After Week 6, Deshaun Watson has the wind in his back again after another fourth-quarter comeback. However, it is the play in the first three quarters that drives the conversation that a change could come in 2027 through the NFL Draft.
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 7 of the college football season.
5. Darian Mensah, Miami (FL)
Week 7: 23 for 34 passing, 326 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and one interception
Darian Mensah was finally in a close game and was forced to be one of the reasons his team could pull it
out. Miami had a tough matchup with the Seminoles on Saturday, but Mensah did his part to keep them in it. He didn't look great, but he looked good nevertheless. He will have two more weeks to build up momentum ahead of the big matchup between Miami and Notre Dame.
4. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
Week 7: 27 for 49 passing, 261 passing yards, no touchdowns or interceptions
CJ Carr had a big stage on Saturday night and did not rise to the occasion. He could not drag Notre Dame across the finish line, despite some impressive throws, and it now makes the Miami game next month very telling for his development and what the NFL may see in him. The worst part of the night came as the first half was coming to a close and he attempted to spike the ball and instead fumbled it. It was a big moment; it wasn't met, and now he has to find himself starting next week.
3. Austin Simmons, Missouri
Week 7: 25 for 44 passing, 339 passing yards, no touchdowns, and one interception
Simmons was playing a lot of hero ball and taking chances in a game in which Missouri struggled to find itself in Week 7. The talent is still there, the zip on passes was there, but Ole Miss just never let Simmons get things going. He still has some big games coming up to build momentum again, but right now he is benefiting from this class not looking the best.
2. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
Week 7: 22 for 34 passing, 365 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception
Drew Mestemaker had a rough start to his big matchup with the Houston Cougars, but he nearly pulled off the comeback. What he showed in the loss, though, is that his natural arm talent may be the best in college football right now. The more he plays, the better he looks, and it will make things very interesting in a quarterback class that is still looking for someone to pick up the baton and run.
1. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Week 7: 20 for 36 passing, 241 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown
Trinidad Chambliss continues to be my QB1, but Drew Mestemaker is hot on his heels. Chambliss got the job done this weekend against Missouri in a battle between him and Simmons, and he got the best of it all. The arm strength was on display again this weekend; the mobility was there. He was out of rhythm at times, but he powered through. An underrated aspect of his game is his short-term memory and how it allows him to keep going and always have his team in the thick of it.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: 2027 NFL Draft: Updated QB rankings following Week 7 of CFB
