Arch Manning responds to grandfather’s prediction that he will return to Texas in 2026
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Arch Manning hasn’t made up his mind on returning to Texas in 2026 or declaring for the NFL Draft after his redshirt sophomore season, regardless of what his grandfather has said.
On Aug. 7, Archie Manning, in an interview with Texas Monthly magazine, rejected the notion that Arch would declare for the draft after 2025 and would instead return to the Longhorns for a fourth season. That’s apparently news to Arch.
“IÂ don’t know where he got that from,” the younger Manning said, according to ESPN. “He texted me to apologize about that. I’m really just taking it day by day right now.”
Archie Manning, for his part, implied that his comments were misinterpreted.
“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. But then, of course, then the fact I said that he might be at Texas, that’s just an assumption on my part,” he said.
It’s impossible to predict how Arch Manning’s 2025 season will ultimately unfold. For what it’s worth, he’s one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. But even that’s not a guarantee by any means.
Meanwhile, Manning’s first game as the Longhorns’ QB1 isn’t too far off. Texas opens at Ohio State on Aug. 30.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
