Arch Manning to return to Texas, skip 2026 NFL Draft
by Alex Butler · UPIDec. 16 (UPI) -- Texas quarterback Arch Manning will return to the Longhorns next season, ending speculation that he would enter the 2026 NFL Draft, his father announced.
"Arch is playing football at Texas next year," Cooper Manning told ESPN.
Cooper Manning's confirmation of his son's return to college came after former NFL quarterback Archie Manning -- Arch's grandfather -- said in August that he believed his grandson would skip the 2026 NFL Draft.
Some scouts believed that Manning, 21, would have slotted in as one of the top quarterback prospects -- or maybe even the No. 1 overall pick -- in the 2026 NFL Draft. But instead of preparing for that event, which will be held from April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh, Manning will return to the Longhorns for a fourth season.
Manning, the nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, was the top high school prospect in 2023. He is joined by Ohio State's Julian Sayin and Nebraska's Dylan Raiola, among others, as a top quarterback prospect for the 2027 NFL Draft.
The Longhorns star started his collegiate tenure with two appearances as a freshman during the 2023 season. He appeared in 10 games, with two starts in 2024.
Manning completed 61.4% of his throws for 2,942 yards, 24 scores and seven interceptions over 12 appearances this season. He also ran for 244 yards and eight touchdowns on 83 carries for the Longhorns.
Manning threw just two interceptions over his last seven games.
Karle Lacey Jr., and five-star signing Dia Bell are among the quarterbacks expected join Manning on the Longhorns' roster next season. Bell told CBS earlier this year that he looked forward to learning from Manning at Texas.
"If I do get the opportunity to learn from him for a year, I will be taking full advantage of it and asking him questions every day," Bell said. "That's somebody you want to learn from. He's one of the best quarterbacks in college football and I'm coming in as a freshman. That's somebody who you want to pick their brain."
Oregon's Dante Moore, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Alabama's Ty Simpson and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier are among the top quarterback prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Miami pass rusher Rueben Bain, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Arvell Reese are among other top draft prospects.
The New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets are projected to have the first five respective picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams are among other teams in line to pick inside the Top 10.
Manning and the Longhorns (9-3) will face the Michigan Wolverines (9-3) in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 in Orlando, Fla.
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