The Texas Longhorns are ushering in a new era, and it’s Arch Manning’s time to shine.
With Quinn Ewers headed to the NFL, the Longhorns are in good hands as Manning, one of college football’s brightest young quarterbacks, steps into the starting role.
Replacing a quarterback with NFL potential is always a daunting task, but Texas is fortunate to have Manning, who has been waiting for this moment, ready to lead the team into the 2025 season.
Manning, who has spent two years at Texas, has already garnered significant playing time, showing he’s more than capable of handling the pressure of leading the offense.
He took over as the starter when Ewers was sidelined by injury and was frequently brought in for key moments when Ewers was healthy.
This valuable experience has helped prepare Manning for his upcoming starting role, and expectations are high for him to be one of the top quarterbacks in the country in the 2025 season.
Looking ahead, Manning’s future in college football is expected to be short-lived.
As he enters his first full season as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback, many anticipate Manning will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft.
However, there’s still speculation about whether he’ll stay longer in Austin. Some insders, including TheMMQB’s Albert Breer, suggest that Manning may decide to return for his senior year.
“We need to stop talking about Arch Manning like he’s definitely coming out next year,” Breer said. “The family’s history indicates he won’t rush to the NFL. Evidence shows quarterbacks have a better shot in the league the more they play in college.
“And Arch himself waited his turn for two years at Texas, in an era when players routinely bolt at the first sign of having to spend time on the bench. I’d be surprised, in the end, if he winds up in the 2026 draft class.”
As Breer alluded to, the Manning family has been dropping hints left and right that the plan for Arch is to stay in Austin for two more years.
This is why the “tank for Arch” crowd is playing a dangerous game. While he may very well enter next year’s draft, the chances are he probably doesn’t.
With the rise of NIL deals, Manning is already one of the highest-paid college athletes in the country, earning a substantial income that takes the financial pressure off his decision-making process.
Also, it’s not like the Manning family is hurting for money anyways.
But much more important to the Manning family is Arch’s development.
And the fact of the matter is he will most likely be best-prepared for the NFL if he plays at Texas for two more seasons – not one.
What are your thoughts on Manning’s future? … Looking ahead, do you think he will end up being in the 2026 or 2027 draft class???
