QB Arch Manning returning to Texas for 2026 season, reports say

Looks like Arch Manning isn’t done in Austin yet.

The Longhorns’ highly-touted quarterback will return to Texas for 2026, according to reports from ESPN and Horns247’s Chip Brown. Manning was eligible to enter the draft after this season, but as a redshirt sophomore he still has two years of college eligibility remaining.

Manning’s father, Cooper, told ESPN that “Arch is playing football at Texas next year,” on Monday night. Team officials also told ESPN that the expectation was for Manning to return in 2026.

Manning, who entered the 2025 season as the Heisman favorite, had an up-and-down year in his first season as Texas’ starting quarterback. The redshirt sophomore finished the regular season with 2,942 yards and 24 touchdowns passing to go with 7 interceptions. He added 244 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

Sports Roundup

Once considered among the favorites to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, Manning’s stock took a hit as he struggled early in the season. His difficulties were especially apparent in a shocking upset loss to Florida when he threw 2 interceptions and took six sacks while completing just 55.2% of his passes.

His play improved in the tail end of the season and he closed with several strong performances, leading his team to wins over Vanderbilt and Texas A&M while passing for 1,493 yards and 12 touchdowns with two interceptions while rushing for three more scores. One of those was a highlight-reel 35-yard touchdown against the rival Aggies.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning, center, calls over the line during the second half of an...