Arch Manning Sets the Record Straight on NFL Draft

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is probably the biggest and most prominent star in college football today, thanks to his five-star talent as well as his high-profile last name, which he shares with his legendary uncles Peyton and Eli.

While Manning has yet to even play in his first game as a full-time starting quarterback, everyone seems to already have an opinion on what he'll be doing next year. Some are already penciling in Manning as the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, while his grandfather, Archie Manning, is publicly insisting that the young star quarterback will be back at Texas next year.

Manning himself, however, doesn't have a lot to say on the matter.

Arch Manning Projected as Top Overall Pick

As Arch Manning prepares for his first season as the starting quarterback for the Longhorns, one expert is already projecting that he will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In his most recent mock draft, NFL insider Field Yates of ESPN projected that the Cleveland Browns would select Manning at the top of the upcoming draft.

"Manning has a very good build, throws with accuracy to all levels of the field and shows solid movement traits. He's a different QB than his uncles Peyton and Eli were in that he is a threat with his legs. He is inexperienced and needs to add more weight to his 6-foot-4 frame, but it's easy to see his immense ceiling," Yates wrote on ESPN.com. "I know the Browns just drafted two passers this year, but if they are picking first overall next year, then yes, they'll be taking a quarterback."

Archie Manning Says Arch Will Return to Texas

While some might expect Manning to be the top quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, the young star's grandfather, Archie Manning, does not think he will even be entering the NFL Draft following the season.

During an interview with Texas Monthly ahead of the 2025 college football season, Archie Manning said that while he hasn't spoken to Arch about it directly, he believes his grandson will return to Texas next season.

“Arch isn’t going to do that,” Archie Manning told Texas Monthly, referring to speculation that Arch could enter the NFL Draft. “He’ll be at Texas.”

Archie went on to throw a little bit of cold water on the hype his grandson has been receiving leading up to the season.

“People are saying he’s a Heisman candidate,” Archie added. “You’re not a Heisman Trophy candidate when you haven’t played but three games. It’s crazy.”

Arch Addresses His Grandfather's Comments

While Archie Manning seemed rather confident in his grandson's eventual decision, Arch made it pretty clear that he hadn't even given that decision any consideration.

During a press conference this week, Manning addressed his grandfather's comments, revealing that Archie had actually texted him to apologize.

"I don't know where he got that from," Arch Manning said in his first meeting with reporters since SEC media days in mid-July. "He texted me to apologize about that. I'm really just taking it day by day right now."

This is not the first time that Manning has addressed his potential NFL decision. At SEC Media Days back in July, Manning gave a similarly non-committal answer about his future.

"I’m really just worried about getting through this interview and then getting through the run tomorrow," Manning told reporters at the press conference. "I’m just focused on this year and getting better each day."

Clearly, Manning is not ready to discuss his NFL future just yet, even if others continue to speculate.

Archie Clarifies His Comments

While Arch says that his grandfather texted him to apologize for his comments, Archie also spoke to the media to clarify his words, too.

Speaking to ESPN, Archie made it clear that he didn't know what his grandson's decision would ultimately be, and his words were purely speculation.

"I thought that the thing that I said was that to name Arch to postseason awards and start placing him in the NFL draft was ridiculous when he hadn't played," Archie Manning told ESPN. "But then, of course, then the fact I said that he might be at Texas, that's just an assumption on my part.

"Arch and I have a really good grandson-grandfather relationship, but I haven't been part of this football journey."

Manning will likely have a decision to make following the 2026 season, but it's clear that the decision has not been made yet.