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Arch Manning is already a top draft pick, according to one college football analyst.
After struggling early in the season, Manning has turned things around, earning praise from his head coach, Steve Sarkisian.
“I really think the experiences Arch had early in the season, and I said this earlier in the year, he was going to benefit from the journey that he had to go on,” Sarkisian said. “He’s better and stronger for it today, and I’m really proud of him.”
“He’s not a finished product. He’s still going, he’s still going to improve, he’s still going to get better. But, I’m very proud of him for the way he’s handled so much of what we went through.”
While Manning isn’t on anyone’s Heisman list, Yahoo Sports’ college football analyst Nate Tice believes Arch would get picked #1 overall in the NFL draft if he were to declare in 2026.
“Arch Manning, if he were to declare, would be the number one pick. I’m not hot taking this right now. I’m dead serious. He is playing really good football, and I know people see the endgame stuff and all that. Tools body of work, he’s the whole freaking offense at Texas. His ability to create, his pocket movement, his deep ball ability, his ability to throw at awkward angles, his ridiculous core strength, he’d be the number one pick. He’s really freaking good, guys.
@yahoosports Nate Tice believes that Arch should be the top pick in this year’s draft if he leaves Texas 🤘 (via Football 301) #nfl #football #collegefootball #cfb #texas
Tice’s hot take got mixed responses from fans.
“After all the seemingly misplaced preseason hype and Arch’s mediocre season so far, it’s really some 4D Chess to launch the take right now that he would be the #1 pick in next year’s draft…Truly some Skip Bayless-level tomfoolery here,” commented one fan.
“This isn’t an outrageous take. Manning’s tools are still easily the best in this class and while I think there’s still a lot to work on (which is why he’s probably staying in school) he’s certainly improved a lot since the Florida game, said another fan.
As of now, it doesn’t appear that Arch will declare for the 2026 NFL draft and will likely return to Texas based on his grandfather’s comments.