Archie Manning Expects Grandson Arch to Stay at Texas Through 2026 Season
Key Takeaways
- Archie Manning told Texas Monthly that his grandson Arch Manning won't enter the 2026 NFL Draft and "will be at Texas" for another season
- Despite being eligible after 2025, multiple NFL executives and the Manning family expect Arch to follow his uncles' path of staying four years in college
- Arch Manning enters 2025 as the Heisman favorite with limited starting experience but significant draft buzz already surrounding him
In a definitive statement that could reshape 2026 NFL Draft speculation, former Saints quarterback Archie Manning declared his grandson Arch Manning won't be leaving Texas after the upcoming season. Speaking to Texas Monthly, the Manning patriarch was emphatic: "Arch isn't going to do that. He'll be at Texas."
Both Peyton and Eli Manning completed four-year college careers before entering the NFL as No. 1 overall picks in 1998 and 2004, respectively. The family tradition of maximizing college development appears set to continue with Arch, despite the modern pressures of early NFL entry and lucrative professional contracts.
The statement comes as Arch Manning prepares for his first season as Texas's starting quarterback, taking over from Quinn Ewers, who was drafted by Miami in 2025. Despite limited playing time over two seasons - just two career starts and 95 pass attempts - Manning has already been installed as the Heisman Trophy favorite and projected No. 1 pick in mock drafts for 2026. His standout performance against Mississippi State in 2024, where he threw for 325 yards and led Texas to its first SEC victory, provided a glimpse of the talent that has generated unprecedented hype.
Multiple NFL executives surveyed by The Athletic have expressed similar expectations that Manning will remain in college, citing both family precedent and the practical benefits of additional development time. With an estimated $6.8 million in NIL revenue, the highest in college sports, Manning faces little financial pressure to leave early. The combination of continued earning potential, family influence, and the opportunity to establish himself as a proven starter suggests Manning's NFL entry may come in 2027 rather than 2026.
