When Oregon quarterback Dante Moore announced he was returning for another season instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft, it sent a ripple through the college football and scouting communities. At just 20 years old with 20 college starts under his belt, Moore made a calculated decision - one that prioritizes long-term growth over immediate payoff.
His reasoning? Simple and smart.
Moore wants to sharpen his game - become a more polished passer, a more decisive leader, and gain the kind of reps that only come with another full season of high-level competition. He’s betting on experience, and in a league where readiness can make or break a rookie quarterback, it’s a move that could pay off in a big way.
But it’s not without its risks.
Moore was widely projected as a top-two pick in 2026, battling Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza for the QB1 spot. Now, with the 2027 draft still over a year away, the door is wide open for others to rise. Just like Moore surged up boards in 2025, someone else could do the same in 2026.
Here are five names who could challenge Moore for that No. 1 overall pick - plus a few more who could make a serious run with breakout seasons.
QB Arch Manning - Texas Longhorns
Let’s be honest: the Manning name carries weight. But Arch isn’t just riding the family legacy - he’s got the tools.
After a quiet start to his college career, Manning showed real growth last season. His arm strength took a leap, his athleticism popped off the tape, and his poise under pressure started to match the hype.
If he puts it all together in 2026, he’s absolutely in the mix to go No. 1.
The narrative, the pedigree, and now the performance - it’s all aligning.
QB Julian Sayin - Ohio State Buckeyes
Sayin might be the cleanest passer in college football. His ball placement is elite, and he makes the game look easy.
In 2025, he completed 77% of his passes - a staggering number, even with the arsenal of weapons Ohio State rolls out every Saturday. Sure, some scouts might wonder how much of his success is system-driven, but Sayin’s mechanics, decision-making, and accuracy are undeniable.
If he cuts down on the late-season turnovers that crept in last year, he’ll be hard to ignore as a top pick.
WR Jeremiah Smith - Ohio State Buckeyes
It’s rare to see a wide receiver go No. 1 overall - but Jeremiah Smith might be the exception. As a true freshman, he was a force, helping lead the Buckeyes to a national title and looking like a seasoned pro while doing it.
He’s got the size, speed, hands, and route-running polish to be a franchise-changing wideout. If a team holding the top pick already has its quarterback and sees Smith as a Julio Jones-type cornerstone, don’t rule it out.
QB LaNorris Sellers - South Carolina Gamecocks
Sellers is the wild card with the freakish upside. At 6'3", 240 pounds, he’s built like a linebacker and moves like a running back, with a cannon for an arm.
He was once in the conversation for QB1 in the 2026 class, but inconsistency and team struggles knocked him down a peg. Still, the physical tools are off the charts.
If he refines his accuracy and decision-making, he could climb right back into that top-pick conversation.
EDGE Colin Simmons - Texas Longhorns
Don’t sleep on the edge rushers. Colin Simmons has the kind of profile that gets NFL GMs excited: explosive off the edge, disruptive in the backfield, and productive - with 21 sacks and six forced fumbles in just two seasons.
At 6'3", 240 pounds, he’s got the frame and motor to be a game-wrecker at the next level. And history tells us that when a dominant edge is on the board, teams don’t hesitate to pull the trigger early.
The Field: Other Names to Watch
These players may not be in the top-pick spotlight just yet, but with a big 2026 season, they could shoot up draft boards in a hurry.
QB Drew Mestemaker - Oklahoma State Cowboys
Last season’s leading passer, Mestemaker went from walk-on to stat-sheet stuffer in a hurry. He accounted for 39 total touchdowns and now enters 2026 as the clear starter. If he repeats that production in the Big 12, he’ll force his way into the conversation.
QB Josh Hoover - Indiana Hoosiers
We’ve seen what Indiana’s Curt Cignetti can do with a quarterback - just ask Fernando Mendoza. Hoover doesn’t have eye-popping physical traits, but he’s already thrown 71 career touchdowns. If he keeps lighting up the scoreboard, scouts will take notice.
EDGE Dylan Stewart - South Carolina Gamecocks
Stewart is a projection right now. He’s got the frame (6'5", 245) and athleticism, but he’s still raw, with just 4.5 sacks last season. If he puts it all together in 2026, he could leapfrog Simmons as the top edge prospect.
OT Jordan Seaton - Transfer Portal
Offensive tackles rarely go No. 1, but Seaton could be the exception - especially if a team with a franchise QB already in place ends up picking first. He’s a powerful, athletic pass protector with All-Pro potential. If he declares and continues to develop, he’ll be in the mix.
QB DJ Lagway - Baylor Bears
Lagway is another high-ceiling quarterback with the physical traits NFL teams love: 6'3", 247 pounds, strong arm, and mobility. After transferring from Florida, a fresh start at Baylor could unlock his potential.
QB Sam Leavitt - LSU Tigers
Leavitt was on the radar for 2026 before a season-ending injury at Arizona State. Now at LSU under Lane Kiffin, he’s in a system that could showcase his improvisational skills. If he stays healthy and thrives, he could reenter the draft discussion in a big way.
The Bottom Line
Dante Moore’s decision to return to Oregon sets the stage for one of the most wide-open No. 1 pick races in recent memory. He’s still the frontrunner - but the pack behind him is deep, talented, and hungry. From polished passers like Sayin to physical marvels like Sellers and Simmons, the 2027 draft is shaping up to be a fascinating chess match between talent, projection, and production.
And with a full season of college football ahead, don’t be surprised if someone we’re not even talking about yet crashes the party.