McShay Says Manning, Sellers, Leavitt Should Return
Analyst Todd McShay says three quarterbacks would and should return to school, while Drew Mestemaker is likely to be the top overall pick in 2027.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
Todd McShay said Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers, and Sam Leavitt would and should return to school, during a discussion of the 2027 NFL Draft on The Ryen Russillo Show. He also said Drew Mestemaker of Oklahoma State is likely to be the top overall quarterback in that class.
Why it matters
McShay's comments shape expectations for the 2027 quarterback class and whether highly rated college passers stay in school rather than enter the draft early. The discussion also reflects the NFL's longstanding shift toward valuing top-end traits in quarterbacks, a pattern that dates to Patrick Mahomes.
McShay's projection names five quarterbacks expected as early first-round picks, with Mestemaker placed at the top. The stub does not confirm final decisions from the named players.
The players
Todd McShay
Todd McShay is a longtime NFL Draft analyst known for his television and podcast draft coverage.
Drew Mestemaker
Drew Mestemaker is an Oklahoma State quarterback projected by McShay as the top overall quarterback in the 2027 class.
Arch Manning
Arch Manning is a Texas quarterback and member of the Manning football family, whom McShay said should return to school.
The details
On The Ryen Russillo Show, McShay discussed the 2027 class, saying Manning (Texas), Sellers (South Carolina), and Leavitt (LSU) would and should return to school. He also pointed to Mestemaker, Notre Dame's CJ Carr, Oregon's Dante Moore, and USC's Jayden Maiava in the broader quarterback conversation, noting Oregon's season ended with Moore's injury.
Timeline
Nov. 2, 2026: McShay's 2027 NFL Draft comments were published.
2027: The NFL Draft, where Mestemaker is expected to be the top overall quarterback.
Season Trajectory
McShay's comments extend a pattern set after Patrick Mahomes, when the NFL began prioritizing top-end quarterback traits over proven college production. The 2027 projections suggest that pattern will shape how the next quarterback class is evaluated.
Fantasy and draft-watchers should track whether Manning, Sellers, and Leavitt confirm their return to school, since that determines the 2027 first-round quarterback pool. Mestemaker's status as the projected top overall pick is the most immediate consequence for early draft planning.
The takeaway
Analyst projections on the 2027 class are still conditional on players' own decisions about returning to school. Readers should treat these rankings as opinion until teams and players confirm their plans.
Further reading
For more on the college game driving these projections, see Football coverage.
