LaNorris Sellers Voted Top QB for 2026 NFL Draft, Arch Manning Gets 1 Vote from Execs

South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers was chosen as the top quarterback in the 2026 NFL draft class this week in a poll of 25 NFL scouts and executives.

The poll, which was conducted by ESPN's Pete Thamel, saw Sellers come away with eight votes. He was followed by LSU's Garrett Nussmeier (7), Miami's Carson Beck (3), Oklahoma's John Mateer (3), Penn State's Drew Allar (2), Arizona State's Sam Leavitt (1) and Texas' Arch Manning (1).

An anonymous general manager suggested that the poll results could change significantly as the season goes on, saying, "Much like last year, it's hard to pick this early."

Sellers, 20, took over as the Gamecocks' starting quarterback last season, posting a 9-4 record.

South Carolina is 2-1 so far this season following last week's surprising 31-7 loss to Vanderbilt, and Sellers' numbers have left something to be desired, as he is completing 64.4 percent of his passes for 431 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while rushing for 45 yards and a score.

Sellers is typically much more of a dual threat, as evidenced by his 674 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground last season.

An anonymous scout expressed to Thamel that they have Sellers atop their poll because he can beat defenses in myriad ways, saying:

"He's got [the] most physical talent. His ability to scramble and make plays with his feet as a runner. He's instinctive and the ball comes out quick. He's got a unique talent level. The kid, his story and how he got there. He's got a toughness to him. It intrigues people. He's got the makeup, intangibles and ability to run. He's got the most potential to be an impact player."

Right on Sellers' heels is the 23-year-old Nussmeier, who became a full-time starter for the first time last season, guiding LSU to a 9-4 mark.

Nussmeier threw for over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns in his first season as the starter, and thus far in 2025, he is completing 65.1 percent of his passing attempts for 689 yards, three touchdowns and two picks for the 3-0 Tigers.

A scout praised Nussmeier's resourcefulness, saying, "Instinctive and finds a way. He's got a great feel for the position and a good arm."

Entering the 2025 campaign, it was essentially considered a foregone conclusion that Manning would be the top quarterback in the 2026 draft class if he decided to enter it.

The nephew of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and future Hall of Fame quarterback Eli Manning, Arch spent his first two seasons at Texas backing up Quinn Ewers.

Manning showed immense potential last season, starting two games in place of Ewers and appearing in several others. In those games, he accounted for 13 total touchdowns and just two interceptions.

He entered 2025 as the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, but things simply haven't gone as smoothly as expected.

The Longhorns lost to Ohio State in Week 1, and although they have bounced back with two straight wins against lower-level opponents, Manning's production hasn't exactly been spectacular.

He is completing just 55.3 percent of his passes for 579 yards, six touchdowns and three picks, and he has rushed for 112 yards and three scores.

Despite Manning's struggles, one scout still sees him as the cream of the crop at the quarterback position, saying: "He's very talented. Just from top-to-bottom, arm talent. Just understanding in the pocket and seeing the field and feeling the field. You see his arm strength. He just needs to get everything under control and for the game to slow down."

It is fair to wonder if Manning's slow start will increase the likelihood of him returning to Texas for another season in 2026 even more.

Archie Manning, who is a legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback and Arch's grandfather, told Texas Monthly (h/t Jeff Hauser of Athlon Sports) last month that Arch "isn't going to" declare for the draft early, and will "be at Texas" in 2026.

That came after ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said on Get Up back in April that Arch "could be staying [at Texas] beyond next year."

The uncertainty of the 2026 quarterback class could potentially influence Manning's decision, particularly if he rights the ship, but his draft plans very much remain in question for now.