Dante Moore and Arch Manning Both Snubbed the NFL Draft, and Nobody Else Is Ready For the 2026 College Season

Seriously. If you thought the 2026 college football season was going to be anything less than absolute chaos, you better strap in right now. Two of the biggest names in the game, absolute studs who could have been top picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, have officially said "nah" to the pros. Yeah, I'm talking about Dante Moore from Oregon and Arch Manning from Texas. Their decisions to run it back are about to make this upcoming season legendary. These aren't just good players, folks, these are the guys already penciled in for Heisman contention and leading their teams to College Football Playoff glory. Expectations for these two are through the roof, and for good reason!

The Return of the Kings: Moore and Manning Set for Stardom

Let's dive into what makes these guys so special, and why their return changes everything. First up, Dante Moore. This dude absolutely could have been one of the top names called in the 2026 NFL Draft, but he's staying put in Oregon. You know what that means for the Ducks? More fireworks. He's coming off a season where he racked up 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns. With better health for Oregon's pass-catchers, he's going to blow those numbers out of the water. This is a QB ready to dominate.

Then there's Arch Manning down in Texas. Seriously, this guy is loaded for bear. When you've got targets like Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, plus a brick wall at left tackle in Trevor Goosby, who also spurned the NFL Draft, you're set up for success. Manning has the supporting cast, the talent, and the expectation to not only lead Texas back to the CFP but to make a serious Heisman push himself. You can practically hear the roar already!

Beyond the Top Two: Dark Horses and Rising Stars Emerge

Moore and Manning headline the "Obvious Heisman Candidates" tier, but this 2026 class is stacked with talent and wild storylines. Remember Trinidad Chambliss from Ole Miss? A year ago, nobody had him on their radar, Austin Simmons was the 2025 starter. But Chambliss, after the NCAA tried to deny him a medical redshirt and lost in court, led Ole Miss to their greatest season in modern history and is now a legitimate Heisman contender! And hey, Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman winner, wasn't considered an "obvious" candidate either before that season. You just never know where the next star comes from!

Darian Mensah. He was balling out at Duke, finishing second in the FBS and first among Power Four quarterbacks with 3,973 passing yards last season. Now he's at Miami, linking up with stud sophomore receiver Malachi Toney and former Duke teammate Cooper Barkate, who was second in the ACC in receiving yards with 1,106. Julian Sayin at Ohio State, despite uninspiring postseason losses, led the nation in completion percentage as a redshirt freshman and is now a veteran with elite skill talent and an experienced offensive line. And C.J. Carr at Notre Dame? He didn't even attempt a pass before last season but played like a seasoned pro as a redshirt freshman. Now, he's entering 2026 tied with Manning as the betting favorite for the Heisman Trophy! Wild, right?

Get Ready for an Unpredictable Season

This 2026 college football season is shaping up to be one for the ages. With incredible talent returning, unexpected stars emerging, and Heisman races already heating up, you just never know who's going to make the next big move. Get ready to watch these QBs light up the scoreboard, this year is going to be insane. Can Moore and Manning live up to the hype? Will one of these dark horses steal the show? We'll be watching every single snap!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.