Texas quarterback Arch Manning was a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft but opted to return to Austin for a second season as the Longhorns’ starter.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian suggested he could stick around UT for two more years, even if prognosticators expect him to be one of the first picks in the 2027 draft.
A redshirt junior, Manning and Sarkisian have “not had the discussion” about his senior season, the coach said.
“I think Arch really loves college football, I really do,” Sarkisian said on the “Up & Adams” podcast. “I think he loves the University of Texas. He does pretty good through NIL. He’s got some pretty good endorsements going right now, which is a credit to him, and obviously, the lineage of the last name and the brand of Texas, all those things coming together.
“But again on the same token, I wouldn’t be surprised if he declares and decides to go to the draft. I think some of that is dependent on how we play as a team this fall, how he plays individually. Knock on wood, injury-free football and things like that. Again, that’s not our focus. (We’re) Getting ready for the season. Texas State in Week 1, then Ohio State and so forth. We haven’t really had any dialogue about it, but to your point, I wouldn’t be surprised. He loves college.”
The No. 1 player in the Class of 2023, Manning is the nephew of two former No. 1 draft picks: Peyton Manning (1998) and Eli Manning (2004).
In 2025, Arch Manning took over as the QB1 for Sarkisian following Quinn Ewers’ departure for the NFL draft.
He threw 26 touchdown passes, ran for 10 TDs and was intercepted seven times. Manning compiled 3,163 passing yards and 399 rushing.
