The Texas Longhorns are the favorites to win the championship this year. They have a deep roster and a capable coach in Steve Sarkisian, and have shown signs of finally getting the big break this year. In addition to that, Arch Manning is set to have his first season as the starter in the lineup. However, his future has been a talking point in the college football world.
Many believe this would be the last year in college for Manning. However, analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has a different perspective. On a recent episode of ESPN’s “First Draft,” Kiper Jr. opined that Manning is not ready for the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Normally, the Mannings want to have two full years as a starter, not just one as a sample size in preparation for the NFL,” Kiper Jr. said (6:23). “Now, this is his year to really shine, starting out with the National Champion Buckeyes on their field.”
Coming from the illustrious Manning family that has birthed several football legends, the 21-year-old is more like his father, Cooper Manning, according to Kiper Jr. Cooper was a wide receiver at Isidore Newman School. The analyst added (7:07):
“He doesn’t take after Eli and Payton, his uncles. It’s Cooper, more so. That wide receiver, that ability to run and be able to be that multi-dimensional dual threat quarterback is what Arch Manning brings to the table.”
This will be Manning’s first year as a starting quarterback. As per Kiper Jr. and the Manning family’s unspoken tradition, the Longhorns quarterback will give himself one more season after this to be fully prepared for the NFL.
There’s no doubt that he’s going to be a top pick in the draft, whenever he decides to declare for it.
Texas quarterback coach believes Arch Manning is ready to be a starter
Manning joined the Longhorns in 2023. For the past two years, he has been refining his game while patiently waiting for an opportunity to shine. As per the Longhorns quarterback coach AJ Milwee, Manning has put in the work to deserve this recognition.
“Kids, they come into these situations where you have to sit and you don’t prepare yourself to be a starting quarterback in that first year or second year,” Milwee said. “This kid has not done that.”
“This kid has prepared himself like he has been a starter, whether he started or not, for the last two years. So, he has put himself in the position to be ready to play that game when that time comes,” he added.
“This Kid (Arch Manning) Has Prepared Like He Has Been a Starter for the Last Two Years… He Has Put Himself in a Position to Be Ready…”
–@milwee4 on @ArchManning pic.twitter.com/LgzHCkCaTO— Orangebloods.com (@orangebloods_) July 29, 2025
With the confidence of his coach by his side, it’s tough to imagine a scenario where Manning would not thrive for the Longhorns this season. Whether he decides to switch to the NFL in 2026 will be up to him.
Until then, the Longhorns fans can be confident of their chances of winning their first national title since 2005.
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