College football performance isn't equal to a player's status as an NFL Draft prospect, but it's getting really hard to watch Trinidad Chambliss tear up defense after defense every week and not think about him as a top pick in the NFL Draft.
The Ole Miss superstar doesn't rise up to No. 1 in the latest NFL Draft QB rankings as a result of shredding Lane Kiffin's LSU defense on Saturday night, but he is wiggling his way into that first round conversation.
Elsewhere around the country, Arch Manning continues to be a frustrating watch, Drew Mestemaker and Darian Mensah continue to play well, and LaNorris Sellers' puzzling regression hit a fever pitch in a loss to Mississippi State on Saturday.
Who else is rising, and who else is falling heading into Week 4?
1. Arch Manning, Texas
Last week: 1
Manning's tape this season has been frustrating, to say the least. Save for an excellent fourth quarter against Ohio State, his game has been littered with mistakes and missed throws. Manning looks uncomfortable at times and a little skittish, but when he settles in like he did against the Buckeyes, it is a joy to watch. He is still No. 1 on this list, but he is going to have to raise his game in the coming weeks if he wants to keep this spot.
2. Dante Moore, Oregon
Last week: 2
Not much changed for Moore in an 84-0 win over Portland State on Friday night, but it was good to see him get some confidence back and get into a bit of a rhythm. Now, the Ducks head to The Coliseum for a date with USC, and their College Football Playoff hopes hang in the balance. All eyes will be on Moore to get back to being himself on Saturday night.
3. Darian Mensah, Miami (FL)
Last week: 3
Nothing to report once again for Mensah, who tore up another inferior opponent in Wake Forest. The Duke transfer still is playing some of the best football of his life, getting the ball out on time and being very accurate with the football. Another cupcake awaits for Mensah and this Miami offense on Saturday against Central Michigan.
4. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Last week: 6
Everything on paper is working against Chambliss as a quarterback prospect as someone who is both small and old, but at some point it's time to just bet on the guys who are great football players. Chambliss has shown the ability to take over a game in structure and outside of structure, and his playmaking ability is a true game-changing trait. The competition is going to stay tough all year, but Chambliss has cleared every hurdle to this point and has shown no signs of slowing down.
5. CJ Carr, Notre Dame
Last week: 4
Carr has showed off everything that made him a top prospect coming into this season, but has he clearly improved on any of that? The Notre Dame offense has been a bit hit-or-miss through the first three weeks against competition that hasn't really challenged it or put it in any high-pressure situations. Thankfully, Carr and company get the luxury of figuring some things out for a few more weeks before they take on BYU and Miami.
6. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
Last week: 5
Mestemaker is still a raw player, but it's hard not to bet on someone with the physical traits that he has. There's still a good chance that he is a 2028 prospect because of the lack of reps that he has during his career, but it's clear that wherever Mestemaker ends up in the next few years, he has a ton of tools that can be molded into something great. With a shaky defense in a Big 12 that has a lot of other vulnerable units on that side of the ball, Mestemaker and the Cowboys offense will be must-see TV for the rest of the season.
7. Jayden Maiava, USC
Last week: 7
Maiava's first real test of the season will come on Saturday against Oregon, after USC tore through Rutgers on offense in Week 3. The Trojans' defense has been shaky at best an downright bad at worst so far this season, so the star quarterback will likely have to put up plenty of points against a talented Ducks squad on Saturday to keep his team in it.
8. Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Last week: 8
Sayin is the guy on this list that is most likely to stay around the same spot all year. His accuracy and timing, along with the talent around him at Ohio State, give him a very high floor. However, he isn't magically about to become a playmaker or develop great arm talent, and he isn't getting any bigger. That will continue to limit him as the season goes on and NFL Draft discussion continues.
9. CJ Bailey, NC State
Last week: Next five
Bailey rising back into the top 10 after committing what will go down as one of the most infamous game-losing blunders in the history of college football is pretty funny. But prior to handing Vanderbilt the game on Saturday, Bailey was having one of the best games of his career with the Wolfpack. He is still able to access every throw on the field, but he also looked much more comfortable working from the pocket and was very accurate in the loss. This game is a good stepping stone for Bailey, despite how it ended.
10. Brendan Sorsby
Last week: Next five
Sorsby obviously isn't playing at the moment in wake of his gambling scandal that led to his removal from the Texas Tech team. He is just training for the draft away from football at the moment, but it's hard to gauge how much he is improving or maintaining his skillset.
Last season, Sorsby showed off what makes him such a strong draft prospect, even after a year off. He has great arm talent and is an excellent athlete, and that will continue to make him an intriguing player to watch for NFL teams.
Next five: LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Nico Iamaleava (UCLA), Drake Lindsey (Minnesota), Sam Leavitt (LSU), Demond Williams Jr. (Washington)