THE 2026 college football season hasn’t gone well for Arch Manning – and he is slipping in the NFL Draft rankings.

An unlikely name has emerged as the possible No1 overall pick thanks to his stellar play this year.

Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker is lighting up the Big 12, and NFL scouts are taking notice.

It has been a battle for him to get attention as a starter.

In high school he lost the QB competition, but stayed put to play defensive back and punter.

And then in college he walked on at North Texas before finally getting his first start in a bowl gam against Texas State.

Mestemaker’s breakout year came last season at North Texas, where he led the FBS in passing yards with 4,379 and added 34 touchdowns.

He transferred to Oklahoma State this offseason already on the radar of NFL scouts.

But his performances this year might have already rocketed him up to the top of the draft board.

Six weeks into the season Mestemaker has passed for 1,940 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.

College football top 25 rankings

BELOW is the AP College Football Top 25 rankings of the country's best programs.

1. Miami (6-0)
2. BYU (6-0)
3. Ohio State (6-1)
4. Notre Dame (6-1)
5. Georgia (6-1)
6. Indiana (6-1)
7. Ole Miss (5-1)
8. Texas Tech (6-0)
9. UCLA (6-0)
10. Utah (6-0)
11. Tennessee (6-1)
12. Kentucky (6-1)
13. Alabama (5-2)
14. Houston (6-1)
15. Iowa (5-1)
16. USC (6-1)
17. Wake Forest (6-1)
18. LSU (5-2)
19. Texas (4-2)
20. Florida (5-2)
21. Boise State (5-1)
22. Missouri (5-2)
23. SMU (5-1)
24. Northwestern (5-1)
25. Arizona (5-1)

*Rankings released after Week 7

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has him at No2 on his draft board behind Ohio State’s superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

And as the season goes on, he could end up as the first player drafted in 2027 with teams like the Miami Dolphins in desperate need of a quarterback.

Mestemaker has his Oklahoma State Cowboys at 4-2 and in fifth place in the Big 12.

A favorable schedule down the stretch could see them finish with a 10-2 or 9-3 record.

If Mestemaker continues to play as he has during that run, it might cement him as the top player in the NFL Draft.

Now there is always the chance he returns for another season with a good NIL offer, but being the No1 pick is an enticing opportunity.