One of the bigger stories in the college football season is how Arch Manning looks as a first-year starting quarterback. He has been projected to be the first-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but not everyone is under the belief he will be beginning his NFL career after the 2025 season.
Manning is entering his third season of college football, meaning he still has eligibility remaining beyond the 2025 season if he wants to return to college. Let’s take a deeper dive into what Archie Manning said recently about his grandson that can change a lot of perception about the Longhorns quarterback.
Archie Manning Predicts Arch Manning’s 2026 Plans
Texas Longhorns, Arch Manning
Texas Longhorns quarterback, Arch Manning during his first practice of the spring season on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
While speaking to Texas Monthly, former NFL quarterback and grandfather Archie Manning said he does not believe Arch Manning will be entering the 2026 NFL Draft and remain with the Texas Longhorns.
“Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas.”
To be clear, Archie Manning also mentioned later that he has not had discussions with the first-year starting quarterback about anything beyond 2025 and is just his prediction knowing his grandson. However, it is going to take more convincing evidence for people to take him off mock drafts and likely expect him to be the first-overall pick next April.
Arch Manning has not seen the field too often in his first two seasons with the Texas Longhorns, being the backup quarterback to Quinn Ewers. Last season, he finished completing 61-of-90 (67.8%) of his passes for 939 yards with nine passing touchdowns to two interceptions. He also ran the ball 25 times for 108 yards (4.3 yards per carry) with four rushing touchdowns.
It will be interesting to see how Manning does in the 2025 season and if he will take another season in college or declare for the National Football League after this upcoming season.