Despite going through some ups and downs during his first season as a collegiate starting quarterback, there is still belief among some NFL executives that Texas’ Arch Manning can have success at the next level.
Speaking to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, an anonymous NFL exec suggested that there is still time for Manning to establish himself as a top quarterback prospect and to be a high draft pick, saying, “Shocker, a guy who had never started in major college football didn’t get off to a race-car start. It’s all still in front of him.”
Another executive essentially echoed those sentiments and pointed out Manning’s improvements, saying, “Guys are allowed to get better as players. We judged him off his, what, first three games in college football and said he’s a bust? He’s been getting better.”
Manning, who is the nephew of legendary NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, entered the 2025 season as the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy despite having only two career college starts to his credit.
His Heisman favorite status evaporated after only one game, as he went 17-of-30 for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a season-opening road loss to now-No. 1 Ohio State.
Manning turned in a few more sub-par performances in the weeks that followed, but he seems to have hit his stride over the Longhorns’ past two games.
In wins over Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, Manning has thrown for a combined 674 yards, six touchdowns and one interception, while also rushing for a score.
Manning’s overall numbers for the year are also looking a lot better, as he is completing 62.7 percent of his passes for 2,123 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions to go along with 203 yards and six scores on the ground.
On top of that, he has the 7-2 Longhorns positioned for a potential College Football Playoff berth, as they are ranked 10th in the CFP poll.
While Manning is eligible to enter the 2026 NFL draft, rumors and speculation dating back to well before the 2025 season have suggested that he prefers to remain at Texas for a second season as the starter in 2026.
In fact, Howe reported that Manning “almost certainly won’t” enter the 2026 draft, opting instead for the 2027 class.
If Manning finishes 2025 on a high note and elevates his level of play in 2026, then perhaps he could be back in the conversation as a potential No. 1 overall NFL draft pick.
His pedigree and talent are undeniable, and he is now starting to deliver the on-field results most observers and analysts expected as well.
Discover more from 6up.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.