\u201cWhat\u2019s giving so many people this blind faith that there\u2019s just this monstrous ceiling with him?\u201d the assistant general manager said before Manning threw two costly interceptions in No. 1 Texas\u2019 27-24 upset loss to Oklahoma <\/a>on Saturday in the Red River rivalry. \u201cMaybe this current state is just who he really is as a prospect.\u201d<\/p>\n Manning, who returned to Texas for his redshirt junior season after an underwhelming 2025, will look to help the 5-1 Longhorns bounce back on Saturday at home against Florida. <\/p>\n He entered Saturday going 73-for-115 \u2014 throwing for seven touchdowns and tossing three interceptions \u2014 while collecting 862 passing yards and helping Texas secure a marquee win over Ohio State<\/a> earlier in the season.<\/p>\n Manning, given his family\u2019s history at the quarterback position, entered Texas with massive expectations and has been projected as one of the top picks in next year\u2019s draft, and an AFC scout told ESPN that they think \u201csomeone will fall in love with what he can be in a few years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll always be graded on a different scale because of the name,\u201d the anonymous scout told the outlet. \u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s the best in the class, but his flashes in games are fascinating and a preview of what could happen down the road.\u201d<\/p>\n But inconsistencies since taking over as Texas\u2019 full-time have made Manning\u2019s draft outlook murky.<\/p>\n In the ESPN rankings, Oklahoma State\u2019s Drew Mestemaker, Miami\u2019s Darian Mensah, Ole Miss\u2019 Trinidad Chambliss and Notre Dame\u2019s CJ Carr were all ranked ahead of Manning \u2014 with the outlet citing his high time-to-throw number (2.95 seconds) and his off-target percentage (9.8 percent) as criticism.<\/p>\n Manning\u2019s next chance to improve his draft stock will unfold Saturday, when Texas faces Oklahoma.<\/p>\n Eli told Barstool\u2019s \u201cPardon My Take\u201d earlier this week<\/a> that he selfishly hoped that Manning was drafted by the Jets in April, something that\u2019d allow the Giants legend to attend games and allow for Manning to be near family.<\/p>\n Earlier this season, Manning was involved in an off-field controversy when he brought up an AI-created video<\/a> of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian \u2014 who ended a postgame interview with ESPN reporter Holly Rowe before taking questions<\/a> \u2014 slapping Rowe.<\/p>\n![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/texas-longhorns-quarterback-arch-manning-144153300_c04fef.jpg\")
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) passes against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n![\"Arch](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/arch-manning-16-texas-longhorns-142643783.jpg\")
Arch Manning (16) of the Texas Longhorns is tackled by Qua Moss (6) of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of a college football game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Getty Images<\/p>\n