AUSTIN, Texas — According to a text message sent from his father, Cooper Manning, to ESPN, Arch Manning will return for another season as quarterback at the University of Texas at Austin in 2026.
The Longhorns will play their final game of the season in Orlando, Fla., as they take on the Michigan Wolverines in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. While there, head coach Steve Sarkisian commented on Manning’s status for next season.
“I would think he’s going to want another year of that growth to put himself in position for hopefully a long career in the NFL. And he’s got some unfinished business of what he came here to do and what he came here to accomplish,” Sarkisian told ESPN.
The Longhorns opened this season as No. 1 in the AP poll for the first time as preseason favorites. After losing their opening game to Ohio State, 14-7, Texas had an up-and-down regular season with three losses but three wins over Top 10 teams, including over rivals Oklahoma and Texas A&M.
Manning began the season as one of the most hyped quarterbacks in all of college football but had a slow start statistically. He showed marked improvement as the season went on and apparently will look to punctuate that improvement with a strong showing in 2026.