Texas quarterback Arch Manning is preparing for his first season as the starting QB on the Longhorns. He has been in college for two seasons, but served as the backup for Quinn Ewers in both years. Manning chose Texas despite knowing that he would likely be behind Ewers on the depth chart until he entered the NFL draft. With Ewers now in the NFL, Manning is finally getting his starting opportunity.
According to ESPN, Manning was the No. 5-ranked player in the 2023 recruiting class. As a result, he could have gone to almost any school he wanted. Despite having plenty of options, he chose head coach Steve Sarkisian’s Texas squad. He chose the team despite knowing that he likely would not be able to start in his first few seasons.
This week, S. C. Gwynne posted an article looking at Arch Manning and speaking with several of his family members, including his father, Cooper Manning. Cooper revealed that the goal of Arch’s recruitment was to find a school that he wanted to go to if something happened and he was not able to play football.
“Go to a place where you will be happy,” Cooper Manning said. “To a place where if you didn’t play a down, you would still enjoy your college experience. Have a little bit of balance. Have friends who aren’t just on the team, friends who are in fraternities and clubs.”
That is what Arch Manning did. He chose the University of Texas because he liked the school. His brother, Heid Manning, who does not play football, also goes to Texas.
Archie Manning Shuts Down Arch Manning 2026 NFL Draft Rumors
In the same article, S. C. Gwynne spoke with Arch Manning’s grandfather, Archie Manning. Archie played in the NFL in the 70s and 80s after playing for Ole Miss in college. He told Gwynne that Arch will return to Texas for the 2026 season.
“Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas,” Archie Manning said.
NEW: Archie Manning predicts grandson Arch will not declare for 2026 NFL Draft:
“Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas.”
(via @TexasMonthly)https://t.co/hawuy5yH43 pic.twitter.com/EjzDo7vv3E
— On3 (@On3sports) August 7, 2025
If Arch Manning chooses to stay at Texas for another season, he would follow in the footsteps of his uncles. Despite eventually becoming No. 1 picks in their respective drafts, both Peyton and Eli Manning did not rush to the NFL and stayed in college for four years.
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