Archie Manning Has Strong Words About Arch Manning’s 2026 NFL Draft Plans

Archie Manning Has Strong Words About Arch Manning’s 2026 NFL Draft Plans originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The buzz surrounding Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has been steadily building for the past several years, dating all the way back to his recruitment as the No. 1 rated prospect in the 2023 class.

Now, as we stand just a few weeks away from the 2025 season, his first as the QB1 for the Longhorns, the buzz has reached a fever-pitch. The college football world is talking about Manning, and what he can do this year in Texas. His grandfather, Archie Manning, is looking ahead though. On Thursday, he had some bold things to say about Arch’s 2026 NFL draft plans.

Archie Manning Breaks Down Arch Manning’s 2026 NFL Draft Plans

There are expectations that, with an expected strong season at Texas in 2025, Arch Manning could be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, should he declare.

The last part of that sentence may be the most important, though. Manning will still have another year of eligibility after the 2025 season, and can choose to return to Texas for his senior year, should he so choose. That’s exactly what Archie Manning predicts will happen.

“Arch isn’t going to do that,” Manning said of Arch’s plans to enter the 2026 draft, via Texas Monthly. “He’ll be at Texas.”

While that is a bold prediction to make ahead of the season, one where Arch is the current favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at +700, according to Fan Duel Sportsbook, it’s not crazy to see it playing out.

Why Arch Manning Would Stay at Texas in 2026

Already in his career, Arch Manning has done things his own way, and shown that he values growing in the program under head coach Steve Sarkisian.

For many No. 1 rated recruits coming out of high school, the expectations is to start right away and have an immediate impact. However, Manning sat behind QB Quinn Ewers not only for one season, but for two years, biding his time and waiting to take over as the QB1 for the Longhorns.

In the era of the transfer portal, that is abnormal, to say the least.

So with that track record being established, is it crazy to think that Manning would take advantage of another year in Austin, and choose to develop under Sarkisian with a second year as a starter?

Absolutely not.

It’s also not crazy to think that Archie Manning has a pretty good sense of what his grandson plans to do. Back in his playing days, Archie was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1971 NFL draft, going to the New Orleans Saints after spending three years with the Ole Miss Rebels.

We will see what Manning can do this year with the Longhorns, and how far he can take Texas, hoping to get back to the College Football Playoff. Expectations are high, and many believe that Manning has the talent to head off to the NFL and be an early first-round pick as soon as next year.

Up to this point, though, we’ve seen Arch value development and enjoy his time at Texas. Nobody should be surprised if he goes that route once again in 2026.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.

Archie Manning Has Strong Words About Arch Manning’s 2026 NFL Draft Plans

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