Don’t be shocked if Arch Manning spends more than one season as the starter at Texas.
The redshirt sophomore enters the 2025 season as the Heisman favorite and a ton of expectations as he takes over the starting quarterback job from Quinn Ewers. If Manning has an excellent season, he’s seen as the possible No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
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If he leaves school.
In an interview with Texas Monthly for a feature on his grandson, Archie Manning said that he expected Arch to be at Texas in 2026.
“As the season approaches, many of the same people who have already awarded Arch the Heisman and the national championship are predicting that he will also be the number one NFL draft choice in 2026. Stories abound about how NFL teams could position themselves to get him, though there is no reason to believe he would leave Texas next year, with or without a championship ring. His grandfather says he hasn’t discussed it with Arch, but he knows his grandson: “Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas.”
The Mannings are buying exactly none of this hype. It feels, to them, like a setup. “People are saying he’s a Heisman candidate,” said Archie, the scorn building in his voice. “You’re not a Heisman Trophy candidate when you haven’t played but three games. It’s crazy.”
Since the 2025 season is Manning’s third in Austin, he’s eligible for the draft next season. And even though he’s only played part-time — and only started when Ewers missed time due to an oblique injury in 2024 — the rumor mill has already run wild regarding the Cleveland Browns’ alleged interest in drafting him next season.
But there are myriad reasons why it makes sense for Manning to stay in school for another year. His uncles Peyton and Eli didn’t leave school after their third seasons for the NFL. Peyton spent four seasons at Tennessee and was second in the Heisman voting to Charles Woodson in 1997. Eli spent four seasons at Ole Miss and was third in the Heisman voting in 2003.
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Both were No. 1 overall picks in the NFL Draft.
Peyton and Eli also stayed in school during a time when college athletes were officially prohibited from making money off their name and image rights. Arch is already cashing in at Texas with numerous endorsement deals and can continue to make even more money in a fourth season with the Longhorns.
Plus, another year of development under a coach like Steve Sarkisian can also be a significant benefit for Manning’s NFL future. Sarkisian is known as one of the most innovative offensive minds in college football and has experience as an NFL offensive coordinator. While it wouldn’t be a total shock if Manning left Texas after the season — especially if the Longhorns win the title and he wins the Heisman — it doesn’t seem wise to pencil him in at the top of next year’s draft.