Arch Manning’s Upcoming College Football Season in the Spotlight
Arch Manning’s junior season at Texas is set to grab attention in the upcoming college football season. There’s some uncertainty about whether he’ll choose to go professional next year, though he does have the option to step away from the high school scene for three years.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter has suggested that the NFL could learn from the NBA by introducing a draft lottery. The NBA’s scheme prevents teams from openly competing for the top draft picks by incentivizing losing. Recently, there was some chatter about the Dallas Mavericks possibly landing a first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, even though their chances were just 1.8%.
Indeed, NBA teams will often attempt to lose to boost their odds of getting higher picks in the lottery. While the process seems effective, Schefter acknowledges that there’s a balance needed to avoid promoting outright losing more than necessary.
“The more I think about it, the more I believe the NFL should consider a lottery system,” Schefter commented during a segment on ESPN Radio’s “Sportsmanlike.” He noted that encouraging teams to lose isn’t ideal. For instance, during last year’s final games, the New England Patriots seemed to be in a position where they’d rather not win.
In Week 18, Milton led the Patriots to a narrow victory against Buffalo, which opted to rest many of its starters for the playoffs. Nevertheless, it’s possible Schefter’s ideas could gain traction.
“Implementing a lottery system could give the NFL another opportunity for high ratings,” he pointed out. After all, the league is known for creating events with high viewer interest. Just imagine the buzz surrounding a lottery for top quarterback prospects, especially with someone like Arch Manning in the mix.
Alongside quarterback Quinn Ewers, who has already been drafted by the Miami Dolphins, Manning is anticipated to step up as the Longhorns’ starter in the upcoming 2025-26 college season. He demonstrated his skill when Ewers was either injured or out, but he hasn’t been tasked with leading the team through an entire season yet.
Manning hasn’t provided any clear indications about his future prospects for the 2026 draft. It’s still up in the air, and fans are left to ponder what lies ahead for this promising player.
