Top Future NFL Draft Prospects to Watch in 2026 College Football Season

Once the final selection is called at the 2026 NFL draft, the scouting world will quickly shift its focus to the players returning in college football.

Get ready for a whole lot of Arch Manning headlines!

The famed-last-name Texas quarterback is simply one of the marquee prospects who are eligible for the 2027 draft, though. Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith will (rightfully) command near-endless praise, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is another respected QB and so on.

While the following list is generally subjective, it's an early look at consensus top prospects for the 2027 draft cycle.

Quarterbacks

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Dante Moore

The prized prospects, given the importance of the position, are often QBs.

In reality, there are never enough high-end quarterbacks. NFL teams are desperate to find a long-term solution under center, and that frenzy is why quarterbacks tend to command so much attention.

But, hey, it seems the 2027 class is solid! Arch Manning struggled early in his first season as the full-time starter yet improved down the stretch. Dante Moore had some issues in Oregon's toughest games but otherwise put together an efficient year—and should have several chances to reverse that big-game trend.

South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers is an electric dual-threat QB at his best, although he needs a bounce-back campaign after a frustrating 2025 season.

LSU's Sam Leavitt, Miami's Darian Mensah, Notre Dame's CJ Carr, Ohio State's Julian Sayin, Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker, Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss, Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby and Washington's Demond Williams Jr. are among the many others who will be closely monitored.

Offensive Playmakers

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Jeremiah Smith

Since his All-American year as a freshman, Jeremiah Smith has probably stood atop quite a few 2027 draft boards.

Or, you know, maybe all of them.

Beyond him, popular pass-catchers are Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson and Texas receiver Cam Coleman. The duo of Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker at Indiana is particularly intriguing, too.

Don't expect a resurgence of value at running back, but Ole Miss' Kewan Lacy and Missouri's Ahmad Hardy are well respected.

Some honorable mentions are Florida and Louisville backs Jadan Baugh and Isaac Brown, Clemson wideout T.J. Moore and Texas A&M receiver Mario Craver with Texas Tech tight end Terrance Carter Jr. also on the radar.

Offensive Linemen

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Carter Smith

In all likelihood, this outlook will change. Standouts can emerge from anywhere, and breakout seasons are inevitable.

At this moment, however, all of the offensive linemen we're about to mention play at a Big Ten and SEC program. Granted, that's partly because Jordan Seaton transferred from Colorado to LSU.

Nevertheless!

Texas tackles Trevor Goosby and Brandon Baker—who is moving to guard this season—were a fearsome pair in front of their star QB.

Carter Smith, Austin Siereveld and Trevor Lauck, all left tackles, each earned All-Big Ten recognition last season. Smith helped Indiana win a national title, while Siereveld and Lauck starred for Ohio State and Iowa, respectively.

Missouri's Cayden Green is currently a tackle but could move in the NFL, joining Iowa's Kade Pieper and Texas A&M's Coen Echols as top interior prospects.

Defensive Linemen and Linebackers

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Dylan Stewart

If your favorite team needs a boost in the front seven, 2027 appears to have an awful lot of exciting talents on the way.

The edge-rushing group features South Carolina's Dylan Stewart and Texas' Colin Simmons as elite prospects and potential top-five picks.

Arkansas' Quincy Rhodes Jr., Louisville's Clev Lubin, Miami's Damon Wilson II, Michigan's John Henry Daley, Minnesota's Anthony Smith and Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei are in the Day 1 conversation, too.

On the interior, key players are Miami's Ahmad Moten Sr., Oklahoma's David Stone, Oregon's A'Mauri Washington and Texas Tech's A.J. Holmes Jr.

If a first-round linebacker emerges, it may be Clemson's Sammy Brown, LSU's Whit Weeks, Ohio State's Payton Pierce or Texas' Rasheem Biles.

Defensive Backs

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Leonard Moore

After landing first-team AP All-American honors last season, Leonard Moore is back to headline the Notre Dame defense as a top-rated cornerback.

The cycle includes an impressive group of SEC corners with Alabama's Zabien Brown, Georgia's Ellis Robinson IV and Mississippi State's Kelley Jones. Keep an eye on Oklahoma's Eli Bowen, too.

At safety, Georgia's KJ Bolden and Oregon's Koi Perich are early favorites.

Indiana cornerback AJ Harris, Miami corners OJ Frederique Jr. and Xavier Lucas, Michigan corner Smith Snowden and LSU safety Ty Benefield should not be overlooked as Day 1 possibilities, either.