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Arch Manning and the 2026 Heisman: Could Texas' QB become the third winner in school history?

Joe Cookby: Joe Cook6 hours agojosephcook89

Arch Manning entered the 2025 season as the betting favorite to win the Heisman, something partially inspired by his last name and something partially inspired by projected great play. Manning may not have been Heisman-level “great” in 2025, but he was really, really good.

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And odds are, he’ll be a betting favorite to win the Heisman in 2026.

Manning logged a quality 2025 season, his first as a starter. He was 227-for-370 passing for 2942 yards and 24 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He also rushed for eight scores and even had a touchdown reception.

His stats didn’t lag too far behind those of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 winner. Mendoza was 226-for-316 for 2980 yards with 33 touchdowns and six interceptions. Mendoza rushed for six scores as well. Obviously, Mendoza was on a team that went 13-0 as opposed to 9-3.

Team success is part of the equation with the Heisman. But who else could Manning be battling with in 2026?

Players likely to return in 2026 that were top-10 in Heisman voting were Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss pending a waiver, and Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton. Texas will see Ohio State in week two next season, so two Heisman contenders alongside Manning will be in Austin.

Who else? ESPN listed the following players in their way too early group posted just minutes after Mendoza hoisted the trophy.

  • Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
  • Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
  • Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia
  • Malachi Toney, WR, Miami
  • Arch Manning, QB, Texas
  • Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
  • Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
  • Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M
  • Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, QB, California
  • Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss
  • Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
  • Bo Jackson, RB, Ohio State
  • Drew Mestemaker, QB, North Texas
  • CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
  • Demond Williams Jr., QB, Washington

A quality list of players, no doubt. Manning will need some help to win the Heisman, just like Mendoza had help from a wide cast of characters, like Diego Pavia had in Eli Stowers, like Sayin had in Smith, like Love had in the Notre Dame offensive line.

But with a full offseason of the hype machine rolling — again — expect Manning to be a contender for the Heisman and a name mentioned alongside New York City for most of the next 365 days.

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