Poise, not just arm strength or athleticism, is shaking up the 2027 NFL Draft QB Power Rankings after six weeks of college football. That’s the single biggest factor in why the preseason board, which had Arch Manning and Dante Moore as “Top 5 Talents” well above everyone else, is getting a complete overhaul. Those guys have seriously failed to justify their lofty perch so far this season, forcing a new tiered ranking system based on First Round, Day 2, or Day 3 projections. But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom for the top prospects; others are emerging, making us legitimately optimistic that the 2027 class could be absolutely stacked at quarterback.
The Big Names Are Faltering, and Who’s Stepping Up?
Remember all the hype around Arch Manning and Dante Moore? Everyone, including this writer, had them at the very top, practically in a league of their own. But six weeks in, that’s just not holding up. It’s a tough pill to swallow for some, but their early season performances haven’t matched the “Top 5 Talent” billing. The good news? This opens the door for other intriguing prospects to climb the ranks. The draft board is now moving to tiers, recognizing that the gap isn’t as wide as once thought, and there’s serious potential across the board. The key trait separating the pretenders from the contenders? Poise, plain and simple.
Day 3 Diamonds: From Pullman to Tuscaloosa
Over the last decade, 69 quarterbacks have been drafted on Day Three, and only a couple, like Dak Prescott and Brock Purdy, turned into long-term starters. But hitting that Day 3 lottery ticket for a quarterback is a massive financial windfall for teams, so you know several more will get picked in 2027. These are the guys who usually have ideal physical traits but sometimes their accuracy is a bit sporadic. Think South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, LSU’s Sam Leavitt, and Oklahoma’s John Mateer. These three are currently better runners than passers, but they all flash the arm strength and “intangibles” that NFL coaches drool over, thinking, “I can turn this kid into a pro.”
Mateer is especially hot right now after pulling off that huge upset win over Manning and top-ranked Texas. Our guy from Washington State, where he flashed early in his college career, hasn’t developed as a passer quite like the Sooners hoped. Still, scouts are super intrigued by his improvisational skills, his strength, and his resiliency. He’s been criticized for a lack of poise before, but his composure late in that Texas game? It absolutely stood out. And speaking of poise, you’ve got to give it up for Georgia’s Gunner Stockton. He put on another brilliant demonstration of that trait in the Bulldogs’ 20-17 win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Stockton just makes a career out of playing well in big games, especially when he’s on the road. Over the last two seasons, this Bulldog is now 8-1 in games played on the road or on a neutral field, rocking a 14-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio, plus another five touchdowns on the ground. He might not have the height or elite arm strength of some of his peers at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, but he’s a quality athlete, reads defenses like a book, and throws a real smooth ball.
We’re only six weeks into the college season, but the 2027 QB class is already wild. Keep your eyes peeled on these guys; every snap from here on out is a tryout for the next level. Can Mateer keep showing that poise? Will Stockton continue his road warrior ways? It’s going to be a fun ride to watch this class shake out and see who truly separates themselves.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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