After Week 8, Deshaun Watson looked good at times, but the bad made us think that folks may be getting warmed back up to drafting a replacement. Thus, we will keep our eyes on college prospects.
We will provide a top-five ranking, with players just on the outside looking in. This group already looks good after just one week, but it's only been one week. Deeper analysis will come later, so this is a more reactionary take with some added reasoning for their placement.
With the stage set, here is how things look after Week 9 of the college football season.
5. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
Week 8: 19 for 29 passing, 210 passing yards, and two touchdowns
CJ Carr does such a great job of getting his passes out quickly. He leads his receivers, throws them open, and it allows for the Notre Dame offense to remain efficient more often than not. He won't
wow you with a lot of his passing style or attempts, but he is efficient. IN a day and age where so many college quarterbacks hold onto the ball and make poor decisions, Carr is a welcome surprise. He faces Miami in Week 10 of the season, and with a strong performance, he could make a big leap a week from today.
4. Austin Simmons, Missouri
Week 8: 20 for 31 passing, 179 passing yards, and two touchdowns
Austin Simmons still wows me with the zip he gets on his passes. He pushes the ball down the field, he makes throws to every level with touch and accuracy, and doesn't force the ball where defenders are. Simmons is a really fun prospect and should excel through the draft process once it starts if he declares. For now, his next test will come in the form of Texas which could do a lot to his stock one way or another.
3. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Week 8: 19 of 24 passing, 301 passing yards, 96 rushing yards, five total touchdowns, and two interceptions
The last three weeks, something has clicked in LaNorris Sellers. Starting in the Florida game, he has been showing he can be the prospect that so many thought he could be starting two years ago. I am back to being all in on him, and if he can keep showcasing the howitzer attached to his shoulder and his dynamic ability as a runner, the first round wouldn't be crazy for him. He has one stiff test left at the end of the month in Georgia; if he passes that, then the sky is the limit.
2. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Week 8: 22 for 34 passing, 263 passing yards, 65 rushing yards, three total touchdowns, and one interception
Trinidad Chambliss showcased his legs more in Week 9 against Auburn than he had in recent weeks. He only uses them when he has tp make a play, and he did that to perfection last weekend. He, of course, also showcased his arm talent, but knowing he has that mobility wildcard is an underrated aspect of him as a prospect. The best part of his mobility, though, is how he uses it to move around the pocket, and that he never exposes himself to hits.
1. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
Week 8: 27 for 42 passing, 323 passing yards, five touchdowns, and one interception
Drew Mestemaker did everything he could to get Oklahoma State over the finish line this past weekend against Iowa State. The defense let them down; Mestemaker did not, as he made highlight throw after highlight throw. He remains my QB1, and it is hard to imagine he loses that spot barring anything crazy happening in the playoff with Chambliss.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: 2027 NFL Draft: Updated QB rankings following Week 9 of CFB
