Draft analysts are buzzing over a talent-heavy 2027 class. After a dynamic breakout season in Austin, Manning is poised to headline a potentially record-breaking pool of prospects.
The excitement surrounding the 2027 NFL Draft is already reaching historic levels, and that conversation naturally starts with Texas quarterback Arch Manning.
ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates openly wondered whether the 2027 draft class could become one of the greatest classes the NFL has ever seen. That alone says a lot considering how far away the draft still is, but the amount of elite talent expected to enter the league has evaluators buzzing already.
"We're very intrigued by this draft class. It's going to be loaded. It's potentially a record-breaking class in terms of the number of players we have high grades on if they all come out," Kiper and Yates discussed. "This is not the media creating a narrative. This could be a special class. NFL teams are operating under the same presumption."
And for Texas fans, there’s one massive takeaway from all of it: Manning sits right in the middle of the conversation.
The Longhorns quarterback has become the face of what many believe could be a franchise-changing quarterback class. While there are several highly regarded passers expected to headline the 2027 draft, Manning continues to receive superstar-level attention because of both his upside and the flashes he showed during his first season as Texas’ full-time starter.
He racked up 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns in his first full season as the field general for the Longhorns, and he did so with just seven interceptions. Manning was also able to show his athleticism with 399 yards and an impressive 10 touchdowns with his legs.
What should excite Longhorns fans most is that evaluators believe another jump could be coming in 2026.
Kiper previously explained that experience was one of the biggest missing pieces for Manning early in his career, but his growth late in the season helped change the perception around him. Now, entering another year in Steve Sarkisian’s offense, Manning has a chance to solidify himself as the top quarterback in what many already view as a potentially legendary draft class.
If that happens, Texas may once again have the center of the football world playing quarterback in Austin.