Most sports fans will be concentrating on the NBA Conference finals or maybe the NHL playoffs. Others will be just enjoying the Major League Baseball season as it really gets into its stride. Football fans will have a little more time on their hands, but you can bet that they will also be thinking about next season already.
That’s especially true for college football fans, who now have to keep track of more transfers than ever before, think about schedule matchups for 2027, and generally keep an eye on all the news concerning their favorites during the long offseason. And many of the sites found at MyTopSportsbooks are already covering the upcoming college football season.
The 2026 NFL Draft is only just in the books, but the fans will already be thinking about what might happen next year. With that in mind, we thought we would profile some of the student athletes expected to be picked early on in the 2027 draft.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
It is looking as though we will have a QB-heavy draft next year, and that could be very good news for a number of the teams expected to pick early on in the first round. We will see how the Raiders get on with Fernando Mendoza this season, but the main prize may well be the next generation of Manning in 2027.
The nephew of Eli and Peyton, Arch Manning will be leading the Longhorns again next season in his fourth year of college football. He was the Citrus Bowl MVP last year, after coming into his own in the second half of the year. There is a lot of weight on his shoulders, but a team like the Cardinals or Dolphins would be foolish to pass on a QB who should be able to seamlessly move into the pro game.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Although many of the teams likely to be picking early on in the first round will have their eyes on the range of QBs on offer, it might be difficult to turn down the talent of Jeremiah Smith. Although his change of direction skills could need some work, the power and speed of his vertical runs more than make up for that.
Smith is explosive off the line of scrimmage and is able to pull out big plays in the red zone or further down the field of play. His catching ability is unrivalled, and his ability to make any QB look good is one reason why there will be more than a few teams thinking that they can bypass the signal callers in favor of Smith next year.
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
This is a QB who was expected to be taken in one of the very early picks this year before he decided that another season of college football – and the experience that will offer – was a better way of developing his game. He was projected to go to the Jets in 2026 and now many pundits have him going to the same win-shy team next year.
There have been questions over his ability to handle the pressure when rushed, but that is something that he should improve on by staying at Oregon. His numbers are already impressive, and he was one of the best QBs last year. Another season under his belt should make him NFL-ready by the time the 2027 draft comes around.
Drake Lindsey, QB, Minnesota
The Browns have been projected to have the fourth pick in next year’s draft, and it would not be a surprise if they opt for another QB. With one of the easiest schedules in the league, there is a chance that Cleveland does not get the chance to pick this high, but you never know with this team.
Lindsey would be a good addition to just about any team looking for a QB, however. He started every single game for the Gophers last season and has just about the strongest arm in the college game. This is a leader who is still developing, but might be worth taking a chance on if the big QB names have already gone.
Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
Everyone seems to be talking about the bunch of QBs projected to go early in the first round in 2027. But there is likely to be a glut of WRs as well, with Cam Coleman expected to benefit greatly from his transfer to Texas this offseason. He could team up impressively with Arch Manning and earn himself the attention of a whole host of pro teams.
Coleman has endured, rather than enjoyed, two years with an Auburn program that had inconsistent QBs at best. Even then, his numbers were impressive, and that suggests that he could be one of the real stars of the 2027 college football season. That should put him in the limelight for the draft and any team needing some extra firepower on offense.
Jordan Seaton, OT, LSU
Seaton became the first true starting tackle in Colorado history when he joined the Buffaloes and provided impeccable protection to Shedeur Sanders, so he is sure to have some very high-profile fans once he turns pro. Once he announced his intention to transfer after the end of the last season, he was the center of a bidding war, with LSU winning out in the end.
Any team wanting some extra protection for their QB should be looking at Seaton in 2027, as he should be able to take on the pressure of the NFL and continue his development as an excellent team player. His quick feet help with stopping rush moves, and a good year at LSU should help with improving his blocking skills.