By ERIC BLUM, US SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 16:16 EDT, 19 August 2025 | Updated: 16:18 EDT, 19 August 2025
Texas quarterback phenom Arch Manning has spoken out against his grandfather, stating he wrongly claimed that no matter how this season goes for the Longhorns, his grandson would return to Austin.
Earlier this month, the legendary Archie Manning, said Texas' starting signal caller wouldn't be entering the 2026 NFL Draft, where he would be projected as one of the top picks.
'Arch isn’t going to do that,' Archie said to Texas Monthly. 'He’ll be at Texas.'
Now, the 21-year-old prodigy has spoken for himself, 11 days before the No 1 Longhorns take the field against Ohio State in a top-5 matchup.
'Yeah I don't know where he got that from,' Arch said of his grandfather's comments. 'He texted me apologizing about that. I really am just taking it day by day right now.'
Peyton and Eli Manning's nephew did leave the door open about bolting to the NFL in several months. He's clearly focused on his first full season being the big man on Texas' humongous campus.
Arch Manning broke his silence against his grandfather about his future football plans
Archie Manning said earlier this month that his grandson wouldn't enter the 2026 NFL Draft
Manning enters the college football season as one of the most prominent athletes under the NCAA banner, as he is expected to lead the Longhorns back to the College Football Playoff.
One of the reasons Manning could stay in Austin, in line with what occurred with his family lineage of uncles Peyton and Eli Manning, is his ridiculous name, image, and likeness portfolio.
Manning is the highest-earning NCAA athlete, with his NIL evaluation, per On3, at $6.8million, which is higher than the annual value of most NFL rookie contracts.
Miami quarterback Carson Beck is second on that list at $4.3million, meaning Manning clears everyone else in college sports by $2.5million. That difference alone would make him the No 16 highest-profiting athlete.
Just like in the case of Shedeur Sanders, Manning's professional profits come with a higher risk for a larger reward.
Manning sat behind Quinn Ewers for two seasons with the Longhorns, with shouts for the latest from the quarterback bloodline to usurp his fellow five-star prep prospect.