Speculation about Arch Manning‘s future has come to an end. The oft-discussed quarterback will remain at Texas for the 2026 season, as first reported by Chip Brown of Horn247.com. 
Cooper Manning has since confirmed the news about his son, which ensures one of the top QB prospects in the 2026 class will not be turning pro. Since the start of the season, questions have been raised about Arch Manning and whether or not he would declare after only one year as the Longhorns’ starter. His status has been at the center of overall speculation concerning a 2026 class which has fallen short of expectations.
Early in the 2025 campaign in particular, Manning’s performances led to a perceived dip in his draft stock. Things improved during the second half of the season, though, as Texas went 6-1 down the stretch. That was not sufficient to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff, but Manning’s play improved over that period. Earlier this month, it was reported multiple NFL evaluators still viewed him as the top signal-caller potentially available in April’s draft.
“He’s a young man who’s gotten better as the season’s gone on, and not only physically, but mentally, maturity-wise,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said (via ESPN’s Andrea Adelson). “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.”
Indeed, Manning will suit up in 2026 for his redshirt junior season. Texas reached the CFP semifinals last year with Quinn Ewers under center, but this season did not produce the same level of success. Especially if Manning can deliver a strong performance during his second straight campaign as the Longhorns’ starter, he will be among the top passers in the 2027 NFL class. Of course, the same is also true of LaNorris Sellers, who recently committed to staying at South Carolina for next season.
That means attention regarding the incoming QB class will increasingly turn to the likes of Dante Moore (Oregon) and Ty Simpson (Alabama). It remains to be seen if one or both of them will turn pro after their respective seasons end, while Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is on course to be a first-round lock (and quite possibly the No. 1 pick). Intrigue will no doubt continue to surround the passers available to NFL teams in April, but that group will not include Manning.
Much to the dismay of the New York Football Giants, who’ll need a new QB1 when Jaxson Dart is forced into early retirement with endless concussions.
Staying healthy will be key and if he has a monster 2026 season, he might be in position to dictate where he goes. Perennial bad teams or teams dogging it to get him better beware.
Good to know now. The Browns will have to tank another year.
Isn’t that what they’ve been doing for the past 30 years
After watching him struggle against my ‘Dawgs he definitely needs that additional year of experience. Moore & Simpson could probably use another as well.
TaNk FOr ArCH!! Idiots