2027 NFL Draft QB Class Preview: Arch Manning Returns to Texas While Dante Moore Stays at Oregon in the Race for Number 1

The 2027 Quarterback Class Just Got Generational

Look, the 2027 NFL Draft quarterback class went from "meh" to "holy smokes" faster than you can say "generational talent." Arch Manning and Dante Moore both decided to stick around for 2026, and now scouts are losing their minds over what could be the deepest QB class in years.

Moore balled out in 2025. 3,565 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions — and he did it at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds. The Oregon transfer was ESPN's top-ranked portal player and the ninth-best overall prospect in the 2026 class. His decision to return? Probably the smartest move he'll ever make.

Manning's first season at Texas? Let's call it a mixed bag. Two picks in a loss to Florida, some shaky moments against UTEP, but the pedigree is undeniable. The five-star recruit from the Manning dynasty still has first-round buzz for 2027. Can he silence the doubters in 2026? That's the billion-dollar question.

Why This Class Could Be Special

This isn't just hype. The 2027 quarterback class is flat-out better than 2026's group. Moore's 2025 breakout — 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, 5 interceptions the year before — showed steady growth. His 2025 season? NFL teams are drooling over his upside.

Manning sticking at Texas means two more seasons to develop. Sure, he threw 2 interceptions in his final 7 games of 2025, but his arm talent and football IQ? Still elite. The Texas quarterback completed 227-of-370 passes for 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in his first year as a starter.

The Competition Heats Up

The Manning-Moore debate is just the appetizer. LaNorris Sellers and other top prospects returning to school have flipped the script on what was supposed to be a weak 2026 class. Now? It's looking like a historic 2027 quarterback draft.

Moore's 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame is the ideal NFL quarterback build. Manning's family legacy and Texas platform? Unmatched exposure. Moore was a top-five pick candidate in 2026 before his return. His 2025 season? Only raised that projection higher.

What to Watch in 2026

The 2026 season will be crucial. Moore gets another year to build on his Oregon success. Manning needs to prove his 2025 struggles were growing pains, not red flags. The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine (February 27-March 2 in Indianapolis) and the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25 in Green Bay) will be the first major evaluation points for the 2027 class.

With both quarterbacks returning, the 2027 NFL Draft could feature multiple first-round QBs. Manning, Moore, and other emerging prospects are all in play. The battle between these two blue-chip talents? One of college football's most compelling storylines in 2026. Winner takes the top spot in the 2027 quarterback class.