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Arch Manning pushes back (a little bit) on his grandpa’s assertion about 2026

by: Evan Vieth08/19/25
Texas QB Arch Manning
Gary Cosby Jr. | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The hype surrounding Arch Manning is off the charts with just 11 days until opening kickoff against Ohio State, but he’s done his best to keep himself away from the media and the noise as he works his way through fall camp.

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However, his grandfather Archie didn’t have the same idea. Earlier this month, the former Ole Miss and New Orleans Saints star told Texas Monthly that there was no reason for young Arch to be in 2026 NFL Draft discussions.

“Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas (in 2026),” Manning said about his grandson when asked about entering the NFL Draft after the 2025 season.

Obviously, that would be the best-case scenario for Texas fans. Arch has yet to start his first game as the full-time starter in Austin, and sites like PFF and Bleacher Report already have him as the NFL Draft’s top prospect. You can understand the hype given his demeanor and natural talent on the field, and why the Longhorns would love to keep him around for two years.

But when Manning took the stand at today’s player media availability, he seemed more perplexed by his grandfather than in agreement.

“Yeah, I don’t know where he got that from,” Manning said. “He texted me and apologized about that. I’m really just taking it day by day right now.”

Manning is in no rush and there wasn’t any anger in his voice. Manning took the question in stride and, as he does often, answered it quickly, politely, and without any malice shown in the answer or toward the asker. No matter his word choice, it just seemed like an ‘I don’t know, that’s grandpa’s opinion.’

As he said at SEC Media Days, he doesn’t want to be put in the Heisman conversation. He’s proved nothing so far in college football, just two starts into his tenure.

Still, it was an interesting moment to witness. He’s clearly focused on fall camp and Week One in Columbus and appeared ready to go and play the season-opening game against the Buckeyes.

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Whatever the case, Manning will start in 2025, and we’re nearing single-digit days before the beginning of the Manning era in Austin. Is it the biggest debut in Texas football history? No matter the answer, these are exciting times in Austin, Texas.

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