Thoughts on the evolving ’27 QB situation … Most of the focus on the 2027 draft this morning, particularly as it relates to the QB situation, is centred around the nasty concussion Oregon’s Dante Moore suffered on Saturday evening in Los Angeles when he took a late to the head while sliding in the Ducks’ win over Southern Cal. Moore, who had been considered to be the top prospect at the position for the upcoming draft, is expected back at some point later this season once he clears the concussion protocols, but one wonders if there might be some lingering questions about durability and the like regarding Moore. While all that was going on, Texas’ Arch Manning also faced a big SEC road test this weekend when the Longhorns played at unbeaten Tennessee. And while Manning and the ‘Horns survived, albeit barely 20-17, to maintain their #1 ranking we’re still not sure we’re seeing a potential elite passer in Manning III. He did throw 2-3 really exquisite passes against the Vols; he also clearly has the tools including a live arm, sound fundamentals, as well as very un-Manning like athleticism. However, you just don’t get the sense that the ball is popping out of his hand as it does with other top passers this year like Moore, USC’s Jayden Maiava or Darian Mensah of Miami. At the same time, its also not clear that he reads the field all that well and may lack the subtle route anticipation skills that set apart the truly elite QBs. Bottom, line is that it is very possible that QB1 for 2027 is still very much TBD and that it is going to take a few more weeks to even begin to really start to sort out the top guys.
