Arch Manning has decided to return to Texas for the 2026 season, opting for another year with the Longhorns rather than entering the NFL draft.
Manning’s father, Cooper, confirmed the decision to ESPN, saying, “Arch is playing football at Texas next year.” The move ends months of speculation surrounding the redshirt junior, who was eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft and widely viewed by scouts as a potential early first-round pick.
The 6-foot-4 quarterback just completed his first full regular season as a starter, leading Texas to a 9-3 record and narrowly missing the College Football Playoff. He capped the year with a statement win over then-unbeaten Texas A&M, completing six of his final seven passes for 128 yards and sealing the game with a decisive touchdown run. It marked his third victory against a top-10 opponent.
Manning will continue his development in Austin, following a path similar to that of his uncles Peyton and Eli Manning and his grandfather Archie, all of whom stayed in college to gain experience before turning pro. With only 14 career starts, another season provides Manning additional game reps and film against elite SEC competition. Looking ahead, Manning is widely projected as a first-round prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft and could position himself near the top of that class with a strong 2026 campaign.
Manning finished the regular season 227-of-370 passing for 2,942 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while adding 244 rushing yards and eight scores. He threw only two interceptions over his final seven games and showed steady growth after early inconsistency, emerging as one of the SEC’s most productive quarterbacks down the stretch.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said earlier this week that another year could be valuable for Manning’s long-term future: “He’s a young man who’s gotten better as the season’s gone on, and not only physically, but mentally, maturity-wise. 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 … We had a really good football season. We left some meat on the bone with an opportunity to be SEC champs, national champs, and so ultimately for him, I think the competitor in him is going to say, ‘Man, I sure would like another crack at trying to do those things.’”
Texas will close the 2025 season against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 in Orlando.
Editorial credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock.com
