Arch Manning Decides to Stay at Texas

Arch Manning, the quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, has reportedly made a choice regarding his future. Apparently, he won’t be turning professional just yet and plans to return to Texas for the 2026 season.

This news was shared by his father, Cooper Manning, through a text. It seems there’s a good amount of buzz around his decision. Texas’s head coach, Steve Sarkisian, commented that Manning might benefit from another season in college football, even though some NFL analysts believe he could potentially be drafted this year.

Sarkisian noted how Manning improved throughout the previous season, both in physical and mental aspects. He’s hopeful Manning wants to continue developing his skills for a long-term career in the NFL. There also appears to be unfinished business for him, likely relating to what he aimed to accomplish while at Texas.

Manning is still focused on the upcoming game against Michigan, scheduled for December 31st. Interestingly, there had been earlier speculation, and not just from fans, that he might declare for the draft after this past season. His grandfather, Archie Manning, had even stirred the pot a bit back in August with those comments, but it seems those expectations were, well, not quite on target.

The 2025 season didn’t unfold as the Longhorns had hoped. Despite starting strong, ranked number one, they faced setbacks, losing close games to Ohio State and Florida State. They finished the season on a higher note, though, with a victory against Texas A&M, after a rough loss to Georgia.

In terms of his performance, Manning tallied up 2,942 passing yards, throwing 24 touchdowns. Additionally, he rushed for 244 yards and scored eight touchdowns on the ground. This accomplishment hints at considerable potential for his future, both in college and possibly beyond, as he continues to grow as a player. It will be interesting to see how this next year unfolds for him at Texas.