, but he’s a total mercenary who has played for three schools in three years. If he’s a first-round lock, he’s gone, no cap.

Why it matters

With NIL money and extra eligibility on the table, it’s become a financially smart move for players to stay in school and perfect their craft. If this many top-tier QBs return, it’s a W for college football but a total shake-up for the NFL draft board.