The last name Manning will always be remembered in NFL folklore after the exploits of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning in the league, but there’s a new member of the quarterback dynasty turning heads already in college. His name is Arch Manning.
Arch Manning has only started two games in his college career, but NFL scouts and analysts are already salivating about his potential. He’s draft eligible in 2026, and many outlets are already making predictions about where he’ll land in the league. But one prominent analyst thinks he might stay in Austin longer than expected.
ESPN Analyst Matt Miller Believes Arch Manning Will Stay in College Through 2026
Arch Manning’s first season as a starter and third season in college will be next season, which means that by this time next year, NFL teams could be lining up to secure his services if he decides to enter the draft.
However, ESPN analyst Matt Miller refuses to get carried away by “Arch Mania.” It’s not to say that he doesn’t believe in Manning’s massive potential; he just believes that Manning will rather enter the 2027 draft than the next cycle. Miller believes Manning will play college ball as a starter for at least two years before entering the draft.
Miller was asked who would be the No. 1 overall pick in 2026, and he left Manning out of his pick. He then explained his reasons.
“I keep telling people he’s a 2027 guy,” Miller said on ESPN’s College GameDay Podcast. “So, let’s cool our heads a little bit on the Arch talk.”
It remains to be seen if Manning actually declares for next year’s draft, but based on the Manning family’s precedence, Miller might be right with his conviction. Both Peyton and Eli Manning played at least two years as starters before entering the draft, with the brothers playing for Tennessee and Ole Miss, respectively.
2025 College Football Top 25 Power Rankings: Can Arch Manning Lead Texas to the No. 1 Seed?
Arch Manning was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Manning has 12 games of experience under his belt, only two of which were starts, having spent most of his college career as backup to Quinn Ewers.
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