ESPN's Dan Graziano believes it would take 'an awful lot' to change Arch Manning's reported NFL Draft plans

Much has been made of Texas QB Arch Manning, with many already looking to his professional future despite him yet to take snaps as a full-time starter in college. Still, ESPN’s Dan Graziano is the latest with the expectation that he’ll spend one more season past this one in Austin.

Graziano was asked on ‘Get Up’ on Friday about the comments made by Archie Manning, Arch’s grandfather, that he’ll be back with the Longhorns in 2026, rather than entering his name into the NFL Draft. He noted that that’s a lot of what he has heard based on opinions around the league, with not even the high-end of what this upcoming collegiate season could be for him guaranteeing that he would go on to the NFL.

“I’m not surprised,” Graziano said. “Talking to people around the NFL over the past, you know, several months when this has come up, the expectation has been that Arch Manning would not be in the 2026 Draft and that he would wait another year to enter.

“So, look, is there a scenario where he goes, you know, full Joe Burrow–LSU and has a Heisman Trophy, national championship season and is undeniable? Sure. But, the Manning family, as we know from past quarterbacks that have entered the league with that name, is very meticulous and very, you know, determined in their planning. If this is the plan for Arch Manning, I would think it would take an awful lot to get them off of it and move him up one year early.”

With fall camp underway, but three weeks still until the opener, the attention on Arch Manning has turned to his options at season’s end between the NCAA or the NFL. That said, all indications have been that he’ll be back in college rather than the pros, including these comments by Archie Manning as well as Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. However, some just don’t believe that would be the case, especially if he has the kind of year many expect him to have this fall on The 40 Acres.

This storyline is layered now and will only have new ones added as Manning goes through this season at Texas. For now, though, he’ll continue to prepare for the year as this speculation continues on regarding whether his name will be available in 2026 or in 2027.

Archie Manning predicts Arch will not declare for 2026 NFL Draft: ‘He’ll be at Texas’

Ahead of Arch Manning’s first season as Texas’ starting quarterback, one of the biggest questions is what he will decide to do after the year, as he will be eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft. However, his grandfather doesn’t think he’ll wind up declaring, as Archie Manning predicted his grandson will be back in Austin next year.

“Arch isn’t going to do that,” Manning said of whether Arch would declare for the draft after this season with ‘Texas Monthly’. “He’ll be at Texas.”

Speaking at SEC Media Days last month, Manning received a question about his future plans. He said his focus is simply on the task at hand – which, at the time, was speaking with a huge crowd of reporters – before worrying about his professional future.

“I’m really just worried about getting through this interview and then getting through the run tomorrow,” Manning said. “I’m just focused on this year and getting better each day.”