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By Tyler Erzberger
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To say Arch Manning’s year has been up-and-down would be an understatement.
Entering the year as Texas’s starting quarterback and the heir of the Manning football dynasty, the Longhorns expected to not only make it back to the College Football Playoff but win it all.
After a rough start against defending champions Ohio State, things only started to unravel. But after a late surge to end the season, Manning not only solidified his spot as the starting quarterback but also possibly as a top pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
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Per Fox Sports, scouts from the NFL and college football world still see the undeniable talent that Manning has, which made him a Heisman favorite before the season even started. One scout even believes that if he declares for the draft next month, he has the possibility of being the No. 1 overall pick.
While Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the favorite to get his name called first in Pittsburgh in April’s draft, Manning’s size and raw talent make him a project that a slew of NFL franchises would bet their futures on.
With other preseason draft favorites imploding this year in college football, like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Penn State’s Drew Allar, and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, it has left the depth chart bare for NFL front offices.
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For the question of whether the Manning heir will actually elect for the draft, that has been steady throughout the season, with his family saying he wants to stay at Texas for 2026 to fully prepare for the rigors of the NFL. While the prevailing theory is that he will be back at Texas to finish what he couldn’t accomplish this year, an open draft with not many blue-chip quarterback prospects could entice Manning if he feels like he can land with the right organization.
Several teams have been linked to interest in Manning, including those in need of a quarterback, such as the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets. The Los Angeles Rams, who hold the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick (currently 10th), have also scouted Manning extensively, with Sean McVay reportedly a fan of the young quarterback.
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