Arch Manning earns ’round 1′ grade from NFL Draft analyst entering 2026 season
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Texas quarterback Arch Manning continues to receive significant praise from NFL Draft scouts ahead of the 2026 season.
Manning, who is set to begin his second season as a starting quarterback next month, was included in the “Round 1” tier by ESPN’s Jordan Reid in a new piece analyzing quarterback prospects.
Manning was joined in the top tier by Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker and Oregon’s Dante Moore. Here is Reid’s analysis on Manning entering the 2026 season:
There wasn’t a player with higher expectations entering last season than Manning. And a disappointing first month was followed by a strong back half, as Manning finished with 3,163 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He added another 399 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Manning has high-end physical tools but hasn’t put them all together for long stretches. His biggest improvement must come in short-to-intermediate throws. His 9% off-target rate on throws of 10 air yards or less was 17th worst among starters in the FBS last season.
If Manning does meet expectations in 2026, he could become the third member of his family to be picked No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft. Uncles Peyton and Eli went No. 1 in the 1998 and 2004 NFL Drafts, respectively.
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Manning will have a tough test early in the season as the Longhorns host No. 1 Ohio State in Week 2. Last season, Manning struggled on the road in Columbus in a 14-7 loss. He threw for just 170 yards on 30 attempts in that loss.
Manning’s 2026 season debut will come against Texas State on Sept. 5. He enters the season as one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy on Kalshi:
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
