Arch Manning makes decision on 2026 NFL Draft

Arch Manning has not lived up to the lofty expectations that followed him into his first full season as the starting quarterback at Texas, and he will try to remedy that in 2026.

Manning’s father, Cooper Manning, confirmed in a text message to ESPN’s Dave Wilson on Monday that Arch will return to Texas for his junior season.

“Arch is playing football at Texas next year,” Cooper wrote in the message.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had said recently that he believes Manning could benefit from another year in college, though no official decision had been announced at that time. Sarkisian told reporters at a media event for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, where Texas will play Michigan on Dec. 31, that he feels Manning has “unfinished business.”

“I would think he’s going to want another year of that growth to put himself in position for hopefully a long career in the NFL,” Sarkisian said. “And he’s got some unfinished business of what he came here to do and what he came here to accomplish.

“We had a really good football season. We left some meat on the bone with an opportunity to be SEC champs, national champs, and so ultimately for him, I think the competitor in him is going to say, ‘Man, I sure would like another crack at trying to do those things.'”

Arch Manning hurt his stock

Manning was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy entering the 2025 season. Analysts also viewed him as a nearly consensus top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. It seemed like Manning was destined to be one-and-done as a starting QB at Texas, but things have not gone as well as he or the team had hoped.

Manning has 2,942 yards, 24 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. He has also rushed for 244 yards and eight touchdowns.

Texas is 9-3 and failed to reach the College Football Playoff, which is almost certainly one reason Manning wants to return in 2026. His inconsistent play was a big factor in why the Longhorns came up short. NFL talent evaluators will likely want to see more from Manning before investing a top-five draft pick on him. Manning is hoping to show teams he is worthy of the No. 1 pick by spending another year playing under Sarkisian.