ARCH Manning gave a strong response to his grandfather’s claim about the Texas Longhorns star’s future.
The 21-year-old is the grandson of Archie Manning, who played for the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982.
2
Archie Manning, left, threw cold water on the notion of his grandson, Texas Longhorns star quarterback Arch, entering the 2026 NFL DraftCredit: Getty
2
Manning is expected to be Texas’ starting signal-caller for the 2025 season after being a backup for the past two campaignsCredit: Getty
Earlier this month, the 76-year-old Archie shared his confidence that the Texas starting quarterback Arch wouldn’t enter the 2026 NFL Draft.
The sophomore phenom has been projected to be one of the top draft picks.
“Arch isn’t going to do that,” Archie told Texas Monthly.
“He’ll be at Texas.”
Read More on Arch Manning
However, Arch has broken his silence with 11 days before his No. 1 Longhorns take on the reigning champion Ohio State Buckeyes.
“Yeah, I don’t know where he got that from,” he said about his grandfather’s recent comments.
“He texted me apologizing about that.
“I really am just taking it day by day right now.”
Manning is the nephew of icons Peyton and Eli Manning.
The youngster still didn’t reveal whether he’ll leave for the NFL next year.
Arch Manning’s Future: NFL Draft 2026 Uncertainty & Rising Star
Instead, Manning is focusing on the 2025 college football season.
He is set to lead the Longhorns back to the College Football Playoff.
Manning could look to stay in Austin, Texas, due to his name, image, and likeness portfolio.
Currently, he’s the best-paid NCAA athlete with his NIL evaluation currently at $6.8 million, per On3.
College football top 25 rankings
BELOW are the preseason top 25 rankings of college football’s best programs.
TexasPenn StateOhio StateClemsonGeorgiaNotre DameOregonAlabamaLSUMiamiArizona StateIllinoisSouth CarolinaMichiganFloridaSMUKansas StateOklahomaTexas A&MIndianaOle MissIowa StateTexas TechTennesseeBoise State
*Poll released on August 11
That number is higher than many of the contracts rookies receive in the NFL.
The second spot in the NCAA list belongs to Miami’s Carson Beck, who’s listed at $4.3 million.
For the past two seasons, Manning backed up Quinn Ewers.
Many called for him to take over for Ewers, who is now a Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback.