Arch Manning does not have to declare for the NFL Draft at the end of this upcoming college football season. He could decide to stay at Texas for a fifth and final season in 2027.
His father does not think it is a forgone conclusion that he will turn pro.
The biggest name in college football genuinely enjoys playing college football. Why rush?
Arch Manning has two years of eligibility remaining.
As the top-ranked prospect in the recruiting Class of 2023, Manning enrolled early at Texas and arrived to campus as a true freshman in January of that year. He was ultimately named as the third-string quarterback behind Quinn Ewers and Maalik Murphy and took a redshirt.
That season did not count toward his eligibility.
Manning took over as the backup in 2024 and won two games while Ewers was out due to injury. It was his first opportunity for legitimate playing time and the first year that counted toward his eligibility clock.
The former five-star recruit replaced Ewers as the starter in 2025. Manning navigated a difficult stretch during the early season to finish with 3,163 passing yards, 399 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns. Texas finished at 10-3 as Citrus Bowl champions. It was a strong finish.
Football players must be three years removed from high school to enter the NFL Draft pool. Arch Manning could’ve turned pro at the end of his redshirt sophomore season (and lone season as the starter) to take advantage of the weak quarterback class. He might’ve even snuck into the first round (or the top 10) because of the lack of big names. Fernando Mendoza still would’ve gone first overall but Manning might’ve been the second signal-caller off of the board.
He instead decided to run it back at Texas in 2026 and took less money to improve the roster around him. The goal is to win a national title.
Cooper Manning is not sure about the NFL Draft.
Arch Manning will be a redshirt junior in 2026 and has two years of eligibility remaining. He could decide again forgo the NFL Draft in 2027 to play a fifth and final season with the Longhorns.
Uncles Peyton and Eli used all of their college eligibility. Could their nephew do the same?
Cooper Manning recently spoke with D.J. Siddiqi about his son’s decision to return to Texas this season. It sounds like he is not in any rush to leave his current situation. College football is fun!
“We never even discussed it,” said Manning. “I honestly never even talked about it. If you’re lucky enough to play college football, why in the heck would you want to do something else? I think they’re going to have to run him out of there. He loves his teammates, he loves his coaches. He loves playing at DKR, being in Austin, Texas. I think he’ll be sad when those days are over. Enjoy it, soak it up and cherish every moment you get to play college football. What a lucky guy.”
Here we go again. Everybody else wants Manning to make the decision that is best for him on his own time, but ESPN and the talking heads are going to love another year of “Will he? Won’t he?”
If the Longhorns do not win a national championship in 2026 and Steve Sarkisian is still the head coach, there is a very real possibility that Arch Manning could return for 2027. Don’t rule it out!