Daniel Jeremiah Reveals His No. 1 QB Entering 2026 CFB Season Amid Arch Manning, Dante Moore Buzz

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah doesn't think the No. 1 quarterback in Week 0 of this college football season will be Texas' Arch Manning.

Jeremiah named Oregon's Dante Moore as his top quarterback heading into the 2026 season in a Thursday appearance on ESPN's Pat McAfee Show.

"To me, he's just a really natural, smooth thrower," Jeremiah said about Moore. "Different arm angles, all that stuff, it comes real easy for him. He would be the top one for me."

Jeremiah also described himself as a "big believer" in Manning's ability to take a step forward in his second full season as Texas' starter.

"Arch, to me, the tools are special tools. He's just got to continue to put it all together... this guy has got elite athleticism, strength in the pocket, the ability to drive the football," Jeremiah said. "All those things are there. He just needs to get a little more refined, which he's going to get with play time."

Jeremiah also provided some insights into other quarterbacks who could be among the top players in college football this season.

According to Jeremiah, there is "buzz" from scouts that Miami's Darian Mensah could finish the season as the top quarterback in the 2027 NFL draft class.

Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss could also be a first-round pick, according to Jeremiah.

"I had someone ask me, 'Hey, could he be a a first-round pick?'" Jeremiah said about Chambliss. "I'm like— Bryce Young was a first overall pick. Yeah, absolutely... he's sturdy, and he is a playmaker."

Jeremiah described South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers as a "big, strong, physical, tough" player who will need to show more consistency when throwing to take a step forward next season.

He also expressed faith in Notre Dame's CJ Carr, who is heading into his second college season after starting his redshirt freshman year.

"For somebody who hasn't played a ton, he is locked in," Jeremiah said. "It's coaching tape. When you watch his feet, and the way he throws the ball, he's a really, really good player."

Bleacher Report's most recent 2027 NFL Draft big board lists Mensah (No. 4), Manning (No. 6) and Moore (No. 7) as top-10 draft prospects heading into the college football season.

Chambliss (No. 23) also made the top 25 of the early big board. Players like Sellers and Carr will see if they can play their way into the top of the draft rankings before potentially looking to make the jump to the pros in 2027.