Arch Manning Makes Decision on NFL Draft

Before the start of the 2025 college football season, Texas Longhorns starting quarterback Arch Manning was projected by NFL Draft experts to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The first-year starter followed those soaring expectations with an up-and-down season.

Manning struggled mightily at the beginning of the season, making it look unlikely that he would enter the 2026 NFL Draft. However, by the end of the season, he was playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the country, reigniting the possibility that he could enter the draft.

Now, as Texas prepares for a Citrus Bowl matchup with the Michigan Wolverines, it seems like Manning has made his decision about the NFL Draft.

Soaring Preseason Expectations

Before Manning even played his first game as a full-time starting quarterback, the young quarterback was widely seen as the top quarterback in the country.

In his preseason NFL mock draft, NFL insider Field Yates of ESPN projected that the Cleveland Browns would select Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

“Manning has a very good build, throws with accuracy to all levels of the field and shows solid movement traits. He’s a different QB than his uncles Peyton and Eli were in that he is a threat with his legs. He is inexperienced and needs to add more weight to his 6-foot-4 frame, but it’s easy to see his immense ceiling,” Yates wrote on ESPN.com earlier this year. “I know the Browns just drafted two passers this year, but if they are picking first overall next year, then yes, they’ll be taking a quarterback.”

Early Season Struggles

Through the first three games of the season, Manning did not seem to live up to the hype, completing just 55.3 percent of his passes for 579 yards and 6 touchdowns with 3 interceptions.

Manning's performance against UTEP was particularly concerning as he completed just 11 of 25 passing attempts for 114 yards with one touchdown and an interception. During the game, he had a streak of 10 consecutive incompletions.

His slow start led even some of his staunchest supporters to change their opinion on the young quarterback.

Improvment Late in the the Season

While Manning struggled early in the season, he certainly improved as the season went on and was performing like one of the better quarterbacks in the country late in the season.

In Texas' last five games of the season, Manning threw for over 250 yards four times as he led the Longhorns to a 2-1 record against ranked opponents. In those games, Manning threw for 12 touchdowns while throwing just one interception.

NFL Draft Decision

Manning's drastic improvement throughout the year led some to believe that he might opt to enter the NFL Draft following the season. However, it does not sound like that will be the case.

On Monday, Texas Longhorns insider Chip Brown reported that Manning has decided to return to Texas next season and would not enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

"Redshirt sophomore quarterback Arch Manning, who has accounted for 33 touchdowns with seven interceptions heading into a Citrus Bowl matchup against Michigan on Dec. 31, will return to Texas for the 2026 season, a source close to the situation told Horns247 on Monday," Brown wrote for 247 Sports on Monday.

"Manning is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft, but after just 14 collegiate starts, thus far, the 6-foot-4, 219-pound Longhorns' quarterback wants to continue to grow and develop under Texas coach and offensive play caller Steve Sarkisian, the source said."

We'll have to see how Manning continues to improve next season.