Arch Manning Is Only the 6th Best QB in College Football 27. That Ranking Has Some Explaining to Do.

Arch Manning is still borderline untouchable in NFL Draft conversations. ESPN draft analysts already stamped him as the top pick for 2027 earlier this month. But EA Sports’ “College Football 27” just gave him a rating that feels like a cold shower.

Manning landed at No. 6 among quarterbacks in the upcoming game. His 91 overall rating is solid, but it leaves him outside the top five. And that’s the part that has people scratching their heads.

Manning threw for 3,163 yards last season with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran for 399 yards and 10 scores. Those are legit numbers. But his 61.4% completion percentage is what probably dragged him down. That and the fact he had some pretty rough early games against Ohio State and even UTEP at home. Unranked Florida picked him off twice before they fired Billy Napier.

Nick Kosko of On3 put it this way: Manning improved as the season went on in 2025 and should be one of the best quarterbacks this fall, if not the best. That sounds right. But EA Sports clearly looked at the full body of work and saw warts.

The guy sitting at No. 1 might surprise you

Dante Moore from Oregon took the top spot with a 95 rating. He’s got Heisman buzz and draft hype packed into a dual-threat frame. Behind him at 94 is Ohio State’s Julian Sayin. Both guys have the pop that makes video game ratings shoot up.

But the real eyebrow-raiser is at No. 4. Jayden Maiava of USC grabbed a 92 rating, tied with CJ Carr of Notre Dame. Maiava threw for more yards last year, and Carr is losing Jeremiyah Love this season. So the USC edge makes some sense. But Maiava in the top five? That one caught a lot of people off guard.

Darian Mensah of Miami sits right behind Manning at No. 7 with the same 91 score. Oklahoma’s John Mateer rounds out the top 10 at No. 10. So the talent pool is deep, and the difference between No. 6 and No. 10 is basically a rounding error.

Manning still has the name. He still has the arm. And he’s still going to be the guy everyone watches in Austin this fall. But EA Sports just told us he’s not the best quarterback in the game. Not yet anyway.