Austin Simmons climbs to No. 5 in 2027 NFL Draft QB rankings after Missouri's big win
Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons is making a serious move up the 2027 NFL Draft board, jumping two spots to No. 5 after a dominant performance against Florida. The former Ole Miss transfer threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-17 rout of the No. 8 Gators, cementing his status as one of the fastest-rising prospects in the country.
Simmons finished 23-of-30 on the day, with 240 of those yards coming on throws of 10 or more yards downfield. That willingness to attack defenses deep, combined with his efficiency, has NFL scouts taking notice.
“Simmons has a live arm that was on full display on Saturday,” noted draft analyst John Damon. “He is clearly willing to let it fly, and NFL teams will love that willingness to hunt explosive plays down the field.”
Simmons finds his footing at Missouri
Simmons’ path to this point has been anything but smooth. He was slated to start for Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss in 2025, but an early-season ankle injury opened the door for Trinidad Chambliss, who never gave the job back. Simmons transferred to Missouri, and in 2026 he has finally found his footing.
The Tigers are 4-1 and coming off a statement win over Florida, even with star running back Ahmad Hardy sidelined. That success is a testament to Simmons’ ability to carry the offense through the air.
Arch Manning still tops the list
Texas quarterback Arch Manning remains the No. 1 quarterback in the 2027 class despite a bye week. The Longhorns have been “a bit out of sorts” offensively this season, and Manning will face a stiff test Saturday against Oklahoma’s stout defense.
Chambliss moves up to No. 2
Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss climbed one spot to No. 2 without playing. His physical tools and the early success of similarly sized quarterback Bryce Young in the NFL are boosting his stock. “It’s hard to see him going outside of the first round,” Damon wrote.
Mensah, Mestemaker round out the top four
Miami’s Darian Mensah slipped to No. 3 after a solid but unspectacular outing against Clemson, finishing 18-of-27 for 227 yards and two total touchdowns. Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker held steady at No. 4 after a bye week, with big tests ahead against UCF and Houston.
Full 2027 NFL Draft QB rankings after Week 5
- Arch Manning, Texas
- Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
- Darian Mensah, Miami (FL)
- Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
- Austin Simmons, Missouri
- Dante Moore, Oregon
- CJ Carr, Notre Dame
- Julian Sayin, Ohio State
- CJ Bailey, NC State
- Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Notable risers include CJ Bailey (No. 9) and Nico Iamaleava (No. 10), who has re-established himself after a rough 2025 at UCLA. The next five includes Jayden Maiava (USC), Brendan Sorsby, Drake Lindsey (Minnesota), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), and Dylan Raiola (Oregon).
What’s ahead for Simmons and the Tigers
Missouri faces a softer stretch in the schedule, giving Simmons more chances to pad his numbers and prove he belongs in the first-round conversation. With his arm talent and growing confidence, he could keep climbing before the 2027 draft.
For Iowa football fans, the rankings offer a glimpse at the quarterbacks their beloved Hawkeyes might face in the coming years, especially with Julian Sayin and Ohio State on the schedule.