Whether or not Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning enters the 2026 NFL draft or stays in school is arguably the biggest question looming over the 2025 college football season.
The redshirt sophomore signal-caller got a small taste of being an SEC starting QB last season when starter Quinn Ewers, who’s since been drafted by the Miami Dolphins, went down with an abdominal injury.
In six appearances, Manning threw for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 108 yards and another four scores. He even led Texas to its first SEC win as a member of the conference in a Sept. 28 win over Mississippi State — a game in which he had 325 yards passing with two touchdowns plus 33 yards rushing and another score.
And while the buzz surrounding Manning as he heads into his first year as a full-time starter couldn’t be any higher — he’s considered by many to be a Heisman Trophy frontrunner — the 21-year-old passer held his composure as he dodged a question he’s sure to be asked many times between now and Jan. 15 (the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft), admitting next year’s draft isn’t even on his radar right now.
More College Football: Nick Saban Could Leave ‘College GameDay’ for Coaching Job: Report
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
“I’m really just worried about getting through this interview and then getting through the run tomorrow,” Manning said during SEC Media Days on Tuesday, via Pro Football Talk. “I’m just focused on this year and getting better each day.”
There’s plenty of pressure on Manning to deliver in taking over for Ewers, who 9,128 yards, 68 touchdowns and 24 interceptions while leading Texas to a 21-4 record with back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
There were many calls for Manning to leapfrog Ewers last season and take over the starting role as Texas narrowly squeaked past Texas A&M 17-7 on Nov. 30 and suffered a 22-19 overtime defeat to Georgia the following week in the SEC Championship Game.
More Football: Vikings Hit With Troubling J.J. McCarthy Prediction
But Manning admitted that he was a little uncomfortable being Ewers’ backup with so many people petitioning head coach Steve Sarkisian to move Manning into the QB1 role — a position he didn’t feel he’d earned.
“You’ve got to walk the walk first,” Manning said, via The Athletic. “As much as it wasn’t always fun sitting the first two years, I’ve got a lot of respect for my teammates who were playing. Now I come at it from a place of love, not just being a turd.”
While Manning has stated in the past he plans to stay all four years at Texas before turning pro, some analysts are convinced if he starts putting up Heisman numbers, he might be too tempted to pass up being drafted No. 1 overall.